Because they are small, cost less to build, cost less to furnish, cost less to power, cost less to insure, and cost less to maintain, a micro mansion is within reach for most people. And you get all the luxury without the cost!
The typical real estate definition of a mansion is a home of at least 5,000 square feet. That’s pretty vague. So, if I built a 5,000-square-foot home out of recycled materials, it could be called a mansion.
Regardless of size, a better qualifier would be its degree of luxury appointments. I’ve been inside motorhomes that would fit this definition. Some people call these ultra-luxury motorhomes land yachts. I call them motor mansions.
Here’s my idea of a micro mansion.
Micro mansions are 400 to 900 square feet, the same size as a small house. The difference is in the premium materials used to build, furnish, and decorate them.
A micro mansion might include luxury features such as…
- Premium fixtures, sinks, toilets, and appliances.
- Marble or granite floors, countertops, and showers.
- Premium wood cabinets, closets, built-ins, and wall coverings.
- Premium insulation, double-paned windows, and top-quality exterior doors.
- Central heating, cooling, and water and air purifying systems.
- Renewable energy system to meet 100% of demand.
- Built with all green and non-toxic materials. (I don’t consider this a luxury feature, but it costs more to use these materials. So it could be considered a luxury purchase.)
Using these items might sound like it would cost a lot of money. Undoubtedly, it would be expensive, but you’ve got to put it in perspective. You do this by comparing the cost of doing the same things in a conventional-sized mansion. A micro mansion is a fraction of the size of a traditional mansion. Therefore, creating a luxury environment would take a fraction of the materials.
Let’s compare the low-end mansion size with the low-end small house size. That would be 5,000 square feet versus 400 square feet. You could put 12 small houses inside a “low-end” size mansion. Can you imagine what it would cost to put in 5,000 square feet of marble or granite flooring? Now, imagine what it would cost to put in 400 square feet. That’s 4,600 square feet less!
There are some features you wouldn’t see in a micro mansion. You wouldn’t see a bowling alley, movie theater, or indoor pool. But you might find these things on a much smaller scale outside a micro mansion.
A micro mansion utilizes much lower-cost exterior space to create more living areas! It might even have a relatively large interior courtyard, creating an ultra-private garden. A hot tub would be a must in such a garden. In addition, multiple covered and uncovered garden rooms would surround the micro mansion, creating usable and inviting outdoor living spaces. These spaces would be heavily appointed with shrubs, trees, and garden lights. For more ideas, read the article “Landscaping Tips for Small Gardens.”
Are you getting the picture? Do you see how small houses can enable you to live in luxury, but on a much smaller and smarter scale?
With a micro mansion, you get the best of both worlds. This is why so many people love what this lifestyle choice can do for them. How about you?