Reading: Unit 6: Where we live

Could you live in a home that is only 37 square metres in size? That is the size of a so-called 'tiny home', which has become a big craze in some parts of the world, giving rise to a new social trend: the 'tiny house movement'. For some, it's the only way to afford a home, but for others it's a lifestyle choice, offering a way of living more ecologically and less wastefully. Living in a small space means that you have to get rid of your excess possessions. It also forces you to go out and engage with the rest of the world.

Could you live in a home that is only 37 square metres in size? That is the size of a so-called 'tiny home', which has become a big craze in some parts of the world, giving rise to a new social trend: the 'tiny house movement'. For some, it's the only way to afford a home, but for others it's a lifestyle choice, offering a way of living more ecologically and less wastefully. Living in a small space means that you have to get rid of your excess possessions. It also forces you to go out and engage with the rest of the world.

Could you live in a home that is only 37 square metres in size? That is the size of a so-called 'tiny home', which has become a big craze in some parts of the world, giving rise to a new social trend: the 'tiny house movement'. For some, it's the only way to afford a home, but for others it's a lifestyle choice, offering a way of living more ecologically and less wastefully. Living in a small space means that you have to get rid of your excess possessions. It also forces you to go out and engage with the rest of the world.

Living small requires careful planning and who better to turn to for inspiration than the Japanese, the masters in the art of saving space. In densely populated cities like Tokyo, many people live in apartments smaller than ten square metres. They have managed to come up with ingenious space-saving solutions to make the apartments feel less cramped, such as the use of deep wardrobes and cupboards for storage. In this way, bedding can be folded and put away every day.

Professor Ellen Pader, who has published research on the impact of space on relationships, believes a major benefit of sharing space with others is that you learn respect for other people, and you also learn to negotiate with people, instead of just withdrawing when things get difficult. In many western countries, there is an assumption that we all need privacy, but this is not a universally shared belief. In Mexico, for example, people often prefer to share bedrooms because being alone feels like a punishment.

Professor Ellen Pader, who has published research on the impact of space on relationships, believes a major benefit of sharing space with others is that you learn respect for other people, and you also learn to negotiate with people, instead of just withdrawing when things get difficult. In many western countries, there is an assumption that we all need privacy, but this is not a universally shared belief. In Mexico, for example, people often prefer to share bedrooms because being alone feels like a punishment.