Author Sheri Koones downsized from a nearly 7,000 square foot house to 1,400 square feet when she and her husband became empty-nesters. So she has personal experience with downsizing, and brings that knowledge to this book.

It’s packed with photos of a variety of houses, some small, but others not so small at 1,800-2,000 square feet. (Perhaps the book’s subtitle should have been “Living Large in a Smaller House.”)  Nevertheless, this book offers all sorts of inspiration for those who need or simply want to downsize their living situation.

One very useful aspect of this book is that it includes some homes with separate living space for an adult child or an elderly parent. That’s a common situation these days but you don’t often see it addressed along with downsizing.

Many of the homes are new construction, which won’t be affordable for many people who are downsizing for financial reasons. But the color photos of the interiors offer plenty of inspiration for anyone who is considering furniture arrangements, use of artwork without going overboard, and how to put your personal mark on a home without filling it with clutter.

The author notes that she and some others highlighted in the book went through several purges of belongings before finally settling down in their new, smaller home. Nice to know we weren’t the only ones!