Expect fewer hallways and more nooks that work as "pocket offices" or kid-friendly alcoves in newly built homes.
Why it matters: Builders and architects say they're using every square foot of space as they shrink houses to cut costs, Axios' Sami Sparber reports.
👀 Case in point: Listed for about $155,000,one of developer Lennar's brand-new homes in San Antonio offers 661 square feet of space — nearly all of which is open concept, except the primary suite and extra bathroom, which are tacked at the ends of each floor.
🔠Zoom out: Over a third (38%) of U.S. builders say they constructed smaller houses last year, and 26% plan to go even smaller this year, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
The downsizing comes as high interest rates have hiked costs for both buyers and builders.
