If you add all these dimensions, you will be amazed at how much space you really need.

Sometimes I can't help but chuckle when I hear empty nesters say they need more space. Usually, they are in a perfectly sized 2,000 to 3,000 square-foot home that can easily accommodate a family of four or five.

Of course, because of my experience and insight as an interior designer, I know what they mean is that they don't like the way their home functions, or that they feel the layout of their home is broken into small areas. Prior to embarking on an extensive addition to your home or starting a search for a much larger home, ask yourself exactly how much room you need.

In Japan, 500 to 600 square feet is considered large enough for a small family, and in Europe, 1,000 square feet is often a luxury.

In New York City, the average size of a studio is approximately 440 square feet (just slightly larger than a 325 square-foot hotel room), and the average one-bedroom apartment is 650 square feet. Acceptable home sizes vary by geographic location and social standards.

Why is it that some cultures are generally happy with less space? Are we misusing space? Do we need more square feet or better design?

Trying to lead a simpler and more efficient life is challenging, but it can be accomplished if you have an unwavering focus. Part of the process is really finding yourself in terms of what you consider comfortable or acceptable.

An exercise I always recommend is to think of each daily activity that takes place in a home and categorize them in order of importance. Once this is accomplished, calculate how much space you think you will need for each activity.

By all means, allow yourself an indulgence of extra space for any special activity -- for example, a large kitchen because you enjoy cooking, or a large closet because your shoe collection rivals Carrie Bradshaw's. Do keep in mind that professional chefs prefer a smaller kitchen where everything is within reach, and that Carrie is a fictional character.

If you add all these dimensions, you will be amazed at how much space you really need.

I guarantee it is much less than you originally thought. This exercise is useful for you as a homeowner, but also for your architect and your interior designer. In the end, you will know yourself and your routines better, and a more intelligent design will be yours.

In most instances, a good design can overcome the desire for a larger home.

Good design means editing our lives and rethinking how we use our spaces.

The current architectural trend of an open floor plan can be part of an optimal design solution. In both houses and condominiums, this type of floor plan is great because it combines multiple functions into one space.

In addition, because many activities will overlap, there is a good chance that a more intimate setting will give way to better communication between the occupants. As populations in cities around the world continue to grow, this design feature is here to stay. Realize that small is the new big.

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Fla.

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