Mark Metheny, central Florida president for housing giant Lennar, notes a trends toward smaller, smarter homes. But there's a limit to the smaller-is-better trend, especially in a tight economy that encourages multi-generational living:

And while American families are shrinking in size---people have fewer children today---larger homes with multiple bedrooms are increasingly popular. The reason?         

“Many families today plan to accommodate more than one generation,” Metheny said. “Grandparents are moving in with their children and vice-versa, so many homes accommodate three generations in the same family and we have to design for that,” he said.            

Other lifestyle changes such as stay-at-home workers also account for design changes, Metheny added.            

“Offices are the most popular uses of extra bedrooms, and grandparents and crafts are running a close second,” Metheny said.

I keep hearing all about subdued expectations, about people shedding their energy hog McMansions for quiet cottages with solar panels. Call me unconvinced. If money is no object - and housing bargains abound - Americans generally prefer quantity over quality.

Just look at how truck sales took off - and hybrid cars dropped off the radar - the moment gas flirted with $1.60 per gallon.