Living in a small home comes with plenty of perks—coziness, lower costs, and a simpler lifestyle—but it also comes with unexpected realities no one talks about. From HVAC quirks that make temperature control tricky to the surprising impact of sound and lighting, small-home living requires a whole new approach to comfort, storage, and even entertaining. Whether you're downsizing or just trying to make a compact space work better, these real-life lessons will help you avoid common pitfalls and make the most of every square foot.