Richer people have bigger houses. Magazines featuring celebrities in their cribs were all the rage for their design and contemporary themes. Pair it with their smiling, happy faces, it seem like a larger house gives blissfulness to the homeowner.But it is, in fact, the opposite.

According to Harvard professor Dan Gilbert, buying a house makes us not happier because with a bigger house comes a high maintenance costs and higher mortgage payments every month. Moreover, having a larger house requires time spent on redesigning, customizing and adjusting it to fit the homeowners’ preference rather than enjoying the house.

A smaller house may actually be enjoyed much more, as it is much easier to maintain and a smaller space means a much more intimate relationship with the house mates.

But why do people think that a bigger house makes them happier?

It is all about status, Gilbert says. A bigger house increases our status and we may feel a boost of happiness from people admiring the big house But this happiness is just temporary. After the “infatuation” period, there comes the unavoidable consequences of the financial cost for maintenance and the physical effort that comes with it.

The best way to do? Gilbert says we need to change our perception of happiness that a bigger house doesn’t lead to an increased happiness.

“Being happy is about changing the way we look at things (framing a loss as a gain) but also how we go about doing things to improve our life (actually simplifying our life).” Well-being coach Maddy Swinnen advises.