Are you thinking of downsizing? Maybe living in a tiny house is for you! Tiny homes are becoming increasingly popular as people seek ways to simplify their lives. They can be an excellent option for those who want to live mortgage-free or for those looking for a more sustainable way of living. There are various types of tiny homes in the market to choose from. However, living tiny also has its advantages and disadvantages. Read on to learn more about going tiny!
Different Types of Tiny Homes
There are different types of tiny houses in the market. Constructing a home suitable for the native climate and weather of the location of the home is crucial. Here are some of the different types of tiny houses:
- Tumbleweed Tiny Houses
Small houses that are attached to trailers for mobility | @tumbleweedhouses
Tumbleweed Tiny House Company is one of the best-known manufacturers of tiny houses. All four of its basic house models have wooden exteriors, some rustic and some modern. Their size ranges from 117 to 221 square feet, all of which can be towed on trailers. These houses can be built to order, or buyers can buy the plan and build their own.
- Tiny Texas Houses
Materials from salvaged buildings are used to build tiny Texas houses. | @sfgate
Materials from salvaged buildings are used to build tiny Texas houses. |
Tiny Texas Houses are suitable for those who want something larger and more permanent. They come in two sizes, 240 or 336 square feet, and are built entirely out of salvaged materials. They have a rustic and casual style. These homes are built in Luling, Texas, then shipped to the buyer's site and assembled.
- Shipping Container Homes
Shipment container homes are flexible, eco-friendly, and fast to construct. | @thewowdecor
Metal shipping containers are another salvaged material used for tiny houses. Metal shipping containers are used to carry goods from one location to another. However, shipping them back empty is not usually cost-effective. Rather than turning them into scrap metal, tiny house manufacturers transform them into stylish prefab homes. G-Pod is one example. They shipped containers that contained materials necessary to build the house, which then could be unpacked and assembled on-site.
- Tiny Luxury Homes
You can build a luxury tiny home for half the price of a luxury car. | @tailoredtinyco
Despite their small size, tiny houses do not have to be simple and boring. Forbes featured a story about tiny luxury homes featuring home automation, surround sound, radiant in-floor heating, and tiny hot tubs. Although these houses are costly when priced by the square foot, they offer an opportunity to own a luxury home for as little as $35,000 – less than many luxury cars.
- Micro-Apartments
Micro apartments cost less than traditional studio apartments | @88designbox
Tiny homes are sometimes not even houses – they are "micro-apartments" for rent. They enable single people looking to move into their first homes to afford an apartment in the city when the rent of a full-sized apartment would be too costly. Micro-apartments are usually less than 400 square feet. Buildings with micro-apartments typically include amenities such as shared spaces for entertaining and storage which helps to compensate for the small apartment sizes.
Advantages of Tiny Houses
- Less clutter/ time spent cleaning
These tiny homes usually only consist of a few rooms – usually a kitchen, living area, and bedroom. Other tiny houses could be completely open, like a studio. Small homes have no room for excessive clutter, especially if you want a breathable space that is easy to move around. Hence, cleaning is much easier with less floor space and less clutter to clean around.
- More savings
Small and repurposed, this type of home is seen as an eco-friendly option. | @yankodesign
For those with clear design intent and vision for the appearance of their home, tiny homes can help save a lot. Most of the time, a good portion of the construction can be done without professional help. Nevertheless, plenty of tiny home designers are out there, but it will cost more – price ranges from less than $19000 to around $50000 depending on its size and the kind of finishes you want. Lower-budget tiny homes can sometimes be paid for fully in cash upfront. However, loaning is still an option, and it will still be a smaller loan compared to a traditional mortgage. Not to mention savings on reduced bills for heating, cooling, property taxes, or home maintenance by owning a tiny home.
- Able to move freely
Tiny homes have a small footprint. Therefore, they won't need a large plot of land. Many tiny houses are built on trailers so homeowners can take them along whenever they move to a new city. Many people find this an ideal way to enjoy life on the road without giving up all the comforts of home, and some use it to connect more to nature by staying off the grid.
- Lower Carbon Footprint
Tiny homes consume less energy, produce less waste, and use fewer resources than larger homes. Some tiny houses are even equipped with solar panels and rainwater collectors, highly suitable for off-the-grid living.
Disadvantages of Tiny Houses
- Tiny house laws aren't easy to comply with
Often, people have been shoo-ed away from even remote locations once it's been discovered that they've parked a tiny home there. Moreover, word spreads quickly about remarkably tiny homes, so it happens often. Which leads us to wonder: Why are tiny houses illegal? In some states, tiny houses are not considered legal housing due to zoning regulations and safety concerns. Tiny houses are not considered residences by most states because of their small size, making it difficult to register or get permits. In most states, however, tiny houses are classified as recreational vehicles (RVs), so they can park at campsites and RV parks for a fee.
- Resale Value
The value of traditional houses depreciates primarily due to location, whereas tiny houses depreciate almost as much as a car. Tiny homes fall into a grey area when it comes to getting a loan, selling is hard, and they can be a crazy investment considering the cost per square foot.
In most cases, tiny house prices depreciate, and people lose money on their tiny houses when they sell them. Upgrades increase the property's overall value but do not always result in a profit. Unless the home is exceptionally unique or incredibly well maintained, this is the sad truth. But who knows? Adding tiny houses to local zoning codes may encourage more of them to appear and stabilize the tiny house real estate market.
- Limited living space
An effective tiny house layout | @agentgrow
Building tiny homes often mean getting creative with maximizing the space, but living tiny is about having enough space for you and your family to live comfortably. Tiny homeowners might find themselves spending time outside if they need a break from the rest of the family.
- Limited Storage
A tiny home might not be suitable for someone with 50 pairs of shoes or an extensive collection of family heirlooms. To live tiny, you need to live within your means and simplify your possessions so you only keep essentials.
- Difficult to entertain
It can be challenging to host large parties or even have a few friends over for dinner in a tiny house. Outdoor living spaces are perfect for entertaining guests in the warmer months, but you would need to cut down the guest list during the winter months.
Tips to Living Tiny
- Make the most of vertical space
Make use of the space under the stairs for more storage space | @homescopes
Look up if you've run out of horizontal space to expand! Tiny home decorating demands that you be inventive, and one method to do so is by thinking outside the box when it comes to your walls. Install floating shelves, hidden tables, and wall desks to maximize vertical space while increasing storage. You may also display photographs, flora, and other decorations above eye level.
- Pick furniture that does double duty
Because of their small size, tiny living spaces need home furniture that can be used for many purposes or provides hidden storage space. Alternatives include double and single beds and pull-out drawers with storage space. Although most of us think of sleeper sofas and fold-out desks when we hear "functional furniture," there are now many innovative and unexpected multifunctional furnishings that provide just as much flair as functionality.
- Enjoy the outdoor space
Tiny homeowners frequently choose to live tiny because they want to spend more time outside and stay closer to nature. | @temasek
Whether you live in the country or the concrete jungle, spending time outdoors can reduce the pressure of living in a small space (especially when you share that space with others). Consider adding decks and other outdoor "rooms" to expand your living area effectively. If that isn't an option, regularly hit up a park or a local trail. It won't make your space feel any bigger, but it might help you enjoy it more once you get home.
- Use neutral colors
A neutral color scheme will make the space appear larger and less cluttered. | @tinyeasy
There's a reason why light-paint hues are so popular in tiny house interiors. White, grey and beige neutrals reflect light well, making them appear airier and more prominent. While you may prefer vivid colours or wallpaper, use them cautiously since overly strong designs might make your place feel claustrophobic.
- Consider sliding doors
Do you want to create unique rooms without taking up your available space? Sliding doors are a fantastic way to add style while still saving space. The pocket and rolling barn door are both small, yet they don't use much room in the house. This tiny house decorating concept works well in enclosing a bathroom or bedroom.
A mobile tiny home is a popular choice to stay off the grid. | @mobile-tinyhouse
Tiny living may seem like a new trend, but it has been around for centuries. It has only gained popularity recently as people look for more sustainable and affordable ways to live. Although tiny living isn't for everyone, it has many advantages if you're considering downsizing. Tiny homes come in all shapes and sizes, so find the one that suits you. One of the most significant advantages is financial freedom. Usually, tiny homeowners typically spend one-sixth of what traditional homeowners do on monthly housing costs. Hence, tiny homeowners can put the remaining money towards other goals, like travel and early retirement. Not only that, but tiny homes also require much less maintenance than traditional homes. However, a tiny home's downside is a lack of storage and limited social interaction. Even though living tiny is not for everyone, it can be an option for those who want to simplify their lives and reduce their environmental impact.
