They say that downsizing is the next big thing. You’re attracted by the idea of moving to a tiny home, but you’re still not sure if this is for you. According to some reports, there are approximately 10,000 small homes in America, and about 700 new houses are added each year. If you’re still undecided about going tiny, here are ideas for you to consider:
An Overview of Small Homes in America
Cars, meals, and of course, houses are just some of the things that are known to be significant in America. Americans going tiny doesn’t seem to fit the equation.
But what is tiny? If the average size of a single-family home is around 1,650 square feet (153 square meters), then a 400 square foot (37 square meters), living space is indeed tiny. Some versions will be either a bit bigger or a bit smaller than this, but you get the picture.
From modest to luxurious, you can spend anywhere between $35,000 to more than $150,000 on a tiny house. From Santa Ana, California to Granbury, Texas, people are opting to go small house living. The build can also be an adventure, where you can choose from a variety of materials, from vinyl flooring to outdoor cedar walls.
Going Small
Looking at your stuff, it can barely fit in an 800 square foot home, so how can you do it in an even smaller space? Getting rid of some of your stuff or paring down is just one of the many challenges that you have to face.
- It isn’t cheaper than a big house. If you break down the cost on a per square foot basis, the cost of building a tiny house will be higher than building a bigger house. This is because a builder’s mark-up is higher when building a small house as compared to making a big house.
- Know the law. Each state has zoning regulations. Filing for permits can add to your cost. Some tiny houses are treated as RVs or recreational vehicles, which is also governed by laws. Small homes that come on wheels are considered as RVs, and those built on the ground are called accessory dwelling units (ADU). Learn the regulations in your destination.
- Pre-owned or a new build. You have the option to buy a pre-owned tiny house or build a new one from scratch. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. With a pre-owned, you won’t have the flexibility of designing the space to conform to your lifestyle and the stuff that you own. But they can be more reasonably priced compared to a new build. With a new build, you can go on full customization, particularly on storage solutions.
- Have you ever heard of composting toilet? Toilet flushing might be non-existent, especially if your tiny house is an RV. Your option is to use a composting toilet. This means that you have to regularly empty the liquid and solid waste chamber and dispose of the content in a dumpster or compost tumbler.
- Compact appliances. Stoves, refrigerators, and washer can all fit into your tiny home, but they might be the compact versions. Moving around in a small space using small appliances is probably one of the main adjustments you have to make in a tiny home.
You have to significantly pare down all your belongings and sleep in a low-ceiling bedroom. There’s plenty of sacrifices to be made, but for many, going small is worth it.
