The world of tiny homes is growing at an exponential rate as people jump on this bandwagon. With minimalism becoming mainstream, downsizing is seen as upgrading for increasing numbers of people.
When first hearing about the concept, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking of some sort of caravan lifestyle, however, some designs take things to a whole new level of luxury.
The official definition of a tiny house is “a dwelling that is 400 square feet (37 sqm) or less in floor area excluding lofts.”
Tiny homes come with a plethora of positives. From flexibility both physical and economic, environmental bonuses, to purely simplifying lives, there are many reasons why people are looking to tiny homes as their next investment.
Living for less
Tiny homes provide people with an opportunity to get on the property ladder for less. Cheaper to build and cheaper to run, tiny homes are the perfect financial solution for those on a budget.
It’s easier than ever to get a home without needing a mortgage.
Credit: Home Builder Digest
For some, this allows the opportunity to spend money elsewhere, such as on travelling or business ventures.
In the new Netflix show, Tiny House Nation, a Florida couple choose to downsize in order to help free up money for their children’s college education.
So maybe consider this option if you want to secure your own property, whilst saving for rainy days and spending on what really matters!
Environmental living
According to Home Builder Digest, the average home is responsible for around 28,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year, versus that of a tiny home which produces a substantially smaller 2,000 pounds.
Brad Allain, a tiny homeowner from Massachusetts, said: “the payoff is knowing you have a small environmental footprint.”
Amazingly, more and more tiny homes are becoming entirely self-sufficient. The YouTube channel and website “Living big in a tiny house,” features a number of examples where owners use new eco-friendly technology to run their houses off.
One of the homes is “powered entirely by renewable energy technologies” and thus can be run completely off-grid. Using staples such as solar panels, homeowners Paul and Annett, also incorporate innovative ideas such as solar tubes to heat up their water supply and a rainwater catchment system.
Living wherever
A lot of these tiny homes are within the dimensions necessary to allow them to be hitched up to a vehicle and transported.
For those who want to explore, or simply can’t decide where to settle down, tiny homes ensure that you aren’t tied down, whilst maintaining a sense of security. Wherever you go, you know you’ll be sleeping in your own bed every night.
For those owners who want something more permanent, plots of land provide the perfect perch. Patios create the perfect opportunity to extend the living space and make the homes feel larger.
Dan and Marnie, tiny homeowners in Sydney, demonstrate the luxury of garden space combined with the simplicity of a tiny home.
Credit: livingbiginatinyhouse.com
Despite living in a prime real estate area, the two along with their children, are able to live in an ultra-modern home complete with a pool larger than their own house.
The magic of less
More and more of us are detoxing our spaces. Books are being hauled from our shelves, clothes are being torn from our drawers and paperwork is finally being sorted.
Tiny homes are the next step for many. Having such a small space forces people to think more critically about the things they have in their home- after all, you can only store so much.
This notion is incredibly freeing for a lot of people.
Could you see yourself living in one of these homes?
Brig Secretary 2019-2020. Studying Politics BA(Hons).
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