Tiny houses are all the rage right now. People are turning to these small houses as a way to cut down on expenses, save for retirement, and simplify their lives. There is even an entire reality show dedicated to tiny homes called Tiny House Nation that follows their building while also highlighting what makes this trend so popular right now.
What is a tiny house? A tiny house is defined as one that’s between 100-400 square feet. It has no more than one story, exists on small budgets, and supports the idea of living simply. Additionally, these homes are often built out of various materials such as straw bales, metal, or wood.
This article will explore what defines a tiny house and why people are so interested in downsizing to the tiny house life.
What is a Tiny House?
The primary components of what makes up a tiny house are its size ( no more than 400 square feet), design (single story), and function (simplifying life). Tiny houses are also mobile, can be manufactured in a factory or built by hand, come with low building costs, offer some degree of customization, may have solar panels to save on energy bills, and other benefits that follow.
These tiny houses are built with the goal of living simply and cutting down on expenses. It also supports the idea of saving for retirement and simplifying life. The homes may be tiny, but communities and organizations are dedicated to helping people start their own. These include the American Tiny House Association and The Small House Society that both support building these simple houses while also promoting them to save money or simplify life.
Tiny houses have numerous benefits, such as being mobile (they can move wherever the owner desires), saving money, and living less. However, downsizing to this extent can be difficult for some people who simply aren’t ready to ditch their larger homes just yet.
What Makes People Build Them?
Tiny homes were initially popularized by people looking to live more simply, save money, and/or retire early. Others chose them as a way to downsize after getting married or divorced. However, these days tiny homes are becoming popular for other reasons like living off the grid (without being connected to public utilities) or by those with environmentalist views.
There are numerous reasons why people build or live in tiny houses. While the primary factors revolve around cost and simplicity, a sense of freedom comes with owning one. They can travel wherever they want while living off their savings without worrying about expenses.
Tiny homes come with many benefits, such as being mobile (they can go wherever the owner desires), cheap to build, and living with less. However, downsizing to this extent can be difficult for some people who simply aren’t ready to ditch their larger homes just yet.
Are There Downsides?
Of course – it can be difficult for some people to downsize so dramatically; the homes are often on wheels, which means they aren’t necessarily attached to a property, and their size can make it difficult for larger families. However, these downsides are usually outweighed by the benefits.
People living in tiny houses still have to deal with similar issues that those living in large homes, like repairs and cleaning. They also need to make sure their home is safe for themselves (e.g., making sure it’s compliant with building codes) and any guests they might have over.
These downsides to living in tiny houses are usually outweighed by the benefits of having a small home (e.g., low building costs, being mobile, saving money). Additionally, people must make sure their homes follow all applicable safety measures and have any needed permits before moving into one.
Is Living In A Tiny House For You?
When deciding if you want to make the jump to tiny house living, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I want to save money and live with less?
- Am I looking for a simpler life or an early retirement?
- Would owning a tiny house make me happier than my current home does?
- Is downsizing worth the trade-offs (e.g., not having enough space, no longer being connected to public utilities)?
These are just some of the questions to ask yourself when deciding if you want a tiny house. While downsizing can be difficult for many people, it’s often worth it due to the benefits of living in one.