Is Tiny House Living Right For You?
The lifestyle may be highly inviting, but the size of living may make us feel less confident in our choices. Today we wanted to go over some things that you might want to consider should you make the big move into a tiny home.
Con: Compacting Your Life Into a Small Space
The most common fear is space. The first question is usually 'where is everything going to fit?' and the second 'Will I feel Claustrophobic?'. Both of these questions are tough to answer and may put you off living tiny, especially if you are a bit of a hoarder. While my answer to you is not a solution but more of a suggestion, I would recommend researching a minimalist lifestyle for peace of mind. You'll discover that less can feel like more when we declutter the world we live in. Next, I would work out the keep list as in the things that you will take with you into the tiny home. Ensure every item is accounted for as this will be important for the next step. Once you have your list, you can start working out where your stuff will go and if you need any additional storage spaces.
To answer the second question, yes, you will feel claustrophobic if you misdesign your home. If you anything like me, lying down with my hands extended to be able to touch a ceiling is enough for my mind to think I'm being buried alive. I'm no fan of small spaces, and if you feel the same, I would suggest adding skylights to give an open feel and place your bed directly on the floor rather than adding under bed storage which could take 30cm off the height of your room. If this is a real concern for you, you could equally have your bedroom downstairs and a small lounge place upstairs? Whatever you decide to do, speak with your designer who will offer suggestions and tips for maximising the bedroom space to fit your needs.
Pro: Raising Children in a Natural Environment
What a beautiful thought, children behaving as children should running around freely in a green open space. Since COVID began, more and more parents have chosen to homeschool their children, not only so that they are safe, but they noticed their child's abilities improving along with additional time to learn about things that wouldn't typically be discussed within a classroom. If you have kids, raising children in a tiny may have its issues when it comes to space. However, the rewards of family living may just outweigh the negatives.
Con: Being Away From Friends & Family
One thing for sure, if you have land available next to your family and friends, you have struck gold! For the majority of us, buying a tiny followed by the long hard slog of finding a plot makes us less picky in where the property will be located. This could potentially mean leaving our loved ones behind or arranging long rides to go and see them.
Pro: Reduced Energy & Bills
Woo hoo! Saving the environment is a massive pro! A standard set of solar panels will provide you with enough energy for the year. Add rainwater collection systems and non-flushing toilets, and you have very few bills to pay while helping to reduce global warming.
Pro: More Outdoor Living
The idea to live in a tiny house means spending most of your time outdoors. Long walks in the woods, late-night BBQ's (in the summer of course) and stunning green scenery is enough to make anyone want to pack their bags and make the move.
Con/Pro: The Hassle
Going tiny takes a lot of work unless you already have a plot of land. Most of us have to spend copious amounts of hours scouring the internet for a plot that isn't too expensive, too far from our loved ones but allows a structure of some sort on the land. Equally, it is an exciting time of designing your perfect home tailored to you while searching for a place to spend the rest of your days living to your fullest. All in all, it's a pain in the backside to find, but once found, it will feel like such an achievement.
That's it from us this week. If you have any questions, need support on how to get started or want a chat with our team, feel free to get in touch!
