Do you dream of a slower-paced, simpler life free from clutter? Have you considered living off the grid? If so, a minimalist tiny house could be perfect for you.
What Is a Tiny House?
If you’ve been hearing more about tiny houses lately, there’s a good reason — cost. The average price of a new home in the U.S. rose from $292,200 in 2012 to $543,600 just 10 years later. With the federal minimum wage holding steady since 2009, many people simply can’t afford a full-sized house. Tiny houses are an alternative option.
Often occupying 600 square feet or less, tiny houses are commonly about the size of an RV, although the rules and regulations governing how big or small a tiny home can be vary by location.
Although small, tiny homes usually still come with a sink, shower, toilet, living area and bedroom space, which is often situated in a loft above the main living room.
It’s a much different way of living than most people are used to. As you can imagine, it’s most popular with households of one or two individuals, though even that might feel crowded for some. Living in a tiny home requires dedication to cleaning, minimizing clutter and working through any conflicts that may arise with your roommates.
Some tiny houses are off the grid, relying on solar panels or propane for power. Others are fully connected to the electrical grid, and still others take a hybrid approach. There are many ways to customize the experience of living in a tiny house.
What Is Minimalism?
Minimalism is another movement that’s central to the tiny house lifestyle for many tiny house dwellers. This philosophy is one of simple living and stepping away from the rampant consumerism that characterizes modern culture. It’s the idea of being grateful for what you have rather than always looking for more.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to live a monkish, ascetic lifestyle to embrace this concept. Minimalists still have decorations and enjoy hobbies at home.
However, minimalist principles ask you to pause and reflect before acquiring a new possession. Will it bring you joy? How often will you use it? These questions become especially pertinent when you have a tiny home with less space.
Pros of a Minimalist Tiny House
Thinking of giving up your inessential belongings and moving off the grid? Here are some reasons why you should make the leap.
1. Easier to Clean
With less space, it’s easy to clean your entire home in record time. Since everything is within reach, it’s also easier to find things. Where did you leave your purse? Simply spin in a circle, and it’s bound to be within your line of sight.
2. You’ll Have Lower Electric Bills
Heating or cooling a tiny home is a snap as long as it has good insulation. You won’t be paying to warm up your empty spare bedroom in the winter. As a result, you’ll likely have much smaller electric bills. That’s even more possible if your home has solar panels or a wind turbine.
3. It’s Cozy
A tiny home can make you feel more in tune with your surroundings. At the same time, it’s more cozy and intimate, fostering a sense of peace and laid-back living.
The stairs, overhead space and drawers under the bed often double as storage space. Many tiny homes feature a table you can fold down or slide into the wall. With fewer possessions and more mindful use of your space, you’ll feel less tied down and more connected to your belongings.
4. Traveling Is Simpler
Which shoes should you pack for your trip? That’s a trick question—if your tiny home is on wheels, you can take your whole house! With minimalism, traveling gets a whole lot easier.
5. Minimalism Prompts Mindfulness
Clearing your space can also help clear your mind. When you only own things that actually mean something to you or contribute to your life, it’s easier to be more mindful. Plus, do you really need three can openers? It’s time to let some items go.
6. Your Home Can Be Mobile or Stationary
If you’re building a tiny home from scratch, you can decide if you want it to be stationary or mounted on a trailer. Mobile tiny houses are excellent for people with more nomadic lifestyles.
7. Minimalism Saves Money
When you aren’t buying things you don’t need, your savings can add up quickly. Ads may persuade you to make unnecessary purchases, but a minimalist mindset helps you step back and ask yourself if you really need another coffee maker or curling iron.
8. You’ll Develop Patience
Living a minimalist lifestyle in a small space cultivates patience. You’ll learn to be content with what you have, deal with problems as they arise and develop better communication with your roommate, partner or kids.
9. You Could Get an RV Loan
If your house is on a trailer and can actually travel on the road, you might be able to secure an RV loan. Check with credit unions, banks and online lenders to see if your home would qualify for this loophole.
10. You Can Learn New Skills
Although you may not have a fully stocked art studio or kitchen, you can learn new hobbies that take up less space. Sewing, knitting, writing and plant care are just a few ideas. You can roll out your yoga mat and do some stretches in the living room.
Plus, you can always take your hobbies outside the home or attend classes and workshops. Living in a tiny home will almost certainly expand your skill set and foster new ideas.
Potential Cons of Tiny House Living
Living in a tiny house has many benefits, but it’s not for everyone. Keep these potential drawbacks in mind.
1. Clutter Adds Up Quickly
In a small space, even a stray handbag or pair of shoes tossed on the floor gets in the way. A smaller sink fills up with dishes faster. And, with all your household activities taking place in the same area, the house will get dirty in the blink of an eye. However, less space means less mess overall.
2. Not Much Room for Company
If you love hosting game nights, living in a tiny home will present some challenges. It’s comparable to inviting people over when you live in an RV—you simply can’t fit many people inside. However, you can set up a cute outdoor space with a table, fire pit and chairs to take the party outdoors.
3. Smells Are Stronger
The odor of tuna, a wet dog or a full garbage can will quickly permeate your entire living space. Thankfully, so will the scent of candles. Most tiny homes also have generous windows to let in some fresh air.
4. Not for Homebodies
A tiny house may be perfect for a cold, rainy night curled up with a book, but it can feel cramped if you’re working from home. This living situation is best for people who spend a lot of time outside, love to be on the go and only come home at night.
5. Downsizing Can Be Tough
How do you decide what to keep and what has to go? It can be hard to downsize your possessions, especially those that are meaningful to you. But it’s necessary if you want to live in a minimalist tiny house.
If you’re hanging onto items that no longer serve a purpose but still feel sentimental, one trick is to take a photo of them. That way, you can look back on them at any time.
6. Mobility Issues Present a Challenge
Most tiny homes feature a ladder or staircase leading up to the bedroom loft. If you have an injury, arthritis or anything else that causes mobility issues, tiny homes can be a challenge. Although sleeping in a loft can be very comfortable, climbing down a ladder for a midnight bathroom break is tricky for anyone, let alone somebody with vertigo.
It also may be impossible to stand in the loft. Instead, you might have to crawl into the space, even when you want to make your bed. It’s certainly not ideal for anyone with claustrophobia or a fear of heights.
7. Challenging for Bigger Families
Do you have kids? A tiny house often just has one bedroom, with no doors except for the bathroom. You’ll be sharing a very small space, which means no room to get away for a quiet moment to yourself if your kids are crying, playing tag or watching yet another episode of Sesame Street. “P” is for privacy!
8. The Bathroom Learning Curve
Most people don’t use a composting toilet on a regular basis. If you thought it was awkward asking your guests to take their shoes off at the door, wait until you have to explain how to use the toilet. What’s the sawdust for, again?
9. Dealing With Red Tape
The typical cost of building a tiny home ranges from $30,000 to $60,000, which is definitely cheaper than buying a traditional house. However, that doesn’t include the cost of the land itself.
Most people don’t have that kind of money just lying around. Getting a mortgage or loan for a tiny home can be very difficult. It’s especially tough if your tiny house is mobile, because lenders don’t consider homes real estate unless they’re anchored to a foundation.
Instead, you may have to take out a personal loan, which can come with steep interest rates. There are also legalities around where you can park your tiny home and how to get it insured. Read up on local regulations to find out if building a tiny home is feasible.
10. Space Is Limited
Perhaps the biggest and most obvious drawback of living in a tiny home is the limited space. The reality of living in 400 square feet might not sink in until you realize you can’t bring your book collection, extra clothes, exotic spices or smoothie blender with you. You’ll probably have to let go of some decorations.
Cooking can be hard with limited counter space, and there may just be one sink that works double time for the kitchen and bathroom. Get used to doing your makeup by setting it in the sink or on a nearby floating shelf.
If your home is mobile, you’ll even have to consider the weight of certain items like cast iron pans or marble countertops because too much weight could overburden your vehicle.
Home Sweet Home
Living in a tiny home isn’t for everyone. Even some people who do live in a tiny house see it as a transition to the next step in life rather than a permanent dwelling.
But for all the drawbacks, living a minimalist lifestyle in a small space has numerous perks. Plenty of people see a tiny house as a transition away from a permanent dwelling that was too big and didn’t put them in touch with what they needed.
Who knows? It might just be perfect for you.
Feature image: Andreea Ch; Image 1: Jed Owen; Image 2: Elmer Cañas
