Tiny houses are a trend that has gained a lot of popularity within the past decade. More and more Americans are converting to tiny living as a way to escape the burden, ever-growing expenses, and limitations of a regular sized home. In fact, the small living spaces are taking away the stresses of home owning and providing people with the freedom to experience life. Ultimately, the American Dream is being redefined by tiny houses that have a huge impact on the traditional idea of success, and downsizing is taking a new form with these adorably sized spaces.

These types of houses range anywhere from 100 to 400 square feet, which is extremely tiny. To put that in perspective, the majority of tinies are smaller than a two-car garage and can be as small as a guest bedroom. These spaces require a lot of creativity and innovation in order to make the best use of every last inch. For example, loft bedrooms, accessed by a ladder or small stairs, are the space-saving quirk that makes tiny living easy and enjoyable. Interestingly, the stairs can also double as storage with hidden drawers and cabinets, so it’s like living in a big playhouse. With all of their innovative quirks, tiny homes provide the comfort of a regular home but with a little more fun.

Tiny home storage. Source: Minimaliste Houses

Due to their mobility, towable homes are also perfect for adventure. Cross-country voyages are made much more comfortable and less expensive. For instance, tiny homes can be left in trailer parks, removing the need for a hotel along the way and saving hundreds of dollars on each adventure. Young couples especially want to experience traveling but cannot afford to pay an outrageous rent, so tiny houses are the perfect opportunity for young families to own their own home and travel. This is ultimately what draws people to live tiny.

Tiny home on wheels. Source: Homes to Love

While all the freedom is almost too good to be true, tinies are incredibly affordable, typically costing between $30,000 and $60,000. People now have endless opportunities to have the freedom to explore and freedom from overbearing maintenance. Depending on the state, you can buy a lot of land and put it there as any other house. Many people can pay for both without any mortgage or loan using the equity from the sale of their previous house, or they can pay it off within a few years. In addition, the maintenance costs of tinies are unbelievably low as well because they are built out of industrial low-maintenance materials and are made to withstand any weather.

Besides being irresistibly cute, tiny houses are unexpectedly functional. Their practicality is often questioned, but they are surprisingly functional when compared to other spaces. Even though it’s hard to imagine, tiny homes are the size of some New York apartments. While the kitchens are much more compact than average, most manage to fit full-sized stoves or refrigerators. Many can fit a regular sectional or sofa and chairs to provide as much seating space as needed. Some tiny homes are even built with gas fireplaces, accommodate queen-sized beds, and fit washers and dryers. Notably, despite having significantly less space, tiny houses still have all the necessary appliances of any home.

Interior of “Sakura” tiny home. Source: Mimimaliste Homes

Going tiny means going green, too. For example, while most bathrooms in these houses are very similar to any other, some include a composting toilet to better soil conditions. Very similar to regular composting, organic material is used to create a compound beneficial to soil. This unique feature is quite untraditional but fits perfectly with the concept of going small.

Of course, there are tiny houses that have normal bathrooms for people who aren’t so sure of this idea. While people may be hesitant about living off of public utilities, such as natural gas and water, they find it rewarding to help the environment. Tiny homes also promote recycling and are made out of reclaimed materials. Additionally, they run on their own electricity with solar panels incorporated on the roof and independent utilities such as a solar water heaters. Furthermore, these environmentally friendly features are only possible with a small space which is why many people are gravitating toward them.

Tiny house bathroom. Source: Minimaliste Houses

With tens of thousands of dollars saved each year, people are able to “live life the fullest” and have the freedom to travel the world. After all, instead of paying for that broken AC unit, tiny homeowners could take a vacation to explore abroad. For people who love to travel, tiny homes are a great option as you always have the ability to remain mobile and enjoy adventuring.

Living tiny is not just a way of life but a mindset. There is a certain psyche involved with living a life of simplicity. Of course, this is one of the aspects of tiny homes that people seem to love. The movement has been getting a lot of attention lately because of the incomparable feeling of peace and a clear state of mind that comes with less space. There is no greater feeling than being completely free of all worries and that is what tiny homes are made for.

The tiny living movement is just beginning. More and more people are realizing what is most important, and it’s not having the biggest home. Contrary to what some may believe, people who decide to live the tiny lifestyle end up enjoying it even more than they imagined. While there are some things that will just not compare to a normal sized home, there is a lot to love about these small spaces. Adventures that were only imaginable are now possible with this new way of life. Ultimately, it’s the experiences had and memories made that last forever, not any home or amount of things. The future is unimaginably big with tiny. 

Brevard tiny home. Source: Brevard Tiny Home