Is Tiny Living for You?

Right now, one version of minimalism drives the tiny house movement. More than simplifying life and being mindful of excess, the move to a tiny home purports to be environmentally friendly, budget conscious, and somewhat Utopian. So, is it just a fad? Or, is it all that and a bag of chips? 

Accentuate the positives

For those living in tiny homes, either mobile or stationary, several advantages make it a great option. One of those is merely having less space in which to gather clutter. Of course, if you're a hoarder personality, the austerity required by most tiny homes might just drive you crazy, or it could cure your gathering habits once and for all. Since most tiny home dwellers subscribe to the "a place for everything and everything in its place" philosophy, making decisions on what and when to buy something filter through that lens. For example, if you buy this, you’ll need to sell that to make room, since they both won’t fit.

Another advantage is budgetary. In short order, full ownership of the tiny home becomes possible. If you build yours from scratch, you can build it debt free, so you end up owning your home outright. Of course, this concept—owning a home that is mobile—is not the same as owning a house on a property that you also own, but it does reduce monthly outgo in many cases. Most often, unless your home sits on your or someone else's property for free, you'll have space rent in an RV park (if your tiny house is on wheels, it’s legally considered an RV) or tiny-house community (several tiny houses built on foundations around a single more substantial dwelling).

There are negatives

As the movement grows, city, county, and state zoning laws need to adjust to allow for the differences in a tiny home from a typical dwelling before they're accepted everywhere. Some locales now have specific codes to cover where tiny houses sit, what connections they require, and other things like egress and ceiling height. So, before you follow the trend to build your own, make sure you know the rules in the location you want to live.

Living in tight quarters can stress relationships. If you're a person that needs time on your own, living by yourself in a tiny house might be perfect. But living with someone else means sharing space all the time. Even bathrooms aren't as private in a tiny home, and by nature, they're incredibly small. In inclement weather, those prone to cabin fever might find the confined space difficult. And when things go wrong (a broken composting toilet, roof leak, or broken appliance, the often feels magnified.

Before embarking on a permanent tiny space lifestyle, consider renting one or living in an RV for a while to see if it’s for you. If you know it’s what you want, then talk to your property specialist about where to buy with favorable zoning laws for your setup.