In recent years, homeowners have shown a rising interest in tiny homes. The popularity of these homes has been significant among those concerned about the ecological impact of house construction and the challenges of housing affordability. These compact homes appeal to those seeking sustainable living and minimalistic lifestyles, offering eco-friendly setups that maximize functionality while minimizing environmental impact. Besides, those interested in transient or off-grid living can also benefit from the tiny house lifestyle.
About tiny houses
A typical traditional home measures about 2,600 square feet. Compared to this, a typically tiny or small house would be about 100 to 400 square feet. The average tiny home has a size almost equivalent to about 225 square feet. In general, tiny houses are approximately 10 times smaller than the average conventional house.
There are several tiny house communities where people can either own or rent a home. The houses that are owned can be either built by the homeowner or purchased from tiny home builders, adapted from trailers, or constructed from tiny house kits. These houses are available in various forms, sizes, and shapes. Besides this, there are different tiny home designs, with some mini homes set on wheels while others are built on a foundation. In general, tiny homes are independent structures, with some of them parked on land that has another building or one large main house. Some tiny homes are also parked in lots that are specifically built to accommodate them.
Rise of the tiny home movement
The concept of tiny homes has been around since its launch in the late 1990s, catering to those who enjoy a mobile lifestyle or cannot afford a large conventional house. But over time, the tiny home movement became more popular largely due to innovations in architecture. Besides, the internet also played a significant role in promoting the philosophy, lifestyle, and uniqueness associated with living in a tiny home. The most popular tiny homes have been associated with simple and minimalist living. For many who have joined the tiny house movement, the motivation has been to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Since fewer building materials are used and there is less energy consumption, these are eco-friendly houses that offer several benefits to those seeking an alternative way of living.
Benefits of tiny homes
There are several advantages to choosing to live in a tiny home. Some of the major benefits include financial incentives that can be gained from smaller utility bills and lower taxes. Besides this, there are several environmental advantages to owning a tiny home. These include the usage of renewable energy, reducing carbon footprint, and incorporating sustainable materials in the construction.
Less cost than a traditional house
The cost of tiny houses is lower than traditional and conventional houses, offering more affordable housing solutions. It is not just the cost involved in building or buying a tiny home that is less. But living in a tiny home can also bring down average monthly bills. Since most of these smaller homes cost less to operate, there is less consumption of energy as well as water, heating, cooling, and so on.
More mobile and freedom
Often, tiny homes do not have permanent foundational structures. Some of these homes are usually connected to a trailer. So, this allows more easy movement without the homeowner having to remain in the same place for too long. Freedom and portability make off-grid living possible for many people, leading to a rise in tiny home trends.
More ecologically sustainable
With a smaller home, it becomes easy to reduce the carbon footprint by consuming less energy and in a more efficient way. This is mostly because tiny homes do not usually use the full range of home appliances that a traditional house uses. Also, energy consumption for heating and cooling is also less, since the spaces are quite smaller.
Cost of tiny homes
Similar to the cost of traditional homes, the costs of tiny homes also differ. It generally depends on the materials used for construction and the customizations that are included in the process. Generally, the price spectrum is wide, just like that of traditional bigger houses. The cost of a tiny home can be as low as $15,000 if one salvages or reuses materials and goes the DIY way to build everything from scratch. On the higher end of the pricing scale, tiny homes can also cost as much as $80,000 to $100,000, depending on how much work needs to be done on the house. In addition to this, buyers can also opt for made-to-order tiny homes, which can cost, on average, around $90,000.
Steps to plan a tiny house
Planning a tiny house requires some basic steps. These include selecting the location based on the city’s housing regulations, setting up a budget, deciding between building the house from scratch or having a premade home, and more.
Select the location of the house
Different cities have different regulations for tiny homes, especially for those on RVs or trailers. It is important to learn about these regulations and choose a location that is most suitable. Take the necessary steps to have all approvals and licenses in place.
Build the new home
After the location is selected, it is crucial to decide whether one wants to look for tiny homes on sale or build their own home. Building a home from scratch allows for a lot of customization based on personal preference, but it can easily rack up the costs and take a lot more work than buying a tiny home on sale directly.
Downsize each room
Small-space living means one cannot have a full range of appliances, storage options, and furniture like in a traditional large house. So, downsizing each room is crucial. Get rid of things that might not be functional to use in a smaller space.
Set a budget
Since the cost of tiny homes varies based on various factors, it is important to have a budget. This will prevent overspending and help in cutting costs, which is often one of the main goals of choosing to live the tiny home lifestyle.