The tiny house movement has taken off in recent years. That is because many people do not want the expenses associated with traditional home life. Recently, the average mortgage payment in the United States hit a record high. Utility and maintenance costs for larger properties are also quite high.
It’s not hard to see why the idea of living in a tiny house is becoming more appealing in mainstream society. If you are interested in the possibility of tiny living, it’s important to know that it’s very different from traditional home living. However, it can be equally comfortable and fun.
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your new tiny space and make the tiny living transition a bit easier.
Prepare to Change Your Priorities and Routines
Living in a tiny house typically means eliminating certain modern conveniences. It also means getting used to having limited space. Therefore, it helps to change certain habits or adjust your priorities. For example, you may no longer have the luxury of a dishwasher. You may even opt to use a laundromat instead of installing a clothes washer and dryer to save space for other desired amenities.
Consider Becoming a Minimalist
Tiny living often requires a lot of sacrifices, especially when it comes to deciding which items to keep. A tiny living space only has room for essentials. Therefore, developing a minimalist attitude can take you far when it comes to tiny living.
For example, you may need to severely cut back your wardrobe, since many tiny homes have very limited closet space – if any at all. Consider these options to get rid of extra clothing and other items or store them off site:
- Yard sales
- Online sales
- Donating to a charity
- Handing items down to loved ones
- Investing in a self-storage unit
Invest in Multi-Purpose Items
To maximize the use of your new tiny house, you can benefit from using items that serve multiple purposes. Avoid purchasing one-time use products or single-purpose products as much as possible. One area where you can find many multi-purpose tools is in the kitchen section of your local department store.
Today, you can easily find objects like air fryers that also function as dehydrators and toaster ovens. For other parts of the house, look for items like ottomans with built-in storage.
Use Every Space You Have
It takes a creative mindset to maximize the use of space in a tiny house. One way to do this is to create custom shelving or storage units in areas with odd corners or angles. Another strategy is to invest in tall cabinets or shelves to use vertical space wisely and store as many essentials and cherished objects as possible. You may also opt to try more unusual storage methods. For example, you can purchase or custom build a platform bed with drawers underneath.
Expand to the Great Outdoors, If Possible
No matter how well you plan your tiny house layout, you may want a little more space. Depending on the area and climate in which you live, one option is to expand by creating outdoor living space. For example, you might opt to build a deck with a table and extra seating for entertaining company. Doing so allows you to maintain your social life while still enjoying the simplicity of living large in a tiny house.
