The tiny houses movement swept across many parts of the world. Over the last couple of decades, tiny houses became the craving for those persons looking to shed the life of abundance and trade it in for one more modest and minimalistic.
But is a tiny home suited for you or are tiny houses just too tiny?
What Are Tiny Houses?
A tiny house is a residential dwelling unit that is 400 square feet (sq.ft.) / 37 square metres (m2) or less. This is according to the 2018 International Residential Code and excludes loft areas.
It is far smaller than the typical house size across the developed and developing world. In the U.S.A., house sizes can average around 2,500 square feet / 232 square metres.
Some smaller sized tiny houses can be built on wheels which offer the flexibility to move from one site to the next.
But with less than one-sixth the size of an average home what can you do in such a tiny space? Is a tiny house too tiny? Then perhaps a small house is more suitable for you.
What Are Small Houses?
A “small house” is defined as having 400 sq. ft. to 1,000 sq. ft. or 37 m2 to 93 m2
It is still a small square footage compared to the average home but can provide a bit more room and flexibility. This is important for larger families or those who cannot bear to be without all their stuff.
At 1,000 square feet, you can still have quite a bit of functionality without squeezing into the restrictions of a tiny house.
Pros and Cons of Small or Tiny Houses
With the popularity of tiny houses in recent decades, homeowners found an avenue to reconsider if their larger homes were providing the quality of life they desired. However, a tiny house isn’t for everyone.
Depending on the size of your family, your requirements and your lifestyle may determine if a tiny or small house is the right fit for you.
Here are a few things you can look at when considering a tiny or small home.
Less Of Everything
With tiny house living, people started looking for ways to reduce the built square footage of their homes, while adding more value to their lives.
Less house translates into fewer materials, labour and ultimately lower construction cost.
By extension, this creates a smaller home to furnish, clean, maintain and provide utilities for.
The theory is that smaller spaces mean you can enrich your life in other ways like going out more or just being closer as a family.
Sustainability and Innovation
Many small and tiny homes utilise sustainable design features and off-grid capabilities. From solar panels to composting toilets, they can offer and encourage more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
They also tend to feature many innovative space-saving techniques and incredible storage ideas.
Psychological Impact
The confines of a tiny house can have an impact on your psyche. Many persons find it hard to exist in small spaces for extended periods.
A larger family can make this even more challenging. It can be difficult coping with several activities happening in the same tiny space all at once.
If you have issues with small spaces, then a tiny house may not be for you.
Storage
Its limited space restricts your ability to acquire stuff. This could be a good or a bad thing.
While you may be unable to save money buying in bulk and storing your essential items, you also won’t be tempted to purchase the ninety-fifth designer handbag that you always wanted but never needed.
Acquiring What You Need
I believe that the restrictive space of a small house could force us into acquiring only what we need.
Too often I have found myself purchasing an item that I don’t need but I got it because it was at a good price. I end up hanging on to that item with the belief that someday I may need it but never do. Not yet at least.
It is easier to say no to purchasing that unnecessary item when you know you don’t have the room to store it.
Planning And Code Requirements
Tiny houses can also be challenging to meet minimum planning and code requirements, depending on your jurisdiction. You should check this before embarking on a tiny house project.
Family Size
If you have a large or growing family, a tiny house may not be for you. Cramming a family of four or more into less than 400 square feet is possible but a challenge.
Consider carefully if this can work for you and your family before you invest in such a project.
Movable
As mentioned, some tiny homes are constructed on wheels. This makes it easier for you to move your entire home from place to place.
If this is something that you and your family are interested in, then this could be a major benefit.
Benefits In Tropical Climates
The ideal climate of the tropics provides some additional benefits and reasons for considering a small house.
If you are considering a small or tiny house in a tropical climate, here are some additional things you can consider.
Outdoor Living
In a small or tiny home, you will be more persuaded to move some of your formal activity spaces to the outdoors.
Spaces such as living, dining and even your kitchen can be partially or entirely moved outdoors. Once sheltered from the sun and rain, these spaces could be used throughout the year unlike in temperate countries.
Open To The Outdoors
Tiny and small homes can sometimes feel cramped and restrictive. Creating more large openings to outdoor spaces can make the interior spaces feel larger and more comfortable.
This extends your internal rooms out to covered outdoor living areas and can give the sense that your rooms are much larger than they are.
The tropics provide the opportunity to do this all year.
Easier To Naturally Ventilate
Smaller homes are easier to ventilate naturally. This is because cross-ventilation works best when the distance that wind has to travel from one end of your home to the other is as short and uninterrupted as possible.
A narrow home will promote better movement of airflow.
Short Stay Visitors
Many tropical islands are havens for tourists every year. They come to enjoy our beautiful weather.
Tourists are often looking for unique experiences when they travel. A tiny or small house could be a good option for short-stay visitors while providing some extra income.
Conclusion
Many persons, either love or hate tiny houses.
Though many of our traditional homes were small or tiny dwellings, our modern lifestyles and culture have moved us far away from that type of living.
Many people who create tiny homes for themselves, often regret not going for something a bit larger.
Tiny and small homes can be a huge cultural and lifestyle change. Hence, give it careful consideration before you decide to build one.
The reduction in size means a much smaller construction cost as well as less cost to maintain and run utilities. It also forces you to focus on your needs while encouraging more outdoor living.
It is easier to incorporate sustainable and environmentally friendly practices because of the scale and nature of the project. However, limited storage and small spaces may be more of a challenge than you want.
Because of this, they may be more suited for a small two or three-person family or if you live on your own. It could perhaps be a great idea as a starter home. They could also be ideal for short-stay visitors.
I suspect a small home may be an easier fit for most people, than a tiny home. It may be able to provide you with a midway point between the tiny and regular-sized houses. This way you can create the downsized, more enriched lifestyle you may be looking for while having the room to live and grow your family in your tropical home.
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