A minimalist lifestyle might be what you want to enjoy, and that could mean entering the big world of tiny homes to create your small living space.
Instead of paying the ridiculously high prices to rent an apartment and never be able to afford a home, many people have begun turning to a growing trend. This trend is the movement toward tiny homes. These homes are small, and don’t take up much more space than a typical storage shed but have all of the feature necessary for life in a home.
Here are some of the pros and cons of tiny homes to consider before diving in.
Pro: Affordability
It makes perfect sense that smaller homes would be much more affordable than larger models. You might be able to buy your small space outright and never have a mortgage or rent payment. Additionally, most of these tiny spaces are small enough to be built indoors, which means there are no weather threats or delays, causing materials to be exposed to the elements. These homes can be built much cheaper and faster than traditional-sized homes.
Con: Limited Storage Space
Smaller spaces have less storage space, making it extremely important for you to live a minimalist lifestyle if you buy one of the tiny homes available to you. You might find that most of the activities you would normally enjoy in a garage, bonus room, or large kitchen aren’t possible in a tiny space. You’ll quickly learn how to maximize the storage space and how much stuff you can fit in your small refrigerator and limited number of cabinets. The lack of storage space makes living in a small space challenging.
Pro: Utilities and Furnishings
Typically, the services required to operate tiny homes are much cheaper than those required for full-size homes. You won’t heat or cool as large of a space, which means your utility bills should be much less than in larger homes. You’ll also find it much easier and more affordable to furnish your home. Of course, you might need multi-functional furniture. This means you could have a dining table that is also a desk or a futon that works as a couch and a bed.
Con: Rooms Blended Together
Forget having a separate laundry room; that’s not possible in such small spaces. In these small homes, you might find the bedroom and living room are merged into one room, making it difficult to separate stuff from each room. Your laundry appliances might be in your kitchen, and most appliances will be much smaller than regular-sized models from larger homes. This blending of rooms also means you might not have much privacy if you’re not living alone, making it hard to get away from each other during arguments.
Pro: More Money Left Over
Instead of being house-poor, or spending lots of money on utilities, more of your income can go to the experiences and adventures you want to enjoy. You won’t be looking for ways to redecorate as often when living in tiny homes because there isn’t much space to change and alter the home. This gives you the free time and money to enjoy what you want instead of always focusing on the needs of your home. Of course, this also means a slightly different lifestyle with amazing possibilities.
Con: Forget Entertaining
You’ll be lucky if you have room in your small space to have another couple over for dinner. These tiny spaces are usually designed and built with only the people living there in mind. This means you’ll need to be the guest at your family’s home for holidays and when you want to get together to enjoy dinner or a group activity. You probably won’t have a guest room or a couch large enough for someone to spend the night with you.
Pro: Cleaning and Staying Organized
Living in tiny homes will force you to stay clean and organized. When one room gets disheveled, the whole house can be thrown off, which means you’ve got to stay clean and organized. Thankfully, the weekly cleanings won’t take long and will make for an easy system that gives you the look and comfort you desire. You’ll be glad to put things back where they belong when you live in a small home that’s made for only two people. It won’t take long for you to get used to the need to be organized.
Living in tiny homes has its perks and challenges, but if you want a great way to start out without renting and love the idea of a minimalist lifestyle, a small home might be for you.
