Tiny homes are taking over the nation but are they right for you? If you think the answer is yes, there’s a lot to consider before making the big decision, because tiny homes, though they seem simple…may not be for everyone.
It’s important to go over all the pros and cons of living in a tiny home, because there are likely things that you haven’t even considered. Sure, a tiny house means spending less money. It also means less space and storage, and those may be two things that you find hard to live without. But first, before looking at pros and cons, what exactly is a tiny home?
What are tiny houses?
A tiny house is exactly what it sounds like – a house that is tiny. Specifically, it’s a house that is generally 400 square feet or less that offers a non-conventional way of living. They’re small, simple, may or may not be mobile and for anyone that wants to live a simple life. Not only are they small, but they save a lot of money and are usually much more eco-friendly, which is why they have been getting so much interest.
What are the pros?
Less to clean
With less space, it won’t come as a surprise that there is less to clean. This means cleaning the entire house can take just a few minutes. However, many tiny house owners express that because the area is smaller, it gets dirtier faster. While there may be less to clean, this means that you’ll have to clean more often.
Mobility
If your tiny house is custom built for travel, it makes traveling a lot easier and convenient. Some tiny houses combine an RV with a house, which makes it a great option – you get the option of mobility, while still having home appliances such as a kitchen and bathroom. Mobility means you can work from home, travel while working, and you’ll never have to stay at a hotel when on vacation.
Money
Tiny houses are a great way to save money. Since the houses are so small, 78 percent of tiny house owners own their houses and 68 percent don’t have a mortgage, which can save a lot of money. Not to mention maintenance, utility fees and electric bills are much smaller than a traditional house.
Another way tiny house owners save money is with travel. If your tiny house is mobile, it can be taken everywhere you go. This means you won’t need to splurge on a hotel for vacations or while visiting family and friends.
What are the cons?
Space
With a tiny house, comes a lot less space. A small amount of space isn’t for everyone, especially if the space isn’t large enough for the entire family. This is a huge factor to consider when thinking about buying a tiny house, especially since it’s not an ideal place to raise a large family or have pets. It can also be harder to have personal space or private time.
Storage
Since there is a lot less space in a tiny home, this limits the amount of storage space available. Things such as food, cleaning supplies, towels, clothes, knickknacks and entertainment (books, movies, etc.) all have to be limited in order to fit inside of the house. Not only will everyday items have to be limited to only what is essential, but there won’t be any storage area to keep things like a fake Christmas tree, boxes of ornaments or Halloween decorations.
Shopping
Since space is limited, it requires frequent trips to the store when things run out. There might be room in a tiny house to only have two rolls of paper towel on hand at a time, which means you’ll need to buy paper towels very frequently. The same goes for toilet paper, cleaning supplies and food.
Not only are frequent shopping trips needed for essentials, but tiny home owners can’t go shopping for fun very often. Of course tiny home owners can go shopping for fun, but it’s important to keep in mind the amount of space available at home when buying things you want and don’t need.
If you’re looking into buying a tiny home, it’s important to evaluate your pros and cons before making a life-changing decision. Tiny homes aren’t for everyone, especially those who need personal space and love buying things they don’t need. However, it’s a great house to consider if you are looking for a more sustainable and simpler life with you or your partner, where the experiences you have outweigh the materials you live with.
