Bigger Isn’t Always Better: Interesting Facts About the Tiny House Movement

We live in a consumer-driven society. People often move to the US to achieve the “American Dream,” and they visualize themselves in big houses with manicured lawns and white picket fences. There’s not necessarily anything wrong with this dream, but it doesn’t guarantee happiness. In fact, recent trends suggest that downsizing and focusing less on material things may be the key to greater life satisfaction. The tiny house movement is one of the cutting-edge efforts being made to move away from materialism and help people engage more with each other and with nature. This article explores some aspects of tiny living that you may not be aware of.

Tiny House Construction Is an Investment that Pays Off

The cost of building a tiny house can vary greatly depending on your needs. The average price tag of construction from scratch is around $20,000, which seems like quite an investment. However, that is less than one-tenth of the cost of an average-sized house—really closer to one-twentieth after mortgage interest fees over the years. Once construction on a tiny house is complete, you own it outright and will be free from mortgage or rent payments. Your utility bills will also be significantly lower. Additionally, having such limited space leaves room for only the necessities, so it’s a great way to prevent yourself from buying things you don’t need.

Living in Tiny Houses Makes Traveling Easier Than Ever

While it is possible to build a stationary tiny house with a foundation, most tiny houses are built to be portable. They can be a more customizable and inviting version of an RV. They give you an opportunity to move around a lot yet provide you with a consistent place to hang your hat, preventing the perpetual living-out-of-a-suitcase inconvenience that often comes along with extensive travel. Being able to take your house with you when you travel also saves you the trouble of having to find renters or house sitters.

Tiny Houses Are Environmentally Friendly

Because tiny houses are only a fraction of the size of most dwellings, they require significantly less energy to heat, cool, and light. Most tiny houses boast extremely low energy consumption and can be powered using sustainable resources like water and the sun. If you are interested in pursuing a more eco-friendly lifestyle or are looking for a way to dramatically reduce your energy bills, a move to a tiny house might be something to consider.

It’s Actually Really Hard to Find a Place to Build a Tiny House

Every area has its own codes, standards, and requirements for housebuilding. Before fully committing to the tiny house movement, be sure to do your research. Some cities have size minimums for new home construction projects, or they will only allow tiny houses to be constructed in designated areas. If you have your heart set on the tiny house lifestyle, you must be open minded about the specs of your project as well as the possibility of moving to a new area.

Admittedly, tiny houses aren’t for everyone; larger families or people with a lot of pets may not be able to live comfortably in extremely tight confines. But while “tiny” may not be an option, “smaller” might be. The tiny house movement is about recognizing opportunities to downplay materialism and promote sustainability, and every tiny bit counts.