Are Tiny Homes Too Small? Lessons We Can Learn from Those Who Adopt a Minimalist Lifestyle and Those Who Abandon It

As boomers retire and millennials settle into their first homes, the need for downsizing or doing more with less is ever growing. An expanding trend exists for tiny homes which are homes between 100 and 400 square feet. Brought on by a minimalistic movement, social and economic factors, or a flair for something new, tiny homes are escalating in popularity.

As a single person or a couple, a 150 square foot home might be trendy and an opportunity to decrease clutter, design a new lifestyle, and free your mind. Inviting friends over initially can be a novel experience for you and them. If an ecological lifestyle, one in which you leave less of a carbon footprint, appeals to you, a tiny home might be right up your house alley.

As time goes by, the tiny home may feel too claustrophobic. You may get tired of banging your head on the once edgy sloped ceiling. And when the outdoor weather becomes too unbearable, causing you and others to spend most of your time indoors, your tiny abode may begin to feel less like your unique castle and more like cramped quarters. Also, after awhile you may desire to have more clothes and furnishings – and just stuff in general and there won’t be space to take on a new hobby.

Treating your tiny home as a summer retreat or as a getaway could have advantages. Spending a few days at time in your smaller dwelling could be a needed respite from the ordinary. On the other hand, it may not be possible to maintain two residences due to finances and logistics and the do more with less philosophy – how can you explain having two places to live when the objective is to have less overall?

The tiny home movement has brought about many good ideas about resizing, recycling, and upcycling. These ideas can be effectively instituted into any size home, not just a small house. Ideas include incorporating dual-purpose furniture into your room, more effective use of vertical space which will elongate your walls, and creating a cohesive color theme that will streamline your home while adding pops of color.

Caution exists for those who choose to buy or build a tiny home. Ensure you adhere to your city’s zoning laws to stay in compliance. When you wish to sell your home, you may find that there are fewer buyers who want to have a less than 400 square foot dwelling. Be prepared for a long wait for a suitable buyer, just in case.

Are you into the tiny home movement? Have tiny home ideas to share? Tweet me at @circledotmktg.

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Sharon Gee is a consultant and marketer who specializes in helping global companies, start-ups, and small businesses thrive. A strategic thinker, Sharon supports CEOs and business leaders reach their goals through research, innovation, customer analysis, communication, and social media prowess.