Living in a tiny home is a trend that continues to grow among people from all walks of life. There are definite advantages to living in a tiny home, such as lower monthly bills and less space to clean. However, setting up your tiny home is a more complicated process than you might imagine. Before you commit to this lifestyle, here are a few factors that may affect your decision.
Choose a Location
The first decision you’ll have to make in setting up a tiny house is where it will be located. This is an important factor to consider because it will affect how you build or set up the home. For example, if you’re renting land, you may want to keep your tiny house mobile by setting it up on a trailer bed. However, if you want to buy your own plot of land, you can build a permanent foundation for the home. Even if you do own land, you may still want to keep your tiny home mobile. Setting it up on wheels can help you move it more easily if you plan to build a larger home in the future.
Consider Space-Saving Ideas
Your living space in a tiny home will be very limited so you should consider space-saving concepts early in designing your home. You might add a loft to use as storage or as a sleeping area. You’ll also want to add plenty of shelves for storage. Adding racks to cabinet doors can help you create more space for food, supplies, and other items. Some people choose to add an extra shed on their property, which they use for storing canned goods and other nonperishable foods. Other space-saving ideas include adding a standing shower, setting up an outdoor tub, or installing a Murphy bed. A table that can be folded up against the wall when not in use is another option to consider.
Think About Utilities
If you’re renting land, you may not have the option of doing anything that will permanently affect the land. In that case, you may have to rely on public utilities. Owning your own land provides you with more freedom to create a sustainable and eco-friendly set of systems. Many people use this as an opportunity to live off-grid. You can set up solar panels and wind turbines to help you create a renewable energy supply. This may limit how much power you have available, but you can learn how to heat a tiny house with smaller devices with some research. You can also install a water well and septic system. For a cheaper alternative, consider buying a composting toilet and a rainwater collection system. Before you settle on how you’ll provide water, waste removal, and energy to your tiny home, check with your city to avoid violating zoning laws and other regulations.
You’ll Spend More Time Outdoors
Particularly if you have children or pets, you’ll want to make more use of the exterior of your property. You can set up a larger patio or a tent with a screen to block the sun, wind, or insects. Additionally, set up a small shed that can be used as a play area for your children or a work office for yourself. Building an outdoor kitchen is another option to consider because it will leave more room inside your tiny home. Some people make better use of their land by building a porch on the front of their tiny home and a deck or patio on the back. There aren’t any rules, so you should feel free to use your imagination in making the most of your outdoor living space.
Have a Plan
It’s important to think about the future as you design and create your tiny home. If you have young children, a tiny home might not be ideal as your family’s needs change and your children grow up. Consider the possibility that you may need to create more living space in the future, or you may plan to build a larger home in a few years. Perhaps you’ll just need to add a little more storage on your property. Taking the future into account now will help you create a tiny home that can be more easily adapted later in life.
Before you start planning to make this type of change, you should try it on a temporary basis. There are many campgrounds that offer tiny cabins for guests. Renting a tiny cabin or tiny home for a few weeks can give you a good feel for this type of lifestyle. If you enjoy the experience, you may be ready to own a tiny home for yourself.
