5 Surprising Things I Learned on My Tiny Home Vacation

Staying in a hotel with my family – husband, three kids and springer spaniel – isn’t always my idea of a vacation. Let’s face it: most hotel rooms are pretty bare bones. So, to foster a spirit of relaxation and actual sleep, I usually opt for condos or townhomes whenever I can. This past fall, instead of booking our usual condo for a weekend getaway, I decided to book a tiny home.

I won’t lie; I did it a little as a joke. My architect husband has long bemoaned the tiny home movement. He’s very considerate of a family’s lifestyle when designing homes and it’s usually his opinion that tiny homes are better on paper than they are in practice. When he found out that I’d booked a tiny home for our vacation, he rolled his eyes and I was ready for a round of “I told you so.”

What we learned over a three-day stint in a tiny home surprised me. As it turns out, small space living isn’t for everyone, but it’s probably not as crazy as you’d think. Here are five things I learned about tiny homes that I couldn’t have grasped without actually staying in one.

Layouts aren’t always ideal

Rustic tiny house

Tiny home layouts can be strange. Image: The Tiny House Project

Okay, first, some of the drawbacks. While the tiny home we stayed in was cleverly laid out and made use of every inch of space, it also meant the floorplan wasn’t exactly ideal. To fit a full galley kitchen and range, the full-sized fridge opened directly across from the bathroom door. In fact, you couldn’t walk through the kitchen if the fridge was open at all. You definitely make a few concessions when it comes to a dream layout, especially if you’re trying to utilize standard-sized appliances and cabinets.

Outdoor space is everything

Tiny home with deck

Consider outside space as part of your square footage. Image: Sol Haus Design

Because tiny homes have such limited space, your outdoor living situation becomes more important. We found ourselves spending a lot of our time playing outside. With three active kids (and a hyper dog!), staying inside would have meant cabin fever – and probably a few broken lamps. If you really are considering a tiny home, I think your location and lot will be even more important than that of a traditional home. Simply building a tiny home under the premise that you’ll just park it wherever you can could mean getting stuck inside – and that could lead to some major cabin fever. A great porch, open lot and outdoor seating made all the difference to us.

You have to compromise

Tiny A-frame home

You might need to compromise on ceiling height. Image: Sol Haus Design

It’s no secret that tiny house living comes with some major compromises. You’re trading off a high house payment with square footage and a simpler lifestyle. Still, some of the compromises surprised me because I just hadn’t thought of the day-to-day of living in a tiny home. Take laundry, for example. Tight space usually means tiny homes don’t have the space for a washer and dryer. Another compromise is understanding that some areas of the home are inaccessible to full-sized adults. Our home had a sleeping loft that was great for kids, but I don’t think it would be ideal for adults. My 6-foot husband didn’t even attempt to go upstairs.

It’s great for community

Tiny mountain home exterior

Tiny homes foster a sense of community missing from other neighborhoods. Image: Steiner Art and Design

We rented our tiny home as a part of a group of friends. The home was in a development of a handful of tiny homes, all just a few feet apart. That made it a great option for traveling with a group since everyone had their own space but wasn’t as far removed as we would have been in different hotel rooms. It was great to light a fire and cook dinner with everyone, so I can definitely see tiny homes as a way to foster a sense of community. As long as you liked your neighbors, of course.

It’s not great for entertaining

Tiny home interior

A tight squeeze means less room for entertaining. Image: The Tiny House Company

On the last night of our getaway, our plans for a BBQ were derailed by some bad weather. No big deal, we just moved the party inside. Problem? Tiny homes don’t have the typical space and comfort you’d expect when entertaining. In fact, dinner that night felt more like a game of Tetris than anything, with kids eating in the sleeping loft and adults taking turns on the small couch. It reminded me that tiny homes probably aren’t the best option for those who love to entertain. Sure, you could plan to entertain in your outdoor space, but there’s not much of a plan B. I can definitely see this roadblock becoming a major lifestyle change for some people.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by the experience. I preferred having my own tiny home over crowding everyone into one hotel room. Even if the square footage is similar, tiny homes are well thought-out and utilized so you have all of the comforts of home. In fact, my skeptic husband reluctantly admitted that with a few tweaks, a tiny home could be a livable option – especially for a vacation home.

As it turns out, small spaces can have a big impact, even if it was just for the weekend.

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Shipping Container Homes: Cargotecture Pros and Cons

Shipping container homes might seem like a New Age option, but purchasing a DIY home isn’t as rare as you might think. In fact, Sears sold entire home kits to would-be homeowners in the early 1900s. Minimalist dwellings of the DIY variety might have a different appeal today, but the idea is the same: thinking outside of traditional construction can result in more affordable housing.

Modern cargo home

Shipping containers can be stacked for more space. Image: Yerigan Construction

This is especially true when talking about shipping container homes, or “cargotecture.” When shipping containers are re-purposed as the floor, walls and ceiling of a home, it reduces building costs. Still, there are some factors to think about before setting out to make a shipping container into home sweet home.

All About Cargotecture

“Cargotecture” refers to the practice of reusing shipping cargo containers to create dwellings. Because they’re made from strong metal and aluminum, shipping containers can form a nearly indestructible home. And, since they’re plentiful and cheap to buy, shipping containers can keep housing costs low. Although the homes built are far from ornate, the containers can create the basis for a sleek, modern abode that keeps costs low and limits environmental impact.

Shipping container home interior

Cargo homes can be surprisingly cozy. Image: Les Collections Dubreuil

Shipping Container Homes: The Good

Shipping containers simplify the building process. With four strong walls already in place, you’re essentially fast-tracked to the design stage of your home. Here are some of the other benefits of using shipping containers:

  • They’re mobile. Without a foundation, there’s nothing holding a shipping container home down. They’re meant to be portable, which means you can ship and move them as you want. While you may need special equipment to get from point A to point B, shipping containers keep you mobile.
  • They’re custom designed. Even though they may seem simple, you can customize shipping containers to create the perfect layout for your home. Some owners even stack and splice several containers together so they aren’t limited by the size and shape of the initial space. Consulting a designer familiar with shipping container homes can help you decide on the size and layout of your home,
  • They’re easy to find. Shipping container homes are made from recycled shipping containers, which are easy to find. You can simply run a search for container brokers in your area or even find them on online classifieds. Just make sure to look for a container that is watertight and was never used to transport hazardous materials. You can find containers that have been very lightly used or never used at all.
  • They speak to a minimalist mindset. For homeowners who want to reduce their carbon footprint and environmental impact, cargotecture makes sense. Recycling the basic structure is inexpensive and keeps metal out of landfills. The size and shape of shipping containers also make for lower energy costs.
Shipping container kitchen

A cargo kitchen reduces energy costs. Image: Fredman Design

Shipping Container Homes: The Bad

Environmentally friendly and cheap? What’s not to love? Before you decide to build a DIY shipping container home, however, there are few things to consider:

  • Insulation and condensation. Typical building materials like wood, stone and composites are extensively tested for strength and integrity. Metal shipping containers aren’t designed for living space. This means you could run into issues like a lack of insulation, wind resistance and even condensation buildup. Working with a builder can help you choose and prep the right container for your weather and location.
  • Tricky building codes. Shipping containers are highly portable, but that doesn’t mean you can just plop one anywhere. Local building codes could limit the use of smaller homes or homes built with nontraditional materials. You’ll need to research your county and town building codes before deciding to go with cargotecture. What’s more, you may need to hire a driver with a truck license to move your shipping container from place to place.
  • Contractor concerns. When it comes to shipping containers, not all contractors are created equally. Most contractors are unfamiliar with cargotecture and may not know how to navigate the terrain when it comes to planning and building. Make sure you choose a builder who has worked with shipping containers before to ensure the process goes smoothly and stays on budget.

A shipping container home simplifies the design and build process. That can mean a faster road to a move-in ready home. Still, it’s a new frontier as far as building goes. Building with an unfamiliar material can make the process unpredictable, but with the right planning and design, a shipping container home can make sense for a new homeowner.

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4 Secrets To Successfully Decorating a Tiny House And Making It Work For You

tiny house

Here’s a quick guide to decorating a tiny house. Image: Calvin Hanson Creative

Congratulations, you’ve finally taken the leap and bought a tiny home! Now all that’s left to do is decorate it. Decorating a tiny house is not difficult. However, there are a few unique considerations to keep in mind.

We’ve laid them out below. Read them over to learn how to create a tiny home that’s equally functional and aesthetically pleasing.

function

Make the room’s function clear. Image: Sol Haus Design

Put function first

In a tiny home, there’s so little space to work with that it’s especially easy for your design to become muddled. Having too many items in that small amount of square footage can result in things getting cluttered fast. There’s a risk of losing your design in the midst of it all. With that in mind, you need to take extra steps to ensure your intent stays clear. You can do that by putting function first in your design.

When we say “put function first,” we mean “let furniture carry the room.” While every space needs aesthetic touches, those should take a back seat to essential items like a sofa, table or bed frame. Get those in place first. In an ideal world, the purpose of each distinct functional area of your home will be clear with just a glance.

For an example of what we mean, look at the picture above. Notice how it’s very pared down. Yet, thanks to the furniture and directional visual cues, you can clearly tell that there’s meant to be a work area that’s separate from the main living space.

storage

Plan out your storage even when it seems unconventional. Image: Tiny Digs

Get creative with storage

The biggest challenge when it comes to setting up a tiny home is finding enough storage. While you undoubtedly decluttered before moving in, there will likely be many things leftover for which you need to find a home. While standard storage options like closets and cabinets will undoubtedly be necessary, you’re going to need to get a little creative and include storage options in unexpected places.

To do this, go over every inch of your tiny house with storage in mind. Challenge yourself to think of a way to add storage everywhere, whether it’s adding under-mount storage to an existing piece of furniture or bringing in more shelving. You don’t have to utilize all your ideas but, odds are, you’ll be glad for any added functionality.

double-duty

Every piece should add functional and aesthetic value. Image: Shelsi Lindquist Photography

Choose items that do double-duty

Since you only have a limited number of items to work with in a tiny house, you need to choose them carefully. Here, your focus should be on what kind of value they add to the space. Is it functional value? Is it aesthetic value? Or is it both? Ideally, when you’re designing a tiny house, each piece that you bring into your home will offer both.

As for how to pull this off, it’s all about going bold with style. Choose items that have bold colors, patterns and textures.

decor

Leave a little room for decor. Image: New Frontier Tiny Homes

Don’t forget accessories

Lastly, we know that when you’re living in a tiny house, you can spend so much time figuring out how to make the space work for you that you completely forget about the traditional elements of design. However, we’re here to remind you that they’re important – and accessories can help. After all, that’s how you infuse your personality into the space and make it feel like home.

Don’t be afraid to add a design element that solely adds aesthetic value to the space. Your accesorizing decor could consist of any of the following:

  • Area rugs
  • Throw pillows and blankets
  • Wall art and mirrors
  • Decorative bowls and trays
  • Coffee table books
  • Candles
  • Picture frames
  • Flowers and vases

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