Tag: Tiny house preparation

Tiny Homes Living: How to Live and Adjust to a Tiny Life

Tiny Homes Living: How to Live and Adjust to a Tiny Life

Woman holding tiny wooden house
As beautiful as it sounds, adjusting to the tiny house lifestyle could be easy as long as you are well prepared.

In most cases, the decision to move into a tiny house is due to financial reasons. Nowadays, the cost of housing keeps on rising. It has become unaffordable to everyone most especially to those who are earning limited income. But with tiny houses, the cost of living is drastically reduced. 

And while money matters keep most things rolling, there will be times that the process of owning a tiny house will become more personal. The focus will drift to the challenges of how you and your family will make it living in a tiny house. How will you start living in a tiny house then?

At first, you will find yourself lost in the middle of nowhere. But eventually, you’ll find the track soon. You might find the transition hard since you’ve been living differently before but in no time, things will get better. 

Living in a tiny house will make you scrutinize the things you own and how you spend your time. This means that you have to thoroughly go through the possessions you have collected and the habits you have developed throughout the years. 

Here are some things that will help you adjust to your tiny house lifestyle. 

Preparation Tips

1. Go Spend Time in a Tiny Space

Obviously, you just can buy or build a tiny house without looking for one that is already built and complete. Ideally, you should not just take a look at it but you should take your time staying in it. 

The tiny house lifestyle is not one size fits all. It is not for everyone. So, it is best for you to spend your time living in one to get the vibe and find out if it works for you. 

Spending your time in a tiny house first before having your own is much better. This will save you from wasting your time and money into something that is not fitted for you. Also, this will give you a grasp of how living in a tiny house is. 

If you are wondering where you can find a tiny house where you can stay for a few days, you can easily find one online. Just make sure that you are booking with a legit owner. Perhaps, this is one of the best ideas to give you a glimpse of how your life will be once you live in a tiny house. 

2. Determine What’s Really Important in Life

If you already have decided to live in a tiny house then it’s high time to start figuring out your wants and needs in life. Tiny houses are around 400 to 500 square feet only. This means that your space is very limited. 

This also means that you have to let go of some if not most of the stuff that you have. This includes the things that you are not actually using that have been piled up in your cabinet. 

You will find yourself choosing between wants and needs. But of course, since you will be living in a tiny house, your needs should be your priority. Having your wants means less space for you. 

Which of the things that you have are you willing to let go? Answering this is very hard most especially when you are sentimental. But you have to go through this process when you want to live in a tiny house. 

Determine the ones that really matter, the ones that are important, the ones that you really and set aside the things that you don’t actually need. Practice living the minimalist lifestyle because you’ll be living with it as long as you are staying in a tiny house. You have to keep things as minimal as possible for lesser clutter and to make your tiny house look better as well.

Tiny house with porch
Living in a tiny house is a big step that is not easy to take when you are not prepared.

3. Start Getting Rid of Your Stuff

Most probably, decluttering is one of the hardest preparations for living in a tiny house. Letting go of your stuff, even just the ‘junk’, is not as easy as it sounds. But believe us, it feels good to let go of the things that you have accumulated through the years – the ones that you are not using and just displayed there. 

Just the mere fact of taking out the clothes you are not using is hard. But this will give you satisfaction. It will make you rejoice for how far you’ve come due to your tiny house living plans. 

If you are already living in a tiny house lifestyle, you are already used to being a minimalist. If it is your first time, you’ll have a head time, but don’t worry, you’ll get there. 

You might find your closet lacking before but actually, you have more than what is needed when living in a tiny house. All this time, you are living with too much stuff because you believed that you needed them when in reality, you don’t. 

You thought that it makes your house look more beautiful, but it just made it look cluttered. You are so used to every single thing that is placed inside your house that letting go of any of them is difficult. But that is how it goes. You have decided to live in a tiny house, so bear with it. 

No-fuss. Living in a tiny house could be one of your best decisions ever. Your stuff might mean something to you, but you don’t have to dwell on them forever. Besides, it will just make your tiny house small.

So, go. Pack the things that you need and let go of the things that you don’t need. You won’t regret it, promise. The results will make you thank yourself for doing it.

4. Learn to Ignore the Critics

Critics won’t just go anywhere. They will always be there. They will always have a say on everything you do. So, ignore them. 

Most probably, they will have something to say again with your decision to live in a tiny house. They will get every single chance that they have to question your decision to live in a tiny house. Do not let them change your plans. In simpler terms, do not listen to them. 

Do not let them decide for you. You, for sure, know what you want. Go for it. 

Instead of listening to their nonsense opinion, listen to people who support you with your decision. Be with the people who share the same interest as you. The ones who know how the tiny house lifestyle is. 

At this point, negative vibes are not welcome. As always, stay on the positive side. Let’s face it. Deciding to live in a tiny house is scary, but is not as scary as letting others decide for you. 

5. Stop Being a Crazed Consumer

Nowadays, living in a big space feels like a must, and owning a lot of stuff is a need. But realistically speaking, living in a big space with a lot of stuff depends on how responsible you are in maintaining them. 

The society today is very consumerist. You believed that you have to buy more and more to be happy and satisfied. You believed that you need to own a lot of stuff to be on top. 

It is very important that you stop this lifestyle and do not fall for this notion again once you live in a tiny house. Admit it, you are as guilty as us when it comes to us. But it is time to change that lifestyle and start being a minimalist. 

Their offer might sound good but that’s how it really is. Marketing is their forte, always remember that. You don’t actually need the latest and most innovative products to keep you living. They are not the air that you breathe or the food that you eat. 

Stop being a crazed customer. Start purchasing the ones that are just really needed. You don’t have to live with the hype.

Mobile tiny house interior. Great for outdoor experiences and wildlife. Lots of space and pure adventure. No need for special authorizations, only a decent car to pull this tiny house and off you go.
With such limited space, having your own personal space is almost impossible not unless you are creative and resourceful.

6. Define Your Idea of Meaningful Space

In the house where you are living right now, which of the spaces that you have mean so much to you? What part of the house do you spend most of your time? Which space could you not imagine not having?

It’s time to start figuring out the spaces in your house that mean a lot to you. This will help you come up with the best plan for your tiny house and tiny life. 

Traditional houses have a lot of spaces which you can’t have in a tiny house. Besides, the spaces that you have in a tiny house is the miniature version of everything. So, which of the spaces are you willing to let go of?

Knowing the space that means a lot to you is your very first step towards planning your tiny house. This is very important in order for you to maximize your tiny house. This will also keep you away from wasting any space. 

Remember, every inch of space matters when you are living in a tiny house. It is understandable that you want every single part of a traditional house, but you just can’t. So, start weighing which of the spaces are the heaviest to you.

7. Find Your Tiny House Community

Just like you, there are a lot of people who want to live in a tiny house too. They are everywhere, waiting for you. And, they are very ready to give you all the information that you need to kick start your tiny house life. 

With them, you will get the advice that you need in order to begin. How will you find them out?

Start by searching for tiny homes near you. Find groups of tiny house owners on Facebook. Get in touch with bloggers of tiny houses. Ask people you know in case they know someone who owns a tiny house. 

There are actually a lot of things that you can do to widen your connection with tiny house owners. This step is very important when preparing to live in a tiny house. Why?

More or less, these people are the ones who know about building codes, zoning, and constructing and living in a tiny house. With them, you can get the information that you need in order to keep you going. It’s time to outsource all the information that you need in order for you to survive the tiny house lifestyle.

[Read: The Ultimate List Of Tiny Home Communities]

Things to Consider when Planning to Live in a Tiny House

Sussex County NJ USA June 17 2017 Inside a tiny house at a tiny house expo
There are a lot of things that you have to consider when planning to live in a tiny house for a smoother transition.

1. Toilet 

Living in a tiny house isn’t exactly the same as living in a traditional house. This means that you have to deal with problems you are not dealing with before. And that includes problems with a toilet. 

Choosing the right toilet for your tiny house is a very important and critical decision that you have to face. Having the right toilet in your tiny house will not just make you feel comfortable but will also save you from any problem soon. If you want to travel from one place to another with your tiny house, then you have to look for a good alternative to the traditional flush toilet. 

Keep in mind that you have to keep your toilet at a limited space due to your already limited space. Soundproofing your toilet also matters. Sure enough, you don’t want to be embarrassed with the sounds that you make when using the toilet.

2. Personal Space

If you have tried living in a dorm, you probably know the struggle of not having your own personal space. Having time on your own is very difficult given the tight same that dorm rooms offer. And with the limited space that tiny houses have to offer, you have to be as creative as you can to have your very own personal space. 

A good way to have your very own personal space on your tiny house is to divide your house strategically. You can use curtains to have some privacy. You could also make use of wall dividers if you want. 

Also, in as much as possible, do not let anyone enter your room. Keep that space for yourself only. You could share the rest of the space with others but at least have something you can call your own. 

3. Lights 

It can be very easy for small spaces to feel and get dark. This makes it very important to have a light source wherever it is possible. The light source could either be natural or not. 

Have big windows in your tiny house where natural light can pass through. Natural lights can do magic. They can easily lift up and set the mood of your tiny house. 

When you have a good number of windows, do not cover them up with curtains. It is even better if you don’t put curtains at all. If not, use blinds to cover-up your windows during the night. 

To control the amount of light in your tiny house, install recessed lighting that has dimmer switches. You could also put string lights in nooks and lamps in corners. When setting up lights, it would be better to have them hanged to save space and expand the space visually.

4. Maintenance 

In maintaining your tiny house, don’t let yourself stay in repair mode. Fix any damage repaired as soon as possible. Do regular maintenance checks as well. 

Doing regular maintenance check is very important in order to find out any problem and prevent it from getting more serious. Living in a tiny house doesn’t mean that you are exempted from maintaining it. Besides, you have to be more keen on it most especially when you are on the move. 

Some of the things that you have to regularly check include roof leaks, appliance upkeep problems, and plumbing and electrical issues. If what you have is a mobile tiny house, the tires, brakes, and bearings also have to be checked.

When planning or already living in a tiny house, do not forget to maintain it. Maintaining your tiny house plays a pivotal role in how long your tiny house will last. It also has something to do with your safety, so make this your priority.

5. Lifestyle

The tiny house lifestyle isn’t the same as the lifestyle you’re used to. Remember, your tiny house isn’t just a house, it’s a lifestyle. And, you have to adapt to that lifestyle. 

If you are into the arts, then make sure that everything will still look clean and organized once you are done doing your stuff. If you can’t live without a dryer, then you should have a bigger space. In such a case, it would even be better to have your tiny house built on a foundation. 

Do not forget that you can always customize your tiny house. Do not settle for anything less. Feel free to do whatever you want with your tiny house. Just make sure that you do not overdo anything.

Tips For Adjusting To Life In A Tiny House

Small white kitchen, red components
IT is not easy to adjust to the tiny house lifestyle, but being prepared will make it easy.

Over the past few years, the tiny house movement has become a very trending topic. It’s growing popularity has invited a lot of people. But, they just see this as a bigger dollhouse, not something that they could see themselves living in. 

This is because the idea of transitioning from a big house into an ultra-small one isn’t attractive to others. But then again, tiny houses exist for a reason – the so-called “modern conveniences”. So, how will you adjust to living in a tiny house?

Here are some of the most common questions asked about the concept of tiny house living which will help you prepare and adjust to this lifestyle.

1. How Do You Fit My 3-Bedroom Lifestyle into a Tiny House?

At a maximum, tiny houses only measure 500 square feet. This means that you have to put everything you necessarily need in such a limited space. This could be not your piece of cake. 

This means that you and your family should figure out the stuff that you necessarily need in order to live. Regardless of your effort, it would be impossible to put everything you have with such a limited space. So, minimalism is the key. 

Bring only the ones that you really need – from clothes, the decorative pieces, and more. It would also be good if you do the one thing in, one thing out practice. This way, your tiny house will not look cramped. 

This doesn’t mean that you can’t have a little luxury. Of course, you can. You just have to keep things at a minimum. Remember to focus on the quality over the quantity of the items that you have.

2. Where Do You Put Your Clothes?

Just like everyone else, you probably have a lot of clothes. Some, if not most, of these clothes are still unused yet you just can’t let them go. This is because you thought you could use it one day. 

But once you have decided to live in a tiny house, this mindset is not applicable. Living in a tiny house entails reducing the number of clothes that you have. But this does not necessarily mean that you have to eliminate all the clothes you have.

This does not also mean that you should have four outfits only. That’s not how it goes. When loving in a tiny house, it would be better if you go for an interchangeable wardrobe. You could also opt for multipurpose clothes. 

This way, you save space and money at the same time. You can also go away from getting frustrated by deciding what you should wear. 

3. What about Cooking and Cleaning?

You might be wondering how you will cook in your tiny house. Cooking in a tiny house doesn’t mean that you will cook on your child’s tiny range. There are a lot of compact appliances that you can purchase for your tiny house. 

In fact, there are already appliances that are specifically made for tiny houses. These appliances will perfectly fit your tiny house as long as it is designed well. This means that you can still cook the way you do in your big house. 

You could also have an outdoor cooking space if you want. An outdoor kitchen is perfect if you want to camp or grill every now and then. You can also custom build your kitchen in a way that will perfectly fit your kitchen appliances.

4. Are the Bathrooms Outside?

Not unless you want to have your bathroom outside, the bathroom of a tiny house is inside. Tiny house bathrooms have been well adapted to tiny houses. Besides, most tiny house builders customize the bathroom in order for it to fit in a tiny house. 

Despite their size, tiny houses are still equipped with the smaller version of the necessities of personal hygiene. And throughout the years, tiny house builders have come up with creative ways to incorporate bathroom luxuries into tiny houses. These luxuries come in compact sizes. 

The toilet in a tiny house is compact but is not as tiny as you think. You can still use them comfortably. You do not have to worry that you will be getting out of balance. There’s no big difference in using a regular toilet.

5. Am I Supposed to Live Without a Garage?

There is no such tiny house rule which stops you from owning a few properties. You could still have separate space as you want and need. Have a different or adjoining room for spaces such as your office, craft room, garage and so much more. 

Living in a tiny house, but this doesn’t mean that you have to stop doing what you love just because you do not have the space to do so. You could always have a separate space for that. Besides, living in a tiny house could save you money which you can use to meet your other needs. 

When you have a car that requires you to have a garage, feel free to have one. You could have it adjoined into your tiny house or place it in a different place as long as it is near you.

Conclusion

Deciding to live in a tiny house is one of the bravest things you can do. The start may be hard but you’ll enjoy it as time goes by. Do not let the challenges bring you down, let it be your inspiration to go through. 

Related Questions

How long does it take for me to adjust to the tiny house lifestyle?

Adjusting to the tiny house lifestyle could take months or years. It all depends on you. Adjusting could be easy if you have planned to live in a tiny house for so long and if you are very willing to go through the process as well. Just remember that forcing yourself to adapt to the lifestyle won’t help. Let yourself adjust naturally. Adjusting is a step by step process, not a one time process. 

Is it better if I live alone first in a tiny house?

Ideally, you should have someone with you in the first few days that you will be living in your tiny house. This will help you adjust faster to the tiny house lifestyle. Living alone right when you moved into your tiny house could make it hard for you to adjust.