Read about 5 sacrifices you'll have to make to live in a tiny home, so you can fully consider the consequences of such a major lifestyle change.
The tiny home trend is a growing trend across the world, although its roots are in America and now people in the UK very much want a piece of the minimalist living action.
If you're somebody who has found themselves enamoured by tiny home living and you think it could be for you, it is important that you think very carefully about this kind of change before making any drastic decisions. There are many benefits to living in a tiny home, but there are sacrifices too. Knowing what you would have to give up is a great way to know if tiny home living is the right choice for you:
Here are 5 common tiny home sacrifices to consider before you commit:
- Lack Of Storage Space
It seems obvious but until you realise how little space you have in a tiny home, it can be easy to assume you can live with a lot less than you do now. Everything in a tiny home is placed with intention, and often you can't really have any extras for 'just in case'. There is always cheap self storage (see https://storing.com/) to help with things like winter wardrobes, and cheap self storage can hold things like sentimental items you've no space for but that you can't get rid of. Even so, you'll still need to get used to living with a lot less.
- Lack Of Privacy
Even if you take the time to give the other person time alone in the house, you have to be OK with mostly always sharing your private space. You're living in a very small rectangle with another person so, privacy is not necessarily something you will always have.
- Noise Pollution
Living in a tiny house means that any loud noises you make are likely to be heard outside. You will also be heard watching TV or talking by the people you live with, and even footsteps can be loud in some properties. You need to accept that this isn't a 'quiet' way of living unless you both sit still in silence 99% of the time.
- Smell Pollution
As well as noise, any smells from cooking, pets or even a spritz of perfume will likely travel the length of the home. You have to sacrifice the idea of cordoning smells off into one area of the home.
- Having Guests Over
You can definitely have guests over in a tiny home, especially in the outdoor space. However, if you're used to being the place everybody likes to come to for big parties, then tiny home living is not for you. Your tiny home neighbours won't appreciate it and a large number of guests are likely to feel a bit too cosy spending time in your home. Living in a tiny home definitely means sacrificing being the host to large gatherings.
These are just 5 of the most common sacrifices that people have to make when they invest in tiny home living. Speak to people who are already living in tiny homes to find out about some of the sacrifices they have discovered on their journey. You might be willing to compromise on everything that they have, or you might find a hurdle you're just not willing to jump. By knowing and researching the worst case scenarios, you can make an informed decision about such a huge lifestyle change.
