What Is A Tiny House? 12 Surprising Facts

The latest real estate trend sweeping the nation isn’t that of sprawling lawns and rooms to spare, but rather the bite-sized tiny house movement. That’s right, homeowners everywhere are deciding to downsize in order to live a more minimalist lifestyle in a tiny house. While this move might seem enticing, we’re diving into some of the other factors to consider before you clean out that garage and join the tiny house community.

What Qualifies As A Tiny House?

Although tiny houses seem pretty self-explanatory, they’re more specifically defined as any home that falls under a maximum of 500 square feet. They can also be built on either a mobile platform or a permanent house foundation. The typical cost for a tiny house is between $20,000 – $100,000 depending on the kinds of features and materials you’re looking to add into the home.

What Is The Tiny House Movement?

The tiny house movement rose to online glory not only due to its architectural innovation but also because of the lifestyle, philosophy and whimsy it embodies. Many viral tiny homes unlock a sense of dreaminess, oftentimes overlapping with the cottagecore styling trend, which celebrates softness and simplicity.

However, the tiny house community most notably overlaps with minimalist and sustainable lifestyles, which is perhaps why they have become a social movement in and of themselves. With a need for few building materials, a significant decrease in energy consumption and small square footage which can prevent overcrowding, tiny homes present numerous benefits to the environment. So it’s no surprise that those seeking an eco-friendly lifestyle – or even just a more alternative way of life – have gravitated towards becoming tiny house owners.

12 Surprising Tiny House Facts

As fun as tiny homes may seem, when it comes to buying, moving and living in them, you may encounter more hurdles than you bargained for. In order to understand just what to expect before adopting tiny house living, let’s discuss some of these common challenges.

1. Finding A Place To Park Your Tiny House Can Be An Issue

If you find that a big part of a tiny home’s allure is the mobility and ease of traveling, then it’s good to bear in mind that there are also downsides. Due to many zoning regulations, full-time living in temporary housing structures is usually not permitted in many municipalities. Additionally, even if you are well within your means, it can still be difficult to find somewhere to park your tiny home.

Many tiny house lifestyle advocates frequent parks, beaches or anywhere in cities with abundant street parking. But if you live in the suburbs or an area with particularly unruly weather, it could be challenging to find adequate space to live in your tiny house.

2. Tiny Houses Aren’t As Mobile As You Think

Speaking of travel and mobility – there’s a misconception that with a tiny home you’ll be able to travel the world with ease. While this is truer of tiny houses than your standard permanent foundation home, it’s not quite as cut and dried as it sounds. There will be many expenses to consider and prepare for whenever you plan on moving. For example, you’ll need a trailer and a hitch for relocating. You’re sure to encounter numerous parking fees, and of course, you’ll have to figure out how to secure all of your belongings to ensure nothing gets damaged.

3. A Tiny House Means Tiny Appliances

If you’ve dreamt about someday owning a family-sized refrigerator or if you like to make use of your full range stove, the proportionally small appliances that come with tiny house living are sure to serve as a reality check. Many tiny homes come equipped with a small-sized refrigerator, oven or stovetop – not to mention pretty limited counter space. So, if cooking is a big part of your life, you may want to forgo a tiny house or look into creating your own custom build with larger appliances.

4. Zoning Laws Make Building Permanent Foundations Difficult

The same way that mobility presents numerous challenges for tiny house owners, permanent foundation tiny houses also bring their own set of difficulties. Typically, zoning laws require a minimum size build for permanent residences, which tiny homes rarely meet. So, if you’re set on living in a particular area, make sure you understand the local ordinances and regulations before setting about your tiny house aspirations.

5. Tiny Houses Are More Vulnerable To Natural Disasters

This drawback is a more serious one – especially if you live in a high-risk area for storms, hurricanes or other severe weather. If you want to live somewhere with high-speed winds, having a tiny home – particularly one without a permanent foundation – isn’t the safest option. Be sure to do your research and seek out one of the many communities in non-hurricane zones.

6. Temperature Control Can Be Less Than Ideal

When you’re buying or building your tiny house, you must keep the weather in mind. If you love the look of lofted spaces, just know that they can get uncomfortably hot very quickly – especially in the warmer months. When it gets cooler, it can be just as difficult to warm up.

When it comes to tiny house living, proper ventilation, heating and cooling systems are essential.

7. Tiny Houses Are Often More Expensive Per Square Foot

For those of us who are real bargain hunters, calculating the price per unit for better deals can feel like second nature. So, it can be a real letdown to learn that most tiny homes are almost double the price per square foot than a traditional home. According to Business Insider, while many standard homes average around $150 per square foot to build, tiny homes can cost around $400 per square foot.

That’s not to say you won’t save money in the long run. Although there are plenty of upfront costs for a tiny home, you’ll save quite a bit on utilities or excess furnishings down the road.  

8. Building Codes Vary Or May Not Apply

It’s no surprise that standard homes must meet certain regulations in order to be deemed safe enough to live in – and the same goes for tiny homes. According to Money Task Force, typically, tiny homes must include:

However, these building codes can vary from region to region, so it’s important to do your research and understand the regulations specific to your area. Additionally, since tiny homes are a relatively new phenomenon, many areas may not even have policies or regulations in place pertaining to tiny home safety. Keep these factors in mind before deciding where you’ll plan to live.

9. It May Be Difficult To Secure Funding

Since tiny houses are newly popular, the methods for financing one are still relatively limited and not as traditionalThere are a couple financing options available to tiny house owners: builder financing, online lenders, personal loans and RV loans. It’s important to make sure your tiny house meets all of the requirements for whatever financing option you end up choosing.

10. Keeping Clean Can Be A Real Chore

Despite the idyllic pictures that we see online, having much less space could mean having much more clutter. Without spare rooms to store things, it can be easy for your tiny house to fill up with misplaced items, unless you’re constantly maintaining your living space. Additionally, since many tiny homes have more unique nooks and crannies, cleaning can become much more burdensome than in a standard home.

11. No More Shopping Sprees

Although this might seem like a given, tiny house owners have to seriously cut back on impulse purchases. If you’re a clothing fanatic, for example, refusing a good sale can be difficult, but with limited closet space you’ll have to either refuse or opt for swapping out your wardrobe.

12. It May Not Be Wise To Host

Unless you live in a particularly warm area where you can take advantage of outdoor seating, you should probably forfeit hosting the next dinner party or game night. Having guests over one at a time might run smoothly and your tiny home is sure to wow for its novelty, but cramping your friends and family in for a meal or catch-up may not be comfortable. Not to mention, many tiny houses use composting toilets and giving your guests a toilet tutorial could be a bit awkward.

So, if you find yourself jumping at the chance to host holidays or dinners, be sure to give these factors some extra consideration.

The Bottom Line

Tiny – or micro – homes are much more than just walls and a roof; they embody a simple and eclectic lifestyle that many of us want the chance to experience. But what we don’t see behind the quirky architecture and free-spirited lifestyle are the challenges: parking, weather, financing and zoning. All of these are factors you must consider before joining the tiny house movement.

What many people also forget is that tiny home living is a drastic lifestyle change – one that could liberate people and change their lives for the best, or one that could leave you feeling frustrated. Tiny houses are a huge change so it’s important to do your research and be absolutely sure of your decision before pursuing tiny house living.

Still looking for the right home for you? Check out these popular types of houses to find your dream home.