With real estate prices continuing to soar, it makes a lot of sense for many people across demographics to live in a tiny home. Many people dream of becoming homeowners. Over the past few years, tiny homes have become viable investments for those who want to have their own space but don’t want to take out hefty mortgages.
Cool, quirky, eco-friendly, and low-maintenance, tiny homes can be perfect living spaces if they have a functional layout. However, there are quite a few things you need to keep in mind while designing, furnishing, and decorating a tiny home.
Transitioning to tiny living requires a lot of organization. You’ll have to pick and choose which of your belongings are worth keeping now that you only have about 500 square feet of space. In tiny homes, every inch of space counts. If an item doesn’t have an essential function, then you’ll likely have to let it go.
If you’re searching for the right tiny home, designing your own, or want to rearrange your existing space to maximize functionality, you may want to consider the following tips.
Choose Utilitarian Furniture
When furnishing a tiny home, you can’t think about lavish L-shaped couches, overstuffed chairs, and dining room tables. Instead, you need to narrow your search for furniture to smaller, sleeker pieces that are both functional and comfortable. Many people who own tiny homes opt for multi-purpose furniture.
For example, invest in a high-quality futon that serves as a couch during the day and a bed at night. When looking for a table, pick something that folds up into the wall when not in use. Also, consider stackable chairs.
If you live in a tiny home full time, you need all the basic appliances. When choosing appliances for small spaces, think vertically rather than horizontally when laying out your kitchen. Fortunately, you can easily find compact versions of full-size appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, stovetops, and microwaves.
Less is More
Less is always more when if you live in a tiny home. You have to cut down the visual clutter and work on creating a clean and well-organized space. Everything should have a designated place that makes sense for its designated purpose. Here are a few tips to follow when shopping for anything you intend to keep in your home:
- Before making a purchase, ask yourself, is this a necessity?
- Measure the space you have available and the size of any large item before buying.
- Buy only one piece at a time.
- It’s OK to have a few items that serve only as decoration. However, have a strict limit and stick to artwork that hangs on the wall rather than taking up floor or surface space.
Optimize Storage
Everyone owns items that they only use during a specific season or when certain circumstances arise. Before reorganizing your living space or moving into your first tiny home, have each member of the family list their day-to-day necessities as well as their storage requirements.
Once you’ve established which items each person can keep, make a storage plan. The following ideas may help you get organized:
- A rotating wardrobe can create more living space. Keep in-season clothing easily accessible, but store away everything else.
- Invest in organizational tools and shelving units to keep things off the floor. For example, you can buy a wall-mounted shoe rack. Again, think vertically. Only buy shelves or organizers that help you store items out your typical line of sight.
- Add storage everywhere, even if that means keeping your toolbox in the bathroom and your winter wardrobe inside your kitchen benches.
Choose a Light Color Palette
White may be your obvious choice when thinking of painting your tiny home; white walls keep everything bright and can make smaller spaces look more open. However, it’s not your only option. If you want to create depth and a warm atmosphere, you can choose any light colors like beige, pearl gray, blue-green, straw yellow, sky blue, or a soft shade of pink.
Choose the Right Windows
For a traditional home, picking out the right windows requires attention to three essential functions: letting in light, protecting from weather, and ventilating or insulating your home. If you’re window shopping for a tiny house, you need to consider all three elements but also take size and how the windows open into account.
For tiny homes, these window styles tend to work the best:
- Awning windows
- Double-hung windows
- Common casement windows
- Center-pivot windows
- Slider windows
- Louvre windows
- Fixed windows
Get Creative
Not everyone can change their lifestyle and squeeze all their belongings into a tiny space. But if you can, you’ll save a lot of money and have no problem maintaining a clean and cozy home. Even minimalistic spaces can have a homey, personalized feel.
Once you’ve maximized your tiny house’s functionality, get creative with area rugs, throw pillows, wall decor, candle holders, photo frames, and vases. Size doesn’t make a difference when it comes to infusing your personality and making a space your own.
