Tiny houses can appeal to a variety of people for various reasons. These five signs will help you decide if you or someone you know might a tiny houser:
1. You are not a hoarder. The biggest challenge is asking yourself what you really need from a home. "Going beyond basic needs leads to clutter, which gets in the way of how you enjoy life," said Zack Giffin, co-host of the FYI network show "Tiny House Nation." If you have the ability to make intelligent use of space and throw things away, then you might be cut out for this minimalistic lifestyle.
2. You appreciate the houses of the 1950s. The size of houses have grown through the years. Some people are buying homes they can't afford with more space than they need. Giffin said this is an unsustainable path and the tiny house movement has a polar opposite mentality. "What we're calling tiny houses now were normal houses in the '50s," he said. "I believe that the movement is returning back from the expansion of our living spaces."
3. You are eco-conscious. Tiny houses give homeowners the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint by cutting down on household appliances and amenities. "I think tiny houses address a broad range of issues that our country and the world are facing right now," Giffin said. "It's easy to feel like your hands are tied when it comes to economic and environmental issues. With tiny houses, you can have an impact."
4. You have a creative side. This is affordable housing, not boring housing. Limiting your resources doesn't mean you have to limit your creativity. With limited space, it can be easier (and cheaper) to decorate. "It's such a fun project because there's so much creativity involved. It's all about lowering the demands on people in terms of resources without taking away from the quality of life," Giffin said. Creative elements can translate to a person's home, regardless of its size. "Just because we're going small, doesn't mean that we're not creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind spaces. I see tiny homes as allowing people a low-income option that retains their dignity."
5. You know how to live within your means. If living lavishly isn't a necessity, then you're the perfect candidate for a tiny house. "What might be considered tiny for a one-person home is completely different for a five-person family," Giffin said. "The word 'tiny' is a relative term and it comes down to intelligent use of space." There's often a negative stigma attached to low-income housing, but the tiny house concept sidesteps that stigma by challenging people to live simply. "It's a matter of knowing what you truly need versus what you might want in terms of space," he said. "The lifestyle really comes down to covering your bases in terms of your need for safety, security and food in your belly."
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