It’s official: The tiny house trend, once confined to the West Coast, is now making its way to the Midwest. Why are people enamored with tiny houses? For one thing, there is a movement to make life more simple — and what could be simpler than a micro-dwelling that you don’t need to spend hours upon hours cleaning each and every week? These homes are also less costly when it comes to upkeep. Energy efficiency aside, it simply costs less to heat and air condition tiny homes.
There are many reasons why tiny homes are a huge hit. As a builder, there are a few things you’ll need to know in order to design micro-dwellings that are the envy of the neighborhood!
Micro-Dwelling Small in Scale, Big on Style
The first thing to note about the tiny house trend is that these homes are usually one of a kind, built to stand out and suit the owner’s personality. There is no room for bland designs here, which is one reason why many tiny homes are styled after contemporary or mid-century modern homes. You’ll also find that Cape Cod styles are popular, especially when they feature adorable woodwork and colorful siding. Some tiny homes are even made from shipping containers or train cars, which only adds to the curb appeal.
Inside, you’ll find that these homes usually make use of upscale materials — wood flooring, large windows and even wood walls instead of drywall. It’s not uncommon to find beautiful beamed ceilings or log walls and structural elements, particularly in micro-dwellings that are created to look like tiny log cabins.
Tiny House Trend Utilizes Every Bit of Space
In a micro-dwelling, no space goes to waste — to the point that tiny homes often have more storage than a full-sized home! Here are some of the ways people are maximizing storage:
- Bedrooms are almost always lofted and low to keep the home’s profile shorter.
- Built-in beds, sofas and tables double as sleeping space, seating and storage chests.
- If the home has stairs, the area underneath the steps doesn’t go to waste. Tuck a kitchenette underneath the stairs or use the space to install cabinetry.
- Don’t skimp on shelving. The tiny house trend almost demands that you create shelves for storage anywhere space is available.
Owners of Tiny Homes Love Sustainability
Sustainability and environmental friendliness are two of the biggest reasons for this trend. To that end, make sure to offer your clients a variety of building material choices.
Popular materials include lumber harvested from sustainable sources and reclaimed lumber, particularly for wall panels, flooring and siding. Recycled roofing materials are a favorite choice as are composite boards made from recycled wood for decking and outdoor fixtures. Depending on the homeowner and the design of the home, you may even find yourself sourcing used doors, windows and cabinetry. These things are particularly popular among tiny homes with the vintage look.
In some cases, the entire structure may be recycled. Shipping containers are incredibly popular and can be stacked to create slightly larger micro homes. Quonset huts, train cars and other small structures are also sometimes repurposed.
The tiny house trend isn’t for everyone, but these days, there are more people looking for ways to simplify their lives and reduce the cost of living. Micro homes are a smart, stylish and affordable way to accomplish those goals.
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