Things to Consider when Choosing a Tiny House
What should you consider before purchasing a tiny house? First, there are the regulations, the utility systems and the land to build on. After that comes all the little details. Does the tiny house you’ve chosen meet all your needs? Will you need additional storage? Choosing to live in a tiny house is a big step. It would mean going minimalist in a big way. Are you ready for it?
Have you checked all the legalities?
In some ways, building a tiny house is no different than building a larger one. You need building permits and inspections. You need electricity, gas, water and sewer service to the home. That is, unless you’re going off grid. In which case, you’ll need to look into solar panels, windmills, composting toilets and water reservoirs, to name a few.
How minimal are you going?
For instance, if my partner and I did the tiny house thing, he’d still need additional storage for his plumbing tools. Not only that, it would have to be secure storage, like he has now. That’s his livelihood. He can’t just toss it aside. If your circumstances are similar, you might want to build a garage next to your tiny house or rent a storage space.
Where would the bedroom be?
If you have a chronic illness, like I do, the tiny houses with lofts are simply not an option. I know climbing the ladder to bed and sleeping on a futon would wreak havoc on me. You’d want a tiny house with an actual bedroom. Thankfully they do make them. Some have a loft in addition to the bedroom, so guests can sleep over.
Do you have kids?
If so, you’ll have to consider their needs as well. Are they small children? Would the loft bedroom be dangerous for them? Is there space for their toys, books and games? If they’re school age, is there a quiet place where they can study? Would you feel cramped with kids in a tiny house? Would the noise level be tolerable?
What non- necessities would you be keeping?
For me, it would be my books. I would have to be sure the tiny house had plenty of bookshelves. I’d also need a comfortable place to write. If you love to cook, it might be your kitchen utensils, pots, pans, etc. You would want to make sure your tiny house had a kitchen that met your needs. Maybe you do crafts. Does the tiny house have space to work on your hobbies?
Note:
There are so many things to consider when purchasing a tiny house, I’m sure I’ve left out a few. Moving to a tiny house would be a huge change for most of us. Be sure you’ve given it a great deal of thought before taking that leap.
More from Jaipi:
Tiny Little Houses: A New Trend
