The tiny home movement is not a product of the millennial generation. The roots of the tiny home movement run much deeper. The concept was touched upon in 1854 by naturalist Henry David Thoreau when he published, ‘Walden,’ a chronicle about his life inside a 150sq ft cabin. Thoreau was probably the 1st person to talk about living in a small space for two years. After that, Lester Walker published ‘Tiny houses: Or How to Get Away from It All’ in 1987 and talked about tiny house planning and other details at length. Years passed, and in 1999, Jay Shafer founded Tumbleweed – the 1st US company to sell mobile tiny home structures.
However, the tiny home concept was still new, and in the year 2009, things took a turn as the housing crisis struck, making people opt for tiny living. In 2017, the rising rate of homelessness in the United States generated interest in tiny living, and organizations started working on updating housing and zoning regulations to legitimize tiny home ownership in America. (As per https://rb.gy/kpbaqa)
Tiny homes are not for everyone – But their popularity grows
Tiny House Nation and Tiny House Hunters were popular shows in the USA that came up around 2014. As per stats, around 63% of millennials consider installing a tiny house as they are more economical than a traditional home. Student loan debt and inflation make tiny log cabins for sale a great fit for the millennials. However, baby boomers who have just retired from their jobs prefer the concept of a tiny living. Downsizing during their autumn years is ideal for the retiree as there are reduced expenses and portability and the ease of minimalism means less cleaning and maintenance.
The pandemic increased the popularity of tiny homes
Although tiny homes are an innovative response to homelessness across the USA, even travelers have turned to tiny houses after the pandemic to seek safe refuge and change virus hot spots. Living in a tiny house is fun and exciting and, as some call ‘tiny house spirit,’ attracted travelers to the minimalistic lifestyle. Moreover, as people were uncertain about the economy and required an affordable housing solution, tiny houses became the ultimate answer. The need for quarantine is another reason that gave rise to the popularity of tiny houses. Earlier tiny houses were rented for vacations and local summer events, but Covid-19 changed it all. The tiny homes started to fill in the need for quarantine lodgings as they were much safer than big hotels where social interactions were unavoidable.
An average American has less savings than a tiny house owner
Ordinary people are buying tiny log cabins for sale not just for the hype but also because tiny living makes them richer than many. This is because the average size of a traditional home is around 2,356 square feet, while the size of a tiny home ranges between 100 to 400 sq. ft. The tiny home is just a miniature version of a high-end house. Less is more stands true for a tiny living! Additionally, the tiny homes will provide you with more savings as you don’t have to spend much on construction. DIY tiny home kits are available with local builders, and you don’t have to spend more than $68,000 to set up a standard tiny space. However, as per the National Association of Realtors, the sale price of an average American home is $407,600 as of May 2022. The financial appeal of tiny homes has made them a favorite among all generations.
Tiny home maintenance and expenses are a lot less than traditional housing. Inside tiny homes, there is less space to cool and heat, with makes the utility bills controllable. Traditional housing requires more heating and cooling indoors to maintain the climatic fluctuations. In fact, 55% of tiny house owners make more savings than an average American living in a traditional space. Tiny homes are a gateway to freedom, making them a preferable choice among all generations.
Turn a tiny house into your home – Customized designs
Embracing minimalism is challenging, as letting go of your possessions can be tough for many. Instead, choose a personalized design and turn your tiny house into the home of your dreams. At TinyHouseMe, you will find local builders providing endless possibilities to make your tiny home creative, offer good storage space and give the touch of individualism. As a result, tiny homes can be a sustainable and cost-effective choice for every homeowner, irrespective of age.
