What Happened to the Tiny Home Movement? Are We Losing the Soul of the Minimalist Lifestyle?

As per popular claim, the soul of the tiny house movement is lost as the tech-savvy, upscaled, cluttered, and luxurious tiny homes are ruining the actual essence of the movement. Tiny homes thrive with the idea of minimalism, and many believe that the movement just got ruined as we shifted towards bigger and better-equipped tiny homes. However, minimalism is not a radical lifestyle, it’s more about removing excesses, and there is no strict set of rules you need to follow. The mother and father of the tiny home movement are Dee Williams and Jay Shafer. They encouraged a simplified lifestyle without compromising on the comforts. However, living in a tiny home on wheels or Ulrich cabins does mean that you have to downsize and let go of many possessions by choosing to declutter. By going tiny, you decide to own less, live with less, maintain less, and set yourself free from the idea that happiness is related to material wealth.

 

Does size matter?

Tiny house TV shows are spreading like wildfire, and more and more people are going tiny. With the escalating prices of traditional homes, a slightly bigger, more gadget-laden, and fancier tiny home is preferred as they are comparatively more affordable and come with all the basic amenities. The 400 sq. feet tiny home is designed to embrace minimalism, and the need to declutter is essential. However, the desire to have all comforts inside the tiny home tends to make the structure bigger, heavier, and longer, and if that’s so, then arises the question – why do you need a tiny home at all? The attention of mainstream media and the housing woes faced by Americans has made affordable tiny homes a popular concept. 

Nevertheless, as per Relaxshacks, many tiny home dwellers and owners of Ulrich cabins claimed that if they had to buy a tiny home again, they would go smaller this time. This says much about what we think we need vs. what we require to live comfortably in a tiny home. If you are dreaming of building a tiny home or have started with the design, then it’s worth discussing the size of the tiny home with the builders so that there are no complexities or regrets about the home you end up with. Set an appointment with your favorite builder via TinyHouseMe to get priority service and competitive pricing.

Return to simplicity 

If you want to be a part of the tiny home community and believe in minimalism, then returning to the simplicity of a tiny home is important. The soul of the tiny home movement is not yet crushed, and the spirit is not dictating that everyone must go tiny. Rather the movement has set up a standard of values, beliefs, and ideas expressed through a lifestyle that creates a smaller footprint. As said earlier, a tiny home sets your lifestyle where you need to free yourself from excesses. From ‘how to fit in all,’ you need to analyze ‘what can I do without.’ The absence of a few possessions is just as important as making room for the presence of others. Some people are happier to live with less as it’s more affordable, and it also motivates them to live in a carefree manner. Some tiny home dwellers live close to communities, while others live off-grid in open acres. Most tiny homeowners are single, retirees, Gen Z, or millennials who want to live simply and affordably. 

Stay ‘SOULFULLY’ tiny 

The stunning Pinterest-friendly tiny homes aren’t great for the tiny home movement to thrive. The 15 minutes of internet fame are fun for a short time, but the real concept is rooted in what Jay and Dee truly meant by tiny living. The tiny house stands for decreased consumption and is an environment-friendly home where people can stay sustainably. The real tiny home concept should not merge with a ‘slightly smaller’ house as the idea revolves around conscious living. 

However, tiny homes in contemporary times have upgraded themselves to make life easier. For example, composite toilets came in the last five years, and with advanced technology, life in a tiny home has become much simpler. Builders share their expertise and knowledge, and with relaxed building codes and zoning laws, minimalism is now a way of life.

Codes are still an ongoing problem

Although tiny homes have made upsides, the major drawback is code restriction. Even custom-built and beautifully designed tiny homes are only legal if they meet the municipality’s building codes and zoning regulations. While some jurisdictions have lenient laws and are tiny home friendly, there are others where the codes are confusing, and you might require a permit for the structure. This can get frustrating for a buyer of Ulrich cabins and tiny houses, which is why connecting with an established and certified builder is paramount.

Connect with a certified builder now!

To make the selection of a tiny home builder easier for you, we have enlisted 20 such builders who can offer you custom-made and off-the-shelf tiny home builds with proper planning and blueprints:

To set up an appointment with your matched builder, connect with TinyHouseMe. We ensure you get a quick response from the builder. We also offer helpful resources for financing and planning the project. Get placed at the front line for the builders now!