I've never understood the whole 'loft' craze. To me it's just impracticle space. A waste. Those ladders are treacherous and inconvenient. And not being able to stand up would be a deal breaker for me. I don't know why they don't base these small homes on park model mobile homes or travel trailers. These were the original tiny homes. the lay-outs are so much more practical.
You should check out RRC’s tiny homes on their channel. They started out as manufactured home creators but ventured into tiny homes as well, and their tiny homes are so realistically designed. All of them have main floor bedrooms, closets… it’s amazing how much they squeeze into tiny spaces! They do have lofts too but NEVER skip a main floor bedroom. If I ever go tiny, I’m getting a home through them 100%.
Mr. Tiny and Tiny Tuesday! Park models are often the better choice - it’s just that a lot of people have this bias against anything called a mobile home. Plus the park models are finance able and you are welcome into almost any mobile community
As an older adult the upstairs space with not being able to stand and walk about is not ideal. Seniors do not crawl anywhere. And the downstairs placement of the washroom is not ideal. The house is beautiful from the exterior.
I get claustrophobic and need space, fast. Anxiety alone would put my housekeeping skills to the test in a tiny space. (I’d use it for private space outside a bigger house.) or for guests.
Looks like most of the problems are related to being a creative person and/or having a child aka. tiny living just doesn't suit your lifestyle. The oven on the other hand just really is a safety hazard. Even the thought about having to handle something that contains hot liquid overhead and the danger of accidently touching the hot stove door... no thanks. But it's nice to see people talking about the downsides of tiny living as well.
This is an EXCELLENT video! Thank you for being so honest!! You never hear about these issues and for the past two years I have been ooogling and romanticizing about building a tiny house knowing that there would be downsides but this video gives me a huge reality check. Very grateful!
90% of your things you hate are not from being a tiny house, but the home & choices you made. There are tiny houses with downstairs bedroom with a door that closes. (includes downstairs closet) You choose house with upstairs loft for bedroom. Tiny homes have great stairs available, you choose a ladder. Lofts can be stand up, you choose crawl loft. You put stove up high, couch upstairs, bed as only place to sit downstairs. Ever heard of murphy bed or trundle bed that looks like a couch? Loft area needs a/c not a fault of being a tiny house. Ever thought of a fan or window a/c? Bathroom should have better soundproof door to avoid embarrassment. None of these hates have anything to do with tiny houses, but your own decisions. 90% could be fixed easily and with little expense. Since you are so creative, maybe use that creativity to fix issues that have nothing to do with being in a tiny house.
May I suggest that you consider: Murphy bed/ w/bottom storage. An adjustable baby crib. Or...put your bed back upstairs Sofa downstairs Bouncy chair w/wheels for little one Build/Buy a shed for creativity (a small container) Hope that stimulates your thoughts about some solutions
They certainly aren't for everybody, but I understand the need for them. We have become such a McMansion society that it is hard to find affordable housing. A swing back was inevitable. Plus there is the dreaded HOA that dictates things like minimum square footage in certain neighborhoods. Options run out for many people. Probably like you... I really could not do that loft.
I do believe, like other have commmented, that your lifestyle has changed and so the tiny house doesn't cater to these new needs. And that's OK--thanks for talking about that! Hope you find the right-sized house that'll give you enough room to breathe, grow and be creative!
Thank you so much for this update.😌 My mother did not want us to build a tiny home in her backyard so she eventually just had us get a 1200 square-foot home next door to my brother, it's super too big for us but she says we can grow into it with a family and this is as big as we're ever going to get because we love living tiny so you're just making me feel better about our decision. I still am in love with your home🤗
You have definitely used your tiny home to it’s maximum purpose. It would be soooo ideal if your parents could rent it out and you and your family could move into a bigger home so suit your growing needs. You have given me much thought for my two daughters 21 and 18 for tiny homes on our property instead of living in apartments. Your family is gaping that is such a blessing ❤️
It looks like it's taught you what you need in a space going forward at least! Tiny living never really seemed like a good fit for families or people who enjoy entertaining. My spouse and I planning on building on my parent's property but we are childfree and don't have anyone except my best friend over as it is so this still does seem like a perfect fit for us and our lifestyle. I definitely don't think it works for most people though, at least as a long-term plan.
Add another barn extension on the opposite side of what is shown. Install a noisy/older fan for the bathroom or put a stereo or radio high on the wall to drown 'noise' out. Mom and dad did a great job on their house and back yard! You could finish in one afternoon-just detach the top sections of the 'barn roof', cutting at the top of the bottom roof section. Extend the top sections upwards and connect sections at top-forming a new "A-FRAME roof. This will allow walking space in the middle of the top floor. Carpet is the homeowner's best friend. Install a vent fan directly over the stove and one above the oven on the wall shotting the hot air out of the house. Paint each space in the house a different color creating defined spaces and creating different feels in the upstairs and downstairs.
Seems like it is not so much that tiny living is not for you, but that what you want is not for tiny living. There are downsides to every living situation, tiny or not. Good on you for finding out what you really, really want.
Is there maybe some room in the yard for a small shed (Maybe one of those premade Home Depot or Lowes deals that's about 10x12) that you could use for working on and storing creative projects?
after thinking same thing, it appears their tiny house is on lot with the parents house. my assumption would be adding something of that nature isn’t entirely up to them and at the very least theres the cost of purchasing and having it installed.
You've probably already thought of this but just in the tiniest chance that you didn't, you should consider renting/buying your own land, moving the tiny house there and building a studio outbuilding for work. Good luck and thanks for sharing.
Thank you. I was an avid creator and organized everything meticulously. Every time family came all my things were thrown boxes & stored in closets. It took months to reorganize before I could get back on it. Years went by. Several times a year months spent getting some things out, reorganizing, etc. So I stopped ….tried writing ✍️ instead. Now I have a room. Everything is there. But the price I paid, the years lost…took its toll. That’s my truth.
I think the ideal is a smaller house that has tons of built-in storage, and then a large shed in the back yard for storing things too. The built-in storage makes everything look clean and uncluttered. The smaller space means your utility bills are less. A huge storage shed doesn't need to be heated or cooled and can store a lot, especially out-of-season things. Oh, and what would be amazing would be to have lots of built-in storage in the laundry room so clothes can be put away in the laundry room closet and not have to be hauled to bedrooms!
Great video! We lived in 480sq ft with our family of 6 for 3 years so I get ya!! there is so much about the up sides of tiny living and not a whole lot about the challenges. like how all your clothes/fabric smells slightly like food, lol. even minimalism feels like a lot in a tiny space. its a great experience and opportunity to learn more about ourselves.
I have never wanted a Tiny House especially with a loft, crawling, ladder, or perilous stairs. Not to mention having to wake up and get to the bathroom without falling. I think it would be like living, cooking, sleeping or relaxing in a bathroom.
My guess is that most Tiny Home owners only do it for a couple of years until they face up to the reality of needing more than tiny space. It’s cute and idealistic but not very practical. The biggest problem with tiny homes are all the rebel against conformity designs that are not built to any safety standard: delete stair hand rails, bogus electrical, etc.
Mobile home parks have a rec room etc, but a tiny house park or intentional condo association tend to attract creators and gardeners, who need space for creating! So communities with studio spaces, community gardens as well as friendly to a variety of gardening around each home are ideal. Visited a co-housing (technically a condo association) community that had private ownership of units, but shared bike barn, woodshed, greenhouse, community gardens edible, and edible landscaping. Central building had exercise equipment and laundry machines in the same large space, a licensed commercial kitchen with optional weekly dinner together night, music room with piano and good insulation, small cozy lounge (game nights), and a reservable guest room. Not cheap but wow! Dining area was hosting rummage sale when I visited.. community subsidizes two housing units, one for two residents needing care, one for two caregivers. Just sharing some options..totally agree re having a dedicated and organized space to leave creations in process!
Exactly!! The "open shelf" concept results is much less storage space, and everything is on display. I'd move that oven next week, and put up solid cabinets the week after.
I think the house is original and none are like it. So congrats on that one. Wonder if changing the furniture type, ie murphy beds, pull out tables, and adding a shed would be possible?
Mobile homes were the original tiny homes. But they didn’t aim for minimalism - just living within one’s means. Seems the current structures are good for singles or couples with limited indoor interests. I personally LOVE having space - for creativity, privacy, and stretching out. Our family of four would never have that in a “tiny house.” Seems the home should, if possible & practical, fit the family. Not the other way around. Love watching these vids though & thinking about a short stay in one to just enjoy the simplicity for a spell.
I applaud you and your husband for being honest about the downside of tiny living. Many tiny house owners only talk about the good things. I totally hear you when you mention being a creative person and needing to pull everything out and then put everything away again. I live in a one-bedroom apartment and make altered hardback journals. I’ve been doing this for nearly 4 years and have acquired a lot of supplies. A LOT! My only place to create is my dining room table which I share with a round tower spinner for a small supplies, a score tape holder, and a few other creative items. When I want to have a meal I have to make sure the area has been cleared of whatever I am creating first. I wonder how much time I spend clearing and then getting everything back out again LOL. 🐝🐝🐝
I think your tiny house is adorable. And I am sure you're able to save money living in it because of your parents. I wouldn't sweat the space issues, and I would definitely move the beds upstairs! You can get a window a/c unit to cool it off. That would free up a lot of space for your son. As far as a craft area, get a shed for your yard and turn it into that space. Seems to me that you are very fortunate, and the 7 issues, are very workable.
I relate to all of this. Living in a tiny house with my husband and 6 year old. No space to do anything creative. No floorspace really. Not enough space to exercise with a Kinect. Kitchen is awkward because it's right next to the front door, so if one person wants to walk through, the person cooking has to stop what they're doing. Not enough space for books or art. Not enough space to store homeschool supplies. It's very depressing living in a tiny house. Seems like the only thing there's space for is watching TV or reading. :(
I find myself either meticulously cleaning everything and putting everything in its place immediately, or straight up being like, “no one can see what a dirty monster I am… keep everyone out! 😳” 😂
Thank you for sharing this honest insight! ♥ I personally hate tiny spaces and have respect for people who can live in them without losing their mind :) There were times in my life when I was forced to be a "minimalist" because I was extremely poor and simply could not afford anything.
It sounds like all of your problems would have been solved by having an upstairs that you could stand up in and by having a full basement that could be a studio. I do not know your floor plan but possibly you could make the bathroom situation better by putting the door on another wall so it opens off the kitchen. I have heard builders advocate for decades to insulate the bathroom walls with foam board for sound dampening.
I 100% relate to your experience with not wanting to start creating things because you don't have the dedicated space to do it. I used to make jewelry & accessories, and now I store all my supplies up in my loft (where my bed is). It's such a pain in the butt to go up there with my ladder, take all the baskets down (cause I don't have enough room up there to sit upright and look for the things I need), and then I have to tidy up every night, even if I'm half way through a project, because I'm gonna need that space the next morning to work & eat, since I use my desk to do everything. I honestly just stopped making stuff altogether for the year I've been living here.
All your issues are solvable and you don't need a bigger house just adjust your tiny to your needs. This is what I love about tiny houses they are customisable. I have seen over 100 videos on RU-vid and could find solutions to your issues in seconds. It's called knowledge.
I Stay in Singapore.Most of the newly build flats and condominiums here are like Tiny houses.Only thing,mostly 99% of these spaces do not have lofts.Only a few do have lofts types.
Oh I remember watching your tiny house tour and the switch between the living room and the bedroom. I thought "oh I would never go the living room, I'd live in bed" haha. Thanks for sharing the downside as well! Very honest!
I don't think I want a tiny house I think I just want a small house, doesn't have to be huge but I want a max of 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, I want it open, and have enough room for a full sized dinning room and I want a garage. I don't want it to be fancy and I want it to have everything on one floor, I hate stairs lol
I think tiny houses are great and can work with kids, but you do need a separate place for the adults. In tiny spaces you are limited in what you can do when the kids sleep like having friends over for a game night is out of the question. Having a separate cottage in the yard for parents to enjoy the evening and do their crafts/work and what not is really important for long term.
For your craft supplies, can you think of vertical storage like the wall space above your desk? Also, can you use a Murphy bed to provide more floor space on your first floor?
Great video always loved watching your videos on tiny homes. It’s a great starter house, love how you have decorated. I am sure you will find the perfect space for your family when you move. 💓
Thank you. I need a dedicated space for Artistic endeavors as well, a BIG space that I can live in. I am hoping for a bigger space for my crafts and beads; a studio to work in everyday. (I currently bunk and most of my belongings are in a large storage.) I am building my organization skills at the storage. 😉
I hear you completely. I live in a small space home. I love to see but am put off with having to get everything out then put it all away. Not enough worktop in the kitchen too. I love to cook so more space would be ideal. I love my space but ideally need a studio/summer house too. Sleeping too is difficult in the warm weather. Been in mine for 3 years 😁 xx
I always think about crafts when I look at and think it might be nice to live a tiny house. THAT puts me off. I think if you have land, then it would be easy enough to buy a shed from Lowe's, run electricity to it, and insulate it, and use that as a craft space.
Why is it that people that live in tiny houses always say “since this isn’t our forever house”…kinda contradicts the whole idea of “minimalism” which they love to harp on and elevate themselves as better than the rest of the world.
Yep, this couple is growing up. Nothing like having a baby to make you grow up. I was only 32 or 33 when I grew up and started to raise a baby with my husband and compared to this couple we had a huge house however then my husband lost his nearby job. OH NO. Needless to say after many ups and downs and a second child we have reached the over 70 year old generation without too many demands. We always had a roof over our heads tho. PS we rented out the first house and then ended up buying a second house and we still have both. However then we lost our tenant and so you see the future is not seeable or foreseeable. Adapt and adjust accordingly.
Maybe Time for a bigger place… or air conditioning for upstairs…..no need for it to be enormous…just a bit bigger…no shame in that… a tiny house is nice for a single or maybe a childless couple or empty nesters so to speak. There’s a time in life for many things…
Hi I am slightly confused did you not know these things before you bought your tiny house. Sorry don't want to bad mouth you or put you down but it's like every important things in your life you need to look at your life and how being in a tiny house or a large house will impact all aspects of your life. Lije can I afford the mortgage will I be stuck fir space etc. I have very rarely comments on sites but I think you are complaining about your tiny house because you did not think it through. I agree it is probably better for singles and couples rather than families.
She is not really complaining really, she is simply being honest about her own life and struggles. Many people appreciate the fact that she is not trying to pretend everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time. None of these things were really a problem for a 2 people, It was really the baby that made life more complicated and gave them even less space. This is probably why they did not consider these things.
It's been fun watching your tiny home experience. I can't wait for your next home. Yes, with a baby or small child you'll need more room. I guess, this will be your next big adventure? 😊
You should put your bed back in the loft and couch downstairs, then your son can stay where he’s at w more room to crawl and your stuff you don’t want him to get in to can be in the loft w you or that desk. My husband and I gave our toddler the bedroom and we are now in a loft that we can’t even sit up straight in but it works!:) also I’m 6 months pregnant so moving around is getting interesting, we’ll see how going up and down the ladder w a newborn goes! Our tiny house is 400 sq. ft. With lofts in either end
