7 Signs You Are Not Ready to Live in a Tiny House

Tiny living might seem like the ultimate dream life, but the reality requires some serious lifestyle changes. Despite this, it’s easy to get ahead of ourselves and assume that it’ll be easy to go from a standard home to something the size of a single room. We’re here to tell you that it’s not. Living in a tiny house might offer a sustainable lifestyle and financial freedom, but that comes with the sacrifice of space, possessions and even stability. If you’re considering tiny house living, here are 7 signs that you might not be ready.  

1. You can’t get rid of your possessions 

Last time you did a spring clean did you end up with about the same amount of stuff as you had before it? There’s nothing wrong with feeling attached to your belongings but, if you’re planning to live in a tiny house, you’re going to have to get rid of a lot. Similarly, if you find a lot of joy in buying new things, whether it’s clothes, tech or even just small knick-knacks, you’re going to struggle in a tiny home. A good way to test this is to temporarily move into a tiny house or van, bringing with you all the items you wouldn’t be able to part with. If you can’t fit everything comfortably, it might be time to rethink your priorities.

2. You don’t like the outdoors 

It’s well-known that getting out into nature is great for our mental health, but when living in a tiny house it’s even more important. Some way or another, most people who live tiny will make good use of the outdoors. They might build a nice deck, grow their own garden or simply go on lots of walks. Afterall, if you’re feeling cramped in your tiny home, the only place to go is out. Rain or shine, heading outside to clear your mind or get some exercise once a day will likely be a necessary part of your daily routine. So, if you don’t like the outdoors, tiny living might not be right for you.  

3. You don’t have a place to park your tiny house 

Just as with any house, a tiny house needs land. You don’t need to own property, but you do need to know someone who’ll let you park on theirs. Most people who live in a tiny house stay on a friend or family member’s property and pay them a small amount of rent each month. Others will contact property owners in the area they want to live until someone agrees to rent some of their land. Either way, you need to have a solid plan in place before you buy your tiny home.  

Similarly, if you want to live in a city or metropolitan area, you might be in trouble. Finding places to park your tiny house will be much more difficult, and if you do, it’s unlikely to have much privacy or space for outdoor living. Council laws are also likely to be more strict in cities, although it’s important to be aware of these no matter where you plan to park. Most people who live in a tiny home like being in the country, where there are many more options of where to park. 

4. You want to live on the road 

Despite being moveable, tiny houses aren’t designed for full-time travelling. They’re heavy, aren’t very aerodynamic, and usually have interior decorations that won’t survive the road. If full-time travel is your goal, you’re better off looking at a campervan or caravan. Then, when you’re ready to settle down, a tiny home will be an upgrade! 

5. You’re part of a large family 

For obvious reasons, if you’re part of a large family you simply won’t fit into a tiny house. We’ve known of a few parents with young children who love tiny living, but as children get older and need more privacy, this can become difficult. And, if you live with other adult family members or like to be close to extended family, tiny living is unlikely to be suitable. The only option in this case would be to have multiple tiny homes on the same land, so you can still be near each other without being cramped in the same space.  

6. You and your partner like personal space 

Every relationship is different and while some couples are happy to spend 24/7 together, others often need to have space from each other. While you might be able to design your home to have a separate room with a door or two lofts, you’ll still be on top of each other most of the time. So, if you and your partner regularly need space from each other, tiny living might prove a challenge.  

7. You want to live in a tiny house because they’re cute 

As we mentioned earlier, there are many sacrifices that come with living in a tiny house. If your only reason for wanting to do so is because they’re cute, these necessary sacrifices probably won’t be worth it. So, if this is you, do some solid research into everything that’s involved in the lifestyle and think seriously about whether you would be happy to live within tiny living constraints. This will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises if you do decide to commit. 

While tiny living can have lots of positives, it certainly isn’t for everyone. Even if you are the type of person who would love it, there’s a huge amount of planning and organising that’s necessary to make it possible. If you’re still not sure if it’s right for you, your best next steps are to speak to others who already live tiny and try to experience it for yourself. Tiny house expos are held all throughout Australia and are a great place to check out some tiny house designs and chat to others in the community. Alternatively, you’re welcome to come to our factory to have a walk around some of our designs. Book a visit here!