Tiny House Living : Living Large in a Small Abode

By Timothy Stevens

Choose Tiny. Choose Yourself.

No mortgage. Low bills. Less cleaning. A space crafted just for you. A warm and cozy atmosphere.

Tiny homes have become more and more popular in recent years, and for good reason. People all over the world are choosing to downsize and live in a space under 400 feet. The simplicity and minimalism, as well as the savings, have made tiny homes a desirable choice. Tiny houses have helped young people become homeowners sooner, while for older people, the switch can eliminate worry and financial strain.

From yurts to shipping containers and stilted shelters, tiny homes are more than just a building. They add so much value to your life with everything they have to offer. Many types can be built by an average person, or constructed for a small fee. You can even take your tiny home on the road if you decide to live in an RV!

Tiny House Living is a thorough guide to the best housing choice you'll ever make. Having lived in less than 200 square feet for over a decade, Timothy Stevens shares his expertise on every aspect of the tiny lifestyle.

In Tiny House Living, you'll read about:

Why tiny homes are better than traditional sizes in terms of finance, lifestyle, and environmental impact

The long history of the tiny home, going back to the early days of civilization

The inside truth on what tiny house living is like so that you can decide if it's right for you

Whether you should buy or build your new home

Tips to have kids and pets in tiny homes without even feeling crowded

How to downsize to the essentials, getting rid of junk for a smoother transition to tiny living

Zoning laws and building codes to be aware of, and how to best comply with them

Types of tiny homes, including cabins, A-frame homes, and backyard shelters

Floor plans for every room in your tiny house, and how to make sure you have more than enough storage

Sustainable electricity for your home, such as solar panels and wind power

Ways to use your interior space efficiently, making areas multitask with disappearing desks, retractable stairs, or lift-up coffee tables

How to make your tiny home as enjoyable, welcoming, and functional as possible

… and much more!

Whether you're young and starting out, mid-career, or nearing retirement, a tiny house could make your life simpler, easier, and more pleasant. People of all ages and situations have found freedom and flexibility by switching to a smaller home. Whatever your situation, Tiny House Living will give you all the information and advice that you need.

Go small, save money, live better. One-click now to read Tiny House Living!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Timothy Stevens
• Release date: Nov 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201196318

Book preview

Tiny House Living

Living Large in a Small Abode

Timothy Stevens

© Copyright 2021 - All rights reserved.

The content contained within this book may not be reproduced, duplicated or transmitted without direct written permission from the author or the publisher.

Under no circumstances will any blame or legal responsibility be held against the publisher, or author, for any damages, reparation, or monetary loss due to the information contained within this book, either directly or indirectly.

Legal Notice:

This book is copyright protected. It is only for personal use. You cannot amend, distribute, sell, use, quote or paraphrase any part, or the content within this book, without the consent of the author or publisher.

Disclaimer Notice:

Please note the information contained within this document is for educational and entertainment purposes only. All effort has been executed to present accurate, up to date, reliable, complete information. No warranties of any kind are declared or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaged in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. The content within this book has been derived from various sources. Please consult a licensed professional before attempting any techniques outlined in this book.

By reading this document, the reader agrees that under no circumstances is the author responsible for any losses, direct or indirect, that are incurred as a result of the use of the information contained within this document, including, but not limited to, errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1:  The Tiny House Movement

How It All Began

Why Choose Tiny Living?

Financial Impact

Lifestyle Impact

Environmental Impact

Chapter 2:  Is Tiny Living for You?

How Big Is a Tiny Home?

Daily Living in a Tiny Home

The Cost of Living Small

Buy or Build

Start Small, Then Go Smaller

Chapter 3:  Downsizing

What Are Your Essentials?

Think Small

Getting Rid of the Junk

One Thing at a Time

Sell It

Go Digital and Embrace Technology

What About Seasonal Items?

Chapter 4:  Family-Sized Tiny Home

Living With Children in a Small Space

Tiny Living With Pets

Chapter 5:  Zoning Laws and Building Codes

Tiny-Home-Friendly Locations

Laws Dealing With Tiny Living

Building Codes to Be Aware Of

Recreational Vehicle (RV) and Manufactured Homes

Modular Dwellings and Site-Built Dwellings

Traveling With Your Tiny Home

Chapter 6:  Types of Tiny Homes

Stilted Shelters

Travel-Sized Tiny Homes

Tiny Cabins

Shipping Container Homes

A-Frame Homes

Yurts

Backyard Homes

Chapter 7:  Basic Floor Plans

Kitchen

Appliances

Counter Space

Storage

Layout

Dining Area

Bathroom

Sinks

Storage

Ventilation

Showers and Tubs

Toilets

Bedroom

Loft Areas

Common Spaces

Lighting

Outdoor Areas

Chapter 8:  The Inner Workings

Heating and Cooling Options

Wood-Burning Stove

Gas and Electric Fireplace

Space Heaters

Mini-Split Units

Central Air Conditioning

Window Units

Portable Air Conditioning Units

Fans

Plumbing

Tank Systems

Rainwater Collection

Electricity

Solar Panels

Wind Power

Renewable Energy

Chapter 9:  DIY Tiny Home Materials and Tools

Safety Gear

Tools

Basic Tools

Construction Tools

Choosing the Right Materials

Keep Your Location in Mind

Construction Essentials

Chapter 10:  Crafting Your Space

Storage Solutions

Multiuse Spaces

Built-In Furniture

Decor Ideas

Conclusion

References

Photography References

Introduction

Going bigger is not always better, especially when it comes to owning a home. Homes have become oversized and provide far more space than we need to survive. While many people dream of becoming a homeowner, of buying a place they can call home, this dream is not a reality for most. Those who do achieve this dream find themselves in a nightmare because of the money, time, and stress of maintaining a large home.

What would you do if you did not have to worry about paying hundreds of dollars in utility bills every month? What could you do with that money that goes towards your home mortgage every month? What would you rather spend your time doing on the weekends instead of cleaning your home for hours? A larger home adds a larger burden to your life.

Owning a home does not have to add more stress to your life; owning a home should relieve the stress. Your home should provide you with comfort and joy, not stress over bills or the piles of stuff to organize and put away at the end of the day.

The tiny house movement is enticing many to go small when choosing a home, and for a good reason. It provides a sustainable living environment that reduces the stress of high monthly bills and overly cluttered rooms, and it has a major positive impact on the environment. Living in a tiny home can provide more freedom and solve many problems in your life.

Choosing to live in a smaller space is easier on your budget and eco-friendly. It is not just about saving money but a decision to live a simpler life with fewer things and more freedom. A tiny home, though small, will not feel like a trap of financial strain or burden that comes with owning a larger home.

Tiny living is not just about living in a smaller home; it is a lifestyle choice. When I initially decided to jump into the tiny house movement, I was intrigued by the possibilities of living in a smaller home. There was the financially freeing aspect of owning a home without being tied to a 30-year mortgage and living a life that was more aligned with my values. I had always been an environmentally conscious individual, and living in a large home filled with stuff, wasting my time and energy, kept me feeling drained.

When I shared my plan to jump into tiny living, my friends and family thought I was joking. How could I possibly go from living in an almost 2,000 square foot home to something just under 200 square feet? Despite their reservation on my decision, I pursued my tiny house idea. I wanted to have a home that allowed me to enjoy the solitude of nature and simplify my life. I learned a great deal as I began to construct my home from scratch. I made mistakes and have since found more efficient and faster ways to solve the setbacks of living in a tiny home. Now, I wake up with the sunrise and get to enjoy the chirping of birds every morning. I go to work because I enjoy the work, not because I need the paycheck to cover my cost of living. I go home and spend time doing the things that fuel my creativity and give my life purpose. This is a life everyone dreams of having but does not know how to achieve.

For over ten years, I have made a 200 square foot home my personal haven. I am an advocate for tiny living and have shared my passion for this lifestyle for over a decade. Living in a small space has a lot of misconceptions attached to it. Despite the smaller interior of the home, you gain substantially more in your life. It is my goal to share the ups and downs of living in a smaller home to encourage others to think small, which is why I created this book.

You will find all the answers to the questions you have about living in a tiny home. The first few chapters are designed to introduce you to the idea of tiny living: how it all began, the benefits, and how to decide if tiny living is the best option for you. You will learn how you can fit more in a smaller space than you do in your current home—more financial freedom, time to relax, and quality time with family.

There are chapters dedicated to addressing concerns about raising kids and pets in tiny homes. You will also learn how you can begin to downsize your stuff to make a smoother transition to tiny living. Once we have discussed the key aspect of deciding how to get started with a tiny lifestyle, you will learn the ins and outs of building and designing your own tiny home.

You will find many tips and suggestions to make your tiny home as