Today, tiny houses are in vogue for reasons beyond survival. As folks try to escape the hectic demands of modern-day life, less space helps them to remember what matters. It’s not about possessions; it’s about appreciating what they have. Some find it easier staying in a space that’s 500 square feet or less, making the small home movement essential.

Finding the best tiny home to retreat to for a vacation or weekend getaway can be challenging. The many options can be overwhelming. We’ve rounded up few types of small homes to consider, so you can make the best choice for you and your family.

1. Shipping Containers

Some of the most visible members of the small home movement make their spaces out of recycled shipping containers.

Thanks to their original industrial use, the steel boxes are extremely durable and resistant to fires and hurricanes. They’re also relatively affordable and fast to build. Canadian engineer Joseph Dupuis built his off-grid tiny home for less than $20,000, for instance.

And with 11 million shipping containers not in use in the world, the move is an environmentally friendly choice. The biggest struggle is probably finding a building permit.

2. Recreational Vehicles

Some call recreational vehicles the original modern tiny home. They emerged shortly after the invention of cars when people began altering them for camping. In 1910, the company Pierce-Arrow released the first RV ever called the Touring Landau. Now, around 10 million households own RVs in the United States.  

RV enthusiasts relish the freedom of the open road combined with a cozy place to hunker down at night, as well as vibrant community of fellow RVers. Paying for fuel and maintenance can get spendy, however.

3. Houseboats

Houseboats have drawn people to life on the water for years. Starting in the early-1900s, bohemians and criminals flocked to houseboat colonies in Seattle for their affordability and privacy. The reputations of houseboat devotees have cleaned up since. You can find houseboats in lakes and rivers across the country, and they give visitors an intriguing slice of Americana.

Houseboats aren’t for everyone. They take specialized boating skills to live in and maintain, but they can be liberating and affordable for those who put in the work.

4. Earthships

Nearly half a century ago, architect Michael Reynolds constructed his first off-the-grid home. Fast forward to today, and he’s built and inspired thousands of similar solar homes across the world. He called his designs Earthships because he wanted people to think outside of the conventional definition of “houses.”

With greenhouses that simultaneously grow plants for food and keep the space a balmy 70 degrees year-round without a utility bill, Earthships help people be self-sufficient. Not all Earthships fall under the “tiny home” category, but the ones that do can be a solid choice for those who want to go back to the basics. They do have potential high cost for construction.

5. Yurts

In 1978, Pacific Yurts founder Alan Bair started the company in an old dairy barn, kicking off the modern-yurt industry. The structures have since popped up in campgrounds, resorts and various other locations worldwide, making them an ideal option for lovers of tiny homes.

Yurts are usually simple to install and may be erected in as little as a few hours. Their frames can last indefinitely  if properly maintained, and the yurt can be fitted with features like bathrooms, lofts and kitchens. Those interested in yurts need to check with building codes in their area to see how they’re regulated.

Do you think a yurt could make your tiny home dreams come true? Pacific Yurts remains the leader in the yurt industry today and offers many custom features.

The post 5 Types of Tiny Homes first appeared on Pacific Yurts.

Tiny homes are generally defined as those less than 900 square feet in size, although most tiny homes are just 100 to 400 square feet. With our smallest yurt measuring 12’ in diameter and 115 square feet and our largest one measuring 30’ in diameter and 706 sq. ft., one could argue that yurts are in fact tiny homes. For those who choose to “live tiny,” living in a tiny house represents more than just moving into fewer square feet. Many homeowners say their small lifestyle brings simplification and the freedom to follow their passions, all while living sustainably.

There are different stages to tiny home conversion. Some people are “tiny home curious,” meaning they’d like to know more about tiny living, but aren’t about to give up their current home. Others are more ready to transition into a tiny house; they may already have floor plans sketched onto the back of a napkin and funding available. Wherever you land on that spectrum, read on to learn what it would take to go small by moving into a tiny house or a yurt.

5 Steps to Transitioning into a Tiny House

1. Do Your Homework

It’s time to dig into the big questions, such as which type of tiny home is right for you, and where will your home be located? RVs, camping trailers, yurts, and traditionally built homes on trailer chassis are all options. To figure out what you want, spend time in tiny homes. Stay in a tiny house hotel. For gathering design ideas, check out small apartments—many studios built in the ‘30s and ‘40s use the same ingenious built-in approach that is perfect in tiny homes.

You’ll also need to create a budget. Like any project, a tiny home can become a money pit if you don’t follow a clear financial plan. Set aside 10-15% extra for unexpected building expenses. Recognize that tiny homes are often more expensive to build on a square foot basis, because of the need to custom-built to the available space. Storage, cleaning products, and everything you really need can fit into a small space—but it will take time and money to create. Platform beds can contain underlying drawers, as can sofas. These are just a few of the smart space ideas you’ll come across as you peek inside tiny homes.

It’s a good idea to start a master list of all of the features that you need and want in your tiny home. For example, perhaps you’re prioritizing solar/wind power, rainwater collection and composting toilets, for an ultra-green tiny home.

In this stage it’s also wise to make some connections with current tiny homeowners. Meetup.com is a good place to find information about local tiny home groups.

2. Review the Benefits of Living Small

As you continue to dream and design, get ready mentally by reviewing all the benefits you’ll accrue in a tiny home:

• Less space to clean means more free time for you!
• A clutter-free home brings peace of mind. Less stuff means less to worry about.
• Lower energy bills and more spending money.
• A greener footprint. You’ll use fewer resources in a tiny home, minimizing your personal draw on the planet.
• The low price tag of a tiny home can free you from debt. Most Americans spend one third to one half of their income on housing. A tiny home can be built for thousands or tens of thousands, compared to the hundreds of thousands of dollars dedicated toward a traditional house. Plus, with a traditional home you can expect to double the amount you pay over time due to interest, insurance, taxes, and maintenance. A tiny home is far more affordable—so much so that switching to a tiny lifestyle allows many to completely eliminate their debt.
• Healthier eating is almost innate with tiny home living, as most tiny homeowners have small refrigerators. There’s no room for an overstocked pantry in a tiny home. Eating fresher foods will help improve your overall health.
• Enjoy more time for relaxation, pursuing your passions, and entertaining.
• The freedom to take your home with you if you move (assuming it is portable).
• Having less space to spread out will bring family members together for more social bonding.

3. Create a Design.

Designing a tiny house consists first and foremost of knowing how you tend to use your living space. How do you actually use the spaces in your current living arrangements?

One way to figure this out is to put a sticky note up on the doorway to each room. Each time you leave a room, jot down what you were actually doing there. You’ll want your tiny home to fit you like a glove, so it’s wise to “take measurements” via self-study. For instance, some people require a couch for lounging, while others spend more lounging/creative time in bed. If you fall into the latter group, perhaps a loft creative/sleeping space would suit you well. You may also want other creature comforts, such as a dishwasher and a washing machine.

If you have plenty of construction experience, designing and building your own tiny home is a possibility. Or, you can select from pre-designed plans for tiny homes. Local architects and interior designers can help you create a functional, comfortable, attractive compact abode to perfectly suit your needs.

While thinking about tiny home design, here are a few big-picture considerations:

• Will it be on a trailer chassis or otherwise portable?
• Electricity—will you be permanently hooked up to a utility line? Or will your home be powered by batteries, as RVs and camper trailers are?
• Plumbing—Your water system might be similar to that found in an RV, with systems for black water and grey water storage and disposal. Or you might be hooked up to city water, as in a traditional home. Many tiny homeowners opt for a composting toilet. A septic tank is another option that may work if you own your own property. For yurts, plumbing may be brought up from underneath the yurt, through the support platform.

4. Downsize and Simplify.

The process of freeing yourself from excess stuff can be joyful. This is your opportunity to live by William Morris’ credo, “Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” There are many approaches to de-cluttering your life. One is the cardboard box method: Dump everything in a drawer into a cardboard box. When you take out an item to use it, move it back into the drawer. After three months, you can donate or sell everything that’s still in the box, as it’s clear you don’t use it often.

As you pare down your belongings, look for ways to double up on uses. For instance, your book collection could fit on a tablet, while your multiple game platforms and displays could be consolidated into a single laptop with backup storage for movies, pictures, songs, etc.

5. Move into your new tiny home and start enjoying the simple life.

Once you’ve moved into your new tiny home, you can get on with your “tiny life”—pursuing your passions and dreams now that you don’t have to slave for a mortgage payment. This is the perfect time to check items off of your bucket list, perhaps traveling to exotic locales or pursuing their passions. Tiny homes have low maintenance costs, if you want to take off for a couple of months. And best of all your own cozy retreat will always be ready for you.

View and Download our Checklist Here

The post Take These 5 Steps to Start Living in a Tiny Home first appeared on Pacific Yurts.

Going Small: Benefits of Living in Yurts and Tiny Homes

1. Economic Advantage
   There’s no denying the cost savings of a yurt or tiny home. A yurt can be as little as $6,000 (not including site prep and platform), while a suburban home can easily price at $500,000. Small spaces are more affordable to acquire and maintain. As home size increases, so does maintenance, heating, and servicing costs. Moreover, living in a modestly sized home can allow for quick debt reduction—a high priority for many following the Recession. Yurt and tiny home fans have reset their priorities to focus more on enjoying life, rather than working to keep up with debts and mortgage payments. Instead of spending decades paying for a McMansion in the suburbs, yurt/tiny home owners can accomplish financial freedom early in life. Finally, a cozy little home looks “full” without gobs of stuff, while a larger home appears empty without excess possessions. All in all, a tiny home can allow people to escape the consumer culture.
2. Environmental Friendliness
   Tiny homes are sustainable on multiple fronts. First, they require fewer building materials and create less construction waste than conventional homes. A tiny home or yurt can require up to ten times fewer building resources than a 2,200 square foot structure. As living space decreases, so do heating/cooling fuel needs—it is much easier to heat a small cottage than a standard suburban home. Indeed, many yurts and tiny houses utilize solar and/or wind energy for additional savings and fuel efficiency. Historically, yurts have scored high for energy efficiency; their round walls minimize surface areas where heat can escape. In addition to their smaller carbon and construction footprints, yurts are a better fit for a natural setting. They sit very lightly on the earth; their only construction requirement is an elevated platform, which has far less impact than a traditional home’s leveled site and concrete foundation. Yurts and tiny homes can allow residents to be close to nature without sacrificing comfort.
3. Simplicity and Happiness
   Moving into a small structure forces one to de-clutter. Eliminating inessential items clears the mind and often brings happiness. Consider the amount of energy one must devote to things—shopping for things, purchasing things, and servicing things. A tiny home or yurt is complete with just a few treasured items, freeing your mind for more personal passions. Downsizing can create long-term happiness, as one is better situated to weather any storm with a smaller or non-existent mortgage payment. Finally, yurt and tiny home owners may well spend less time cleaning and maintaining their homes and more time on their personal pursuits.
4. Flexibility through Portability
   Yurts are portable; their original designers were nomadic Mongolians who needed structures that could be quickly deconstructed, carried by pack animals, and erected in just a few hours. Depending on the size, a yurt may require as little as a couple hours to install, or up to a day or two once the platform is constructed. Smaller tiny homes can be constructed on trailers and hauled from location to location. Such flexibility in locale allows them to be used for multiple purposes, from main residence to guest home to artist’s retreat.

Thoreau wrote that he moved into his woodland cottage “to live deliberately…I wanted to live deep and suck all the marrow out of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan.” If you, too, are drawn to a simpler, more affordable, more eco-conscious way of living, a yurt or tiny home may be the perfect dwelling for you.

Download the checklist, “4 Benefits of Yurt Living“

The post 4 Benefits of Downsizing Your Living Space first appeared on Pacific Yurts.