Is efficiency a top need for your living space?
Have you ever thought about dumping the excess and only owning or purchasing things you truly need?
Do you do your best to keep a low carbon footprint?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, tiny home living might just pique your interest.
In this blog, we’re digging into the tiny home trend, including all of its benefits, how it evolved and gained popularity, the different types of tiny homes, and special considerations to keep in mind if you’re thinking about exploring the tiny home lifestyle.
What is a Tiny Home?
Defined by Mirriam-Webster as a “small house or mobile home that typically has a floor plan of less than 500 square feet and that is usually designed for ergonomics and space efficiency,” tiny homes are hailed for their ode to minimalist living, low-impact lifestyle, and cost-savings.
Today, the definition of tiny homes isn’t so finite, as the homes are almost always exclusively custom, differing in size, mobility, and shape. With limited square footage, tiny homes have to make the most of their space by utilizing multi-purpose or all-in-one features and appliances like a washer/dryer combo, convertible furniture, stovetops with wooden cooktop covers, and plenty more!
Benefits
Benefit #1: Affordability
While the cost of a tiny house will ultimately depend on its size, materials, and land, most fall within the final price range of $30,000-60,000, although they can be as little as $5,000 or as much as $180,000. According to Zillow, the median US home sale price as of September 30, 2024, was $358,967, making even the most expensive tiny homes significantly cheaper.
Due to the small stature of these homes and the energy-efficient features typically included, owners also save on utility bills. As a matter of fact, 58% of tiny home owners have more savings than the average American homeowner and 65% even have zero credit card debt.
Benefit #2: Maintenance
Lower square footage and only necessary appliances and features mean time spent on maintenance and repair is reduced significantly, and with less clutter—cleaning is a breeze!
Benefit #3: Sustainability
Thanks to lower utility usage, tiny homes tend to have a minimal carbon footprint. For many, part of the tiny home lifestyle is being more minimalistic than the average person, which can result in lower overall consumption. To capitalize on living sustainably, owners will also include additional features like recycled materials and solar panels.
The Rise of Tiny Homes
Jay Shafer and his first 8×12’ house design, Tumbleweed. Credit: jayshafertinyhouses.com
Traced back to the rise of minimalism in the 1960s and 70s, the modern movement of tiny homes kicked off when artists and architects like Allan Wexler began exploring the idea of compact living. The concept came to life in 1997 when Jay Shafer began building his own small house on wheels and documented his journey through a book, The Small House Book, which was released in 1999. Shortly after, he founded Tumbleweed Tiny House Company and eventually became known as the “Godfather of Tiny Homes.”
The trend took on new meaning in the early 2000s after the recession. The millennial generation was looking to decrease financial risk, and many couldn’t afford the expensive mortgages family members had. The reduced footprint that made the homes more affordable also allowed for greater financial freedom. Over time, the movement caught on, gaining popularity through several HGTV shows like Tiny House Nation and Tiny House, Big Living. It also became its own Instagram aesthetic, highlighting tidy, efficient spaces.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, tiny homes began to surge once again. Moving out of cities, people sought comfort in being in nature. Not to mention, due to the newfound affinity for DIY tasks and remodeling that arose during lockdown, many were ready to create their own custom, efficient solutions.
More recently, young adults are considering tiny homes as they are once again seeking ways to elevate their financial freedom. Single-family homes have become significantly less accessible, even becoming synonymous with wealth, further driving the need for affordable housing solutions. Earlier this year, Zillow came under fire for this reason after releasing an ad titled “Homeowner Mates” that showed a group of friends who were unable to buy a home individually, join together to increase their buying power and purchase a home.
Types of Tiny Homes on Foundation
Over the years, tiny homes have transformed to fit different needs and styling, adopting an increasingly custom approach. Some owners utilize tiny homes to live “off-the-grid,” others are simply looking for more affordable housing options, and in certain circumstances, some people are building tiny homes as a second residence on their property for older family members. With that creative freedom, the homes have started to take completely different forms. Most commonly, people who are opting to build their own are using fixtures like shipping containers, sheds, and tiny home kits. These types of tiny homes are most commonly built on foundation, which means in addition to building costs, you’ll also need to consider the cost of the land you plan to build on.
Shipping Container Homes
Nothing says minimalist like transforming a shipping container into a home. Ironically, this idea also dates back to the initial discussions of tiny homes. According to ArchDaily, interest in them rose in the late 1960s when Reyner Banham wrote an essay about container ports and their representation of the technological advancements of cities. He introduced the idea of shipping containers equating a “plug-and-play” style of architecture, praised for their industrial and simplistic nature.
With roughly 14 million unused shipping containers around the world, repurposing them to build a home reduces construction waste and promotes eco-friendly building practices, making it one of the more sustainable options for a tiny home. It also doesn’t hurt that these shipping containers are extremely cost-effective, depending on the size, you can purchase a single dry shipping container for as low as $1,500-$3,500. The cube-like structure of shipping containers also lends itself to being easily stacked and connected, making for copious amounts of custom floor plans.
The container home market in North America hit a staggering $23.08B USD in 2023, according to Fortune Business Insights, and that number is only expected to accelerate. Experts predict that the market will nearly double by 2032.
Sheds
Those looking for a bit less structural work can opt for utilizing a shed as the base of their home. One of the biggest benefits of starting your tiny home with a shed is having a more cost-effective structure that is already equipped with aesthetic siding and often already has features like doors and windows.
Tiny Home Kits
While many like the challenge of designing their home from scratch, it’s not for everyone. For others, as long as they’re willing to put in some manual labor, prefab tiny home kits may be the best option. These kits, sold at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Wayfair, Amazon, and more, offer everything you need to assemble your home in mere days instead of weeks, yet are still customizable. This 320 sqft home sold by Home Depot requests you clear the plans with your local authority and let them know of any customizations to be made. Modifications will go through their architects/designers and can be done as long as they fit within the size of the structure.
Not all kits are made equal, though. Some kits only offer the outer shell and structure of a home, while others map out complete floor plans, and some even include basic appliances and staple storage! Depending on the size and features of your kit, they’ll most commonly range anywhere from about $6,000-100,000, meaning there are truly options for everyone!
THOW (Tiny Homes on Wheels)
One of the more common forms of tiny homes, tiny homes on wheels aren’t technically considered homes at all. While many still purchase land to stay on, THOW aren’t considered real estate, but instead recreational vehicles (RVs). It’s important to check with your county before committing to a THOW because of this, many areas only recognize RVs as temporary dwellings.
While most tiny homes can be transported more easily compared to a typical single-family home, the benefit of building or buying this type of home is the ease of mobility. This freedom is what makes this style popular for nomads and travelers, or even families who have to move frequently due to jobs—instead of selling and buying a home, you can tow your home and belongings without ever having to pack or unpack!
Before You Break Ground
If you’re considering building or buying a tiny home, it’s important to check with your county’s laws and regulations.
Once you have your plan in place, you’ll have to secure a permit to confirm your plan will comply with local codes. Note that in Johnson County, project work must begin within 180 days of securing a permit, and the project must be completed within 24 months once it begins. Luckily, most tiny homes will only take a few months, sometimes even days if you’re buying a kit!
Before committing to a tiny home, you’ll also want to contact your county assessor’s office regarding your city’s zoning laws. They’ll help answer any questions you have to ensure your land is properly zoned for your structure.
Thinking of making your tiny dreams a reality? Let Urban Acres help! With a large team of agents who have experience all over the Corridor, we’ve seen and done it all. If you’re looking for land, we can help you find the right lot size, in the perfect location with the necessary zoning requirements to make it happen.
Reach out today and let’s start planning together!
