Tiny living is all about simplifying your life and your family’s lifestyle. But many parents don’t think they can fit their entire family (including the fuzzy ones) into a tiny house. This simply isn’t accurate. You can instill your kids with a sense of what’s really important and save money for unforgettable family vacations.
With more and more families opting for sustainable, affordable, flexible tiny living, it’s no wonder that the options they have are becoming more and diverse. You can really feel at home with decor such as custom pet portraits.
Consider reducing your family’s stress, bills, and environmental impact with these tiny options:
1) Stay Mobile
Many of us go tiny because we don’t want to be tied down. We often think that traveling across the country in a home isn’t an option once we have children, but it is! In fact, kids should be more of a reason to explore and experience the world. There is so much children can learn from traveling.
Let your kids form fond memories of adventure with a mobile tiny home. You can find excellent homes with wheels like RV options, cabins, even containers that can be easily be hauled around the country and back.
With a mobile tiny home, you don’t have to find that ‘home away from home’ when you travel–your home can come with you!
2) Find the Perfect Pop-Out
One of the best ways to maximize tiny space for a maximized family is to buy a custom tiny home that converts to having more space for bedtime. These options include pop-out RVs, modified container homes, and adding a slide out to a traditional tiny home.
A 4 ft by 12 ft pop-out is enough room for two twin beds! The possibility of bunkbeds doubles the sleeping capacity, too. A pop-out of this size on a 20 ft by 10-ft home can easily accommodate a family of five or more!
3) Don’t Let the City be a Setback
If your career restricts you to the city, don’t let that keep you and your family from living tiny. Many families with multiple kids and pets comfortably live in 2 bedroom apartments in the city. While these may not be the most traditional, or the tiniest tiny houses, you can still cut back on the cost of city rent or mortgage and bond more with the kids on the weekdays.
Tiny urban living can afford you all the fun the city has to offer without the headache of maintaining a traditional house or apartment. In fact, living tiny can even you get closer to the city center, reducing your commute time and making it easier to attend community events.
4) Find a Multi-Building Solution
Building a modular tiny home is great when you have kids. As your kids get older, they’ll want a bit more space and privacy.
A multi-building tiny house also helps you enjoy more of an indoor-outdoor lifestyle. This is perfect for families with pets. You cat can bask in the sun on your deck while your dog can watch the squirrels frolic in the treetops.
5) Consider Adding On
If you currently live in a tiny house or you’re planning on it in the near future, know that the house you build now might not be the same ten years from now. With options to add-on, your tiny home can take on new life and new space for little ones.
As your kids grow, add-ons are a great option! Just because your tiny house starts out as 8-ft by 20-ft doesn’t mean it can’t grow as your kids grow. This can help you keep the initial cost down when you first purchase your tiny home and allow your kids to have some say in the space as it expands to fit your family.
6) Build a Deck
For most tiny-house residents, the outdoor becomes an extension of the home. A deck is a perfect way to add floor space and celebrate our natural world. A deck is a great option for kids because it gives them extra room to run around. Or you can create an outdoor dining room where you can enjoy some fresh air while you enjoy your breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
The family dog will also appreciate a deck. You can purchase a waterproof dog bed and make the deck your dog’s favorite space!
And if you initially went tiny so you could travel, you can always have the deck designed to fold up or be removable and storable on the side of your home or the roof.
7) Consider an Outhouse
I know what you’re thinking, “It’s the 21st-century. Nobody has an outhouse.” Well, a lot of tiny homeowners prefer having a house without an indoor bathroom because it increases their interior living space for other options. The space an indoor bathroom takes up is enough room for a set of bunk beds or a kid’s bedroom.
And you can live a more eco-friendly lifestyle with an outdoor composting toilet. This is a wonderful option, too if you don’t want to deal with a toilet on wheels. Most RV parks will have bathrooms you can use.
If you’re considering building a tiny home, check out this 3D Printed House for $4,000 in Less Than 24 Hours.
Tiny is for everyone: the dog, the cat, the kids, and you! Tiny living doesn’t just have to be for those 20-somethings that haven’t started a family yet. Or if you are one of those 20-somethings, you may want to plan for a future with little ones that will share your tiny space and the wonderful mentality you’ve adopted.
Thinking tiny can mean thinking big when it comes to family. Just be creative and have fun!
