Monday, August 9, 2010

Could you live in a tiny house?


On Sunday nights, after cleaning up, paying bills, making sure there are enough clean clothes to get everyone through the week, and trying to organize life SOMEWHAT, I'm sure the thought has occurred to many of you...could you live in a smaller, simpler space? Houses are a LOT to maintain. Some of it's fun (the decorating), and some of it is just not (replacing flooded basements). And, much of it is very expensive and time consuming.

Ten years ago, Jay Shafer, owner of the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company decided to take on such simplicity, and built himself a tiny house. His 89-square-foot house helped him to reinvent his lifestyle and career.


After completing his tiny house, he soon began building other tiny houses...his company sells plans for pre-built tiny homes, or pre-constructed homes. His company and lifestyle shifts the perception of simple living.


His houses ARE simple, but they're also really chic, and he spends less than $100 per year on utilities (wouldn't that be great?). His life is the antithesis of excess, and living with less has given him the freedom to pursue his dreams. Look at a recent video of his experience here.


What if you lived IN less, lived WITH less, and SPENT less. What would you get and do in return? With your time? With your extra money? Who would you spend your time with? Where? And how? How would HAVING less, get you MORE?

Tempted? Get a copy of Jay Shafer's book, Tiny Houses and learn how to build your own!

3 comments:

Danielle and Clint said...

I live in a 1270 sq. ft. home, which some consider small. I consider it perfect and have no plans in moving! Making use of a tiny space always interests me...thanks for posting this!

jacqueline said...

That house looks so adorable! I love how the inside looks. But im not sure if this will be enough for me perhaps it's good as my little studio. :) Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!

→lisa said...

I don't think I could live in a space quite that small, but it is interesting to see someone else do well -- he sets a great example. And it would force one to ask a question that's easy for most of us to avoid: How much stuff do I really need?

I think it's probably a whole different ballgame if you're living in a dinky space all by yourself, as opposed to sharing the space with a partner or with children. Or pets.

I don't know if they still live there now that their kid is a bit older, but the Apartment Therapy guy and his wife and baby were in a teeny Manhattan apartment, something like 240 sq. ft.