Ever wonder what it would be like to ditch your regular apartment and move into a space smaller than most people’s living rooms?
Meet Van, who did exactly that five years ago when she traded her traditional Austin apartment for a 399-square-foot tiny home. What started as a way to rethink her lifestyle turned into something much bigger – a complete shift toward living with less stuff and building stronger connections with the people around her.
In the video below, Van opens up about what really drove her to make such a dramatic change, how she’s managed to juggle her work in alternative real estate with her love for acting and dancing, and all the clever ways she’s learned to make the most of every inch of her tiny space. She’ll also share what it’s like being part of a tiny home community and why, after five years, she’s never looked back.
If you’ve ever been curious about tiny living or just wondered how someone actually makes it work day-to-day, Van’s story might just surprise you. Watch her tell it in her own words:
Key Takeaways
- Van felt pressured to buy a big house like everyone else, but wondered if that’s really what she wanted or needed.
- She looked at other options and ended up choosing a tiny house – just 399 square feet – because it fit her life better.
- Her tiny house is at Village Farm in Austin, Texas, where she can see an organic farm and live in a small, friendly community.
- The inside of her tiny house is all open space with big windows that let in lots of natural light, and she can use the same area for hanging out, working, and relaxing.
- She has plenty of places to store things, with deep shelves, built-in cabinets, and clever spots for her books and games.
- Van has been happy living in her tiny house for five years, working from home and using the flexible space for her acting work and auditions.
- Even though her kitchen is small, it has everything she needs – a full-size stove and oven, plus a smaller dishwasher that still gets the job done.
- Her bathroom is pretty roomy for a tiny house, with a nice rain shower and lots of storage space, which is important for her work as an actress and dancer.
- When she needed more storage space, she got creative and started using the crawl space under her house.
- Living in a tiny house has helped her make friends with neighbors who also chose a different way of living, and she really values those relationships.
Questions and Answers
Why did Van first want a bigger house in Austin? Van got caught up in the idea that “bigger is better” – something our culture often tells us. She thought she needed a larger home even though she lived alone.
What other housing options did Van think about before getting a tiny home? Van thought about living in a school bus or converted van, but she wanted something smaller than a regular house yet more stable than a vehicle she could drive around.
How does Van use her small living space every day? Van does everything in her main living area – she works, eats meals, watches TV, plays video games, and has friends over. It’s like having one room that serves many purposes.
How big is Van’s tiny home and what’s inside? Van’s home is 399 square feet (about the size of a large studio apartment). It has big windows for lots of light, plus a living room, dining area, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom all in one open space.
How does Van store her stuff in such a small space? Van got creative with storage. She built deep shelves in the living room for books and games, and she uses the crawl space underneath her house like a basement for extra storage.
What did Van do for her dog? Van set up a special area just for her puppy where he can eat, drink water, and where she keeps his medicine.
How does Van work while living in a tiny home? Van runs her own business from home – she helps people with alternative housing like tiny homes. She also does acting and dancing, which she used to do before working in corporate jobs.
What was hardest about moving to a tiny home? The biggest challenge was getting rid of 80% of her belongings before moving in. But Van says it actually felt freeing and helped her figure out what she really needed.
What changes did Van make to her tiny home? Van upgraded several things: she put in quartz countertops, got a full-size refrigerator and better appliances, and built a back porch for more storage and privacy.
How did Van pay for her tiny home? Van sold most of her stuff to make a down payment, then got a loan from Village Farm (the same company that helped her buy the home) to pay for the rest.
