Are you dreaming of the quaint tiny house lifestyle? Do you wish to build your own tiny home? Do you have kids, pets, or a spouse, or are there other things that might make the tiny house lifestyle impossible? You’re not the only one!
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/benchun/3625699371
Tiny homes are very practical for a lot of people but wouldn’t work as a full-time residence for some. But there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the tiny house lifestyle without fully downsizing. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
Get an RV
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dwstucke/3956703095
If living tiny full time isn’t realistic for you and your family, but you love to travel frequently, an RV or camper might be a better option for you. These are some of the benefits of an RV:
- They are easier to move than a tiny home, so you have more travel possibilities.
- There are free parking spaces available for RVs.
- Used campers make great fixer-upper projects without having to start from scratch.
But there are also some things you want to keep in mind if you’re still hanging on to the tiny dream:
- RVs don’t feel as much like a home as a tiny house does.
- They aren’t as suitable for harsh weather conditions.
- RVs don’t offer the kind of customization tiny homes do.
Is a tiny home or an RV the right choice for you? If you’re not interested in living in it full time but still want to travel and bring a piece of home with you, an RV could be a great choice. If that’s not your fancy, you could try moving up …
Build a Treehouse
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/23155134@N06/7024431865
If you’re just looking for a fun DIY project that results in a cool space for you or your kids — consider building a treehouse! Treehouses don’t even have to be in a tree, and there are a lot of extreme treehouse ideas out there to explore.
Treehouses can be a lot easier to build and maintain since they don’t require any electrical or plumbing services, and you don’t really need to build it up to the quality you would expect in a home. This could work as an office space, a backyard camp-out spot, or your very own miniature library. If you’re looking for a cozy retreat for fun, building a treehouse is a great option.
Think Small
Even if you don’t want to live in a tiny house full time, you’ve still got options. Tiny homes are a great addition to your existing home used as a guest house, a personal office, library, or just a shared space for activities.
Alternatively, tiny houses are commonly used as second homes or vacation homes. These make for a great getaway in the woods or to the beach and can even earn you some extra cash by renting it out when you’re not using it.
Tiny homes don’t have to be on wheels either, and building a brand new one might be a drain on valuable resources when you could invest in a distressed home instead. Going tiny doesn’t mean you don’t want a permanent residence — if this sounds like you, consider taking on a small fixer-upper home.
Ultimately, you have to take a hard look at your individual needs (including those of your family) and what your future plans and priorities will be before deciding whether or not a tiny house is right for you. But if you find living tiny full time isn’t a fit, there are plenty of other great options out there.
Long time liveaboard here. Before we took the dive and sold our home to live aboard a boat, we bought a larger/older/custom/affordable sailboat and lived aboard it 3 days a week for 5 years. We learned that we loved the dockside lifestyle and and that we really weren’t sailors. When it felt that going to the boat was going home…we sold the house, sold the boat bought a powerboat and moved aboard…have never looked back.
http://tinyhouseblog.com/floating-homes/drawn-liveaboard-lifestyle/
Great article!