One of the hardest parts of moving into a tiny home is deciding what to bring with you. Going from a traditional-sized place to live to one that’s a fraction of that size really shows you how much stuff you have. And unfortunately, most of it doesn’t have a place in your new tiny home.
However, rest assured that what you need, will. Before we talk must-brings when moving into a tiny home, there are a few things to think about.
Before You Bring Anything…
It may be a small move, but transitioning to a tiny home is anything but simple. You must prepare for this small but complex move effectively if you don’t want the experience to be tainted with negativity.
Don’t procrastinate about your move. Give yourself enough time to pack. Have a storage option available should you overpack and need a place for things to go until you make a decision.
Most importantly, focus on downsizing and decluttering. You probably know how little space you’ll have in your tiny home. But the reality of it may not hit you until you’re actually there.
So, what you bring must be limited to necessities.
Clothing and Personal Hygiene Essentials
No matter where you live, you’ll need clothing and personal hygiene essentials. Unfortunately, however, you don’t have the luxury of storage or closet space in a tiny home.
This means only necessary clothing, aside from undergarments and socks, make the cut. You may be able to bring a favorite garment or two. In addition, you’ll probably only have room for one winter coat and two lightweight jackets that get you through spring, summer, and fall.
Regarding personal hygiene essentials, bring these items:
- Medications
- Body wash
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Wash rags
- A few towels
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Soap
- Lotion
- Toilet paper
- Razors
- Hair care products
If you have additional clothing and personal hygiene items not listed here that you want to bring, be sure they’re essentials, not wants, before making a final decision.
Comfortable Sleeping Options and Accessories
Sleeping on your tiny home’s floor isn’t how you want to go. Small space or not, you want a comfortable place to sleep. It’ll be a significant factor in you sustaining your tiny home lifestyle.
Bring the biggest-sized mattress, futon, or pull-out your tiny home can hold. If you have the space for an additional sleeping area, bring two. Build them into your space so that you can maximize their usefulness.
Also, bring sleeping accessories. 2-4 pillows, two comforters, and a couple of sheet sets are musts. And pack a throw or smaller blanket if space permits.
Sustainable Appliances
If you want to live in a tiny home long-term, certain appliances are non-negotiable. But they must be appropriate for the space. They should also be sustainable.
In addition to your quality of life in a tiny home, going green can positively impact your health. For example, sustainable food systems offer a variety of healthy foods that improve your diet. In addition, how the food is produced can improve the air quality.
Moreover, sustainable appliances can save a ton of space in your tiny home. For instance, a washer/dryer combo can fit snugly in a small closet. Or, you could install a washer and drying rack.
You can easily store an induction cooktop in a cabinet. A small refrigerator can fit under cabinet space. And a self-contained portable composting toilet is perfect for small spaces with abnormal plumbing options.
Shelving and Other Storage Solutions
There won’t be a lot of floor or closet space in your tiny home. Still, that doesn’t stop the need for places in which to store things. The best approach is to take advantage of shelving, hooks, and other creative storage solutions.
Strategically placed shelves can help you maximize all the wall space in your tiny home while maintaining efficiency. Ensure they’re sturdy and of varying lengths to support items like decor, blankets, and personal items.
Hooks are a secret weapon in tiny homes. You use them to hang your coats, lightweight jackets, scarves, hats, and other clothing. They’re suitable for cookware and kitchen utensils. Hooks are also good for hair dryers, jewelry, loose cables, and cleaning supplies.
Consider these creative storage solutions as well:
- Seating that doubles as storage
- Shelf dividers
- Fold-down desk
- A peg board wall
- Under-the-stairs storage
Bring things that enable you to store items comfortably while maintaining organization.
Entertainment
You can put many things in a traditional-sized home that keep you entertained, from television sets, a desktop computer, a pool table, video game counselors, and a movie theater. A tiny house may not have space for any of these things.
However, you should still bring a few items that will help entertain you when needed. For example, you could bring a portable wifi hotspot and a laptop computer or tablet. You could bring headphones and your smartphone that plays music. Books and games are also good to bring.
Your tiny home is still a home. Make sure that you have things in it that keep you entertained and feeling cozy.
Conclusion
Deciding what to bring when moving into a tiny home can be daunting, especially if you’re transitioning from a large house. It all comes down to the necessities. There’s only room for what you absolutely need to sustain your lifestyle. You must let go of the rest.