Happy New Year: 2015 Tiny House Book Giveaway

Money! We need to make some repairs to our mortgaged home in order to list it for sale. Need to make some floor repairs, specifically. It’ll cost a few thousand dollars. So we are having to save up for it. That’s really the only thing holding us back.

…working on a design that would allow me to live and work (art studio)…hopefully it’s something I can pass on to my children to enjoy…

I’ve gotten rid of a lot in the past year. But I still suffer from “I might need that someday” syndrome. Which is horrible since I run estate sales for a living, and I see first hand all of the “stuff” people cram in every nook and cranny. I don’t want to be that person.

I’m a college student and plan to build a tiny house before I graduate. Right now two things are holding me back: 1.) finding a trailer locally has been pretty difficult and so far appears costly, 2.) Finding a place to park my house when it’s finished. I’m determined to build this house, so now it’s just a matter of getting over these hurdles!

Money and time….looking for the right property, but there are so many restrictions unless you move out to the county.

lack of savings to hire a builder and lack of know-how to build my own. i’m in the process of learning so the 2nd concern is only a temporary setback! 🙂

We just need to find the right land. We have a 5 year plan to be off grid in a small home by 2020. We just want to find 10 acres, needing little land work, with healthy fertile soil for growing, all for $1000 per acre. I determined to find some!!!

A place to put it. I am saving for a tiny house now. I am almost to retirement age and would love to get and keep myself as simple as possible. I don’t think the money for the house will be a problem it’s just where will I keep it??

I get the newsletter..saw some shows and decided to live small. My only concern is my girlfriend does not appear to be on board at this time as she has an an obligation to move in with/ assist 2 children and a grandbaby…What really bothers me is I am almost down to all I need to move into camper soon to start this route in my live…She has loads of items she has trouble parting with and does not understand how I can just sell stuff…I constantly let her know my goals have changed and must find a cheaper way to live and retire as I am 57 years old…your newsletters have helped me..THANKS MUCH!!!!

Pretty minor suggestion, but maybe you can spruce up your email newsletters. I like that they are succinct, but maybe some thumbnails of the homes so we can figure out where to click first, especially during busy times. I’m sure there are a few other small, but effective visual accents you can do.

It seems living all the time in a tiny house here in the UK would not be allowed. So I was wondering if I could somehow rework my bedroom at home to be able to have a tiny kitchen, loo and shower. Not sure how but might be worth looking into.

A tiny home for me means a little bit more financial freedom. I wouldn’t be so bothered by a mortgage and still have a domain with state of the art appendages that would make my life so much simpler. I would eventually like to build a tiny home for my mother as well so I can be near her and wouldn’t have to put her in a nursing home, she’d have all the amenities she would need inside her tiny home. So to answer your question..money, a plan, designs, basic knowledge and the pros and cons of tiny living.

I’ve got this idea that I want to build my tiny house myself and reuse and use recycled, reclaimed, free, etc. materials. I’d like to start collecting stuff now while I continue to plan and determine my needs and I don’t have a place to keep the materials and it seems a waste to spend money to store free collected items. Of course this is partly about money and partly about the challenge of spending as little money as possible while getting the best designed space. I’m thinking perhaps I need to help someone else with their build to gain experience.

For me, money is also a problem as I’ve been underemployed for a while after graduating from college and attempting to go back to school. I’m working on starting my own business, once I have the money to really get the splurge pieces and general supplies — I’m on my way.

I’m optimistic though because everything is coming together slowly I think. Your site has really helped me stay inspired.

Alex, the only thing holding me back is not enough time with all my ideas for tiny homes and structures. I have already built a tiny observatory (10 x 16) that the top rolls back on so my scopes can see the universe. I am a ham operator and have built a tiny radio shack to house my amateur radio equipment. The ideas just keep coming, I think if I won your book giveaway I might get a ton more ideas. Retired and loving a moment of it!!!

Jerry

These are the best ever. The idea of living in a Tiny House would be a dream of mine forever. I am so amazed by what room you can make in such small places. I would love to live in one for the rest of my life, I live in with my dad to take care of him. He has alzimers and parkensens so he cant be left alone. So I cant work for that reason. We both just are amazed by these homes.

Spent the last 3.5 years in my 19.5 ft tipi and 120 sq ft “shack”, but at 61 years old and at 9200 feet in the Colorado mountains, and losing my tenant, I have moved back into my 640 sq ft cabin. It was quite disorienting at first, but now having a solid roof over my head and running water don’t seem quite like the luxuries they did 2 months ago! I’d still like to build a tiny home on wheels, but for now my cabin is perfect for me and my Blue Bully Sapphire. Thanks for all the inspiration, Alex, and I’ll be looking forward to your emails throughout the new year!

I love the idea of going tiny, but my hubby isn’t excited about it. I’d like to have some articles about how downsizing isn’t as awful as he thinks it’s going to be. Thanks!

Money is my biggest issue. I’ll be done with my master’s in less than a year so hopefully I’ll be to find a job and save for my tiny house.

Love the website! I’m sure this takes $$ to run. Is there a subscription fee or other way to maintain your great work? Peace.

I have too many adult size, but not yet independent children to downsize much right now. What I’m hoping to start with is perhaps individual tiny cabins on our recreational property so each child can have a space of their own to eventually bring their own families in the future. And when the time comes, it will be the perfect retirement home.

Two things one is room for my computer equipment which I use almost daily as a designer rand photographer, and finding land close to where we live know so my wife is close to her doctors.

Ways for you to improve for 2015:
I especially like the technical details articles, like how to choose the right framing, or how to prepare a trailer for a house, etc. Most of your articles are just people who have built houses, which is nice, but more how-to articles would be great!

Iand & am obsessed with living in tiny house. I check my email 3-4 times daily just so can see your posts. i’m disabled with no money

I think that local building codes would not approve of a tiny house where we live. We are older and not ready to go off the grid, but it would be fun if we could! I believe there are minimum sizes for houses which can be built in our area. Otherwise, we would definitely try it!

I enjoy reading about cool details that can be implemented in a Tiny House. For instance, if one were to build a shower using a galvanized tub what are the steps on how to do it right? So it doesn’t leak, special considerations on design, etc. Other useful things I think would be for beginner’s, how to get going living tiny… as well as, doing things during different stages of tiny living…. I mean some really creative things and ways to transition into tiny living.
An expanded resource page on your site which lists places –and– ideas for where the best priced materials can be found. Example, like links to the best places in the USA to get the right kind of trailer, small fixtures, info on re-purposing old trailers (where do we find them and what must be done to them before building on one).
Generally speaking, I’d like to see a lot more ‘how-to’ and creative ideas and where-to-get everything. Thanks!

Although I love the idea of a tiny house on a piece of property with trees and a garden space, with my other interests in art, books, plants, etc., tiny is just a bit too confining. It would be helpful if we perhaps had an additional different category, perhaps ‘semi-tiny’ or ‘expandable tiny’ or ‘tiny but with space to store and create just a few things’ or ‘tiny/semi-tiny/really small/small’ where we could keep, store, and use the necessities of our creative interests. I know it’s a matter of drawing the line about what’s important in the way of possessions. I use the useful/memorable/beautiful categories to determine what I have and what I don’t have. If it falls in one or more of those three, I am inclined to have it, otherwise out it goes. Perhaps categorizing by square footage to accommodate the individual differences that appeal to the tiny house crowd?

I would like to see more one-level designs. They don’t necessarily have to be on wheels, either. As a retired single woman with a cat, I think I would rather use a tiny home as a “base camp” and explore from there. Of course affordability is always a big factor.

Holding me back? Money, primarily – if that weren’t the case, then it would be a question of figuring out where and how. Like others, legalities are a question, but there are so many differences that it really comes down to specific location – broad advice really can’t suffice.

Design. I love the idea of small – even tiny – living, but most rely on multiple levels to maintain the footprint. Climbing ladders and stairs is in my past, not my future, so, rather than tiny, I’d need to look small instead . . . which then circles back around to what’s holding me back. 🙂
I would love to see more ideas for single-level living and perhaps more alternative building material designs (cob/strawbale/etc).

I very much appreciate what you’re doing; I’ve learned a lot just from browsing through and reading the newsletter entries each week. It’s pretty clear that you’re learning the “trade” of building a useful website – very quickly – so I won’t make suggestions about that, other than to say “good for you”!

Thanks much for your time, energy, and efforts.

I very much enjoy the small houses, much more so than the tiny houses, especially the ones on wheels. To much like living in a trailer. I am biased because I am a large man and they are too often too cramped and delicate for my use. I have been a home builder for over 25 years an am interested in alternative building methods. I live in an 850 sq ft house now but would like to build a 20×20 straw bale house somewhere in the high desert in the next couple years. I plan on moving around a lot to teach in the western U.S. and abroad, so I just need to know where I want to settle for a while. Keep up the good work! I get lots of good ideas from your posts.

My Husband is holding me back, he doesn’t think we could live in such tight quarters and not drive each other crazy. I personally love the idea and would do it in a heartbeat!

What is holding me back is finding time to build and my husband is not on broad yet

I would love to move into my own tiny house. I don’t know where I could put it and don’t have the funds right now. I have a turtle, so how could I incorporate his tank in the tiny space? He’s land and water so he needs his filter and heater on all the time. How safe are tiny houses from being broken into?
Thanks! 🙂

As soon as we sell our house in Ferguson, (yes, that Ferguson) we will be right there with you. Enough said!

What we need help with is deciding between a 10′ and an 8′ wide home.
Also deciding what utilities are most important and which we can do without. Do we need to get a sewer for the gray water or can it flow on the ground. Is our solar power generator enough for a refrigerator? How do we shower if we rain catch our water or when it snows.

Time. I have the trailer! I need some free time to spend on building. I even have some materials. I have the place to put it and the tools to build it. It is on my list for 2015. Just get started!

The biggest things holding me back are money and the fact that i have a 4 year old so. most tiny houses are designed for 1 person or a couple not necessarily for a parent/child.

What do you need the most help with right now?
Physical issues and living kinda in the boonies, makes it hard to find folks who can/want to offer physical help. I also really need some electrical expertise to help design my on/off grid fully electric THOW

How Can I Better Help You in 2015?
Find more groups that Tiny Housers can join to pool resources/ideas/help.
Alternative appliances that can be used either on or off grid.
More info on multi use/storage/functions in THOW under 200 sq ft.
More info on Tiny house adaptations for physical disabilities.

What’s frustrating you most about tiny houses?
Not a lot of centralized info. Not a big enough local community to support those like me with physical challenges.

What’s holding you back from doing what you want to do?
Physical issues and lack of physical help. Not enough electrical/ physics know how. I want to build a lift for getting up and down from my lofts.

What challenges are you facing right now?
Getting my siding up and windows in so I am weather tight!
Then I can start on the interior layout.
Money. Being an almost 60 yr old, disabled widow means I live on a very tight fixed income.

What is it that you want the most?
A fully self sufficient THOW. I’m headed there, but it’s slow, slow, slow.

What worries you about tiny houses?
Where to park it once I sell my big house. Having the right technology to meet my physical challenges.

What kind of lifestyle would you like to create for yourself?
One of sustainability, freedom, and the ability to travel.

I would like to build a tiny house myself. The things that are holding me back are money, knowing how to build, having the money to buy the right trailer, zoning restrictions where I currently live, and most of all to have a design that incorporates studio and living space without a loft bedroom. I would also like to incorporate found objects and recycled materials, while still ensuring that the house is structurally sound and elegant. I think I may be wanting too much at once, which can be emotionally and mentally paralyzing to reaching my goals.

I never knew about tiny homes and we feel into the bigger and bigger mentality ending up in (a really great) development in 2800 sq ft. Now, we’ve been here 7 years and we have another 4 years until we are empty nesters. Our kids want to stay in our house. We bought at the worst time (2007) and our mortgage is obnoxious. I want to throw up when I write that check each month – especially looking at how much goes to interest!!! . Okay, I’m back. I love the modern and rustic modern/Scandinavian/Frank Lloyd Wright styling. I like the mobility of a trailer but don’t see that in our future. I agree with earlier comments about more on small (800-1000) sq ft homes versus tiny. I’d also love to know about land listings where we could put our modern small home 4 years from now (FL, Gulf Coast, or most preferably I the Islands – we were married in St. Thomas, USVI. Keep up the great work! I look forward to it every day.

I love your website and while I am working at downsizing from a 3,000 sq. ft. home to something much more managable, I doubt I will ever talk my husband into some much less than 1,500 sq. ft. See, we have our 30 yr. old son who lives with us and was injured in a accident 10 years ago and left with a tramatic brain injury and is wheel chair bond and requires 24/7 care. His needs require more than your tiny houses can afford us but I enjoy and am inspired by your newsletter. We do have plans to build tree house with a solid ramp up to it sometime in the near future. Our son was an avid hunter, spending most of his early mornings (and just before dark) sitting up in the trees during bow and gun season. He provided us with our winter meat and we want to give him back the opportunity to at least sit back up in the trees while also having a livable space for the rest of the family to hang out. Don’t know if we will get this done in 2015 but I will keep reading your wonderful news letters for the inspiration we need to do this! Thank you for this website. I already have a copy of Derek Diedrickson’s Humble Homes, Simple Shacks, ets… I have gotten a few ideas from it but always looking for more ways I can do a handicap friendly tree house…Happy New Year to You too! Chris Livengood…pronouced with a long “i” 🙂

We hope to be on our way to simplicity in 2015!!

We bilt a 36′ Diameter Dome [950sq’! main floor] 25 yrs ago:
Owner Involved Building:
Small sq ft compared to most:
aux: Sea Container[s] used for storing the excess[s]

Too much stuff! Am downsizing now, but it takes time and mental willpower. Money is also an object, but time and stuff takes the cake. Will get there, however…..a little at a time.

zoning. I have been living in a tiny house for a long time, but just relocated with a new tiny home to a less populated area, and am trying to navigate land use laws. Really murky, and for something as permanent as location, which can really affect life, it feels important (even understanding that it may not be possible to be 100% up to govt spec, I’d like to know if the area has history of code coming after folks, for example).

I’m held back slightly financially, largely indecisively with all the possible directions to go in, and a little bit of natural laziness. I think I will see something happen in 2015 though.

I would love to downsize but we have a wheel chair bond son who requires extra space for his medical equipment and so far I have not seen too many house plans (except for ones with slide-outs like our current travel trailer) that would accomodate his needs. We do plan to one day build a tree house with a ramp up to it that would give him back the joy he had spending time in a tree stand hunting before his accident. Right now, we could only downsize from 3,000 to 1,500 sq. ft. and we would need extra space in the bathroom for a rolling shower chair. I have Derek Diedricksons Humble Homes book and I love your newsletter with the inspiring stories you share….Thank You!

We are convinced and looking forward to building our own Tiny House!!

My concern is windows. I love the big picture windows shown in some of the stories, but worry that heat losses may cancel most of the advantages of a tiny house. Could you please do a review of the effects of big picture windows and the benefits of double-pane, triple-pane and other mitigation opportunities ?

I have a healing and teaching business that I would like to operate out of my tiny home. I have not seen a show on how to do that and I am happy to the the first on your show, if possible 😉
You can check me out at http://Www.SpiritSenseLLC.com
I would love to see how this business would fit in a tiny home so I can keep my career and live out of a tiny house.

I’m not sure where to start. I’m new to the tiny house concept but I love it. I’ve been working on downsizing my possessions and would love to go small especially on or near a rail trail but I don’t know how or where to find property in my area and I don’t know how to identify a real estate agent who would be willing to work with someone wanting to go small.

(1)Money – completely in love with the idea, but the price per square foot is more expensive than my urban lifestyle. (2) logistics of where to put a house on wheels, (3) not family/community friendly – I like urban living because I like having a community of people around me. I don’t want to raise my family in the middle of nowhere. For me this looks more like a empty nest/retirement dream.

What’s holding me back?
I am so sorry, this question came too late:
This year my wife and i have done the step of downsizing: We moved away from a 1000 square appartment with endless storage space in the attic.
Having bought some land with a small 460 sq feet weekend home on it.
It was a nightmare and a juristic fight against government to get the permission to live there fulltime…
Living legaly in a tiny home isn’t easy here in austria.
After six months we are now in paradise: my wife and i and our two years old german shorthaired pointer dog Abby…

The thing that is currently holding me (us) back from a tiny house is my hubby, but I am working on him!!!!! LOL I keep showing him different floor plans that I have worked up using some of our current furniture — he would definitely have to have a separate barn for all his shop STUFF!!! I am already in the process of purging! Someday ……

When you say that you own a small home, you own a structure that is mounted on to the planet in a secure way! Slab,Foundation ,Stone and mortar. I have no problem with a small square footage home, But the structure must be permanent. Trailer,Truck, cardboard box are not!
A well engineered smaller home is needed, and is very appealing to many more people today! There are a multitude new technologies available,(Solar, Rain water collection,etc).
The biggest problem that we face are our local building codes,with many legal restrictions tied to land ownership! But there are ways around some of these.
The largest opportunity available is the inner city, and what can be done with the abundance of so many wasted properties!
Lets see what ideas we can come up with in the year to come!

Aside from cost and location is having to let go of “things” Thai I don’t really need but value for sentimental and traditional reasons. Letting go is frightening but even regardless of tiny house or not it is something that needs to be done. Too much stuff, period!

Money, but I have a plan and have been saving so I can buy land first and then build it on the land!!!

Thank you Alex for all that you find and share. Know that it is valuable!
Nothing is holding me back in particular from starting a build except time (2015 is my year). As for living tiny, as many others have mentioned, finding a suitable property is the biggest holdup.

The tiny house movement is still quite young relatively speaking. Many people are building with very different plans and materials which may or may not work out after several years. The variations can be dizzying to a non-engineer. So what I would like to see more of is builders being honest with what has been tried and pretty clearly does not work so well/is problematic. I can only recall one woman being honest about her wool insulation getting moldy within a couple of years. There have to be other stories about similar issues. After all, the difference between tiny houses and RVs is often claimed to be ‘how well built’ they are or ‘how long they last.’

Thanks for all you are doing.

I have 3 houses to sell before I can build my tony house and travel with it. That’s all that’s holding me back. I need to sell at least one to get the build started then once they all sell I can leave to see the country. First stop will be ALASKA!!!!!! Good luck everyone

Hi Alex,
I have really enjoyed your emails! Thank you so much for your faithful service to spreading information and awareness to the Tiny House movement.
Now that I’m in heaven watching 2 hours of Tiny House shows on FYI on Monday nights, I expect I will see you on a show soon!
For the new year, it would be great to ask Tiny Housers some questions, such as:

1. What are the benefits/drawbacks of choosing painting exterior vs. staining exterior?
2. What is the yearly//weekly maintenance like for a THOW?
3. Any drawbacks with having your French doors swing outward vs. inward?
4. What would you suggest (for design) living with an indoor cat?
5. Wider width: how much more is it really, to get towed?
6. What is it like, five years later?

I’m in the dreaming and gathering stage right now, reading all I can, watching TH videos ’til wee hours in the morning… Also have downsizing in process.
I think it would be difficult to live in a TH while working, as I need a variety of clothes for work right now, and office space for work-related “stuff.”
When I retire in a few years, I think it will be the time for tiny. I want it to be a magical experience of life in the trees, or near water–in my “girl fort”–with stairs to the dormer loft where I can perch and write.
An added bonus to Tiny House living: your adult children cannot move back in!

I have a lot of questions

I am also trying to research as much as possible before making the leap. I have a dream of creating a “Tiny House” village on my 5 acres of land. I would love to have as it as “green” as possible, for living off the grid. All of your information is very useful. Thank you for everything that you do.

My biggest criticism of tiny houses is some basic safety issues. I think there needs to be some sort of access to the ground from the egress window in the lofts to the ground in case of fire.
I have only seen one which deals with proper ventilation for indoor air quality without having to use a window. Most don’t have moisture evacuation from showers or cooking. In a wet climate as I live in, (west coast), opening a window lets moisture in, not out. I believe a fan and humidistat is necessary. Most also don’t use range hoods. With all the open area, cooking smells get in everything, especially if you do a lot of frying or grilling.
I believe the tiny house movement was started on the premise of not being restricted by a lot of code requirements. But, I also believe there needs to be some sort of code, or even self-regulation to allow more tiny houses to set up in urban areas. Non-conforming is a sticking point with a lot of city councils. They need to meet some minimum standards, and maybe even be inspected and certified. I believe in some jurisdictions it would be quite difficult to get it transferred as anything other than a ubuilt trailer with a cargo or as an rv. Some builders are doing this, and I applaud them for it. Maybe they could put together some sort of standard to allow a home builder to get the home certified, as, I believe, the concept was designed with a do-it-yourself builder in mind.
In spite of the criticisms, I love tiny houses, and am now working on another. I, personally, prefer 5th wheels, as I’m not able to manage a ladder to a loft as easily as I once could. (60 now)

You ask what is stopping us? Honestly, it’s the start up cost. We have the ability and knowledge to build it ourselves but dont have the land or money to start buying the materials. We don’t want to finance a tiny home either. So our plan this year is to start pulling form everywhere we can and start to purchase the materials to build the home. I would love some ideas on how to acquire recyclable materials for our home. We read about many doing that but can’t seem to “luck up” on anything that would work.
Thank you for this blog and the wonderful information you share everyday. It is inspiring and educational. We will have a tiny home one day and you will be a huge part in making that a reality for us.
Happy Nee Year!!!

Thank you Alex.
You are a great inspiration. We have found many resources through your newsletter and really appreciate your diligence and enthusiasm. I look forward to your newsletters so much. I also thank and greatly admire the contributors who open up their lives and so (justifiably) proudly display their hard work and fantastic workmanship to share with us. My husband and I have had a long term plan which has slowly but surely come to fruition. We have moved states, have approval to build our architect designed, straw bale, off grid, sustainable home which we will commence building this year. We are now in transition and will soon commence fitting out a 20′ x 8′ container which will enable us to stay on our land while we build our “rest of life” home. There isn’t room for a loft in a container so we plan to put our bed on a platform which we can raise to the ceiling during the day and lower during the night, leaving the floor space underneath free during the day. All of our ideas for floor plans and raised beds on platforms came from this site! Our plan at present is to keep the container for accommodation for friends once our home is built. If it is excess to our needs then we will reconsider. We still have a lot to do and we are very excited about our future together here in Tasmania, Australia. Thanks for the treasure chest we get to open every time we receive one of your newsletters. We wish you a successful, prosperous and abundant year in 2015.
Cheers
CV

We’re still in the planning stages. We need to sell the current house, downsize a lot of stuff, and figure out what we’re doing. Depending on if a current job application works, we’d be doing something on our second lot, if not, we’ll be wanting to sell it, and move several states away.

I thought that when I bought my first house @1160sqft it was cozy, I know I can live smaller but land prices are sometimes more than the house and that scares me a bit.

Alex I think you do an awesome job with your newsletter. It is interesting and inspiring. When we retire we want to dowsize and make life simple. We already downsized from 1800 sq ft to 1000 sq ft. I would like to see a larger closet area and more lower level bedrooms for those of us who are no longer spring chickens:) Thank you for all you do to inspire us.

One thing I’m always hunting for is technical info, and specifics. There are lots of lovely pictures and long narratives… how about downsizing the extra talk and folks sharing just the basics on hardware, appliances, and other features.

Glad so many folks are popularizing this… I’ve been living in tiny cabins on and off for 15 years and finally feel like there’s enough resources out there to get started building my own next spring 🙂

What’s holding us back is 1. Money, and 2. Disability. I’m currently living in a 28′ travel trailer and have downsized for that, but finding affordable land and navigating the local laws everywhere seems impossible. Eventually, the plan is, to make the trailer a stepping stone to a tiny house by cannibalizing the trailer for appliances, built-ins, etc, in the final stages of house-building. You’ve been keeping me inspired, so, fingers crossed! What I’d most like to find are more tiny-house communities that welcome newbies like myself lol.

I am soo excited to get started! The challenge right now is location. I would love to find better climate so that I can utilize the outside to full compacity. Still flipping between trailer or permanet tiny house. LOVE all the information you provide!

I love your website. I love your newsletters. I love to see all the tiny houses. I dream of moving into a tiny house one day. Both my teens are interested and they both have decided that they want tiny houses themselves. We are looking for property to plan and build our houses on now.

I am super excited to start planning my mobile tiny house. I have 3 very handy brothers who can help me build and I would like to have my tiny house built by fall 2015. Right now I am in the process of saving money and visualizing my dream mobile tiny house. I am very excited!!

Happy New Year!!!

Best,
Jessie Jean

1. Have time to read all the comments!!! I would love to be able to read what everyone else has to say…But for now of course it would be $, but also the commitment of my Nephew who is the contractor and helping me built, seems every weekend he has some other things to do, but not in a hurry to finish my TH built. I would rather take my time and built it solid rather then fast built and not built well. What I find difficult is the placement of my stairs, My Trailer is 8×20, and as I am getting older, I want to make sure that it will be safe for me to go up and down the stairs. also how to be able to fit every thing that I want in a small space. What is holding me back would be more $$, but since I am not in a hurry, I was able to save at least for the shell, and once the outside is built I will take my time and budget to finish the inside. My Challenge would be, where to keep my TH once the shell is done, where to have it near where I live, then later on (Hoping in 2 years time), that my land which I purchased will be ready, for the TH. which is a good 7 hours drive north. What I want now would be the correct Truck to own that will be strong enough to tow it the long drive, and of course the drawer fridge that I so desperately want for my Tiny house, worried that it might be to deep the width won’t bother me, and I would prefer to have a drawer refrigerator, then the other types that they offer. What worries me is the final time when it comes to driving my TH from California to Oregon, about a 6 to 7 hour drive and then up a hill, where I feel that it should be better paved…worries me that it won’t make it up that slop, but thinking of other means to get it there when the time comes. lastly lifestyle? the “Freedom” to be able to live off grid, as natural as possible, and use less energy, but most of all “”””DEPT FREE”””””

Love reviewing all the tiny homes. I keep saving the ones I really like. My son lives off the grid on the Big Island in a tiny shack. My hope is that I will have a tiny house for myself on his property someday. So I really hone in on the ones that have water catchment, solar, composting toilet, etc.They are all so beautiful in their own way. Thank you.

Money or the lack thereof is what’s holding me back.

Kudos, Alex for your aims and accomplishments here. I am yet a distance from needing specifics but this site has been my unparalleled general resource. Your take-away piece from my otherwise complimentary post is an affirmation of earlier suggestions I read about refining the info filing system, or how you categorize information here. I will be sure to reappear with detailed comments or questions as ready! Best with your endeavors and for 2015!

My wife and I decided to start a family, and to give them enough living space to have their privacy and comfort as they got older. Young children might think a tiny house is all kinds of fun, but young teens probably less so. We couldn’t afford a new house, so we bought a fixer-upper. So all of our money is going into that instead of a tiny house. This means that, as much as I’d like to be building it now, the tiny house must remain a retirement project for us.

Zoning laws! In the Sonoma Valley of northern California, the zoning regs do not allow for tiny or even small houses. Specifically nothing on wheels, or under 800 sq ft. Banks, realtors and local governments do not want us to have options other than the status quo in terms of how to live our lives. It would (does) greatly threaten their ability to make huge sums of money off of everyone who wants to own a home.
Until zoning laws can be changed to allow tiny/small houses, for most folks, living in a tiny home is only a dream. Living ‘under the radar’ (illegally) means living with the threat of having to move hanging over your head constantly.

Lack of money, and loved ones who need more space. Right now my boyfriend is in his corner of our room swooning over gadgets and photos he hasn’t seen in years. I want to go tiny, while he wants to pursue hobbies that require space. I also provide living space for several relatives at a reduced cost, and have pets. I have done lots of downsizing over the last few years, but going really tiny will have to wait until some of my current obligations have been discharged. In the meantime, I learn, plan, design, and dream.

We have 2 issues. First we can’t decide where we want to live and secondly with that we aren’t sure if we want to have a set location or movable.

I love the Tiny House Newsletter and have been with it since it’s inception, or pretty soon after. Alex, I like it as it is and would hate to see it changed drastically. I’ve learned so much about what I like and what I don’t like, what is important to me and what is necessary from viewing the homes featured in the Newsletter. I probably won’t ever get to build or live in my own because of my age and circumstances, but I’ve lived in a 34′ 5th wheel trailer and now in a small mobile home, so I’ve had to downsize and live simply which is the way I love to live.

I’m very interested in container houses and would love to hear from folks who have converted and lived in a container for a while, describing the pros and cons as opposed to the wood frame dwellings. I think you provide a good mix of rustic, old fashioned, new and modern, cluttered look as well as sleek, and also some totally new concepts from those who build in countries other than the U.S. I’d say just keep on what your doing but please don’t change the format or content too drastically.

My husband and I have been married 2.5 years and aren’t sure when kids will be in the picture. I’m fine with downsizing asap and investing in trying to homestead but my husband is concerned about housing children in a house smaller than what we have now (2100 sq ft), even though I am just trying to persuade him to downsize into about 1000 sq ft. And not something as extremely tiny such as a 200 sq ft trailer tiny house or something similar. He also always complains that we have too much stuff to be able to downsize. I think he just doesn’t want to give up all his computers. 😉

I’m in the planning stage. For me, it’s perfect mother/mother-in-law quarters. I plan to build a tiny home on wheels, most likely 8’x20′. I’m also considering building them as a business. I got a late start in life career wise as I was a stay at home mom for 22+ years. The probability of jumping into a corporate landscape and doing 20+ years to retirement is unrealistic. I’m real excited about building tiny homes. However, when researching the intense obstacles to this, it’s a bit discouraging. Especially as I have no training. Just a desire, as I love to design interior spaces. Maybe I’ll find someone to partner with on this. For now, I’m doing research and designing my floor plan. I guess the book I would love to have is the Tiny House Design and Construction Guide.

I will be downsizing to a tiny house within a couple of years. My circumstances will have changed by then in a way I won’t discuss on facebook. I will build a tiny house that I am designing and am looking forward to a better financial future.

Yikes! Ask and thou shalt receive! (Which reminds us to be careful what we ask for!) Nothing like an avalanche or responses; I questioned whether or not it was prudent for me to even go ahead and stick in my two cents worth. But, here goes:

The thing that’s holding me back is the economy. I own a big, sprawling house in a housing market that is deader than a door nail.

( BTW: Did you know that the people who came over on the Mayflower brought nails with them but didn’t have a smithy in the beginning so any surplus nails they nailed into the front door as decoration. Why? So, if there was ever a fire, they would know where to look for those precious nails.) They liked the unique look it gave the doors (like it was quilted) and so they retained it as a style (like 1600’s MA saltboxes).

As for what I’d like to see in the future: I’ve written about this elsewhere on TH but it bears repeating:

I’d like to see a listings page for hardware and appliances with pictures, links, info about the products like dishwashers, toilets (different kinds; how they operate; cost of each kind, ) “on demand” products, pumps, generators, light dimmers, track and/or pendant lighting, stoves,
trailers (different types, suppliers, fifth wheels, etc. I’ve seen so many people asking where they can get something with no reply after it that it just strikes me as a need that needs to be filled.

These would be advertising pages, basically, and the TH folks would not be doing any order taking or shipping or anything like that. Just a place that shares REALLY important information for people in the process of planning or building their THOW.

So often I have seen stoves or some other appliance and the post is about a TH being built on the other side of the country. Well, where did they get that thing, from a local or national retailer specializing in apartment or camping or RV-ing, or small housing? A name, contact information and ball-park costs would be divine. 😉

Actually, now that we have purchased two acres in the county all we need to do is fix up the current house, landscape a little and put it on the market. Both my son and I are going to then build each of ourselves a small unit (8x14ft) to use as our home bases while we build each of our homes and create our homestead. So, it looks like 2015 will be a very busy, but good year for us. Good luck and thanks for all the inspiring stories and pictures that helped us plan our future. Happy New Year Alex et. al.

I’m not a carpenter, plummer , or electrician. I am just a bit nervous about building a tiny home myself. I am not a wimp or anything, I would just like to have either help with building or have hire someone to build one for me. Trouble is i can’t find anyone that is comfortable with building small. Someone that won’t try to take advantage of me being a single female. I have a small bit of savings and I think building it myself would be the more economic way for me to move into my dream home. But I want to do it right. I plan on building on a trailer so I can move around when I want. If there is anyone in central Florida that knows anything about either building a tiny house on a trailer or a builder that is reputable, please pass it along! I am ready to get going!

What’s holding me back is my finances.
It’ll take me awhile to get on a more sound footing. And, I have
two daughters in college and I can’t pull their home out
from under them. In the meantime, I continue to downsize. It’s
not hard to pitch things or donate them. Less really is freeing to the soul.
I love the Tiny House Movement.

Our grand son is holding us back after my daughter died we are raising him he is 6ft 3 and takes up lots of room one more year and we can build a tiny house I have a saw mill so the lumber will be no problem

I love the idea of the tiny house movement. I am currently in the interview process for a new job which will allow me to work remote and give me the opportunity to build my own mobile tiny home, explore the country and find “the place” to park and live a simple relaxing life in the outdoors. It must be in the mountains and near water for fishing and kayaking. Then once I find the spot and “park” I will build a tiny studio where I will venture back into my landscape and wildlife pastel and drawing.

Living my dream in a dream at this time but I hope to make it real soon. Until then I will read, look at plans and prepare for the day.

Lack of money for a trailer to build on. (can get recycled materials for building and do that gradually) But since I am disabled and need a larger tiny home because it has to be all on one level – trailer is the huge stumbling block. I’m already downsized, since my husband of 20 yrs ran off to become a “she”, emptying both bank accounts – which left me homeless – yes, the real kind of homeless. I now live in a rural area – so not as many resources for used building materials either. More and more, I think my tiny house will never get beyond a dream.

I teach globalization and sustainability at the college level and am always talking about the Tiny House idea. When I teach in Asia, homes are already on average at the tiny house size but my students tell me their goal is to have a BIG house to appear successful. In the USA, there is a small percentage of students which understand that larger is not necessarily better when it comes to personal space. I’ve been looking for research on these ideas of smaller living space related to culture but haven’t found journal papers on the Tiny House movement. I think if we are going to change laws and mindset we might need to get academics into the movement. If anyone knows of any articles that might be useful, I’d appreciate the links to them.

Really like your newsletters. The only thing that is annoying–and I don’t know if it can be fixed–is the popup that asks me to subscribe, even though I am already a subscriber. When I am reading on a mobile device, it is really hard to close the popup. One thing I would LOVE to see more of is ideas for tiny house furniture, organization, and storage ideas. This is my biggest challenge. I have looked at some of your links to tiny house furniture, but most is way out of my price range. Ideas and plans for building your own multipurpose furniture would be awesome! Keep up the good work!

I am going to begin building this year after considering it for 5 years. The blocks that have stalled me: unclear about zoning laws, the challenges of reducing paper (particularly files and books), and how to save for this while paying rent.

Your newsletter continues to inspire me and, one by one, those blocks have become less significant. Thank you!

I just can’t get rid of all my useless junk. And gathering materials has been costly and requires lots of driving.

With wife and I both having home offices, we might need a cluster of these wonderful structures. Difficult in one when you are both needing to make business calls. I’m an architect, and she’s a fundraising consultant who deals with high end non-profits. Perhaps a sleeper/kitchen/sitting, and two small pods for home offices.

I don’t recall seeing connecting trellises, porticos, porches, shade structures, canvas awnings, fabric pieces, etc. that could create outdoor connectors between dwellings.

This concept could address co-housing, with small cottages around a centralized kitchen/entertainment spot, etc.

So appreciate what you do, THANKS!
J. David Dacus, R.A.
Walnut Creek, CA

I would like to see more floor plans. Also, at 6’4″ and older, the thought of climbing a ladder to a loft is not appealing. Maybe more innovative sleeping ideas on a single floor. TANX! for all the work you do.

Money is also the biggest reason that I can’t consider a tiny house at present. Could never build one myself or know anyone who could help me. I’m in late 60’s and would like to travel in something I could park almost anywhere. $$$$$ is the huge concern.

Really enjoy your presentations showing the clever ways that people employ and enjoy tiny spaces. Although there are some the general lack of bedroom without a loft and a suitable living room area are a drawback.

I am in the process of clearing stuff out to downsize and move into a “tiny house” or something similar. My thing is trying to be “completely” off the grid, self sufficient, using Mother Nature’s supplies as much as possible. I am looking towards solar, wind and “maybe” homebrew hydroelectric power among other things. I am wondering more about handling stuff such as sewage (mostly) and trash. I’m also looking at numerous floor plans. Though I’m ditching a lot, I still have some things I want to keep. So, I need room for it. I had an introduction some years back into miniaturizing, when I was forced to have a work shop in a couple very small spaces. A linen closet for one and a small fruit cellar – 5’x5’x4′ – I had to sit to be in it. OR rise between the floor joists. So, I am accustomed to small and can do it. I am “hoping” to be out of here and into some “tiny house” situation by summer of 2015. Location may be another thing if it is to be more permanent. Not many places around here allow such things. Big brother and “codes” are the rule of the day.

A difference in the perceived value of TH living has placed my partner of 4 decades and I at a crossroad in timing our construction of our TH. Money is always a consideration. I see the advantages of beginning with a trailer platform ready made for our house design, but the cost is prohibitive, even while arguably a great foundation for the home. We anticipate a relocation to TN/NC this summer and being one step closer to a working-retirement in our mid-60’s. The downsizing began nearly two years ago and we are sprucing up our 750sqft northern home for a spring sale. I am continuing an active education in renewable energy systems and reopening our cabinet and glass shop. With all these irons in the fire, time management and balancing priorities is sometimes the largest challenge of all. A daily visit to TL/TH blogs and links keeps us motivated to keep moving forward with our plans. Thanks for a fun, interesting, thought-provoking, and common sense venue. Best of success in the new year to you and all the TH’rs who add their wisdom, humor, and experience to this site. Gus G.

I am being held back by two things, finding a trailer and the fact that I am a single parent. My son has stated that he will not live in a tiny house. I honestly want him to stay until he finishes his tech degree so he can focus on his education. But I am planning to buy the trailer and start, then building slowly.

Several things. As others have said money. Also as we are aging, and have health considerations, a tiny loft just wouldn’t be feasible, especially with bathroom needs at night. Also have a mentally challenged daughter who lives with us, so we need 2 first floor bedrooms (minimum). Also do sewing, canning, have plants, etc., so would need space for that. Haven’t found a plan that meets all those needs. I am working on sorting the sewing things to find out exactly how much storage I need for that and canned goods need to be stored above freezing. A nice storage room or third bedroom could work for those things.

I’m literally hiding from the world behind all of the crap that I own. I have a LOT of anxiety and getting caught up in stuff is my false security blanket.
There, I’ve said it openly. Sometimes saying something openly is a catalyst to change.

I’ll start out with a question, then throw out some possible solutions (how I’ve dealt with) for themes I see in the questions.
I’m still in the research and planning/gathering materials/started the trailer phase. My question is: I’ve been gathering lumber for the framing and have maybe 400- 2x4s from demolitions and teardowns (most people are interested in the scrap metal and the wood just fills up the dumpsters that they have to pay to dump at the landfill). The majority of 2x4s were framing or wall 2x4s so they are around 7′ long and I’ll probably have to cut an inch or so off each end because some have small ‘splits’ where they were nailed. So, I was going to build my wall framing up with shorter ‘kicker’ walls, using liquid nails between the top and bottom header with ring shank nails and some lag screws. I figured that, along with the sheathing, would be plenty strong enough. But, of course, a helpful (non-expert) friend said it wouldn’t be strong enough. I would like to get some thoughts on this.

Now on to how I’ve dealt with certain issues. All the land and houses I’ve purchased in the past when getting started, I bought on contract. Generally you have to put 10% or 20% down and the contract is for 5-years. Even if a piece of land is not listed as a contract sale it never hurts to ask the seller if they would consider it. It is a win-win situation for buyer and seller. If your economic situation changes and you can no longer make the payments you can walk away and chalk up the money you’ve put in as ‘rent’. It is always cheaper to buy than to rent. The seller keeps all the money you’ve given them and they still have the land that they can resell again.
A toilet. I currently have about an acre-and-a-half close to a river, in a hundred year flood plain. To put in a septic would cost in the neighborhood of $24,000. So, I bought a used port-a-potty from a local company for $200 and he will come and service it whenever I call him for $25. I don’t hardly use it, but in an emergency, it’s there. I’m going to take the plastic sides and roof off and mount the holding tank on a 5×7 low trailer I have and build an insulated wooden structure around it with a solar led light, a magazine shelf and a small propane heater so that when the wind sucks the air up the vent stack, I have warm air blowing by my privates.
Don’t draw attention to yourself by blabbing to all your new neighbors how trendy you are because you’re building a tiny house to live in. Most pieces of land outside of town are zoned agricultural which does two things for you. First, your property taxes are lower, and second, you have fewer restrictions on land use. Your county zoning office will have a copy of all the things you ‘can’ do on your property, they’re free. One state I lived in had a little newspaper, my current place has two sheets of paper. My situation is difficult because I’m zoned agricultural and assessed residential, but my taxes are still low, even after putting up a 20×30 pole barn. I keep every thing else on wheels. I have two 53′ semi-trailers for storage (one of which will later be converted to a workshop) and a 32′ camper trailer. Now, technically I can’t ‘live’ on my property, or should I say can’t build a house because of 1990 setback rules not leaving me enough room width wise and I can’t have a mobile home (I don’t want a regular house anyway because they’ll tax me to death). However, it’s still ‘my’ property and I can ‘camp-out’ there any time I want. Now, as far as the ‘residential’ assessment, if I keep livestock for two years and spend $1000 a year (the cost of the livestock, feed, vet bills, etc.) I can apply for a farm exemption, which will do two things for me. First, it will lower my taxes a little more, and second I get to have a caretaker live on the property to tend the animals. (hmmm….now if I could just think of a caretaker). I’m going to get a couple goats and a few chickens, so I guess there’s a third benefit; milk, butter, cheese and eggs.
So, I guess my advice to people is look at what you CAN do and find a way around what you can’t. Think outside of the box.

TJ

What’s holding me back? Nothing! I have decided that a tiny house is going to happen for me. All my life I’ve liked small cozy places – Mom would find me asleep under beds as a child. I don’t have the land, or the funds, or a place to build it myself, but oh, I have the determination and excitement to make this happen. And thus, my biggest hurdle – self-doubt – has been overcome.

I’m part way to where I want to be. My land all paid up, I have very tiny 6×13 trailer that works well as basic shelter and I am debt free. I have a tiny studio apartment in the family home. What I don’t have is enough money to build the 8×20 tiny house that will be more livable long term. I’m close, but a lot depends on finding just the right second hand trailer – cheap but not needing a lot of work to make it safe and suitable. If I can find the right trailer at the right price I’ll probably be able to get started building this summer.

The other factor is family obligations. Right now I’m home support for my 92 year old mom and also being a grandma helping with a 10 and 2 year old, plus gardener, handyperson, etc around the house. (All 4 generations share a house with separate apartments). Moving to my Gulf Island paradise is going to be a gradual process with part timing back and forth, eventually leading to full time retirement there. At 61 with some mobility issues I don’t know how long I’ll be able to live in my tiny house before health and safety concerns require a move to whatever housing comes next but I will definitely enjoy whatever I get.

Well aside from $ for land and building, i need a two bedroom because i still have a child at home and would want a guest room eventually. Yes a loft is an option however I can not climb to keep it clean. Then there is the whole handicap wide because I do not know if my back will put in in a wheelchair in my “late” later years. ( I have already found a way to deal with storage… just a decent storage shed.) Then there is the issue of many citys, townships etc have a foundation min. and i have not come across anything within the metro burb that will go less than 900 sq ft. i think unless you out in the country or stix building code are an issue.

We were in the process of converting a school bus and living in it. Unfortunately there were several factors that stopped us. We have 7 children and an online business that requires a certain amount of books, supplies to run. Between these and our financial situation, we could not get enough space to go tiny. We instead are renting a 1200 sq. ft. home and striving to still stay tiny. We sold everything and are looking to live more simply than before if possible.

Hi Alex! Long time email subscriber, first time commenter 🙂
I LOVE tiny and small houses! I fell in love with the concept when I saw Tiny Texas Houses on a tv show (can’t remember which one). I look forward to the emails each morning to browse while drinking my cappuccino!
Except for family size, nothing is holding me back! My SO is a bit of a pack rat, but I am slowly helping him learn to “Let It Go” (lol). I have been a minimalist for years, and actually own a small mobile home, which I adore! Once my two youngest stepsons graduate (in a few years) we will hopefully already own a small piece of land near his sister in MI. There is already 2 cottages on the property and they need repaired (his uncle owns the land and dwellings as of now, but he is getting older and we would like to keep it in the family). I am hoping to make this purchase a reality within the next couple years. Both cottages are older (one close to 100 yrs and used to serve as a post office) but in decent shape.
Reading the Tiny House Talk emails has given me so many ideas and the possibilities are endless! One cottage we would live in, and one would be a vacation spot for family members.
I am hoping that one day I can send you pics to post for fellow TH enthusiasts to enjoy, from start to finish.
The only suggestion I have, is more photos of tiny and small houses with stairs and flushing toilets. I am not fond of ladders or compost/incinerating commodes. Other than that, keep up the good work!
Thank you once again for the sunshine you bring to me every morning with these emails. Happy New Year and Namaste!

Alex you are doing a great job, and providing a service that once was given by the “county extension” offices. Government plans for small homes were available (for free), plans for small outbuildings, and good sound advice provided to rural areas through educated county agents and state colleges agriculture departments. Personally I believe the phenomenon you are covering is closer to what some of our grandparents had. 550 -750 seemed the norm after depression in some farmsteads with a great number of kids (7-8). My mother and her 6 sibling lived in a 18×20 cinder block home, in town (2 bedroom, 1 bath, 3 room total), built by her brothers right after WWII. I remember seeing it still in use in the 1960’s. Somewhere more is better has swallowed our culture.
The newsletter is read with particular interest in the micro section as a personal interest. I would like to see coverage of living styles and application. After reading “Living 12′ x 12′ ” I have many questions I’d like to ask.
Questions like — What were your expectations? Has the change lived up to the expectations? How is it working after an extended period? What is working, what is not? What do you wish you knew before you started? Has hobbies or other interests affected your decisions and what about the room needed for them? What happens during inclement weather? Insulation? Are the reasons this was tried still applicable (1 -2 years after)? What has changed during the time you have tried this? What challenges have been the hardest? Have the neighbors welcomed or negated the changes small dwellings make to the community? Where the heck do you store the memory stuff (pre-SD cards), photos, mom’s stuff, dad’s hand me downs you can’t part with? What do you miss? What was the change you most cherish? What will never change? What do you wish to change? Health challenges? Energy use? Money saved? With your extensive reporting on this I’m sure you can think of others I haven’t even considered.
What about a podcast, by some stand out personalities in small dwellings on a panel discussion? Maybe regional panel discussions for those who are interested but still questioning, can attended or view. Use these to educate communities about this goal that less is more can live with the average homeowner, perhaps reducing objections.
These are some of the things that I have an interest in. What happens after you build? Does it still drive you?
Thanks for the newsletter. I’m quite intrigued with this concept and welcome the challenge to downsize.

I’ve spent the last 2 weeks during Christmas and New Year making sure that my imprint on this world is lighter in 2015. Lots of things to be reused or re-purposed, mostly just getting rid of stuff I haven’t used in quite a while. Boy, does it feel good!!!!!

What holds me back? Lack of money
What’s frustrating? Once I have the money, where can I build a tiny house?
There doesn’t seem to be a place to go for clear answers on that. I don’t want to live in a trashy trailer park but I can’t afford one of the new communities that are charging high rent and are quite rural.
Thanks Alex for continuing to offer us information on tiny houses
Happy New Year

First, we’re still trying to find the land that we would like to build on. And secondly, our dream is to build a place with a community kitchen, dining area and game room and then have a couple of hallways that would connect to tiny type houses with beds, sitting area and toilet/shower. That way, we could have private sleeping areas for family members if they need a place when SHTF. Trying to come up with plans to keep this all as small as possible but big enough to be useful for canning, cooking, etc. and being able to heat it all in the winter is a challenge that we haven’t accomplished yet. This is what we could certainly use help and feedback on. Happy New Year Everyone!! 🙂

For me, it’s not money, as much as it is to find a place to work on this. I am currently renting a townhouse, and in our area, I couldn’t find an RV park that would allow anything under 27′, even as a temp deal until I was able to build the house.

I would like to see if anyone has incorporated the little house genre with the RV lifestyle. I have adjusted pretty much to a RV lifestyle, but I don’t know about hauling a user friendly tiny house behind me.

Does anyone care to share how they integrated the two life styles?

My difficulty is a) land is expensive, and b) my grandkids are far away and when all family comes, I need to house them. c) I am a single grandmother with 2 partial knee replacements and arthritis and could barely do any of the labor myself. Sigh.
BUT, the idea of downsizing has delighted me and I have reduced my inventory from LOTs and LOTS to very little. All my friends are amazed and delighted. I could live in 400 sq feet easily. I am moving from a 6 BR house to a 2 BR house next week. (We had 5 kids!)
I plan to use many of the ideas I have read about as I alter my life-style over the next few months. Rock on, you folks.

THE HOBBIEST : I think what holds a lot of people I’ve talked to back (and me) is the need for a little more storage. That may sound counter-intuitive since the whole idea is to downsize. But, many of us take one hobby into retirement, or have one throughout life. Mine is knitting, so where to keep the hobby stash? Not IN the house – we’re anxious to de-clutter & give a wide-open feel to the space we do have. How have other people solved this? A built-in cubby on the exterior? a tiny, detachable shed? aconcealed mini-loft? A trompe-l’oeil?

As more older people discover tiny houses, I’d like to see more on no-loft and universal design, aging-in-place houses. Also something with more architectural flair beyond just the modern. So far my favorite has been your coverage of the Mad Men star’s house. Some voids you may consider addressing are national building codes, safety as affected by design and the dangers of recycled material by things such as non tempered glass in doors before 1970, lack of safety shut-offs on old gas appliances, lead based paint before 1978, asbestos in floor tile as well as economic and efficient building techniques.

I am living fulltime in a 20 ft travel trailer currently, and am trying to save money to purchase some land somewhere, tenn or co. Im giving myself 2 yrs to find something. It will happen. I would have done it sooner but had 7 eye surgeries in the past 2 yrs. Ill make it though! Thank you for all your ideas! Love seeing them, more than you know!

For my kids, we want to make them live close of familly and with no excess of material… the real life

I don’t need much space to live at all (eat, sleep, lounge), but I do need an art studio. I’m thinking an open upstairs to work in over a combination living/kitchen/bedroom room below. Oh, and like others who’ve commented, I need funds to make it happen. I’m thankful for all the posts that show the many ways people achieve their dreams, and thank you for highlighting truly creative builders of tiny and small and not so small houses!

The first thing holding me back is finding a property to put my house on. I don’t know where to start, so I can’t seem to get moving. Looking for something near the intercoastal in Florida so I can kayak and paddleboard. Looking for the peace and serenity.
The second thing holding me back is that I would like to be part a like-minded community who want a simpler life but not off grid. Activities, gardening, and companionship.
Lastly, can I really do this? Wow are these houses small. Since this would be a retirement home, no ladders or lofts. That makes the house even smaller.

Alex,
I, as well, am just starting out on this movement.

Can you add some Canadian content? winterizing tips? Highlight everyone’s ‘water and hydro’ stats first?
We all understand that cities, provinces, states all will have different Home Depot-like stores, but we ALL need to get a grip on those first two survival needs, and how each listing solved that.

Love your work here. It is amazingly resourceful, informative, and you are providing a link to a huge movement — and, as you see, it’s every civilized country trying on this kind of life.

Money!
I need cheap solutions to implement.

We will never get anywhere the value of our home due to the decline of property values in our area. If we could sell, we’d be in a tiny home quickly!

What do you need the most help with right now? How to go small with growing children…..and a tight budget, no diy
What’s frustrating you most about tiny houses? 1. Someone stole a tiny house on wheels! 2 cost-some of the models are reasonable others are so architectured they are like full blown house–crazy cost. 3. Home ownership did not work well for me-will a small house be better for maintenance and yard issues? 4. Realistic on the grid needs…plumbing, 1 1/2bath models? Laundry, clothing storage, getting dressed! Getting older-safety.
What’s holding you back from doing what you want to do? Recent money issues, not a diy person, worries about maintenance, or getting a house to site (moving the house to start cost half the house!)
What challenges are you facing right now?down sizing my kids…. Downsizing without paying for it….needing special furniture to live in a tiny house means buying new furniture…..all my hand me downs are not practical…or are they?
What is it that you want the most? To downsize without spending more…. An affordable place where I’m actually gaining, not giving up… If it has built in storage that will really accommodate my wardrobe…..and that of 2 growing kids…privacy for the family when needed (many of these models don’t seem to have a place to dress, or let’s be practical be intimate with your mate…with kids around).
What worries you about tiny houses? Hurricanes, tornadoes, nor’easters…… Are these on wheels versions going to be safe? Will I have to vacate every season? Storage for big items….bikes for example(I have a trainer so I can use it indoors….but you need floor space for that). Oh and my pets…cage space for three amazons….that can’t be folded up and stored. Safe heat and cooling when I’m not home….I never see ac in these units….what is being done?
What kind of lifestyle would you like to create for yourself? Simple but real. I can’t quit my job, I need the right clothes and things….I can downsize a lot…but much of what I see isn’t practical for someone living ….normal, not big but fitting the expectations of those in our lives…children and bosses and cooking for a family visit…and laundry…where do these people wash….I don’t want to be inconvenienced, I want to be green.

I am waiting for warmer weather to start my tiny cabin build…can’t wait…

At this point in my life, because of my family, I am more interested in small than tiny. I need to learn the realistic how’s of the whole thing: how to make it legal, how to maybe finance all or a portion instead of waiting until I can save enough for land, building materials, etc.

I’m not on Facebook so I can’t communicate with you that way. But one problem that I think will become a bigger problem as time goes on, is, where are all of these tiny houses going to go? My biggest problem is land to live on in the tiny house I want to build. Also, maybe this type of discussion group is out there and I don’t know about it, but I would like to know about the pros and cons of different things connected to tiny houses. Things like heating strategies. Also, where to find a tiny bathtub. Which compost toilets work best for people. In short, I’d like to see more information about the details of what works and what doesn’t and where to buy things that work.

Money. The incredible expense of some of these tiny houses is just silly. Way outside of what I could ever possibly do.

MY PROBLEM IS MY DISABLITY __ BACK AND HEART__ NEED LARGE BATHTUB AND NO STAIRS OR LADDERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would love some more specifics on trailers. Like, how to choose the best trailer for your meeds and so on. I would also love some more ideas on how to save money, with usi g used materials and any other means of saving money! Another thing that I need information about is the rules and regulations on tiny houses and zoning laws. I know that they differ from place to place but if there was some tips on how to get ahold of them or who to talk to in different areas that would be apperciated. Thank you very much for all the work that you do and I’m hoping for that final push in 2015 to jump into building my own tiny house. Thanks again!! 🙂

I really love getting the emails and looking at all that you do. I really like that it is simple and organized enough to be able to check in on tiny happenings and houses even when I don’t have a lot of time, and just have a few minutes on my phone. I appreciate the format and the photos that you include. What is holding me back? Combination of not being completely sure that it is the right step for me, since to get a tiny house (not sure if I am a builder) would be a big investment. Also the logistics, since right now where I live, I would have to switch to an over hour commute in order to be able to buy land where I could put a tiny house. So far there are accessory dwelling units on foundation legal to build, but not yet tiny sized , especially on trailers unless I move way out of the city where I would either not have a job or a long drive, which seems like it might cancel out some of the environmental benefits of a tiny house. Its also a little overwhelming looking at all the possible builders and plans. One thing that I have thought but haven’t really seen much in my searches on tiny houses, is any kind of comparison of the specifics of different companies and plans.

If you ever doubt that you have an audience, Alex, this LONG list of responses will remind you that you offer a valuable service! (I am among the many who appreciate you and wish you a wonderful New Year!)

Unless York County appeals – there is a rumor they may – we are okay to stay where we are. I think that is the major problem for many, many people – finding a site that isn’t in the boonies. Tiny Home communities need to be planned and built in every state!

Many people can’t built their own home and find most builders too expensive (I have previously referred many people to Lil’ Lodges, because their specs and prices are excellent).

There is a lot of emphasis on micro houses, and people either get one and tire of the miniscule space or decide against ultra tiny house living before buying or building anything. They (especially the older group to which I belong) are also frightened off by loft bedrooms, single baths, no storage space, and giving up all their possessions.

It doesn’t have to be that drastic! We have a big loft for storage and an inflatable bed for guests. The new option of a hinged roof to allow full height in the loft would easily provide room for a bedroom – maybe two – and perhaps a half or full bath for tiny houses families.

Our home’s main floor is a little over 400 square feet, allowing for a nice living space, a great kitchen with a snack bar, a full bath with a BIG shower, a bedroom with a bay window, and a large master half bath. There is also a stacking washer and dryer. We don’t have to go upstairs to the loft normally, but with the optional hinged roof previously mentioned, our home would be fine for a family of four – maybe more.

I collect graniteware, quilts, baskets (great for storage), teddy bears, silhouettes; my husband collects antique toy cars, rulers, yardsticks. Even tiny houses have walls for paintings, shelves, small display cabinets – and don’t forget under bed storage. Just be prepared to keep the best of your collections and find creative ways to display your favorites. No, you can’t display 100 stoneware crocks, but you can showcase several.

Tiny isn’t doing without, it is enjoying the best without the mediocre clutter. Go for it!

I enjoy the newsletter and dreaming of having a tiny home (or maybe a 395 sq. ft. home) within the next 5 years. Affordability of the tiny home and finding a reasonable place to put the home are major drawbacks. I would really appreciate more information on ways to contact others who have land for sale at a reasonable price that allow tiny homes. Would also like to know more about tiny home communities.

I have no problem letting go of “stuff”, but the affordability of a small home is key. I would have to have someone build it for me, move it, and then find the piece of land at a reasonable cost.

Would really like more information on available places to put a tiny home.

Just money and land – I have the will to do it just not the funds.
It’s a good dream though and I am working toward it!

Hey Alex,
The thing that is holding me back to most? I’d have to honestly say it’s my depression that comes on so often. It keeps me from going outside and working on my TH, it keeps me in bed for days at a time, in fact. It has prevented me from keeping the friendships alive that would have helped me in so many ways on this journey. It’s led me to make foolish mistakes because I don’t want to rely on anyone else out of anxiety. It’s a terrible, terrible thing and I hate it.
Oh, and it keeps me away for many weeks (or even months) at a time from sites like yours, which otherwise give me hope, and inspiration, and a feeling of community.

Parker

At 6’8″, my clothes and things are about twice the fabric of the average person. Also, A full or Queen bed is still too small. Size is the main thin which holds me back-mine and the size of home needed to accomidate my size.

Fear. Fear of letting go of something that really means something to me. Fear of change and fear of doing something different. I have been following tiny house for a while and really enjoy the idea of going tiny. Just making the jump

As I am homeless and living out of my tiny old Tercel in Azusa, CA right now, the only thing holding me back is proper shelter. I’ve found a nice old RV here for $500 that needs fixing/towing — and that would be perfect for me. I have guaranteed jobs in the Santa Monica/Hawthorne area of Los Angeles and have been trying to crowdfund a $1,200 goal to have a new life here from Northern California where I had a terrible experience I don’t wish to repeat.

After raising $400 of my goal I was able to get down here; but someone I had counted on to temporarily house me decided to back out of their promise. Then another one backed out, too, leaving me high and dry and with only $5 and change left as of today, January 1st. I am quite upset and have been asking on Facebook and Twitter for any help in finding a place to stay so I can work again and rebuild what I lost. There are a few souls who care and I thank God for them, but I’m 52 and cannot delay working any longer.

You said to not hold back, right? Well, if I could get the rest of my goal I could purchase that $500 RV and park it somewhere until I could get it fixed up then sell my old classic Tercel for another more reliable car. I can use that RV to live in and rebuild my finances properly if given the chance. It’s a nice 1972 Winnebago Brave that I’d like to get and if I could raise the $800 left on my goal, I’d be sleeping easier.

Help convincing folks that this is the way to go. It’s down to me and my wife, the last boy is off to college, she “can’t imagine living that way” – Plus I would need to convince my boss to allow me work-from-home, which would be in FL vs. VA. So i think “convincing” is what I need help with 🙂

The area I live in stops me. I would like to move and find the perfect location in WA State.

I love the TH concept but immediate plan is to build several rental tiny cabins on my property, a tiny campground. Major hurdle is understanding & ensuring that I meet the local codes, mainly pertaining to structure dimensions, safety, & septic. Despite the wealth of info here, I find little useful info on these topics. I’m currently trying to understand the applicable details of the International Residential Code as well as NYS septic requirements. From what I understand in NYS, composting toilets provide little, if any, benefit since grey water must be treated the same as black water. Septic is therefore a major hurdle.

I live near Amish and they can build quality sheds at $10/sf. I can’t build cheaper myself, so getting a “shed” from the Amish with a few modifications and then doing the rest myself seems the best route to a TH.

My son is just getting to an age where he wants to have friends over all the time. He wants more room to play…

Awesome suggestion from Dawn, would be very helpful to a lot of people who are considering this! Many of us also are burdened with the money issue and land to undergo this venture. Love watching “Tiny House Nation” on DIY, as you can really pick up on some great ideas.

Resolvemos alguns problemas de saúde de nossa filha, o seu cão a viver numa cave em Inglaterra, com a compra de uma pequena casa em outra cidade.
Em Agosto de 2014 passamos nossas férias trabalhando e alterando a casa para dar mais qualidade de vida ao casal e ao cão. Agora vivem mais felizes.
Mudaram de cidade, vida, empregos e com a inspiração da tinyhouse, aproveitamos muitas ideias. Fiz maravilhas e agradeço a vossa ajuda. Partilharei fotos da remodelação. Happy new year 2015.
Nota: Esperam um/a bébé. Terei de fazer alterações num quarto novo, mas… É por uma boa causa.

And Happy New Year 2015 too!

I live in GA and am very interested in downsizing to smaller living. I’ve considered purchasing land in surrounding area near Macon, GA or South of Macon and wondering about compliance to small home living will be acceptable.

Most of the emails I’ve received were catering to out West and North of USA. I forgot, I did see where a lady was living in park near Orlando, FL, but still would be interested in knowing about State of GA . Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Need to sell our large home first then try and find property that we can build on. The biggest challenge is to try and get rid off all the stuff and downsize to a smaller home. Thanks for all the links and tips this past year.

I want to go tiny in the worst way but I live in a small community and don’t know the zoning laws. That and the cost involved. I know it will be less than living in a conventional home, but with no savings, I don’t know what to do.

Hi Alex,
Thanks so much for sharing your journey and for creating a way for those interested in the Tiny House Movement to connect and learn. I have been wanting to build a tiny house for a while now. It would be the perfect fit for me. I have downsized twice over the last 5 years and so when it happens, will be an easy transition. There is only one thing holding me back from moving forward with a tiny house and that is I live in a part of the country where the movement has yet to “take off”. That wouldn’t be a problem except I’m finding it difficult to find a place to build. I live in Charleston SC. Any advice on how to go about searching for a small piece of land to purchase or rent?
Thanks,
Kathleen

I really like the concepts but as a retired senior with many hobbies and an artist wife we could never downsize that much (although we have gone from a 4000 sq ft home we built down to a 1700 ft rental) I have thought that modules or some sort of combination of rooms/functions might be another approach re bedroom, studio, workshop/hobby room.

I’d like to address some of the things holding me back from having my dream little or tiny house. Some are addressed on your site already and I want to encourage you to continue, and some you might want to consider discussing more often. I’m sold on the ideals of downsized living. It’s not always as easy to convince a spouse or significant other that it’s a good idea to move into a space not much bigger than their current walk in closet! I continue to seek storage solutions for items I may/he may not be ready to part with, and storage units with air conditioning necessary to protect certain items can get costly over time. It also helps to see folding, multi use furniture and very clever ideas for use of space in the better designed homes. There is a bit of a cookie cutter look starting to emerge in tiny homes, so I’d hope to see more designs that really break the housing mold in our heads and go way out of the box. Financing (aside from good old fasion saving) sources or ideas would be beneficial and as this movement grows, some business will see the potential cash cow and begin offering financing I’m sure. As opportunities for that emerge, I hope you are able to get that info out to enthusiasts. It’s always good to get recycling ideas for building materiels so perhaps a page dedicated to just those ideas and finding resources who provide such items would help promote that ecological and cost effective model? Locating small or tiny homes still presents challenges with zoning and finding those willing to lease out parcels for homes on wheels. A clearing house for matching land owners to tiny home owners is a great idea. It’s also a good idea to have a central place to look up tiny home short or long term rental opportunities.
The work done on this site is already quite excellent and has opened my mind to exciting possibilities in design and use of living spaces. Please keep up the excellent work and all I can say is MORE PLEASE! You’re doing great work here! Thank you!!!

I’m a retired General Contractor, and I own a small mobile home park. So there is nothing holding me back but money. Anyone need to rent a space for their tiny home?

Love to see more collapsible units i.e. pop up campers, small box units designed for small cars. Love tiny home concept but looking for a small camping design right now. Thanks.

I only found your website a couple of months ago. I have to completely agree with the ‘ray of sunshine’ in my inbox when I receive your newsletters – they’re so full of terrific ideas and the comments also are very beneficial. I’ll 2nd the idea of using thumbnails or perhaps a specific topic – be it storage options, kitchen options (including appliance choices and off-grid options), bathroom options, built in furniture options…I guess I’m suggesting to go area by area and pull your ‘best of the best’ in your opinion together in a newsletter? I personally would *love* that, as I’m in the planning stages. On to your questions..

So what’s holding you back? I became ill, with lupus. I had to give up my dream of becoming a nurse and went from being a full-time nursing student, pursuing my adult dream (children are grown now and I’m on my own) of not only gaining a university education, but a specific field. It’s been heartbreaking, but instead of wallowing I’d rather look at options and dream differently. And I stumbled upon Tiny Houses. And I’m excited. But I have to figure out finances and plan, so that’s what’s holding me back at the moment. Also, in British Columbia, Canada – Vancouver area – we have really strict laws regarding zoning…pretty much the same as Ontario. So I am trying to figure out some kind of stability – where to park, how to live once the home was built, how not to be too isolated, not too far from hospital, doctors, family etc. It’s daunting, to be honest. I’m definitely needing more information and I love learning about how others have resolved these issues. I guess we just keep on pushing on until we figure it out?

What might be stopping you from downsizing, going tiny/small, or just simplifying any important area of your life right now? I already have downsized to pretty much what I would be needing to actually live – thankfully with my last child moving out this past fall, I was given the opportunity to ‘gift’ all my extras away, to help him get started in his first apartment. That made it easy 🙂
Nothing’s stopping me except the need to build my own tiny house and find it’s resting place. I’m pretty much ready to go – I’ve been selling off furniture for months and giving away what I wouldn’t need or absolutely love to have.

I do have one concern that I haven’t yet figured out, in terms of design and in ‘downsizing’. I’m a crafter. I sew, knit, make cards, quilt, scrapbook…and while I don’t have things that I don’t use and I don’t have a ridiculous ‘stash’..I definitely have more than would fit in one small container high up on a bookshelf. How do people figure out things like this? I’d like to eventually have a small ‘cottage industry’ in terms of an Etsy shop, so there is reason to continue with this…that and it’s therapeutic, I make all my own gifts for people and it keeps me busy and I really enjoy it. Figuring out a small craft area in a tiny house is yet to be something I have stumbled across, and I was delighted to see it mentioned here in the comments section. I too would be very interested as to how a crafter organizes herself in a tiny house 🙂

What do you think you need help with the most right now? Information, especially about Canadian zoning options, companies for trailers, options, costs, layouts…I’m just in the planning stages so pretty much everything is useful to me at this point! I would say putting together a long-term plan is what I need to do at this point, so any information that can help me to pull that together would be wonderful.

Thank you again for what you’re doing. Illness changes our lives – I know I’m not the first one to realize that. I want to LIVE my life, without cleaning constantly, paying a fortune in utilities and rental costs and never being able to own my own home (the average cost of a home in the Vancouver area is 1.3 million dollars currently…a decent condo will set you back 500k) and feel safe and secure. I also want to minimize my footprint on our planet and care for our world as much as I can. I’m well aware that ‘things’ don’t equal happiness, and wish to live my life helping others and caring for those around me…not ‘shtuff’ that has little value and simply clutters up one’s mind and heart. Thank you for sharing your life and experiences in this respect – it’s very enlightening and you have quite an appreciative audience. 🙂

I am not living tiny yet but I have taken the first few steps as far as down sizing my belongings and that is a big step for me because I have held onto material things all my life but now at this time in my life I have learned that I don’t need the “things”. I have memories that will be with me that won’t take up any room in my Tiny home of the future. So, for me it’s one small step at a time and continuing to learn from others such as yourselves. Keep up the great work on your site and newsletters! Thanks and Happy New Year 2015. Deanna in Oregon

A place to park!
I don’t have anywhere that I could park my little house and land isn’t cheap.

For me and my family it would be the initial cost involved. The second would be my skill level as a builder. If I could overcome the first I would definitely overcome the second. You are a great resource for Tiny Homes, keep up the great work. Thank you.

in my previous comment i forgot the most important concern i have… we have found a need for more closet space than pretty much every plan has, and we need to avoid ladders. if there needs to be a second level (if it’s absolutely necessary), can’t there be a way to fit storage stairs that even small dogs could easily manage?