Champion Sustainable Design
Most people who opt for small home living have a desire to reduce their environmental footprint by living on a smaller and simpler scale. Embracing sustainable design is a simple way of contributing to this idea by incorporating eco-friendly materials and renewable energy sources into the build.
Sustainable design could include using reclaimed materials or eco-certified products, as well as incorporating solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems. When fitting out a tiny home, consider investing in energy-efficient appliances that won’t drain resources while also helping to keep energy costs to a minimum. This enables occupants to tread lightly on a daily basis while inspiring everyone who visits to do the same.
Incorporate Multi-functional Furniture
Living in a tiny house means using every bit of space smartly. Imagine furniture that can do more than one thing! Like a table that's also a secret storage place or a couch that turns into a bed.
The cool thing about this furniture is how it changes to fit what you need. When you don't need it, it magically becomes small, giving you more space. For example, beds that hide in walls during the day, making the room bigger, or tables that fold up when you're not eating.
It's like having furniture that's really good at hiding or transforming, making your home feel big even if it's small!
Customize your Storage Solutions
One of the most important factors of a successful tiny house plan is not its footprint but the innovative storage solutions it incorporates. This includes things such as custom-built cabinets that work effectively in a small space and are functional for the inhabitants. Pull-out pantries in small home kitchens are one example of this, as are stairs with lids that reveal sizable storage units.
Built-in storage solutions are incredibly important in tiny homes as they keep the space looking clean and clutter-free. Consider building shelves into the walls (instead of adding a standalone bookshelf) and maximize any space under the bed for storage purposes. For renters moving into a tiny home with in-built storage, ensure that everything has a place and get rid of anything that doesn’t.
Adopt a Minimalist Approach to Living
One thing you cannot be when living in a small home is a large-scale consumer of material objects. Small living is all about having less and embracing the minimalist aesthetic to ensure a clutter-free home. It’s also a great way to approach interior design if you want to decorate your home on a budget. For renters, a minimalist approach to living means you’ll have fewer belongings to pack up and/or store with every move.
Rather than purchasing things on a whim, minimalists buy things with intention and value functionality over changing trends. That doesn’t mean that a tiny rental home can’t be aesthetically pleasing, with plenty of design approaches that embrace the “less is more” philosophy. Always sleep on purchases and consider whether you really need that “thing” and how it will bring benefit or joy to your life.
Maximize the Vertical Space
If you’ve ever stepped inside a tiny rental home, you’ll know that many of the best designs incorporate loft-style bedrooms that add significant height to the abode. This often results in living rooms with a lot of vertical space that might be overlooked in a house with a bigger footprint. But when it comes to tiny home living, maximizing space and storage is key.
So rather than letting that vertical space go to waste, consider adding shelves or cabinets that go right up to the ceiling. Not only will it provide a lot more storage space but it helps to balance out all that height. Ladders are a great way to access these storage units when needed and can easily be stowed away when not in use. Make sure to keep these in mind when creating your tiny house plan!
Embrace Natural Light and Neutral tones
In a small house, clever design uses lots of sunlight from well-placed windows. Light colors like white, cream, and soft shades can help too. They bounce the sunlight around and make the place seem larger.
Some people think using light colors is a bit boring. But guess what? You can add fun colors with cool pictures, comfy pillows, and nice rugs! Also, mirrors put in the right spots can bounce light around even more. They make your tiny house look bigger than it really is!
Add an Outdoor Living Space
Although not strictly an interior design idea, adding an outdoor living space can make a big impact when it comes to tiny living. You can hire a trusted landscaping professional to do it or you can do it yourself. Not only does it significantly extend the living space that is available but it also allows the occupants to connect with their natural surroundings. If a tiny home rental doesn’t come with an outdoor living space, it’s also something that can be added by tenants, without having to get landlord approval.
Adding an outdoor living space might be as simple as having an alfresco dining area or even a sofa with a few potted plants. Alternatively, it could mean building a timber deck that extends from the tiny home, plus a patio that protects it from the elements. The amount renters are willing to invest in an outdoor living space will depend on the length of their lease and how long they intend to stay in the tiny home.
Tiny Home Living Can Have A Big Impact
A tiny home is really small, like smaller than a classroom! Some are even as tiny as a bedroom. Because they're so small, they need way less upkeep and use less energy. That means they cost less to run and are better for the planet than big houses. A tiny home uses only a tiny bit of electricity compared to a regular house and makes much less yucky stuff in the air.
People who live in tiny homes help the Earth by using less energy. It's like giving a high-five to the planet! They're making the world better for kids and their kids' kids.
If you want a bigger house, a 3 bedroom house plan offers more space and flexibility, providing additional rooms for a growing family, a home office, or guest accommodations.
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