Why The Tiny Home Movement Is On The Rise

Not that long ago the McMansion home was all the rage. These properties are oversized and popular with homeowners who do believe size matters, and the bigger it is, the better it is, however, the trend today is the opposite.

No longer do homebuyers want an oversized home on a tiny section, they want a tiny home on a tiny section. So why would you want to live in a tiny home instead of a McMansion and what is the tiny home movement? In this blog article, we have a theory on why the switch to much smaller homes and we provide insight into the growing trend of the tiny home movement.

McMansions Vs Smaller Homes

Developers prefer to build larger homes as they make more profit when they put a larger home on a smaller section. Therefore if privately funded property developers are buying land in suburbian areas and building McMansions, homebuyers wanting a new home end up buying the oversized type of property, which inevitably costs more.

These homes are large; however, quantity does not infer quality and these homes are notoriously renowned for being mass-produced with inferior quality materials and craftsmanship.

What McMansions have going for them is a style that appeals to people keen on keeping up with the Joneses, i.e. perception matters more than reality. If the home looks good and expensive, then that reflects well on the owner, or so it’s believed. The fact that the home is likely to fail and cost a lot in repair is an afterthought.

Meanwhile across town, so to speak the tiny home movement has been gathering the critical mass to be a real contender for a new way of living. Many of us are downsizing and living in smaller spaces.

Smaller homes are the norm in the UK, where the average home is just 94 square metres, so the shift to tiny abodes of less than 80 square metres is not a big paradigm shift. With smaller homes, the focus is on how space is utilised, and there’s a lot of creative invention happening in this niche. Consider the popularity of Danish design. The style of furniture, fixtures and fittings is small, sleek yet functional hence Danish design has been growing in popularity since the 1950s, at home, throughout Europe and further afield as far away as Australia now smaller homes are popular.

Climate change is real and building smaller homes has less impact on the planet, and discerning homebuyers are forcing the hand of property developers to change tact and build to their requirements. Expect to see smaller new builds and tiny homes in most urban areas now as buyers refuse to purchase the McMansions and want a lifestyle that gentler on the planet.

What Is The Tiny Home Movement?

Designed to promote budget-friendly living, the tiny house movement has increased in popularity in recent years. While economic concerns have been a significant factor in the building & construction of micro-flats and minor dwellings, the concept of sharing communal spaces and co-living has also been a driving force behind the movement.

What Is A Tiny Home?

Country-specific legislation defines tiny houses in terms of ceiling heights, emergency access, and other practical factors. In general terms, however, any dwelling less than 400 sq. ft. (37 square metres) is typically considered to be a tiny home.

While moveable homes, such as RVs, may fall into the social definition of a tiny home, there is uncertainty regarding how these residences will be regulated. To date, only dwellings that are permanent and stationary meet the legal definition of a tiny home in most countries.

Is The Tiny Home Movement Here To Stay?

Tiny homes meet many of the demands made by potential homebuyers especially if they’re eco-friendly. Plus, with overcrowding crises hitting many urban areas and high property prices, preventing first-time buyers from getting on the property ladder, tiny homes could be a viable option for many people.

Whilst living in a micro-dwelling may not suit everyone, the tiny home movement could be an effective solution for a myriad of social issues. With a range of benefits associated with tiny homes, it seems likely that more people will embrace living in smaller homes in the future.