YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Tiny Homes

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Tiny Homes https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 02:01:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php anchie on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1348640 Sat, 06 Sep 2014 17:41:59 +0000 anchie 1348640@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I would love to have a tiny house as vacation or weekend home (even thinking of building one), but not to live in it full time. In this stage of life with two kids, busy social life and often family visits it will not work out. rachylou on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1345338 Tue, 02 Sep 2014 17:25:04 +0000 rachylou 1345338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Layout is everything. After my first apartment, I moved to a larger one... and was positively stymied as how to put things away. The first apartment had a pantry and broom closet... those are fantastic things. Mander on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1342846 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 22:39:14 +0000 Mander 1342846@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love looking at the ideas in these tiny houses, especially since at the moment DH is living in a one room apartment on the other side of the country from our main house (for work). The second place is pretty small but it has amazingly high ceilings. If only I had my father, his truck, and his garage full of power tools on this side of the Atlantic, we could make all kinds of amazing lofts and dividers and built-in storage and whatnot. Alas, we've had to make do with what we can have delivered or carry home on the bus. It's not so bad but it is a bit difficult to be in the same room all the time. If one of us wants to get away from the other for whatever reason we can either go outside or go sit in the bathroom. It wouldn't have worked for us to live in a place like this when I was working on my PhD, because I would often stay up very late to write and the combination of the desk light and the clacking keyboard would have driven DH to distraction, even if he had things like ear plugs and a sleeping mask. Adelfa on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1341557 Thu, 28 Aug 2014 04:51:06 +0000 Adelfa 1341557@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love this idea. Many years ago my aunt told me of friends of hers, a couple, who lived in a 400 square foot cottage on a cliff overlooking the ocean. That became my ideal. Now I live alone in a 718 square foot apartment, a ten minute walk from the ocean.... getting there! Honestly, even though I believe this is more than enough for me, it's been hard downsizing from 2000 square feet. I still have a storage unit. And haven't figured out where to keep my knitting stuff. Elly on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1341531 Thu, 28 Aug 2014 03:36:36 +0000 Elly 1341531@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I guess it really depends on layout and what you consider tiny. I acually am a pretty big fan of small so long as it is efficient. The BF lives in less than 900 sq. ft (the apartment is marketed as 900 but it is smaller than his last 600 sq. ft place except for an mostly unusable attic). I like an open concept kitchen/living room with some sort of bar area, a bedroom just big enough for a queen size bed, big closets, and a nook big enough for a treadmill and small desk. Then again, we really like each other. If it wasn't for the fact that we work separate schedules, I think we'd do just fine in a medium size studio. Outdoor space is important. I grew up in less than 1000 square feet with a family of 4. I'd rather have a smallish place with decent, easy to care for finishes than a larger place --- plus, I seem to come from a family of horders and the BF is a bit of one so small spaces are good and energy efficient. Laurie on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1341098 Wed, 27 Aug 2014 18:14:21 +0000 Laurie 1341098@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great O/T thread!  I am a strong believer in smart space, with tons of storage to keep stuff out of sight.  And often homes that are well laid out do not need to be large, One problem is in how poorly older homes are often designed.   I grew up in a house that is probably 900 sf.  It was laid out horribly for a family with 3 kids.  A ranch, it had 1 bathroom, 3 tiny bedrooms and no closet space.  However, close to half of the house's floor space is in the living room,  to accommodate a baby grand piano that my mother played well when they got married. 52 years later, my 75 and 84 year old parents still live in that house and it is still impossible.  The basement was finished 20 years ago and added a small bathroom and "family room" along with a laundry room, but it floods every 5-10 years during bad weather, causing considerable angst.   It's impossible to stay at their home because they have filled the 2 extra bedrooms with junk and never gotten rid of our childhood furniture ("it's in perfectly good shape!").  the laundry being in the basement is a pending big problem, as they age. The house has been a source of unending frustration for my Mom, but they were not savvy about renovation and no one really DIY'ed in the '70's!  She got extremely stressed out when she occasionally entertained, which we all suffered for, and we never brought our friends home because there was no where to go (and she's a clean freak, and we were terrified our friends might sit on our bedspreads - verboten!) It's really sad that it has never been a comfortable place. My mother never plays the piano.   My home is a standard 45 year old colonial in a suburb, and was also laid out poorly with small choppy dark rooms, etc.  We had at least 4 rooms/spaces in the house that were never used and collected junk.    Over 20 years we have renovated a ton, knocking down walls wherever we can, and finding smart space.    People constantly tell us that they love how comfortable and welcoming our home is, the highest compliment to me.  We are 1/2 empty nest with a son in college, and a junior in high school at home, but we still need the space - even more so - when #1 comes home for the summer with all of his stuff!   My husband is self-employed and I work from a home office, so we have 2 offices, 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.  Other than the guest bed/bathroom, we now use all of our space, all of the time. I anticipate downsizing in the coming decade, however, there will be many requirements for the living space, including airy common space that gives the illusion of spaciousness.    Don't think I can go tiny.... I am a big fan of the "Not So Big...." series, by architect Sarah Susanka.  Just heard her on a local talk show here in DC on the subject of Tiny Houses. anne on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1340910 Wed, 27 Aug 2014 14:16:39 +0000 anne 1340910@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <a href="http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5698214?utm_hp_ref=tw" rel="nofollow">http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry....._hp_ref=tw</a> Interesting re the class angle abc on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1339970 Tue, 26 Aug 2014 03:12:25 +0000 abc 1339970@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a timely post as we are honing in on our next home, likely to be smaller than where we are now.  I am craving less space and more organization, but to me, the outdoor space is key.  I live in a VERY urban setting, but having fresh air and access to it easily is KEY for me, I've learned over the past few years.  We are now making it a priority in our house hunt.  Interesting thread, cool to see everyone's thoughts. rachylou on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1339754 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 21:00:39 +0000 rachylou 1339754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, I'm living the small space life because that's urban reality. I like compact living and having a small footprint. I don't like being jammed in with oppressive neighbors and no private outdoor space for a ridiculous price. Also, I admit to being totally unable to do anything about the fact that my place looks more like a jam packed storage unit than an apartment. April on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1339693 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 18:50:17 +0000 April 1339693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've lived in a small, cottage-y house for 20 years and frankly, it's challenging.  It's fine for my son and myself.  It's when the grandparents come to stay, or the cousins, that things get difficult.  All of my family is more than a thousand miles away, so we don't see each other often and when we do, I hate that we're all on top of each other.  It really compromises my ability to relax and enjoy their company. The house that DH and I just bought has plenty of space and I love the idea that we'll be able to have family come any time without losing our breathing room, and offer them a place to stay that gives them some breathing room as well. In theory, I applaud the idea of the super-tiny house.  In reality, not for me.   DonnaF on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1339420 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 04:30:29 +0000 DonnaF 1339420@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I live in a smallish house which is definitely smaller than the suburban one I grew up in.  Our view and the large rooms make it seem bigger; there just aren't many rooms -- one bathroom and two bedrooms -- but I think the layout is decent.  Our family is small and we are short so I've never wanted a bigger place with a bigger mortgage.  I mean as it is, I have a hard time finding my keys and I hate to clean and pick up clutter.  I don't need more hate in my life! I've visited a few very nice senior independent living places, and I think I could adjust to living in a one bedroom place.  I really only use a fraction of my stuff, and well, it is just stuff. Deborah on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1339287 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 23:38:04 +0000 Deborah 1339287@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I loved looking at these and the incredibly clever designs and use of space but I would find it challenging to live in such a small space.  I love space, and having room to move and room to go off and be by myself. So, I love large spacious homes. DH and I are starting to think about building again and I would like to go bigger but do the environmentally friendly thing, energy efficient etc. Does anyone watch the British program, Grand Designs??  You see some amazing ideas on that show. Classically Casual on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1339201 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 19:48:09 +0000 Classically Casual 1339201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've been following small/tiny houses for awhile on Houz, and enjoy how clever the design is on many. Coincidentally, the daughters of two different couples are planning to buld tiny houses for themselves. One is still in college and the other is working on an organic farm. Housing is terribly expensive in many areas, so I imagine some of the thinking is that a tiny house would provide unique, affordable housing that's environmenatally conscious and way more fun than a crappy apartment. My current half-baked dream is to have a small prefab solar cabin in the woods. But not as a full-time residence. The dog, DH & I all need our space from time to time. Gaylene on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1339135 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 16:59:23 +0000 Gaylene 1339135@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree with so much with what Janet and Traci said. A small home does not always mean an inexpensive home. When my husband and I built our current home, our builder referred to it as a "jewel box" because of its high quality finishes, custom storage features, and energy-efficient design. Building our 1000 square foot custom home in the early 90s, in an area where we were surrounded by McMansions that were triple and quadruple the size of our home, was seen as a risky move. Fast forward to today, and our small home sold in a single day at full asking price, no conditions, while several of the much larger homes nearby have been on the market for months. Except for replacing kitchen appliances, a water heater, and a countertop, our house is still more or less the same as when we moved into it, so I was more than a little surprised the new owners don't want to change a thing; they even requested that we leave any furniture we don't want to take with us because "it is so nice and fits the space so well". Our "risky" choice turns out to have been a smart decision. I truly believe that many younger people today are opting for a smaller, more environmentally conscious, home. A micro-sized house might not suit everyone, but I truly think the future lies in smaller homes that pack a lot of livability in a smaller square footage. SarahTheWhite on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1339114 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 16:21:13 +0000 SarahTheWhite 1339114@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am definitely a fan of small spaces, but not too small. I like the idea of these tiny homes, but I would get claustrophobic trying to live with a family all on top of each other. Our current home is about 1100 square feel, with three of us living in it. It works really well, except when we all want the front room tv at the same time but for different reasons (or the one bathroom). I like that there is less upkeep than a larger space, but I do have to work to keep the clutter to a minimum. In a perfect world, I would probably want a little more space, but not much. How it is laid out is much more important than square footage. I tend to like the rooms to be on the small side. We lived out in Montana for a while in a 864 "cottage". Is was very oddly laid out - two very large rooms with a good size closet in one and an even bigger closet in the other, that was as wide as, and a little longer than our king sized bed - which I know because that's where our bed was! The living room was in one big room and Ethan's bedroom was in the other - along with the dining area. Very strange. There was a tiny kitchen - but the most efficient one I've ever used - and the shower was also in the kitchen, with a tiny toilet room off of that. We made it work and enjoyed it very much for the year plus that we lived in it, but it would have been tricky long term... Janet on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1339100 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 15:54:32 +0000 Janet 1339100@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, one final thought. I think we might have mentioned the "Not So Big House" series of books here before, and the work of Sarah Susanka. I like that her focus is not on making something the absolute smallest it can be, but on design that makes a space livable and aesthetically pleasing while moving away from the "bigger is better" mindset. <a href="http://www.susanka.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.susanka.com/</a> Janet on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1339095 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 15:46:38 +0000 Janet 1339095@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I enjoy looking at things like this -- as a designer and artist, I always admire economy and efficiency of design. At this point in my life, though, I have no desire to pare my living space down so drastically. We lived in approx. 800sf before buying our current home, and we made do with it, but it was not a space that was designed for efficient year-round living (it was a beach cottage, built for seasonal use 70 years ago), and it was a constant compromise for us to live and work in the space. Mind you, we were both self-employed, trying to work out of the small second bedroom which we made into an office -- hubs on the phone all the time, while I tried in vain to concentrate on my work. And we had my stepsons staying with us frequently, sleeping on inflatable beds in the living room, so I'd have to tiptoe over them in the morning to go make coffee and get ready for the day. There was no basement, and the attic is just adequate for a bit of storage and no more. Closets were tiny and hard to access. The kitchen was tiny and only one person could really cook in it at a time. Oh yeah, and only one small bathroom too. But we had a lovely yard and patio, and we could watch the sun rise over the Chesapeake Bay in the morning. But what I'm getting at is that we lived in a small space, but it was not a small space that had been designed to work efficiently for a couple, much less a family. I think that makes a huge difference. I could design a 800sf space that would be much more livable than what we had, but we did not have the freedom to knock down walls and redesign that old house. We live in approx. 2500 sf now, and that may sound like a lot to many people, but when you consider two people working from home, a boomerang stepson who lived with us for a few years, and frequent guests, it makes sense *for us*. One thing I came to realize, living in a small house, was that my introverted nature means I need some space where I can retreat and recharge without feeling like I have to "go to my room" like a punished child. This was not possible in our old home, but where we live now, we do have the ability to each do our own thing -- if the guys are over and want to play video games or music in the basement, great. I have the loft where I can go read quietly. I think some of our responses to this are formed by our upbringings. My husband lived in a trailer as a child. He was living on a boat when we met. So he was ready for a bit more generous space when we were house shopping. The house that I grew up in is roughly the same size as the house I live in now, but it's a very different style (contemporary rather than colonial/traditional). When I worked as an interior designer, my boss and I theorized that the next generation of home buyers will be looking for smaller homes, because a lot of them grew up in McMansions, and as we reach adulthood, we tend to want something different from what we grew up with. These kids saw what it was like to have cavernous entryways and entire rooms of houses that never were used. But anyway, I digress. As I said, I find this kind of design really fun and inspiring. I particularly love clever space-saving RV design, and I hope that someday my husband and I will spend a good bit of time traveling in such an environment. After all, I am the woman who spent 2+ months traveling around the US in a Prius, camping with a tiny teardrop trailer. But I will likely still want a home to return to, in which we can spread out a bit more. :-) ETA: One other thought. My husband and his sons are all over 6'5" tall. I wonder how much small spaces appeal to them! Trust me, big guys need big space. They need seating that is a little deeper, etc., which means furniture needs to be a little larger. I'll have to ask them what they think of small spaces. Both of the boys are now sharing small spaces with roommates, and I'm not so sure they love it. Jules on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1339061 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 14:11:22 +0000 Jules 1339061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting story Traci! If we were sitting over tea I would have a ton of questions for you. I'm reconciled and happy with a small city home for various reasons. We will be adding some liveable space in the form of a basement reno though, so obviously given the option I am going with more space! However I do see a big house as more work, more need for furniture and decor, etc. For us there is a happy medium (2 bathrooms vs. 4 or whatever). I do think people can adjust to different circumstances, maybe more than they realize. I mean my southern aunt can't understand how anyone can live in our winters up here, but I don't understand how they tolerate their summer humidity. In the end, it boils down to which 4 months of the year you spend primarily inside and whether you run a furnace or A/C! Traci on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1339021 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 12:15:23 +0000 Traci 1339021@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ We did something like this back in 1996. Dh and I bought 5 acres of land, and we built a little 12x16 two story "shack" on it. I got pregnant in December and we moved in with my parents for 6 months, then back to the shack right after dd was born, for about a year. Dh, me and my parents did all the labor. We worked full time. It was never truly finished, but we moved in within a month of starting. It was definitely a formative experience. One of my biggest lessons was that sometimes everyone does things a certain way because that way is better even if you don't get it. We did it because we didn't think we could afford a "real" house that suited our needs. We had had several bad landlord experiences, and we wanted to be in control. I believe we spent around $5k in materials back then. Our land was $15k, but financed for around $100/month. Our place was nowhere near as swanky and well thought out as the ones now. I still find myself drawn to, almost craving the idea of a tiny house on wheels. I liken it to a minimal wardrobe. There's something freeing about limiting your choices. It's not only about money. Our wardrobe minimizers often talk about buying less but nicer things because it's not about saving money, it's about simplifying. eta:  My perspective may be different than most, but I don't see tiny homes and think lack of money.  The idea that these are people with money trying to look poor just doesn't sit with me.  The pictures I see are always well appointed, and use fine materials for building.  I've never equated the size of a house with wealth.  I've seen large, poorly built houses that cut every corner, and small, well built houses with every amenity. Gaylene on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1338968 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 05:00:16 +0000 Gaylene 1338968@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, I've never been attracted to large houses, although my feelings are obviously not shared by many of my friends who live in huge houses in the suburbs. To me a small space can be just as, or even more, liveable than a large space as long as it is thoughtfully designed to fulfill the needs of the occupants. So, yes, I could see myself living quite happily in a very small space. I've been lucky enough to live for a few months in a small apartment in a couple of European cities and must say that my husband and I really enjoyed the opportunity to be able to walk, cycle, and take transit everywhere we wanted to go. As rabbit says, the outdoor space around our tiny apartment became an extension of our private space. I loved sitting in a cafe or park with my book instead of reading alone in my apartment. I also found that having to buy my groceries every other day meant that I developed a relationship with the local providers. To me living in a small space in vibrant, diverse community provided a richer life than living in a sprawling house in the suburbs where people can go for days without talking to their neighbours. Mo on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1338962 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 04:28:28 +0000 Mo 1338962@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My mother has been living in roughly 500 sq ft places for the last decade, almost two, except for one place in Capitola that was 650 maybe.  We (BF and I) often sleep in the loft at the Tahoe condo although we have a master bedroom downstairs.  We're always remarking that we only 'live' in half our condo space, but I admit it's nice to mentally have the room to breathe.   I don't think 500 is tiny if there is only 1 or 2 of you.  Less than that becomes too tight, and under 250 needs very creative layout to work.  I first heard about teeny tiny sq ft homes around the millennium in San Francisco before the dot com bubble burst.  Some are pretty cute! rabbit on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1338916 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 02:54:14 +0000 rabbit 1338916@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thinking about it more, for me the outdoor space doesn't have to be private necessarily, it can be common shared space.  I lived in a spiritual community for a year and a half and my couples housing was one tiny bedroom with a wardrobe, a shared bathroom with a toilet and shower-head, and a screened balcony big enough for two chairs and a side table.  But the communal green spaces and kitchens and meeting and meditation/reflection areas were ample and it was definitely the most beautiful place I ever lived. Gigi on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1338905 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 02:33:32 +0000 Gigi 1338905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rabbit, I think you are right that having access to a lot of outdoor space is key. Someone who can't get out much due to health issues or disability is going to be miserable in such a small space. My current apartment doesn't have an outdoor area, although my last one did, and it's amazing how a little deck can really open up a small living space and help avoid that "cramped-in" feeling. Well, at least until it's January and you can see six feet of snow on the other side of the patio door! I do agree that American suburbs and houses are not very well designed when it comes to efficiency and wanting to get around on foot. It's all fine and good to want to live simply, but it becomes nearly impossible when you realize that you can't just bike over to a corner market a few times a week to get food. Having the grocery store a bit of a trip away means that you go less regularly, which means that you need to buy more in one trip, which means you need a larger refrigerator, etc. It all snowballs, ugh. rabbit on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1338894 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 02:11:03 +0000 rabbit 1338894@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like them a lot in theory, and especially for staying somewhere during a residency or temporary job, somewhere where you really are only using the home for sleeping/resting and maybe cooking and have work and socializing space elsewhere or you are outside all the time.    My uncle lived in a cabin in wilderness in West Virginia about this size (one room) by choice for a decade or so.   He subscribed to the idea (maybe from A Pattern Language?) that outdoor 'rooms' were as important as indoor, so for example he had an outhouse with an incredible view over the mountains and spent a lot of time making paths, gardening, and shaping groves of trees.  He was pretty solitary, but I've also seem them work in planned communities with common spaces, and of course as apartments in vibrant cities. Like you say, having the choice (even if you don't have an income at the time, or a very low one) is different from not having the choice to make life changes and move into a larger space, especially for city dwellers and when you need to house an extended family.  That said, in general I think European sized houses/appliances and the way cities have been constructed for density and foot traffic have many advantages over US super-sizing and sprawl from my perspective.  Also every time I walk through the Ikea model rooms/apartments I really dig them, lol --  it seems so conducive to organization/tidiness/simplicity in my opinion. Thistle on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1338864 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 01:27:40 +0000 Thistle 1338864@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ No thanks. I don't want huge (and don't have it) but this just isn't for me. With a toddler and a baby on the way, I have no idea where I would put their stuff. My houses already feeling tiny and we have been talking about upgrading. When we moved into our current home, it felt huge after a 1 bedroom apartment. Now, it is feeling quite cramped. This is just me, and I live in a suburban area because I don't like the urban vibe. I want green space and lots of it. My house actually borders a small woods with a city park behind it. No one on my block has backyard neighbors. That was a huge selling point for me! amiable on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1338852 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 01:02:09 +0000 amiable 1338852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My husband is very in to the small house idea.  I like it in theory, but I already live in what I consider small - 7 people, 811 finished square feet (however, there is a basement, unfinished, which houses laundry, lots of storage, and my office - so considering it merely 800 square feet is cheating).  I could go a little smaller with well planned use of space, but I'm not sure that I could go a lot smaller.  After all, our house is always in use - we live here, work here and even homeschool our kids here. Gigi on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1338846 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 00:46:32 +0000 Gigi 1338846@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting article and video. I agree that the living spaces look really nice at first, but I couldn't do it over the long haul. But I work at home, and that requires more room, because you really need to find a way to divide off your work space from your home space, or else you feel like you're at work all the time. Likewise, I need to make sure that my bedroom is an actual separate room, or else it would be hard for me to sleep, because being within eyesight of, say, the kitchen while I'm in bed just does not allow me to relax enough. I noticed that the one gal is rarely home, so maybe a supersmall space works for her. I can't imagine living with another person in such a small space, even if it were my spouse. I currently live in a 500-square-foot apartment, and that is bad enough for not having enough room for my hobbies, which include music (instruments and music) and gardening (pots and tools). I can't help but wonder if these microapartments come with a storage space in the garage...that would make a big difference. Echo on "Tiny Homes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tiny-homes#post-1338833 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 00:19:11 +0000 Echo 1338833@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am sure you have all heard of the trend toward "tiny homes". People build little, bitty homes that utilize a loft for a sleeping area and take up generally less than 500 sq feet - often much less. Time magazine recently featured alternative homes and featured some tiny homes in their photographs. Here is a site devoted to tiny homes of all sorts - mobile, cabins, houseboats, tiny city lofts, even a few tree houses. Most are designed for a single occupant or a couple, although there are certainly some for families. Would you be willing to live in a very small space? Perhaps you do already? Why or why not?  Personally, I started looking at the photos and LOVED them. Then I looked longer and longer and started to feel uncomfortable. I certainly don't need a huge home (nor do I have one), but I think I would be deeply unhappy in something like these. I cannot even pinpoint why, except that I really treasure personal space.  And last, it is hard not to see a class dimension in this movement. People have been living in tiny spaces since time began, but it was out of necessity and not out of environmentalism or being hip.This trend smacks of norm-core taken to extremes and people who pay lots of money to look like they have none. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://tinyhousetalk.com/">http://tinyhousetalk.com/</a>