Embracing the Tiny House Trend

by Betsy Teutsch, for the Shuttle 

May 8, 2025

The tiny house movement, a robust, minimalist niche flying under the mainstream radar, has really taken off in recent years. Now in their second decade, these structures, which are smaller than mobile homes, have become a popular alternative housing option. 

“Tinys”, as they are affectionately nicknamed, are built on top of trailer beds. They can be moved, making them comparable to RVs, and are subject to less regulation. 

The biggest challenge to “going tiny” has been finding a site. While some intrepid tiny house folks are off grid, and utilize solar panels, composting toilets, and ported water, most owners prefer conventional grid hookups. 

The market has responded. Tiny house communities have sprung up across the country, providing plumbing and power, plus shared amenities. People renting a spot usually plan to stay a while and expand their tiny’s  footprint by adding a deck or even an enclosed porch. Should they need to relocate, they can move their home and deck.

Tinys are a maximum of 440 square feet but often expand vertically to include one or two lofts. While slightly smaller than a one-bedroom apartment, their architecture and clever design make them far more interesting, and decks or porches and vertical height expand their usable space. Direct access to the outdoors is a big selling point.

Their width is usually eight feet, though some are wider, and they vary in length, maxing out at about 44 feet. Most of them are custom built, and purchasers choose a company and a model that they can upgrade or modify. YouTube features thousands of tiny owner tours that display the wide variety of clever layout and designs. There is also a community of DIY tiny home builders that do the work at a lower cost.

Tiny houses go for $100,000 to $150,000. Their efficiency means utilities cost far less than in a conventional home, and renting a spot is likewise cheaper than renting an apartment. They’re smart, attractive, affordable housing, with neighbors who share a minimalist ethos. Some rent theirs out to generate revenue. 

Young couples enjoy their fun and flexibility, and the opportunities they afford to save money earlier in life. Some are motivated by living more sustainably. Their compact design allows for a comfortable life, but like all small dwellings, they discourage unnecessary accumulation.

Accommodating Amenities

In Tiny House Interiors

Some tinys have small kitchens, with two burners and an overhead convection/microwave combo. Most don’t include dishwashers — if you’re living solo, it’s hard to even fill a dishwasher. They typically have large, farm-style sinks. On-demand hot water heaters, with their smaller size, are standard. Built-in storage is a celebrated feature. Many boast narrow, pull-out pantries for spices and staples. 

Washers and dryers are a big subject of debate in the tiny house world. Some prefer a single unit combo, which trades off space for time; they take a few hours per load. Others go with separate units, with their double footprint.

Most tinys have a staircase that leads to a sleeping loft. Designers make clever use of it, such as tucking pull-out drawers under each stair. Couches and ottomans are available with concealed empty space. Tiny owners with full ovens often store pans in them. (Think about how much wasted space a typical home has.)

Sleeping lofts generally have low ceilings — enough to sit up in, but rarely tall enough for standing. I would think this would take a lot of getting used to, but adherents seem fine about this tradeoff.

Bathrooms are full size, though many skip the bathtub. Doors generally slide rather than open, to further economize on space.

Those going tiny reflect many demographics. They are ideal for singles, a growing population. Retirees like their affordability and the sociability of tiny house communities, which are intergenerational. Tiny Timbers, in St. Croix, WI, describes itself as an agrihood of individual tiny home dwellers who work together on their garden and farm. Sounds magical!

Why have we not been hearing more about tiny houses? Because most towns don’t allow them, although advocacy and legal cases have broadened their permissibility. The resale market is relatively new, and obviously, real estate agents can’t make much on such a low base price.

The conventional housing market tends to focus on couples and families and rarely prioritizes solo living. Tiny living is filling a huge market gap.

Even though I live in a large home, I’m hooked on the YouTube channels that feature personal Tiny tours. Each owner is excited about making the big decision to go tiny and shares their home’s favorite features. They genuinely love their ease, and that cutting back on stuff and size means less time spent cleaning and maintaining their homes. This allows them more time and resources to devote to other pursuits. 

For many years, I wrote a Shuttle column entitled “The Simplicity Dividend. “I love watching people who simplify their lives and enjoy this new approach. Bravo!