Though I don’t own a “tiny house” (which is usually described as under 500 square feet), at 1,300 square feet, my house is only about half the size of the average single-family house. I have found there are many benefits to owning a small house. Soundtrack for this post here. =)
- Coziness- With a small house, I can maximize the coziness and hygge. I tuck things into corners. Everything is close and within reach. There are few bare walls or empty spaces.
- Close Friends- One of the things I have missed in this small house is being able to invite all my friends over at the same time. I only have space for about five people. Yesterday, six of us squeezed into my little living room/dining room for dinner and games. The close spaces seem so much sweeter with close friends. =) Though one day it might be nice to have a different layout and throw open the doors to anyone, for now, it’s made me think differently about hospitality. I’m being more intentional about whom I invite over. This means I get to spend more time with my guests individually or in small groups instead of hosting a huge crowd and only getting a little time with each of them.
- Contentedness- I love yardsaling and bargain hunting (I can’t really say the same for “normal” shopping). It took about a year and half for me to find the right furniture and décor second hand (on a small budget), but now, I do not have any more space. I’m ok with that! If I find something I absolutely love, I can trade out something I have now.
- Concentrated efforts- Though I had to repaint every single room and do more significant remodeling in a few, all of the rooms in my house are complete now. Because there were fewer and smaller rooms than the average house, I felt settled in just a year later (which is great for a renovation project)!
- Cleanliness- I definitely enjoy the creative more than the mundane. When it comes to cleaning up, it helps that my space is small! Fewer rooms means it doesn’t take long to keep everything tidy and fresh.
- Cost- Obviously, the lower the square footage, the lower the price. Because I’m single, I didn’t need a large house with lots of living spaces. Heating and cooling a smaller space is also more effective, lowering the energy costs.
Enjoy the charming little things in life! If you are in a small house or apartment, enjoy the simplicity it brings, but don’t be afraid of a crowded table.
Welcome To The Carriage House 