6 Useful Resources For Anyone Interested In Tiny Houses
More and more, eco-conscious consumers are forgoing the excesses of enormous living spaces for the sustainable, minimalist, and economically friendly benefits of tiny houses. If you're interested in becoming a part of this ever-growing movement and need some suggestions and ideas for how to transition to, maintain, and enjoy your mini abode, check out the helpful resources included here. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
6 Great Resources for Living in a Small Home
| Name | What it Offers |
|---|---|
| Tiny House, Tiny Footprint | Shares stories of those who choose alternative lifestyles, live more eco-consciously, and spend more time in nature |
| Tiny House Expedition | Provides e-courses on various topics, discusses how to travel with a house on wheels, and suggests how living in a small home can ultimately lead to a more fulfilling lifestyle |
| Seattle Tiny Homes | Has models for purchase, starter homes for purchase, and building plans for those interested in creating their own undersized abode |
| Sol Haus Design | Offers sustainable and affordable housing for those of all income levels |
| A Tiny House In Normandy | Features pictures that can be used for remodeling and renovation inspiration, and stories that detail the pleasures of small-town French living |
| Small House Society | Supports the research, development, and use of smaller living spaces, championing sustainable living for individuals, families, and communities worldwide |
Mini Houses, Big Movement
Products To Help You Go Green
If you're interested in the environment, you probably know that changing consumer habits is an important part of the fight against climate change. If you want to help save the planet, getting some of these eco-friendly products is a good place to start:
- A set of reusable grocery bags
- Stainless steel straws to replace disposable plastics
- A portable greenhouse where you can grow your own food
- Silicone food bags for taking healthy snacks on-the-go
- A vegan cookbook to help you cut back on meat
- Solar toys that will entertain your kids without using fossil fuels
- Some beeswax wraps, a waste-free way to keep food fresh
- A reusable water bottle
A Look Inside Vina Lustado's 140-Square-Foot Home
In Depth
In the past, when it's come to buying or building a home, many people have agreed that the bigger a house is, the better. However, in recent years a growing movement has led many to trade in their expansive domiciles for efficient and minimalistic tiny houses. If you're curious about what goes into downsizing your home, here are 6 useful resources, in no particular order, for anyone interested in tiny houses.
At the #1 spot is Tiny House, Tiny Footprint. Blogger, photographer, and writer Kathleen Morton started living part-time out of her 1987 Toyota van in October 2017. However, that wasn't the first automobile she called home. She had previously lived in a former postal truck, a different Toyota van, and a 1969 camper trailer. Her site is about sharing stories of those choosing alternative lifestyles, living more environmentally consciously, and spending more time in nature.
Morton doesn't only blog about her own life experiences. She has also put out numerous interviews on her "Tiny House, Tiny Footprint" podcast as well. On her podcast, she learns about how other people have accomplished their van life dreams and what pushes them to continue living in their tiny homes on wheels. Beyond that, Morton regularly posts about her latest outdoor adventures, meeting with like-minded individuals, and her beloved dog Peaches.
Morton doesn't only blog about her own life experiences.
Coming in at #2 is Tiny House Expedition. Co-founders Alexis Stephens and Christian Parsons are documentary filmmakers, educators, and advocates for living in tiny houses on wheels. Overall, their goal for the site is to inspire others to rethink housing as a pathway to create more sustainable living options. They also preach the pursuit of more meaningful lifestyles and more connected communities by way of small, portable homes.
As a way to encourage others to pursue this style of living, Stephens and Parsons offer e-courses on topics like building tiny houses. They also discuss how to travel with a house on wheels and how living in a small home can ultimately lead to a more fulfilling lifestyle. This blog is also filled with examples of different types of small houses and tiny house communities.
For #3 on this list is Seattle Tiny Homes. This resource first popped up in 2010 as a tool to help those interested in pursuing a life in a tiny house. It offers models for purchase, starter homes for purchase, and building plans for those who are interested in creating their own undersized abode.
This resource first popped up in 2010 as a tool to help those interested in pursuing a life in a tiny house.
Seattle Tiny Homes doesn't like to restrict what small houses can be meant for. They believe tiny homes create serenity and simplicity and are better for the environment than larger houses. They think these little structures can be used as a home, a mother-in-law apartment, a retirement cottage, an extra bedroom for a college student, a home office, or a studio. They offer tons of pictures for inspiration so that those interested in building their own house know how to get started.
Next up at #4 is Sol Haus Design, a boutique firm in Ojai, California with a focus on sustainable design and building. Founded by architect Vina Lustado, this business has a goal of offering sustainable and affordable housing for those interested in tiny homes regardless of their income. Lustado herself started living in a 140-square-foot home since 2013.
On Sol Haus Design, those interested in tiny homes can look at and learn from Lustado's portfolio. They can also study the prototype home she developed for maximum efficiency, flexibility, and function. Finally, visitors can learn about the energy and cost efficient nature of living in a tiny house. One interesting aspect of Sol Haus Design is that it not only delves in residential structures, but commercial structures as well.
Finally, visitors can learn about the energy and cost efficient nature of living in a tiny house.
At #5 on this list is A Tiny House In Normandy. What's interesting about this home is that it is located in the historical French town of Lonlay l'Abbaye. Beyond that, while most minuscule homes are built from the ground up, this job was actually a renovation. Joseph and Ellen Aragon first purchased the home in September 2015. Since then, they have continued to detail the upgrades and renovations they have made to turn an old and broken down house into a tiny paradise.
A Tiny House In Normandy is filled with pictures that can be used for remodeling and renovation inspiration. Along with telling the story of the Aragons' decision to move from the United States to France, A Tiny House In Normandy also serves as a blog dedicated to detailing the pleasures of small-town French living. The site proudly states the history of the nearby Benedictine abbey of Lonlay l'Abbaye, which has been standing since the 11th century.
Finally, #6 on this list is Small House Society. This cooperatively managed organization is dedicated to the promotion of smaller housing alternatives and its many benefits. Small House Society's primary goal is to support the research, development, and use of smaller living spaces. It also champions sustainable living for individuals, families, and communities worldwide.
This cooperatively managed organization is dedicated to the promotion of smaller housing alternatives and its many benefits.
To support the tiny house movement, Small House Society offers resources such as small building plans and links to other sites that feature tiny homes for sale. They also promote related newsletters and sites filled with valuable information. Finally, they offer a list of experienced builders that are located throughout Canada and the United States to help with anyone's project.
