RV’s and Tiny Homes: The Pros and Cons of Small-Space Living
Article by: Hannah Holbrook
Imagine walking into your home after a long day at work. Within a single glance, you’re able to see your entire living space. In plain view before you lie your bedroom, your kitchen, your bathroom, and your living room. Everything in your home has a purpose and a place, you do not own anything that you do not use, want, or need. Deep cleaning your house takes less than an hour. The nature of your home ensures that you live in closeness with your spouse. Every activity must be done together; there is no leisure that does not take place with one another. Energy bills are minimal because your space is minimal. There is less to heat and cool. Food space is restricted and you no longer waste food like you did when you had a large fridge or pantry. You’re saving more than ever, and the extra cash influx each month is padding your savings and helping you prepare for your future.
The lifestyle of RV and tiny home living is not for everyone. Living in a space that is less than 500 square feet can sound like your worst nightmare, or it can sound simple, frugal, and blissfully stress-free. This article addresses the pros and cons of small-space living:
Benefits of Small-Space Living
1. Less Clutter: When you have a small space, filling it full of “stuff” is not an option. If you actually want space to move around in, you’re going to have to cut any unnecessary clutter out of your life. A small home forces you to make hard choices concerning what to get rid of and what to keep. When you live with limited space, you’re shopping habits are forced to adjust. Gone are the days of buying things that you don’t really need.
2. More Savings: Living in a small space saves money in many different ways. You don’t spend as much on utilities, home maintenance, or property taxes. You conserve money on essentials like groceries (since you have a smaller pantry and refrigerator), and you remove idle shopping almost entirely.
3. Higher Quality of Life: Many small-space dwellers state that their quality of life and overall happiness improved when they shed their “stuff” and started living small. No longer do they feel weighed down by all the senseless items they used to own or a huge mortgage, and they spend less time and money cleaning and maintaining their home, which allows more time and money for relaxation and recreation activities.
Drawbacks to Small-Space Living
1. If You’re Not Organized, You’re Doomed: Utilizing every organizing idea for small spaces is essential, otherwise, your small home will look like a cluttered closet. This will cause you to feel stressed by your living space, and eventually lead to you avoiding it.
2. You Can’t Have It All: All the stuff that you have accumulated over the years simply won’t fit in your new space. It can be difficult to decide what possessions to take with you into, especially if you have a lot of large family heirlooms.
3. Entertaining Is Challenging: Entertaining in a tiny home or RV has limits. In warm months you can go outside, but winter can force you to limit your guest list.
In spite of the challenges, the benefits of living in an RV or tiny home have caused these home options to gain popularity in recent years.