Common mistakes to avoid when downsizing to a tiny home

Whether you've chosen a tiny home to reduce your environmental impact, eliminate debt, or finally live a nomadic lifestyle with your home on wheels, you're ready to move! 

Well, almost ready. For a smooth transition, you'll want to know your reasons for downsizing, your goals for your new lifestyle, and how to downsize in a way that leaves you feeling excited and free. 

Here are the most common mistakes to avoid when downsizing to a tiny home! 

Mistake one: Not getting clear on your reasons for choosing a tiny home early on

There are plenty of reasons people opt for a tiny home, and no one reason is better than another. Knowing your "why" before you officially downsize can help you clarify your next steps and your specific needs.

Reason to downsize: Financial freedom

At a time when significant student and personal debt is the norm, living in a smaller home can help you live a more financially comfortable life. Tiny home living is transformational for many people since it takes away pressure around housing scarcity and insecurity. 

Contrary to what you might have heard, studies show that Gen Z and millennial generations (ages 18-41) do want to be homeowners. Bankrate's Financial Security survey shows that Americans place a higher value on homeownership than any other indicator of economic stability, including a successful career, owning a car, or earning a college education.

Nearly two-thirds of non-homeowners say affordability is their biggest reason for not buying a house. Student debt hit almost $1.6 trillion in the U.S. by the beginning of 2020, which has made it increasingly difficult for Millennials to compete for buying homes against older generations. 

In April 2022, the median listing home price here in Bend was $775K. That's up 16.6% year-over-year. Even rent prices in Bend have risen to an average of $1,767 a month.

This is where tiny homes come in. Our tiny homes start at 120k. That's a sixth of the cost of other houses in our area. Living in a smaller home also means spending less to heat and cool your home and less on maintenance. A smaller home doesn't mean you'll give up the comforts of a full-sized home. You can still have two queen-sized beds, a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, and a shower — at a much more affordable price.

Reason to downsize: Greener living

Smaller homes are more environmentally friendly. They require fewer materials to build, less energy to heat and cool, and they take up less space than traditional single-family homes.

Did you know that most homeowners spend $400 a month on utilities? Research shows that much of this is due to size, since heating and cooling a smaller space with modern windows and proper insulation costs significantly less than a large home.

One 2020 study of tiny homes in Australia found that tiny homes reduce per-person carbon emissions by 70% over their lifespan compared to a traditional home. 

Reason to downsize: Exploration with loved ones

Mobile homes have come a long way in the last decade. If the lifestyle of your dreams includes a new stretch of open road and unexplored scenery on the horizon, a tiny house on wheels could be your ticket to happiness.(Try moving a four-bedroom house without breaking a few windows.)

Living in a tiny home also means you and your loved ones will spend more time together. You'll hear about their day and what's on their mind while you cook dinner. You'll spend more time working from home, cuddling in bed, and exploring new places in the outdoors. You might get wrapped up in a game night or stargaze outside in the evening.

Life is short. If spending as much of it as you can with the people you care about, tiny home living is right for you. 

Mistake 2: Throwing everything away 

Whatever your reason for tiny home living, you've likely been daydreaming about your new lifestyle for a while. Making a major lifestyle change can make it tempting to get rid of everything. While too much physical clutter can cause stress, starting all over from scratch can be expensive and overwhelming.

Downsizing isn't just another word for getting rid of everything you own. So, what should you keep or toss? If you're unsure what to do with an item, consider whether or not it will fit into your new lifestyle. Think about your priorities. If it's exploration, you might want to hold onto that mountain bike! On the other hand, selling your bike might be a wise choice if you're moving to save money.

If you're not sure, hold onto it. You can always change your mind later.

Mistake 3: Saying "no" to help

Moving can feel overwhelming, especially when there's a lifestyle change involved. There's no shame in taking a helping hand to help things go smoothly. 

Here are some options you might want to consider.

Home organizing 

A home organizer can help you determine which items should go where in your new tiny home. Home organizers can also help you determine which of your "maybe" belongings to donate or keep. A solid organization plan will ensure you make the most of your smaller space. According to Forbes, the average cost of a home organizer in 2022 is $55/hour.

Moving company

Professional movers know the best way to keep your belongings safe and protected. Moving companies also help with heavy living, which minimizes your risk for injuries. They can also help pack your belongings safely so nothing important gets damaged. They'll also save you time that would otherwise be spent on buying boxes, packing boxes, taping boxes, carrying boxes...

Knowing that your possessions are in safe hands can make a big difference in easing your mind on moving day. Forbes lists the average cost of movers at about $1,400. If that's outside your budget, here's a list of low-income moving assistance programs and resources.

Friends and family

You could also go the Beatles route and get by with a little help from your friends. Remember that what you're asking for isn’t a fun or easy weekend activity. While your true friends and family will roll up their sleeves and help you move with a smile, there are a few common courtesies you can offer.

First, figure out what you need help with. Is it packing boxes? Borrowing their pickup? Loading a moving van? Give your friends as much notice as possible — a week or more — so that they can carve out time to help. You'll also want to provide refreshments, whether that's water, beer, pizza, lemonade, or snacks, to keep everyone happy and hydrated. 

Ultimately, the best way to show how much their help means is to help them move when the time comes. Who knows, you might even get a free pizza out of it!

Interior design ideas for tiny homes

Here are our top interior design tips for your new tiny home!

Tiny home living is a way for millions of us to experience financial and physical freedom. (Did you know that 68% of tiny house owners don't have a mortgage?) Tiny homes can be a creative way for you to get the house of your dreams—without spending a fortune. 

Of course, your new house isn't all sunshine and Instagram likes. You need to live there, and you deserve to love it! We know how overwhelming it can feel to figure out how to fit an entire home's worth of stuff into your new, smaller space without it looking crowded. We've lived it ourselves, and we're here to help! 

Here are our top interior design ideas for tiny homes.

Prioritize function by decluttering

When you're downsizing into a smaller space, you won't have room to keep every item you've accumulated over the years. Before you start thinking about decorating your new home, you'll want to clear out anything that's no longer relevant to the life you'd like to live. 

If you come across something you haven't touched in the last year, it's probably time to get rid of it. (And if you didn't even realize you still had the item in question, it's definitely time to let it go). The purpose of downsizing is to simplify your life, so take only what you need into your new home.

Once you've identified your favorite belongings that will be coming with you to your tiny home, you have a few options to get rid of the rest in an environmentally friendly way:

Donate to charity

Give something you no longer need to someone who does. Local charities usually accept clothing, shoes, and other household items in good condition.

Have a yard sale

One person's trash is often another's treasure. A yard sale can be a fun way for you and your family to make some extra cash. Toys, books, kids' clothes, and furniture tend to be hits at a garage sale. A yard sale can also be a great way to show your kids that these items are going to someone who's genuinely excited to have them! 

Give belongings with sentimental value to loved ones

It's hard to get rid of anything with sentimental value (even things you don't regularly use) if they hold years of memories. Whether it's a beloved dining table that won't fit in your new home or a musical instrument you haven't touched in years, these can become heirlooms passed from one family member to the next. 

If you have a treasured belonging that's still in great condition, offering it to a family member or friend as a gift can make you feel more comfortable parting with it.

Create "rooms" in your open space

To make the most of minimal square footage in an open-concept space like a tiny home, you can create individuals "rooms" with rugs and furniture. Layering furniture by setting up tall bookcases or high shelves behind a couch can add essential storage space. Layered furniture is an interior design tip that provides a sense of architectural interest. 

Bonus: the height from a taller bookcase draws the eye upward, creating the illusion of a larger space! 

Add an accent wall

If your tiny home feels like it's missing your unique flair, you may need an accent wall. This can be particularly true for families who have just moved and want to make their new space feel welcoming and warm. 

An accent wall can also help you anchor the design of your tiny home. 

Here are a few of our favorite ways to get creative with an accent wall:

• Add a splash of color with striking jewel-tone paint

• Build an accent wall out of reclaimed wood

• Use paint stencils to handcraft a striking pattern

• Switch things up on the fly with peel and stick decals

• Channel your inner artist with an abstract wallpaper mural

• Try a chalkboard wall decal to put the "fun" in functionality

Design vertically

Remember how we said a tall bookcase can draw the eye upward? Designing vertically helps create the illusion of a larger, brighter space. 

While horizontal lines from tables and countertops can give your tiny home a sense of anchored stability, vertical lines can help your home feel more open and expansive.

Vertical storage solutions can also help you maximize space and free up more area on the floor. This gives you more room to spread out (and reduces your chance of tripping over an errant toybox). 

Here are a few quick tips for vertical storage:

• Add shelf organizers to your cabinets

• Hold makeup and other bathroom items in a wall-mounted spice rack

• Consider mounted magazine racks to hold mail, coloring books, or tax information you don't want to lose

• Attach a rail with cups to your wall to store pens or other small items

• Add small hooks in the kitchen for potholders or other light cooking supplies to free up drawer space

• Hang a pegboard to hold aesthetically pleasing supplies (or just ones you know you'll lose often!)

Let light in

Great lighting is essential to creating an inviting home—and sunlight can do wonders for your mental health.

We build our tiny homes with oversized windows so you never feel boxed in. Keeping your windows open during pleasant weather can be a great way to make your space feel larger and increase airflow. However, we live in the High Desert, so we're ready for snow and rain even in June. While you can't keep your windows open daily, you can ensure you don't block them with any furniture to maximize natural light. 

You can take this a step further with mirrors. Mirrors can be placed across from windows to reflect natural light through the rest of your home, creating the illusion of a much larger space. If a standing mirror feels too bulky, you can mount one to your wall or dresser to get a similar effect. 

Interior design ideas for tiny homes

Ultimately, the best way to make your new tiny house feel like home is by incorporating pieces that feel like you, whether that's a favorite piece of art, adding an accent color you love, or bringing your favorite potted plants along for the move. 

What did we miss? Send us a message, and we’ll add it in!