What is the origin of the Tiny House movement?

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The Tiny House movement finds its recent origin in the United States and is being emulated more and more on our side of the Atlantic. The Tiny House Movement is not very old. Its history begins about fifteen years ago but, let's start from the beginning...

In the United States, between 1978 and 2013, the average size of main homes for first-time buyers increased from 1776 ft² to 2659 ft², an increase of almost 50% in 35 years.
The movement began to emerge in The rest of the world at the dawn of the 2000s to return to small buildings: small houses, between 1001 ft² and 398 ft², and even, from 2002, mini houses (or Tiny Houses) of less than 398 ft².

Calculate:
Example: 4 feet long by 3 feet wide.
4*3= 12 ft²

Of course, small habitats have always existed throughout the world, whether nomadic or not: Indian tipis, gypsy caravans, yurts in Mongolia, mobile homes, mountain chalets, caravans or camper vans... and even "the concept before its time" like the 1929 micro-house built by Charles Miller!
But, it must be admitted: for the moment, these residences were not the dream of the American consumer like this time.

A Tiny House distinguishes itself from a traditional house through its unique design and lifestyle philosophy. Here are the key differentiators:

1. Size and Efficiency:
   • Tiny Houses are significantly smaller than traditional homes, often ranging from 100 to 400 square feet. This compact size emphasizes efficiency and minimalism, encouraging occupants to prioritize what truly matters.
2. Mobility:
   • Many Tiny Houses are built on wheels, providing a mobile aspect that traditional homes lack. This mobility allows owners to change locations easily, embracing a nomadic lifestyle or simply adapting to various environments.
3. Customization and Personalization:
   • Tiny Houses often feature innovative and space-saving designs, utilizing multifunctional furniture and creative storage solutions. Owners have the opportunity to customize their space according to their needs, fostering a sense of individuality.
4. Sustainability:
   • Tiny Houses are commonly designed with sustainability in mind. They often incorporate eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems, aligning with a green lifestyle and reducing environmental impact.
5. Affordability:
   • The construction and maintenance costs of Tiny Houses are generally lower than those of traditional homes. This affordability aspect makes Tiny Houses accessible to a broader range of individuals, promoting financial freedom and reduced financial stress.
6. Minimal Environmental Footprint:
   • With their smaller size and emphasis on sustainable practices, Tiny Houses contribute to a smaller environmental footprint. They require fewer resources during construction and have lower energy needs, supporting a more eco-conscious lifestyle.

In essence, a Tiny House goes beyond its physical structure; it embodies a mindset that values simplicity, sustainability, and intentional living. The decision to embrace a Tiny House lifestyle often represents a conscious choice to prioritize experiences and connections over material possessions.

The difference between a Tiny House and the normal house

The Tiny House, a small space for a simplified life
On average a Tiny House will be between 108 ft² for the smallest and less than 431 ft² for the largest.
While there is no question of making concessions on what is expected of a "real" house, a small space still requires adapting one's lifestyle... and also invites you to take advantage of the outdoors.

Are you a shopping fanatic? You can't help but come home every week with new knick-knacks or other clothes? Need to have everything in duplicate? A television, for you, needs to have the biggest screen possible? These are consumption habits that are not necessarily compatible with living in one of these mini-homes.

If a Tiny House is full of tricks to accommodate your little pleasures and your lifestyle... it won't be able to make itself bigger than it is.
Its goal is to provide a functional, intelligent shelter, designed to offer maximum comfort to its occupants... without frills.

Tiny houses genres

Not all Tiny Houses are mobile, but if you're a nomadic lifestyle enthusiast, then choosing a model that can be moved around easily is a real asset! Where would you like to see the sunrise tomorrow morning?
Tiny Houses can be classified into three levels of mobility :

Mobile:
This is the most adventurous of all. It sits proudly on a double-axle trailer adapted to heavy loads. The latter measures 5 to 6.5m long by 2.4m wide and can be towed like a caravan. Of course, with an important weight and the will to move often, you will have to think of a powerful towing vehicle

Transportable:
This is the equivalent of a mobile home in the Tiny House style. It can be moved from one place to another but will require a professional transport adapted because of its larger dimensions and/or weight. This necessarily implies having to "settle down" for longer periods than with a nomadic model... but this is the price to pay for having a larger space.

Fixed:
This is the equivalent of a traditional house, simply because it has been installed in a place that is not accessible and from where it cannot be moved, or simply because it has been built on traditional foundations.

An ecological and autonomous habitat
Living smaller also means limiting your impact on the environment. Whether from the point of view of its construction or its use, a Tiny House will always have a smaller ecological footprint than a traditional home.

In terms of construction, Tiny Houses are often built-in wood, with a preference for local materials, and with other ecological materials. Unlike a caravan and its all-purpose plastic, we are talking here about raw materials, insulation designed to live there 365 days a year, and an authentic, warm and safe atmosphere.
It is quite possible to make a Tiny House autonomous with the installation of solar panels and a rainwater collection and treatment system. And even if this is not the case, it is then sufficient to connect it to the various networks.

Finally, due to their size, these mini houses need much less space than a traditional house. Their aesthetic impact on the environment is therefore also limited.
Spend less... for more freedom.

A traditional house is expensive, I don't think I'll teach you anything by saying this. The initial cost of a traditional house is only the tip of the iceberg: credit interest, taxes, insurance, energy consumption, regular maintenance, major repairs, and other small improvements... when you add it all up, it's enough to make you break out in a cold sweat.

For a single person or a young couple, this represents an expense that, in the best case, will commit them for more than 20 years or, in the worst case, an investment completely out of reach.
In the case of a Tiny House, the purchase price ranges on average from 19,000 and 120,000 dollars. for a medium-sized model, fully equipped and without concessions (double glazing, heating, kitchen, bathroom, and everything else needed). A price that simply implies "no credit" or credit over a much shorter period than for a traditional home.

All these elements are put together to make the price of these atypical houses a real asset.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

Much more affordable than traditional housing
Mobility or at least transportable housing
A habitat with a low environmental impact
The possibility to make a tiny house "autonomous".
A return to the essentials, without frills
Real "small" house for the whole year, not just a luxury caravan.
Some models are made from local materials.
Light taxation if the model is mobile

Disadvantages

Large family? Forget it.
A living space that won't suit everyone
Dry or chemical toilets... for all year round.
The room often on the floor with the low ceiling height

F.A.Q

Is it cheaper to build or buy a Tiny house?
It's typically cheaper to build a tiny house than to buy one. Sullivan interviewed several first-time builders, whose costs ranged from $12,000 to $35,000. But it's possible to build a tiny home for less than $10,000: One couple paid $8,000 to build their 24-foot-long, 8-foot-wide, 13-foot-tall tiny house.
What is the price of a Tiny House?
The price of a tiny house varies enormously depending on the model but also on the project: self-construction, purchase of a hull only (out of the air, out of water), or turnkey house. The average price of a tiny house is between 19,000 and 120,000 dollars.
How do Tiny houses get water?
How do tiny houses get water and electricity? Tiny houses are often hooked like a normal house. When living off-grid, the most common ways tiny houses get water are through filtrating rainwater. Electricity comes from power generators and/or solar power.