Small Is The New Big

The case of Tiny Living and what we can all learn from it.

A new phenomenon has emerged on social media in the last couple of years - "Tiny Houses." These houses offer an alternative and minimalist approach to housing and living, and tiny they are indeed. A typical tiny house will be no bigger than 37 square meters. But it is not just about size. The small footprint also calls for special attention to design solutions and lifestyle, different from those of the mainstream housing market.

Western society today is all about consumption. We buy, we want, and a lot. Many of us own more than we need or can even afford, and the ideal is that of abundance. The more, the merrier. Big houses, big cars, walk-in closets, electric gadgets, and the list goes on and on... This excess in consumption has created a new and busy world - there is always something new, something to buy, something to see, or a screen demanding our attention. And we pay the price; with our money, our time, and our mental health. It becomes a non-ending circle of FOMO, depression, and defeat.

But every common phenomenon has its counter. Versus the pressure and the life load comes the antidote concept of minimalism. This movement seeks a way to simplify our lives and prevent consumerism from dictating our reality. The philosophy of minimalism in this context is that every person should only have things he finds beautiful or useful. It may seem like an obvious concept, but ask yourselves - does every item in your home tick one of these boxes? And is it possible that reducing your possessions and shopping habits can benefit and ease your life?

The economic benefits are clear; less shopping means less spending. But there are even more benefits: like the time you gain if you do not go to the mall every week, or your user experience improving when you make decisions based on quality rather than quantity, or the stress and frustration that calms when you are not chasing fashions and trends. And I bet you can find even more benefits if you would like. So how does all of this connect to Tiny Houses? Well, Tiny Houses are the embodiment of extreme minimalism. They apply it and push its ideas to the edge and therefore are an interesting case study.

A smaller house saves money. It is cheaper to buy and build, requires less furniture, and is easier to heat in the winter and keep cool during summer, and its electric and tax bills are smaller accordingly. So when living expenses are rising in western cities, the Tiny House allows the comfort of a cheaper life. This kind of house also forces its owners to adjust the space to their lifestyle in order to make the most out of it. Every wall and furniture has to serve more than one purpose. Moreover, the limited space requires the owners to appreciate their belongings and downsize to what they truly need and love. There is no place for otiose artifacts or to keep buying new things 'just because'. So by its small nature, the Tiny House encourages a slow and mindful way of living. And if all of these aspects are not enough, it also takes less time to clean.

Now philosophy aside, let's talk practicality - is this really possible? The technological advancements of the last decades allow a great deal of downsizing. Instead of radio, record player, bookcase, record collection, photo albums, and television - we can now have a computer. One laptop can easily relapse all of these and offer even more applications. There are also more and more multi-functional furniture and products available out there, and with some imagination and bespoke design, the options are countless. Social and community-based solutions like collectives, cooperatives, and libraries are also a great way to stop buying things you won't use more than once.

So, are you down(size) for it?

The Tiny House is tiny, and for most of us, it will be difficult to impossible to live in. But the Tiny House movement offers a fresh perspective on our way of life. It raises the possibility that we can be content with less and challenges the architects and designers of our time to keep up with technology and modern living. Generally speaking, in the 21st century, it is possible that luxury and grandeur actually lie in the ability to simplify and downsize. You know that old saying: "less is more."

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For more information about tiny living and minimalism, check these out:

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https://www.pinterest.com/shirusha/minimal/

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