Tiny homes and communities are cropping-up all over the United States as some people look towards an affordable and more sustainable style of living. Others, who have lived in larger, traditional homes may look to downsizing as children fly the nest. Whatever your reasons, tiny homes (less than 600 square feet) are becoming increasingly popular within the property market. A survey published in the National Association of Home Builders revealed 53% of adults would consider buying or moving to a tiny home. (1)
Tiny House Village
This was certainly true for Keli and Ryan Brinks, who sold their 2,200 square-foot home in Michigan to live a more sustainable life. Along with their two children, Lennox and Brodey, they purchased a 21-acre piece of land in London, Kentucky, for $57,000 and created a tiny house village of six homes on the property at a cost of $20,000.
As a family they decided to each have their own tiny home for privacy. The largest home measures 280 square feet and has a kitchen, living room, bedroom and full bathroom. This is where Keli and Ryan live. Their daughter, Lennox, 18, and son, Brodey, 16, have their own 160 square-foot homes – neither of which has a bathroom. This is located in the fourth home which has two bathrooms, a guest room and the family’s washer and dryer system.
In an interview with Insider, Keli said. “Initially, my husband wanted us all in one cabin, but I argued on behalf of the kids for their own privacy.”
Both Lennox and Brodey were given the choice of their own design. Lennox picked one in the style of a barn, while Brodey chose his with a larger porch.
The other two ‘homes’ serve as an office where Keli and Ryan work ‘from home’ and a 180 square-foot pool house where the family spend much of their social time together. (2)
Risks And Disadvantages
Of the many advantages to tiny house living such as running costs, there are also some risks and disadvantages. Space can be claustrophobic with appliances and utilities a lot smaller than many homeowners are used to. Heat and insulation issues may cause a tiny house to warm up or cool down too quickly, creating a build up of condensation or harmful mold. And living in areas of extreme weather or natural disasters such as hurricanes or tornadoes can also heighten the possibility of wind damage during storms. This is mainly due to weight and lack of solid foundations that regular homes have.
For anyone wishing to contemplate this type of living, it may be wise to examine the pros and cons before taking the plunge.
Sustainable Living In A World Of Waste
For the Brinks’ family, choosing this style of living was not just to downsize but to lead a more environmentally and sustainable lifestyle. Keli said, “These tiny houses conserve energy, as smaller spaces are easier to heat and cool.”
They also follow the rules of RRRR (refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle), and only produce one bag of trash per week. It seems, for this eco-aware family, the choice to build their own tiny house village was a simple one.
