I’ve camped in an RV so I know what tiny home living is all about. It’s fun for a week or two when the weather is nice but I have to say that full-time living in a tiny home is not for me. I have two kids and the kid factor is seldom discussed when folks talk about tiny homes. I suppose if I lived on my own it would work just fine; a cozy way to live but with a family, no way; not for me. Why? Here are the reasons which I call absurdities involved with living in a tiny home. That said, this much I’ll say and that is there are some very clever designs to get the most out of almost no space. That much I appreciate.
10. Not Going to Work with With Kids
That’s my immediate thought whenever I hear someone drone on about how great tiny homes are. Two adults and two kids in a tiny home is nuts. Like I said in the intro, a week or two in an RV is good fun but year-round, no thanks. Nobody has any privacy. No storage. It’s a recipe for bickering at best.
9. Your Living Room is Also Your Bedroom. And Your Kitchen.
In a tiny home, the concept of “open floor plan” is taken to absurd new heights. There’s no separation between your living, sleeping, and cooking spaces, which means your sofa is a bed, your bed is a dining room table, and your kitchen counter might double as a work desk. Good luck keeping the cooking smells out of your pillows.
8. There’s No Room for Guests—Or Even Pets.
Think you’ll have friends over for a casual hangout or host family for the holidays? Think again. In a tiny home, you barely have space for yourself, let alone guests. If you have a pet, prepare for the real-life version of “living in each other’s fur.”
7. Every Single Item Must ‘Spark Joy’ or You’re Doomed.
In a tiny home, there’s no room for sentimental clutter, let alone practical things like a vacuum cleaner or a full-size broom. Everything has to serve multiple purposes or be minimalistic. That decorative vase your aunt gave you? Only if it also stores your spare socks. There is no room for anything extra.
6. Your “Closet” is a Dresser Drawer.
In the world of tiny living, closets are a luxury. You’re forced to compress your wardrobe into a small dresser or maybe a single rod for hanging clothes. There’s no room for more than three pairs of shoes or that winter coat that you wear once a year. If it doesn’t fit, you don’t need it—right?
5. Stealth Cooking: Everything Smells Like Dinner, Always.
No matter what you’re cooking, the scent of your meals becomes the signature fragrance of your entire home. With no real separation between cooking and living spaces, expect your clothes, furniture, and bedding to absorb the smell of last night’s stir-fry. Hope you like the smell of garlic… forever.
4. Seasonal Storage? That’s Hilarious… There’s No Storage Space
There’s no garage, attic, or basement to stash away off-season items. If it’s not in use this season, it’s either stored under your bed (if you’re lucky) or you’re forced to part ways with it. Winter coats, holiday decorations, and summer gear all need to exist in plain sight or not at all.
3. Privacy? What Privacy?
In a tiny home, privacy is non-existent. Forget escaping to another room for a little alone time. Whether you’re with a partner, friend, or pet, you’ll all know each other’s every move—and sound. Even closing the bathroom door barely gives you a moment of isolation.
2. You Can’t Shop at Costco Anymore.
Bulk shopping becomes impossible in a tiny home. There’s no place to store large quantities of toilet paper, cereal, or that 48-pack of canned soup. You’re reduced to buying single items or stocking up like you’re living out of a mini-fridge in a dorm room.
1. The “Loft” Bedroom is a Crawlspace, Literally.
Sleeping in a loft sounds cool until you realize you can’t actually stand up in it. You’ll be crawling into bed—literally—and trying not to hit your head on the ceiling when you wake up. Cozy? Maybe. Claustrophobic? Definitely.
