Tag: how to maximize tiny house space

Everything is Open in Small Modern White Kitchen
Tiny House Living: 8 Clever Ideas to Maximize Your Space

Tiny House Living: 8 Clever Ideas to Maximize Your Space

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Everything is Open in Small Modern White Kitchen
Maximizing the space of a tiny house isn’t as hard as you thought – just be creative.

Living in a tiny house means having limited space. This also means that you have to be very smart and clever to put everything you need in there. But how?

The answer relies on how you will get the most out of the spaces that you have. Yes, space is limited, but your imagination and creativity are unlimited. You just have to be creative and imaginative to come up with amazing ideas on how you can maximize your space. 

It might be a little bit challenging, but once you get its rhythm, it will come out easily. Plus, it is fun too especially when you do it with family and friends. So, here are some of the things that you could do to maximize the space in your tiny house. 

1. Find Space Storage in Unique Locations

Unlike traditional homes, tiny houses don’t have basements or attics where you can store your stuff. You don’t have all the space you need to accommodate all the luxurious items that you want. Besides, living in a tiny house will require you to look for storage in spaces you never thought are useful.

Thankfully, interior designers and architects have taken the challenge of creating storage space in very small spaces. So, if you can’t handle this problem, the best thing to do is ask for professional help. This way, you can maximize the space that your tiny house has to offer.

But if you do not have the budget, you can do it yourself instead. For example, instead of having a dish cabinet in the counter, you can opt for a hanging dish drying cabinet. This way, you can save counter space. It looks posher as well.

If you’re looking for a reliable hanging dish dryer, we recommend Junyuan Hanging Dish Drying Rack.

There is actually a lot of space in your tiny house. Some of them are waiting for you to discover them. You just have to figure them out and start using them creatively.  Who knows, the space under your table might serve a purpose, right?

2. Go Vertical

In most homes, vertical spaces are of no use. But when it comes to tiny houses, vertical spaces are very useful. These vertical spaces are basically empty canvasses waiting for you to design it the way you wish. 

Using vertical spaces for storage purposes is a very practical way to store your stuff. And at times, they save you from spending too much just to fill all your things in your tiny house. Here are some ways on how you can maximize the vertical spaces of your tiny house:

a. Add a vertical garden 

Adding a vertical garden in your tiny house is a very practical way to maximize your vertical space. With this, you are saving money and getting the most out of your space at the same time. You will no longer find yourself lacking any of the spices that you need when cooking. 

We found this Meiwo Hanging Vertical Garden Wall Planter. Check it out!

b. Consider shelving above your doorways

You might not have considered it yet, but your doorway can actually store some of the stuff that you have. When doing so, you have to make it look more open first. This is because you will be placing items at an eye level. 

Check this Soduku Floating Shelves Wall Mounted we found. They might be perfect for your doors.

You can simply add a shelf and there you go. You can already display the stuff that you have such as bowls, vases, and other decorative items that you have. Shelving your doorways is a very practical way to redecorate your tiny house. 

c. Think thin and tall

If your tiny house offers a lot of vertical space, then ideally, you should incorporate tall pieces rather than the wide ones. Doing so does not just add visual variation but it also makes your tiny house more interesting. 

Thankfully, you do not have to splurge your hard-earned cash on expensive furniture just to achieve this look. You can simply stack several pieces of art. You can also add framed family pictures vertically to add height to your vertical space. 

How about this SEI Furniture Metal Spine Book Tower?

d. Make the most of closet space by organizing

There is a lot of vertical space in your closet that is being wasted. So, how will you get the most out of the space in your closet? Shelving is the answer. 

Shelving gives you easy storage for your personal items such as shoes, handbags, and the like. High-end closets are obviously expensive. Luckily, there are a lot of low-cost closet organizers that you can easily find in stores. 

Use this Hershii Closet Tension Shelf & Rod Expandable Metal Storage Rack to create more storage space on your closet.

e. Add vertical space under the bed with risers

Too much stuff will make your tiny house bedroom look cluttered. It will also make it look even smaller. If you want to maximize the space in your bedroom, adding bed risers is your best bet. 

Bed risers instantly give you space where you can store stuff you do not frequently use. This is more practical rather than buying other furniture where you can place your stuff. Besides, this is a perfect way to hide clutter from your eyesight.

White kitchen with red components, cosy tiny home after the reconstruction in panel house
Maximizing the space of a tiny house will require you to think outside the box.

3. Slatwall Shelving

Slatwall panels are a superb way to maximize the space in your tiny house. These are flexible storage spaces that can accommodate different items for you. From books to vases and more, Slatwall shelves are your perfect go-to for your tiny house. 

Slatwall is also a good alternative to a nightstand table. You just have to figure it out if it works on the space where you will be installing it. 

Aside from giving you more space in your tiny house, Slatwall shelves also make your room more aesthetic. They can make your tiny house look more spacious.

Slatwall shelves are very easy to install. And because they are made of aluminum, they are very lightweight yet extremely durable and versatile.

Ideally, heavier Slatwall systems are better. This is because they allow virtually endless space storage for almost anything. They can be custom designed as well. 

Slat walls can be used as anchors for hooks, hanging rods, shelves, and any other thing that you want to display in your tiny house. Best of all, they are more affordable than traditional shelves.

4. Creative Outdoor Storage

Sure enough, you have outdoor stuff that you need to store as well. Bringing these things inside your tiny house is not advised due to the limited space that you have. What will you do then?

In such cases, what you can do is to make the most out of your outdoor space. For example, your outdoor stairs can be used as a shoe store. Or, you can store your gardening tools and supplies there. 

This will not just save you indoor space but it also helps you secure your outdoor items. Thus, you do not have to worry so much about them.

Here are some of the things that you can do to maximize the outdoors of your tiny house:

a. Use a hanging organizer to store gardening tools

A hanging organizer is like baking soda—it literally fixes everything. Having a hanging organizer outside your tiny house is very helpful. 

You can use it to store your crafts, cleaning supplies, shoes, winter accessories, and so much more. In addition, hanging organizers can also be used to store gardening tools and supplies. This includes twine, gloves, clippers, seed packets, and plant stakes. 

Interior design of a kitchen and bathroom in a tiny rustic log cabin.
In most cases, living in a tiny house will require you to use compact items in order to fit the space.

b. Have an outdoor cooking space

An outdoor cooking space is a good idea if you want to have more space when cooking. It is also more ideal if you love camping. This will make cooking, grilling to be more particular, a lot easier. 

Baking is also possible. An outdoor cooking space is perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors. Besides, staying outdoors will help you save electric bills for air conditioners and the smoke system as well. 

Check out this very conventional CUISINART CGG-888 Grill. It’s perfect for the outdoors!

c. Have a hammock 

Having a hammock outside can make your tiny house look bigger and wider than it actually is. It also gives you extra space to relax during the day or even when the night is still young. It is also a fun way to enjoy the outdoors of your tiny house.

5. Go for a pull out bed 

If you want to maximize your floor space in your bedroom, you can use a pull out bed. A pull out bed is easier to manage on a daily basis especially when you want to keep things organized most of the time. Pull out beds can also accommodate more, so, you will not need any additional beds. 

You will also have more space during the day and have enough sleeping space for everyone during the night. This is a good option aside from beds with storage under them.

Pull out beds are very versatile.  It can convert the living room of your tiny house into a guest room or a compact bedroom. With this, you can enjoy your living room while you can easily sleep at any time of the day. 

It is also very ideal if you want to stay up late at night to watch a movie. This is because this allows you to stay in a comfortable position. It is also a perfect choice if you work at home since you can just lie down and take a break in between shifts.

6. Buy furniture that is multifunctional

Having a bed with bookshelf on its headboard and drawers below it is already three furniture pieces combined into one. Using multifunctional furniture in your tiny house is very useful given the limited space that you have. With such furniture, you have more space for other items while saving money. 

The more furniture you have, the more clutter there will be. The chance that your tiny house will look disorganized is also higher. These things will make your tiny house even look smaller. 

Having multifunctional furniture pieces in your tiny house helps you reduce clutter. This is because the number of furniture pieces in your tiny house is reduced. It also highlights the beauty of your tiny house, making it more inviting and bigger. 

In addition, multifunctional furniture is also easier to clean and maintain. You only have a few pieces to clean so, you won’t be rushing just to clean your entire place. Cleaning your tiny house will take you less time, so you can dedicate the rest of your time to other things.

Consider this Sauder Dakota Pass Lift-Top Coffee Table as an example. It works as a coffee table, storage, and study desk.

7. Get items off the floor

The holy grail to having more space in your tiny house is to keep items off the floor. Of course, you can still put rugs or furniture on the floor. Keeping items off the floor means not using the floor to store your stuff. 

Do not use the floor of your tiny house as storage. In no time, your floor will end up as a dumping ground. And, your tiny house will look messy with no space for other things.

The best thing that you can do is to do shelving. This will make your tiny house less cluttered. Doing so also makes cleaning the floor easier. 

In as much as possible, keep things off the floor – including your shoes. Learn to put them into organizers or shelves. If that is not possible, at least keep items on the floor as minimal as possible. 

8. Declutter

Less is more is very applicable when it comes to tiny houses. Actually, having a small space is the problem. Having too much stuff is the issue. 

Letting go of the things you have is very hard. This is because you think that you can use them one day. But, when is that one day coming?

If you want to maximize the space of your tiny house while keeping things peaceful, calm, and uncluttered, learn to declutter. Declutter by figuring out first the things that you actually need and the things that you will not use now or soon. 

Start by finding out all the things that you have and separating the items that you necessarily need from the items that are useless to you. 

Decluttering might be hard to start but it is very freeing once you are done with it. Remember, your space is very limited. Your tiny house can’t accommodate all your items. 

The best way to keep your tiny house look organized is to declutter. This will also help you maximize the space of your tiny house. So, go, purge as much as you can’t.

Find out more hacks here.

Conclusion 

The space in your tiny house is very limited. You might find it almost impossible to fit all your necessary things in there. But as long as you know how to get the most out of your limited space, fitting them all won’t be as hard as you think. 

Related Questions

Is it possible to cook in a tiny house?

Yes, it is very possible to cook in a tiny house. In fact, tiny houses have kitchens which you can use to cook all the food that you want. You can cook in your tiny house whenever you feel like doing so. 

If you are into cooking, you can have your tiny house designed with a bigger kitchen. This will give you enough space to move around while doing what you love. Space is the only difference that makes tiny houses different from traditional houses. 

What is best: propane or a wood stove?

Propane is more favorable. This is because wood stoves need to be tended from time to time. They also need more clearance to the wall so your space becomes more limited. 

Propane, on the other hand, is directly mounted to the wall. Thus, less space is required.

Guide To Tiny Homes for Big Families

Guide To Tiny Homes for Big Families

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big family in a tiny home

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a guide to tiny homes for big families who want to live in them? If you are also wondering about such a topic, you’re in the right place. 

Living in a tiny home with a family of four or more can be quite challenging, especially because of the limited living space. However, through careful planning and minor adjustments, you can make your life in a tiny home more comfortable and enjoyable. 

While a tiny home can only provide up to roughly 400 square meters of floor space, it’s still possible for a big family to live in it. For example, the couple Debbie and Gabriel Mayes were able to live in a 250-square foot converted school bus tiny home with their four kids. 

However, there are still a lot of things that must be addressed to ensure that living in a tiny home won’t be an issue for any of the family members. At the core of it all is the shift to a minimalist lifestyle with less stuff and privacy.

Downsizing is not for everyone. Most families need to give a lot of stuff and keep only what is most needed in their daily lives. Furthermore, it requires everyone in the family to adopt a new way of life that is only familiar to a few. 

That being said, there are also some rewards for families who choose to live in a tiny home. Generally speaking, living in a smaller home is much cheaper because of the low upkeep costs. Furthermore, it’s easier to own a tiny home because of their low cost that usually doesn’t require you to take a mortgage. 

Residing in a Tiny Homes for Big Families Guide

Big families usually have two options if they want to live in a tiny home. They can either live in a tiny house on wheels (THOW) or in a unit that is stationary and built over a foundation. Both have their own pros and cons.

Living in a Mobile Tiny House

Living in a THOW gives it more mobility as they can just move from one place to another in a jiffy. For a family who loves to travel and discover new places, this is quite a good incentive. However, most states in the US don’t allow people to live in a tiny home for a long period. 

Furthermore, there are several struggles with living in a tiny home. For example, there are only a few places where you can legally park your THOW. Finding a spot that provides water, electricity, and sewage can also be quite challenging in some states. 

Extended family in a tiny house

Pros

  • You can travel to a variety of places which is good if you want to teach your kids to explore the world
  • Allows you to visit distant relatives and perhaps stay at their place for a few days
  • You can easily relocate if you want to change your job or if there are new opportunities in another city or town
  • Most states don’t require you to have a building permit if the liveable space is below 120 square feet

Cons

  • Liveable space is much smaller as you have fewer storage options
  • Requires you to have an off-grid setup and your own sewerage system 
  • You have to research the zoning and parking laws of every place you want to visit

Living in a Stationary House

On the flip side, living in a stationary tiny home gives you the same comfort as living in a traditional home– only smaller. Additionally, if you bought a piece of land where you can settle your small house unit, you can pretty much use the outdoor space for multiple purposes. 

Some families can build a small shed on the property and use it for storing some of their stuff. Meanwhile, some families who live in a tiny home build a playground on their lot so that the kids can play outside. 

Pros

  • Doesn’t take as much time for the whole family to adjust living in a smaller house compared to a mobile tiny home
  • If you live in your own property, you can build other structures such as a shed, a deck or some patios
  • Easier to connect to power and water lines. You can also build your own sewage system instead of relying on the facilities of RV parks or campgrounds
  • Allows you to extend your living space by adding another tiny home or a separate structure

Cons

  • In most jurisdictions, you will be subject to zoning laws and building codes
  • You have to design your tiny home based on certain specifications required by the local government 
  • In some cases, you might be required to pay real estate tax

Big families usually choose to live in a tiny home built on a foundation because it’s more convenient to raise kids in such a setup. However, there are also instances where large families elect to live in a tiny home, especially if the children are already teenagers who require less supervision. 

Things to Consider in Designing Tiny Homes for Big Families

The first challenge for a big family to fit in a tiny home is to design a unit that can maximize every nook and cranny of their dwelling. Hence, you need to take into consideration what is most important to you and your family to live a comfortable life in a tiny home.  

The process usually means you have to take some things in precedence to others. Ideally, you want to spend more resources or space in things that can help you meet your basic needs. For example, you need to prioritize storage for food and clothing as you usually need them on a daily basis.

To figure out which goes in your tiny home and which does not, you need to come up with a list of things you can’t live without. They take priority over other things, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have a little bit of luxury in your home. You can still install things like television and even gaming consoles if you have the space for it.

That being said, below are some of the things that you have to consider adding to your tiny home. 

family with seven members in a tiny house

1. Storage area for your food

Large families living in a tiny home need more food storage than a couple in the same living situation. As such, you need a full-size refrigerator in your home rather than a mini-fridge.

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The average full-size fridge measures 24 to 33 inches in depth, 23 to 36 inches in width, and 65 to 69 inches in height. In terms of interior volume, a full size fridge can have anywhere between 10 and 25 cubic feet. For a family of four to six, that is enough to store more than a week’s worth of food. 

Besides your fridge, you might also need other food storage options such as rice dispenser or a cabinet for canned goods and other non-perishables.  

2. Additional food prep and cooking space

Aside from storage space, your kitchen also takes a lot of your tiny house’s floor space. Larger families consume more food and thus need a large food preparation area. Other cooking appliances like an oven or full gas range also take a decent amount of space.

Fortunately, you can find many ingenious kitchen solutions that can curb the amount of space you need for food prep. For example, some kitchens have sinks that can easily transform into a tabletop just by putting a block of wood on top of them. 

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Some gas ranges also have an oven below them which generally saves a decent amount of space compared to having them as separate appliances. Induction cookers also don’t take as much space as your traditional burners which need a propane tank.

3. A place to store your child’s toys

At first glance, kids don’t seem to consume as much space as adults, that is until you account for their belongings. Most kids usually have dozens of toys that require their own storage space. In the US, parents spend, on average, $306 a year for toys. 

That being said, you can expect that your children’s toys will require a decent amount of space in your tiny home. What most parents living in petite houses do is store the toys in multifunctional furniture. For example, a sofa bed may also have a storage compartment for small items like toys.  

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Children ages 6 to 12 tend to have larger toys such as a bicycle or a small billiards table. Moreover, they may also have educational toys and board games that you want to keep because they can contribute to your kid’s development.

4. Sleep and play spaces for your kids

Kids can be quite active, especially during their early years. Hence, they may require a spot in your tiny home where they can just play and just be children. If you have a toddler, you may need a playpen with a fence that is almost the same size as a crib– 40-inches in length and 30-inches in width. 

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 If you live in a tiny home built over a foundation, this becomes less of an issue. You can simply build a play area outside of your home. What about a simple tire swing, slide, or see-saw on your front yard?

For families living in a mobile tiny home, this can be quite challenging. However, if you are able to teach your kids to play around nature, then it becomes less of a burden. For example, you can teach them to fly kites which doesn’t take a lot of space and can be carried around almost anywhere. 

5. If a child is homeschooled, they need a learning area 

One of the great things about living in a tiny house is that you can homeschool your kids. If your home is also mobile, you can take your kids to historical places and nature parks as part of their homeschooling experience. 

However, homeschooled kids also require a learning area where you can teach them. The learning area doesn’t need to be as big as a classroom, but it must be a part of the house where they feel most comfortable. 

Whether it’s in your balcony or a loft, the learning area needs to be quiet enough for them to concentrate on their studies. It should also be far from any distractions such as your television. Furthermore, it also needs to be next to or near where you keep their learning materials. 

6. Extra storage for winter clothing

Aside from your wardrobe or cabinet for your regular clothes, you might also need storage space for your winter wearables. If you live in an area that experiences snow, then this place is a must in your tiny home. 

Winter clothing takes more space than your normal clothes because the former is much thicker. Additionally, the bulky ones can’t be folded, so you need a place where you can hang them. Most families who live in a stationary tiny house store their winter clothes in a shed or rented storage and have them out during winters. 

Consequently, you might also want to install a portable heater inside your tiny home to regulate the heat during cold weather. Doing so may also help you keep just a few winter clothes that are not as thick.

7. Additional storage for bedding and blankets

The more people living in a tiny house, the more blankets and beddings you need. In most cases, you need to have at least two sets of beddings and extra blankets so you will always have at least one clean set in reserve.

Storing your blankets and beddings can be quite challenging, especially in a tiny home. For that reason, you need furniture that also functions as storage spaces. Some beds, for example, function as a cabinet and have a storage compartment underneath them.

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If your tiny home has a loft, you can also store them in there while you still don’t have a cabinet where you can store them. Some tiny home families store their beddings and blankets on chair blocks whose lid can be opened to reveal a hidden compartment.   

8. Waste disposal area 

Trash cans and waste bins are some of the most overlooked parts of a tiny home. However, you will still need them, especially if you live in a tiny mobile home. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average person produces roughly 4.4 lbs of waste in a day. For a family of five, this could amount to more than 20 lbs daily. You can just imagine how much space this can take in your tiny home!

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Additionally, some garbage needs to be sealed or handled more carefully. Diapers, for example, need to be placed on a tightly sealed waste bin so that its smell won’t spread inside your tiny home. Ultimately, you want to segregate your trash and dispose of them properly, even if you don’t have access to garbage collection. 

9. Laundry and drying area

Every tiny home also needs to have a sizable laundry and drying area. Large families have more laundry, especially if there are more teenagers and adults at home. It will help you save a lot of money if you wash your own clothes instead of having them cleaned in your local laundry shop.

Your tiny home also needs a drying area or a place where you can just hang your clothes. Drying your clothes isn’t a problem during the summer and warmer months. However, it can be quite a huge issue during winter months. 

In this case, you might want to invest in a washer and dryer combo. These machines not only wash your clothes, but they also wring them out until they are a bit dry. Fortunately, they come in a variety of sizes that can fit even in a small corner of your tiny house.  

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laundry area for a tiny home

Two Places in Your Tiny Home that Requires More Space

Now that we have identified some of the design considerations of your tiny house, it’s time to point your attention to places that will surely eat a lot of space. In a tiny home, two places are usually larger than any part of your home– the kitchen and  the bedrooms. 

1. Kitchen & Dining Room

Most tiny homes usually have their kitchen and dining room next to each other. This is quite a practical design as you won’t need to walk far to transfer food from the kitchen to the dining table. 

Preparing meals for more people requires a bit more kitchen space. Consequently, you will also need more space where family members can sit and enjoy their meals. When designing this part of your tiny house, it’s important to make it as functional as possible. 

For example, your dining table may also function as your work desk. Hence, you may want to place additional sockets where you can plug in your laptop or any work-related devices. Additionally, you can install additional lighting options to ensure you can see well while working. 

2. Bedrooms

Bedrooms, too, can eat up a lot of space, especially if they are made for adults. The typical double size bed measures 4.42 feet by 6.2 feet. Aside from beds, you also have to take into consideration the size of the wardrobe, cabinets, desk, chairs, and other furniture inside the bedroom. 

On the other hand, children don’t require as much bedroom space. Some kid’s room can be as little as 5-feet by 3-feet. They can also fit in double-decker beds, especially if they are ages 12 and below. 

If you need additional beds in your tiny home, you can try building a loft, which can easily fit one or two adults, depending on its design. However, you also need to build stairs as an access point towards the loft. To save space, you can also use these stairs as additional storage options. 

tiny house loft for big families

Steps to Maximize a Tiny Home’s Livable Space

1. Use Multi-Functional Furniture

Furniture such as sofas, cabinets, tables, and chairs take up a lot of space in your tiny home. However, you just can’t eliminate most of them in your residence as they are integral in everyday life. In that case, using furniture that serves more than one function is a practical way to save space.

For example, some beds have storage underneath them, which you can easily pull and tuck away when not needed. You might also want to invest in wooden boxes with casters that can easily slide beneath your bed or other tight spaces in your house.

2. Go for Smaller Appliances

Downsizing your appliances can also save you a lot of space. For example, if you live near a supermarket or store, you can easily replenish your food supply. In which case, instead of going for a 6-feet tall refrigerator, you may instead want to settle with a smaller 3-feet fridge. 

Additionally, instead of working on a Desktop PC, you can instead invest on a top-performing laptop, which doesn’t take as much space. Furthermore, you can take your laptop with you which enables you to work anywhere from your dining table to your bedroom. 

Using the same principle, you may want to install a smaller flat-screen TV. Even a 24-inch television is quite plenty if you live in a tiny home. The space you save on your appliances can be used for more important parts of your home, such as more space for your bedroom. 

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3. Get Multi-Purpose Furniture

Saving space inside your tiny house is a priority for many big families. In this regard, one of the best ways to save space is to use furniture that has one or more functions. You can find multi-purpose furniture on most home depots like Ikea and even online.  

For example, some couches can be folded and reconfigured into a bed. This feature can be quite useful if you are expecting a visitor to stay overnight. Just make sure you have extra beddings, comforters, and bed sheets that they can use.

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If you have overhead room left in your home, you can also place a loft in it to serve the same function. Aside from being extra sleeping quarters, lofts can also be used as extra storage space. Be sure to build a secured foothold or stairs leading to it. 

Conclusion

Big families can live in a tiny home provided that each member can be provided with enough space to make them comfortable. The great thing about living in a tiny home is that it may help bring the family closer, as you have to work together to manage a simple life. 

Related Questions

What’s the best tiny home for a big family?

Tiny home builders offer a wide variety of tiny house units that are meant for large families. For example, Escape Traveller built the 344-square-feet Traveller XL, which it claims can fit 10 people. However, some of its occupants need to be children. This tiny home is also off-grid ready and has the convenience of most modern homes. 

What do I do with all the stuff that I can fit into the tiny home?

One of the challenges of families transitioning from traditional housing options into tiny homes is letting go of their stuff. If you can’t part with a particular item just yet, you can store them in a rented storage space or containers. If you have relatives or neighbors who have extra room to store your items, you may want to ask them for such favors.