I can never figure out how people manage in those houses either. Especially since some of them don't have bathrooms. I've lived in apartments almost that small, and you really can't have much stuff. The people I know in NYC that started out in small apartments had storage units. On the flip side we have people being told in the kitchen forum that a 250 square foot kitchen isn't big enough for separate wall ovens. (Only a slight exaggeration).

Maybe in the first picture they think that adding the mirrors help to make the place look bigger? That kind living isn't for me. I've already told my DH that when`we downsize it won`'t be to a one bedroom apt - it's where I started but it's not where I'm going to finish.

I don't 'get' the whole tiny house thing. Why not buy a camper?

ML

Snort, snort! And what do they do on a daily basis? Most hobbies require stuff. They sit and talk or read from their e-readers? You never see a TV in these houses. What do they do?

I had a tear or two of laughter over that one, thanks!

'Four zombies could pick up and shake your tiny house like a Smart Car.' And the photo with the poor dog looking for the bed! And the 'sexy time'! Oh my lawd! What a way to start the morning. When we downsize it won't be the house so much as the amount of property to take care of.

Yes, only for the young! I think these people will eventually move. I lived in a sudio apartment in my 20's. It was fine and big enough for one person, but I had a regular double bed not on the floor, a decent sized closet, bathroom and kitchen. Two people would not have worked at all.....nowhere to escape. Heck, my son doesn't even want to move into his girlfriend's small one BR apt for the same reason.

It seems like tiny houses are the new "IT" thing for hipsters. I see article after article extolling the virtues of these shoeboxes, and I have to say, I just don't get it!

OK, you don't want or need a lot of stuff and you want to live economically, but to me, this is no way to live!

When your domicile is so small that you've nowhere to even fart in private, it's too small!

When you roll over in bed and get wedged into the roof, it's too small!

When you can outstretch your arms and touch both sides, it's too small!

I'd go nuts. Can you tell?

While in her 20's, my sister's ambition was to not own any more stuff than what would fit into her VW Bug. Now in her 60's, she has two 2,000+ sq ft homes. People change.

" ... a hot box of Mexican food farts." Hahahaha! DH and I brought up that very thing last night while watching Tiny House Hunters. Having to scamper up ladders and scoot across the floor on your butt ... not for me, not at this stage of life. I see value in downsizing, but as with all things, it obviously CAN reach the realm of the ridiculous.

Got tickled last night watching Tiny HH, when the couple exclaimed over the miniscule place that was something like 450 square feet, pronouncing it "huge." I also failed to see the appeal of wall-to-wall reclaimed (read: burned) wood, and copper sheeting on the bathroom walls. No thanks.

It is fine if you can keep it neat as a pin. Most of us need a few closets to throw stuff in.

The picture and caption of that perplexed pet was what really sent me over the edge:

'Even the dog is like, “Where the f**k is the bed, guys?”'

I don't get it either. I could live in my rv for a while but compared to the tiny houses my rv is the Biltmore. It has lots of room, and furniture and beds and doors and a real bathroom with a really big shower. But even with all that I am glad to get home to my too big house!

I absolutely believe in downsizing, I have been in the process for some time now, but I am downsizing all the stuff I have in the house and garage first. It's a difficult time consuming job.

No tiny house in my future please and thank you.

But that article was a hoot! I sent it to a few like minded people.

DLM2000 - "As long as they have a big a$$ shed right next to it ;-)"

I seriously laughed when I read that - that is my son. He thinks it would be cool to live like that and I asked him where would he put his bikes, ski equipment (downhill and touring), mountain climbing cr**, camping equipment, his myriad of sports shoes, etc... He looked at me and said "here - you have the space" MMM - nope. He is only 25 and already needs to declutter.

That was hilarious! I LOVE the tiny house shows. Dh is so afraid I'm going to try to make him live in a tiny house. I keep telling him not while the kids are at home. I do think our 1700 square foot house is bigger than we will need once the kids are out. It's a looong way off, but dh and I were talking about the merits of two 500ish square foot houses when we retire. One in Montana and one in Florida.

".... the merits of two 500ish square foot houses ...."

I can totally get on board with that - if they're his and hers.

Or perhaps that's what you meant.... his in Montana and yours in Florida maybe? ;-)

I get that the article is satire and that the author is poking fun at something she seems to admire. But I need to put my support behind those who strive to streamline. I think it's awesome to buck the Great American Norm of acquiring more and more stuff. I think the proliferation of self-storage facilities are an indicator of our societal problem with possessions.

I know it's irresistible to make fun of hipsters, but the concept behind this is a perfectly great one. It's something many of us could learn from, once we're done laughing. And I do I agree the article is well-done and funny!

That article is hilarious...best laugh I've had in a long time. I love the idea of a tiny house, but I cannot live with a lofted bed. I remember years ago seeing a bed that you could raise and lower from the ceiling. Now that I could manage.

I know. I stop at the loft bed. I love seeing these houses though. I agree with Karin. There is something about people's willingness to downsize , get out of debt, or just have more time to do what they want instead of working toward the upkeep of a larger home that is universally appealing.

But, these tiny homes are extreme. They never seem to show where the clothing is stored. Especially if it's for a family. And, where is the dirty laundry kept before it has to get hauled to the laundromat?

And, when they say 250 square feet, what are they really measuring since we are also talking about vertical space?

".... the merits of two 500ish square foot houses ...."

I can totally get on board with that - if they're his and hers.

Or perhaps that's what you meant.... his in Montana and yours in Florida maybe? ;-)

Lol, nope. One winter, one summer. I'm sure it's a pipe dream.

Another combo I think sounds great if we lived in a tourist destination is a 500ish square foot main house with a true tiny house (250ish square feet) as a vacation rental/visiting family spot on the same property. Instead of unused spare bedrooms, the tiny house could generate some income when it wasn't being used by family or friends. And when family and friends were visiting, they'd have more privacy.

And here is the opposite: What are we going to do with the numbers of traditional "suburban" homes as people age out of them.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/09/02/america-is-rapidly-aging-in-a-country-built-for-the-young/?postshare=9861436394390036

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article26196871.html

crl, I read in an article here that people are using them for airbnb.

No way, I am waaaay too claustrophobic. I about flipped out touring a submarine once. Absolutely not.

What a ghastly way to live.