Tiny Homes – Are They The Wave Of The Future For You? (Video)

The trend towards simpler living is embodied in the concept of tiny homes.

One of the most interesting trends to come along in response to the economic downturn has been the emergence of tiny houses. These compact and very modern small homes range in size from less than 100 sq. ft. to just under 900 sq. ft. The homes under 200 sq. ft. are mobile, while the larger ones are stationary.

The market for these compact homes runs the gamut from recent college grads to retirees and everything in between. They are becoming more and more popular with people who are interested in leaving less of a footprint on the environment, as well as with people who are fed up with paying rent or footing a monthly mortgage payment. They’re even great investments for those who want to rent out the tiny homes in places like this one located in Healdsburg, in Northern California’s wine country.

The Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, located in Sonoma, CA, offers a variety of floor plans and offers classes in building the tiny homes. You can do it yourself or hire a contractor to put it all together for you.

Far from being a uniquely American idea, tiny houses have gained traction in other parts of the world. A tiny house in Rome, Italy has all the amenities and is steps away from some of the most memorable landmarks in the world: like St. Peter’s Square, the Pantheon, and within walking distance from the Coliseum and other attractions in the ancient city. From Hong Kong, to Scotland, to Poland, to China, to Germany, people are downsizing very creatively.

Back here at home, there’s even a tiny homes real estate site, where you can shop for the miniature homes all over the country.

Some consider them claustrophobic. Others see them as a liberating way to live life to the fullest. What do you think?

In the video below, “Jay Shafer of the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company gives us a tour of his 89-square-foot home on wheels parked in Sebastapol, California. Shafer is leading a movement that is changing the way America views housing.

In his Small House Book, his workshops and thru mass media, Shafer explains how superior design and social justice can be achieved with less space. As the founder of Four Lights Tiny House Company he has introduced us to a truly sustainable housing option. He has spent over a decade living in self-built homes of less than one hundred square feet.”