I stayed in a 250-square-foot tiny home for the first time, and 10 surprises left me thinking I could live in one
· Business Insider
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
- I was convinced I could never live in a tiny home. Then I stayed in one.
- I booked a 250-square-foot home on Airbnb and was surprised by how big it felt.
- I wasn't expecting to find a maximalist decor style that didn't look cluttered.
A 100-square-foot tube in Germany, an Airstream trailer in Austria, and a converted wine barrel in Switzerland — these are just a few of the tiny homes I've crashed in during my travels in a quest to discover how to make the most of a small space.
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But I'll never forget my first tiny home stay. In 2021, I booked two nights in an Airbnb on wheels in Miami for about $200.
At 250 square feet, the home was half the size of my NYC apartment. And my stay was full of surprises.
Since it was advertised as being on wheels, I figured the Airbnb would feel like a mobile home, but this house didn't look like it was going anywhere.Joey Hadden/Business Insider
The tiny home I stayed in had wheels meant to be pulled by a trailer, but it didn't look like it had been moved recently.
Located in the hidden yard of a larger home, the Airbnb stood on cinderblocks against a wall. Its wheels were not visible from the accessible side, and I thought moving it would be no easy feat since it was far from the street.
This didn't deter me from the lifestyle, since I wouldn't want to move my hypothetical future tiny house, even if I had the option.
Inside, the house felt bigger than it looked from the porch.Joey Hadden/Business Insider
From the outside, the tiny home looked to be the size of a bedroom.
But the inside had a bed, a kitchen, a bathroom, and storage space, all without feeling cramped. High ceilings made the space feel even bigger. I was especially surprised that there was enough room for me to do yoga.
I definitely didn't think I'd find eight windows on such a small building. I realized they made the home feel more spacious when light poured in.Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I arrived at my Airbnb at night. The next morning, the room felt much larger with the window curtains drawn, which made me realize that windows can make a small space feel more open.
I found clever space-saving hacks that I'd never considered.Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I expected to find some of the space-saving hacks I saw in the tiny home, like a mounted TV and a table that doubled as storage.
But the sliding bathroom door was surprisingly clever. The sliding feature saved space that a swinging door would take up. I thought the door's vibrant mosaic surface made it double as a piece of art.
Similarly, next to the shower, a storage closet had a curtain rather than a door, which I thought looked better while saving more space.
I was sure the bathroom in a tiny home would feel cramped. I was wrong.Joey Hadden/Business Insider
The bathroom felt spacious because there was no furniture in it, thanks to clever wall storage for toiletries and towels.
Back in the main room, I wasn't expecting to have a queen-sized bed.Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Since the square footage was so limited, I expected to have to sleep in a full- or twin-sized bed. But seeing this queen-sized mattress made me realize I wouldn't necessarily have to compromise on my bed size in a smaller space.
While a smaller space means less to clean, I wasn't prepared for how quickly and easily the inside can start to look messy.Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Every mess can quickly feel like a big one when you're in a tiny space. Something as small as an unmade bed, dishes in the sink, or clothes on the floor can be enough to make the room look chaotic.
Because of this, I cleaned up between every task. Since this isn't something I normally do, I thought tiny living could help me build better home habits.
I used to think tiny living was reserved for minimalists, so this home's maximalist style surprised me.Joey Hadden/Business Insider
This home's liberal use of color, unique storage spaces, and wall art gave it character. I thought the Airbnb had an inviting, lived-in feel that I often miss when staying in a minimal space. Paintings, prints, and sculptures extended to the ceiling, drawing my eyes up and elongating the space.
Admiring the interior design made me realize that filling a small space with decor doesn't have to make it feel cluttered.
The home's yard was full of plants and furniture, and it was much more important to me than I thought it would be.Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I realized during my stay that having additional outdoor space to work, relax, and host guests outside would be crucial for me to live happily in a tiny home.
I pictured myself working in the lush backyard and thought this outdoor space made the tiny home seem more livable.
Overall, the tiny space felt large enough to live in — and that was the biggest surprise.Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I didn't think I'd leave this tiny home sincerely considering the lifestyle for my future. But seeing how storage hacks, sliding doors, and outdoor furniture made the home feel larger made me think I could downsize without sacrificing my love for decorating.
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