A transportable unit is a great idea if you are looking for a home without the hefty price tag that goes along with Auckland house prices and mortgages. But living in a tiny home is not without challenges especially if there are several of your in the home. But with a little bit of planning and some rules living with a family in a tiny home is not only possible but could even be fun.
Top tips for living with a family in a tiny home
Make personal spaces – personal space is important to try and carve some out for each member of your family. Whether it is just the two of you, or you have children sharing your home – if your transportable unit doesn’t have bedrooms find some areas where people can have quiet times like special chairs or hidey spots.
Think about outdoor space – outdoor space could be important especially if you have young children. As there won’t be as much space inside, look for safe outdoor spaces where children can burn off energy. This could be on your own section, or investigate where the nearest parks and reserves are.
Think carefully about storage – when you are furnishing a tiny home think about clever furniture and storage ideas. A desk for each child with drawers or a lift-up lid or storage boxes could provide places for them to keep things. A dining table with drawers could double as storage for plates and cutlery. If you have space you might want to keep a storage box or small shed outside for bulkier items or box up toys and rotate them inside.
Make things fair – if you have more than one child or are living with several family members, make sure everything is fair in your home. If you are clearing things out to make more space, for example, make sure everyone has to get rid of the same number of items.
Set clear family rules – before you move into your transportable unit make sure you have clear rules. This might include a chore rota and times when other family members can’t be disturbed.
Get into a tidying routine – when you live in a small space clutter can quickly accumulate so get into a tidying routine early on. Tidy things away at the end of the day and have a place where on-going projects can be stored.
Great Ideas for children in a tiny home
You’ll need to childproof your tiny house just as you would a bigger home. Make sure young children can’t get into cupboards where you store cleaning agents or medicine and that they can’t get hold of knives. If you have a sleeping area that is higher up or bunk beds, ensure that young children can’t fall out of bed.
For older children think about making a space that can be really private for them. Often tiny homes are open plan or have mezzanine floors, but older children might appreciate being able to close a door or put up a divider to make their room private. Of course, once your kids get a lot bigger you could even consider getting them their own transportable unit to put next to yours and using it as a teenage sleepout – this gives them extra space while still sharing your main unit for eating and washing.
Older children will also appreciate being able to have a say in decorating their room to make it more personal.
Make sure your child’s room has plenty of storage and encourage them to keep most of their toys in their own rooms. This will stop your living area from being overrun with children’s toys which, if you only have a small floor plan, could quickly take over. Make it easy for them to tidy up by using baskets or boxes to collect toys in.
Bath time is a childhood tradition that memories are made of so if you can fit even a small bathtub you’ll have an option to enjoy bath time splashes with your child. It can also be easier than trying to wash them in the shower or the sink.
