Born out of necessity and now a trend: today we’re talking about Tiny Houses, the most minimalist way of living. You can't scroll through Pinterest boards or Instagram feeds without coming across them. Today, we’ll explore more about these small homes that pack everything you need into a few square meters and do so in the most functional way possible.

What are Tiny Houses?

Tiny Houses are essentially miniature homes. They can be equipped with wheels to be towed on the road or set up on a piece of land, but the common denominator is a space designed like a real house in a compact format.

Whether mobile or stationary, Tiny Houses offer a low-cost housing alternative without sacrificing comfort. We’ll explore some of the main features of these houses later in the article, but generally, we’re talking about open spaces, sometimes with lofts, that fit everything you need to live into the space of a standard room.

Unlike vans or campers, Tiny Houses are cozy and homely, with functional off-grid systems, and provide much better insulation and comfort than a mobile vehicle.

Their current success, beyond affordability and eco-friendliness, which we’ll delve into shortly, is also due to a genuine trend. Tiny Houses are seen as a stylish and modern answer to living needs in a society increasingly embracing minimalism and anti-waste concepts.

Where Did Tiny Houses Come From?

Tiny Houses have existed for decades, but the rise of the phenomenon we see today can be traced back to the early 2000s in America.

This type of housing played a significant role following extreme weather events like Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which devastated parts of the USA. Tiny Houses were crucial in meeting housing needs during this emergency.

Shortly after, following the financial crisis of 2008, the real estate situation led many Americans to choose a different, more minimalist lifestyle to cope with economic pressures. This led to a resurgence of essential living spaces, small prefabricated houses capable of cutting both initial costs and ongoing maintenance and living expenses.

Originally emerging as an alternative and emergency solution, Tiny Houses are now a conscious choice that, beyond the economic aspect, is also eco-friendly. Living in a limited space and being forced to abandon a consumerist lifestyle helps reduce waste and consumption. The need for self-sufficiency in a Tiny House also leads to the adoption of ecological solutions such as renewable energy, compostable materials, and greater mindfulness in resource use (e.g., water).

Why Choose a Tiny House?

The Advantages of a Tiny House

Eco-friendly: For those who care about the environment, a Tiny House is a solution that aligns perfectly with a sustainable lifestyle. With the use of sustainable materials, which we’ll explore further, the reliance on renewable resources, and the need for a more minimalist approach, choosing a Tiny House is absolutely green.

Costs: A Tiny House costs less than a traditional house. It’s smaller, requires less maintenance, yet remains fully safe and comfortable. The running costs are also significantly lower than those of a regular house.

Flexibility: Opting for a mobile Tiny House (which can be moved with specific machinery or is equipped with wheels) also offers greater flexibility in where to live. While moving it isn’t always easy, it certainly provides a more dynamic lifestyle compared to buying a property.

The Disadvantages of a Tiny House

Not for everyone: Not everyone can live in a Tiny House. The limited space is a challenge, especially for those accustomed to the roominess and amenities of a traditional home. Additionally, this lifestyle is often impractical for families with children who naturally need more space.

Hard to sustain long-term: Following the previous point, the challenge is not just starting life in a Tiny House but maintaining it long-term. Although it might seem exciting initially, the limited space and multifunctional areas can test even the most committed over time.

Resale value: A less obvious but important factor is the potential difficulty in reselling such a home. Given that these spaces are often customized for the original inhabitant, they can be tricky to resell. Moreover, while the trend is growing, it remains a niche choice, particularly in countries like Italy.

Key Features of a Tiny House

What qualifies as a Tiny House? The essential factors are threefold: basic construction characteristics, size, and materials. Let’s break them down.

Basic Characteristics:

A Tiny House typically lacks a foundation, is prefabricated, and is often off-grid, meaning it isn’t connected to traditional utilities (electricity, gas, sewage…). These basic traits, although sometimes flexible, create the main distinction between a Tiny House and a conventional home.

Size:

The size of a Tiny House isn’t strictly regulated but usually ranges from under 10 sqm to 40 sqm. Larger mini-houses exist, but this is the standard range. To make up for the limited space, they often feature clever solutions like lofts or retractable elements to provide the same comfort as a regular home. Since many of these homes are mobile, their layout needs to be compatible with road transport regulations.

Materials:

Most Tiny Houses are prefabricated wood structures. The use of this material, along with its environmental benefits, provides advantages such as insulation, durability, and comfort. Besides wood, they may also incorporate iron, PVC, and a variety of recycled materials, aligning with the eco-friendly lifestyle of Tiny House dwellers. Many of these homes also feature solar panels to be as self-sufficient as possible.

Sustainability: The Added Value of a Tiny House

We’ve already mentioned some points, but let’s dive deeper into the sustainable qualities of these mini-homes:

Materials: As mentioned, the materials typically used in these homes are eco-friendly, and since less material is needed overall, the environmental footprint is smaller.

Use of renewable resources: Living off-grid means maximizing the use of renewable resources, especially solar energy, and being mindful of consumption.

Lower consumption: Reduced space automatically means lower energy needs. For instance, a smaller space is much easier to heat or cool depending on the season.

Construction impact: Due to the use of specific materials and the prefabrication of the house, which requires no foundation, the environmental impact of building this type of home is much lower.

Lifestyle: Finally, the lifestyle required by this type of home. It’s impossible to maintain the same approach to space, resources, and activities as in a conventional home. This means that residents of Tiny Houses inevitably lead a more essential and energy-conscious lifestyle.

The environmental impact of Tiny Houses has also been studied. Specifically, Maria Saxton, a researcher at Virginia Tech with a PhD in Environmental Design & Planning, delved into the subject, comparing the ecological footprint of these homes with that of traditional ones. Saxton found that “the average ecological footprint of the studied Tiny Houses was 3.9 global hectares (gha), [...] significantly lower than the previous average of 7.0 gha and the national average of 8.4 gha.” Additionally, it was shown that “100% of participants demonstrated an overall positive ecological footprint,” indicating that the downsize to a Tiny House is often pursued by those already inclined toward environmental awareness.

The desire and need to embrace a more minimalist and sustainable lifestyle is part of a growing number of people’s lives, leading them to practices like ecotourism, incorporating this approach at least into vacations, if not everyday life.

Daily Living or Vacation?

How does this housing trend fare in our country? Although it’s growing, currently living in a Tiny House in Italy needs to be evaluated case by case, as there are many differences across regions.

From where you can set up your mini-house to the permitted sizes, each situation requires individual consideration.

We feel directly involved because all our Tiny Houses spread across Italy’s beautiful landscapes follow this philosophy: respect for nature combined with a minimalist yet comfortable character. Each Friland Tiny House is built with sustainable materials, is entirely off-grid, and self-sufficient.

Want a taste of essential living? Discover our destinations and book now.