Case Study: The Rise of Tiny Houses

chill

The trend of Tiny Houses began in the 1990’s as a response to the rising cost of housing. In today’s climate, getting on the property ladder for some people can be a near impossible life goal that is becoming less and less achievable as house prices continue to rise. The trend of Tiny Homes has started to grow around the world, particularly in the US where there is plenty of land available for these dwellings. In Ireland, there is certainly a growing interest in Tiny Homes, despite land being an issue for some. Many are opting to place a Tiny Home in gardens, camping sites and on land owned by friends and family. Buying a plot of land is also a choice some are taking, as this combined with the price of a Tiny House can be more affordable than buying a house. In this case study, we will look at what a Tiny House is, how much it costs in Ireland to own one, what the rules and regulations are and what benefits you can expect from owning a Tiny Home.

What is a Tiny House?

Tiny Houses are affordable, often eco-friendly and hassle free housing options. Although you may be inclined to think it’s just a cramped living space, a Tiny House is actually more spacious than you might at first believe. So, what is classified as a Tiny House? A Tiny House can be anything from a cabin or shed to a bus or boat. A Tiny House measures around 400sq ft in size, which is roughly the size of two garages or a large living room or studio apartment. This is small, of course (the clue is in the name), but you can transform something small into an amazing living space with the right structure, furniture and decor. A Tiny House includes all the amenities you need, such a bathroom, living space and kitchen space. Using space-saving furniture, you can ensure that you have a separate bedroom and living space, which could be through installing a wall bed. The price of a typical Tiny House can start from around €30,000-€40,000, so it is clear why a lot of people are deciding to buy a Tiny Home as opposed to buying a property at sky high prices with big debts.

Tiny Houses take a very small amount of time to build and you don’t always need planning permission too, although in Ireland, most habitable dwellings will require this. A lot of people are also attracted to how Tiny Houses are a more eco-friendly way of living, and as they are smaller, they are cheaper to heat. Tiny Homes are certainly becoming a popular living option in Ireland. A facebook page dedicated to those who live or are interested in living in Tiny Homes in Ireland has over 4000 members, with other facebook groups from around the globe having millions of followers too. Many people are opting for a Hygge way of life, which is a Danish expression for coziness and a way of living simply, peacefully and happily. This idea of a Hygge lifestyle fits in very well with Tiny Homes, which are often decorated in a cosy, clutter free way. Tiny Homes are often made with an outdoor decking space, big enough to fit a table and chairs or keep outdoor plants or a small washing line. Most homes deemed affordable in the current climate often lack a garden or even parking spaces. Perhaps the Tiny Home gives you a lot more for your money than you may first think.

What are the Regulations for a Tiny Home?

Planning permission is generally required for any habitable dwelling, no matter what size, so it is always advisable to check what permissions you need. There may be different rules depending on whether your home is on wheels and can be easily moved from one location to the next. Each case is individual and so it is worth investigating before you go ahead with your Tiny Home. Due to the smaller cost of the Tiny Home, it is likely that you won’t be able to get a mortgage to pay for it, however a loan is a good second option.

So, where can you build? If you don’t already own land to put your Tiny House on, there are a few other possible options. Remember, Tiny Houses do not generally require a foundation to be built on, as they are designed to be moved when needed. In Ireland, gardens are most often used for Tiny Homes, whether that’s on the property of your current dwelling or the property of a friend, family member or friendly neighbour. If your Tiny House has wheels, you may be able to keep it in a camping field, like you would a caravan home.

How Expensive are Tiny Houses to Build and Run?

As we previously stated, a Tiny House in Ireland can cost anything from €30,000 to €80,000 (sometimes more, if you push the boat!), depending on whether you build it yourself or buy it from a company. It also depends on how many bedrooms you have as well as size. Many Tiny Homes come fitted with everything you need, from the kitchen complete with appliances, to sofas and more. If you buy a plot of land, this will of course be quite a large extra cost, however it can still be a lot cheaper than buying a home. Based on searches from a selection of classified ads (February 2020), a plot of land can be anything from €50,000 up. This price combined with the starting cost of a Tiny House could equal just €80,000. You can of course buy a house for this price in Ireland, however, at these prices the houses listed always need renovating which could cost you tens of thousands more. If it needs a full renovation, you could end up spending the average price of a house in Ireland anway, which is now €267,000.

Tiny Houses are very affordable to run, with energy bills costing much less than an average household. As the space is smaller and generally only one or two people live in a Tiny Home, energy usage is much smaller and more efficient. A lot of Tiny Houses are built to be eco-friendly, using natural resources for power and saving water through the use of composting toilets. Many Tiny Houses also have useful underfloor heating which warms the space quickly and more efficiently.

How Would You Furnish a Tiny House?

Like we’ve mentioned before, a lot of companies that make Tiny House often offer a package with fully furnished options, meaning all you have to do is wait for it to be delivered, built and then move in. If you are building your own Tiny House or you are just buying the shell, it’s important to make the most of the space that you have. Space-saving furniture is perfect for such dwellings, as they can do all sorts of clever things, like fold away or transform into another piece of furniture. Wall beds can turn your bedroom into a living space in seconds, and custom wardrobes can fit to any space to allow extra storage space for clothes, shoes and more. As we mentioned previously, many people are now adopting a Hygge lifestyle. Tiny House fit this lifestyle extremely well and can be decorated in a cosy, clutter-free and natural looking way.

Conclusion

Tiny Houses are a beautiful, innovative alternative to expensive properties, and can be perfect for those looking for a smaller, more affordable and eco-friendly living space. Although you may be giving up nearly 50% off the space you’re used to in the average home, you will save on energy bills as well as expensive mortgages and debt. There are many pros and cons, and it’s important to weigh these up before purchasing a Tiny Home. Planning permission should always be researched as well as rules and regulations. A Tiny Home can provide a more affordable way of life, can act as temporary accommodation or act as a space for guests in your garden (which can make you some extra money each month). If you’re currently building a Tiny Home or you’re looking into purchasing one, check out our range of space-saving furniture to see how this could work for your dwelling.

Here at Babateen, we specialise in space saving bedroom furniture. Particularly Wall beds, also known as Murphy beds. Custom made wardrobes and home office solutions are also part of our expertise.

Did You Know?

We offer FREE Design Consultations.
You can book yours today! Simply drop your phone number below and we will be in touch with you shortly.

    Discover more

    Case Study: The Rise of Tiny Houses

    chill

    The trend of Tiny Houses began in the 1990’s as a response to the rising cost of housing. In today’s climate, getting on the property ladder for some people can be a near impossible life goal that is becoming less and less achievable as house prices continue to rise. The trend of Tiny Homes has started to grow around the world, particularly in the US where there is plenty of land available for these dwellings. In Ireland, there is certainly a growing interest in Tiny Homes, despite land being an issue for some. Many are opting to place a Tiny Home in gardens, camping sites and on land owned by friends and family. Buying a plot of land is also a choice some are taking, as this combined with the price of a Tiny House can be more affordable than buying a house. In this case study, we will look at what a Tiny House is, how much it costs in Ireland to own one, what the rules and regulations are and what benefits you can expect from owning a Tiny Home.

    What is a Tiny House?

    Tiny Houses are affordable, often eco-friendly and hassle free housing options. Although you may be inclined to think it’s just a cramped living space, a Tiny House is actually more spacious than you might at first believe. So, what is classified as a Tiny House? A Tiny House can be anything from a cabin or shed to a bus or boat. A Tiny House measures around 400sq ft in size, which is roughly the size of two garages or a large living room or studio apartment. This is small, of course (the clue is in the name), but you can transform something small into an amazing living space with the right structure, furniture and decor. A Tiny House includes all the amenities you need, such a bathroom, living space and kitchen space. Using space-saving furniture, you can ensure that you have a separate bedroom and living space, which could be through installing a wall bed. The price of a typical Tiny House can start from around €30,000-€40,000, so it is clear why a lot of people are deciding to buy a Tiny Home as opposed to buying a property at sky high prices with big debts.

    Tiny Houses take a very small amount of time to build and you don’t always need planning permission too, although in Ireland, most habitable dwellings will require this. A lot of people are also attracted to how Tiny Houses are a more eco-friendly way of living, and as they are smaller, they are cheaper to heat. Tiny Homes are certainly becoming a popular living option in Ireland. A facebook page dedicated to those who live or are interested in living in Tiny Homes in Ireland has over 4000 members, with other facebook groups from around the globe having millions of followers too. Many people are opting for a Hygge way of life, which is a Danish expression for coziness and a way of living simply, peacefully and happily. This idea of a Hygge lifestyle fits in very well with Tiny Homes, which are often decorated in a cosy, clutter free way. Tiny Homes are often made with an outdoor decking space, big enough to fit a table and chairs or keep outdoor plants or a small washing line. Most homes deemed affordable in the current climate often lack a garden or even parking spaces. Perhaps the Tiny Home gives you a lot more for your money than you may first think.

    What are the Regulations for a Tiny Home?

    Planning permission is generally required for any habitable dwelling, no matter what size, so it is always advisable to check what permissions you need. There may be different rules depending on whether your home is on wheels and can be easily moved from one location to the next. Each case is individual and so it is worth investigating before you go ahead with your Tiny Home. Due to the smaller cost of the Tiny Home, it is likely that you won’t be able to get a mortgage to pay for it, however a loan is a good second option.

    So, where can you build? If you don’t already own land to put your Tiny House on, there are a few other possible options. Remember, Tiny Houses do not generally require a foundation to be built on, as they are designed to be moved when needed. In Ireland, gardens are most often used for Tiny Homes, whether that’s on the property of your current dwelling or the property of a friend, family member or friendly neighbour. If your Tiny House has wheels, you may be able to keep it in a camping field, like you would a caravan home.

    How Expensive are Tiny Houses to Build and Run?

    As we previously stated, a Tiny House in Ireland can cost anything from €30,000 to €80,000 (sometimes more, if you push the boat!), depending on whether you build it yourself or buy it from a company. It also depends on how many bedrooms you have as well as size. Many Tiny Homes come fitted with everything you need, from the kitchen complete with appliances, to sofas and more. If you buy a plot of land, this will of course be quite a large extra cost, however it can still be a lot cheaper than buying a home. Based on searches from a selection of classified ads (February 2020), a plot of land can be anything from €50,000 up. This price combined with the starting cost of a Tiny House could equal just €80,000. You can of course buy a house for this price in Ireland, however, at these prices the houses listed always need renovating which could cost you tens of thousands more. If it needs a full renovation, you could end up spending the average price of a house in Ireland anway, which is now €267,000.

    Tiny Houses are very affordable to run, with energy bills costing much less than an average household. As the space is smaller and generally only one or two people live in a Tiny Home, energy usage is much smaller and more efficient. A lot of Tiny Houses are built to be eco-friendly, using natural resources for power and saving water through the use of composting toilets. Many Tiny Houses also have useful underfloor heating which warms the space quickly and more efficiently.

    How Would You Furnish a Tiny House?

    Like we’ve mentioned before, a lot of companies that make Tiny House often offer a package with fully furnished options, meaning all you have to do is wait for it to be delivered, built and then move in. If you are building your own Tiny House or you are just buying the shell, it’s important to make the most of the space that you have. Space-saving furniture is perfect for such dwellings, as they can do all sorts of clever things, like fold away or transform into another piece of furniture. Wall beds can turn your bedroom into a living space in seconds, and custom wardrobes can fit to any space to allow extra storage space for clothes, shoes and more. As we mentioned previously, many people are now adopting a Hygge lifestyle. Tiny House fit this lifestyle extremely well and can be decorated in a cosy, clutter-free and natural looking way.

    Conclusion

    Tiny Houses are a beautiful, innovative alternative to expensive properties, and can be perfect for those looking for a smaller, more affordable and eco-friendly living space. Although you may be giving up nearly 50% off the space you’re used to in the average home, you will save on energy bills as well as expensive mortgages and debt. There are many pros and cons, and it’s important to weigh these up before purchasing a Tiny Home. Planning permission should always be researched as well as rules and regulations. A Tiny Home can provide a more affordable way of life, can act as temporary accommodation or act as a space for guests in your garden (which can make you some extra money each month). If you’re currently building a Tiny Home or you’re looking into purchasing one, check out our range of space-saving furniture to see how this could work for your dwelling.

    Here at Babateen, we specialise in space saving bedroom furniture. Particularly Wall beds, also known as Murphy beds. Custom made wardrobes and home office solutions are also part of our expertise.

    Did You Know?

    We offer FREE Design Consultations.
    You can book yours today! Simply drop your phone number below and we will be in touch with you shortly.

      Discover more