From the clever hidden storage to the quirky personal touches, we love ourselves a tiny house.
So naturally, when we saw the TV series Tiny House Nation pop up on Netflix, we cancelled all our weekend plans and made ourselves at home on the couch. (OK – we had no plans.)
And while Tiny House Nation is nothing new in the realm of reality TV makeover shows, it still managed to steal our hearts, spark our imagination, and reignite our daydream of building and decorating a tiny home all our own.
It also taught us 5 lessons worth sharing.
1. People Have Way Too Much Stuff
Seriously, what part of downsizing don’t these people understand?
From shoe collections and hunting gear to music memorabilia, something tells us some of these new tiny-home owners didn’t get the memo about going minimal.
This series made us take a long, hard look at our own ‘stuff’. And it turns out we too were holding onto things that were wasting space in our cupboards and drawers (sorry, 2003 Tamagotchi).
Tiny House Nation is as much about the emotional release as the physical one, and it got us all excited to re-watch Netflix’s Tidying Up With Marie Kondo and jump on the minimalism bandwagon again.
Check out our 5 favourite shows to inspire your minimalist journey here.
2. Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day
Sure, Rome is on the larger side compared to a tiny house, but the saying certainly applies to these dainty dwellings, too.
We’ve picked up on a pattern with our protagonists. It seems to be the same old story: they make building a tiny house their new hobby, bite off more than they can chew, and call in backup from the professionals when it becomes a bit much.
At the end of the day, you’re still building a house. No matter the square footage, it’s not going to be a one-weekend activity.
Don’t start DIYing a tiny house on a whim. It may be a small building, but it’s still a big project.
3. Privacy Is Important
No matter how in love you are, having your own private space is a must.
We saw this firsthand from Peter and Elizabeth in episode one. Granted, the sound of a banjo after a long, hard day at work is never a recipe for success, being in a confined space only exacerbates the issue!
Whether you’re in a mansion or a tiny house, taking some time for yourself can only be a good thing for you and your relationship.
From saving money to seeing more of the world, check out our top 5 reasons to live in a tiny house here.
4. Change Is Stressful…
Please refer to the tears shed and/or voices raised in pretty much every episode.
Is it sad? Yes. Can we empathise? Yes. Is it great entertainment? Also yes.
Change is inherently scary, and moving is stressful enough without having to worry about culling your belongings to fit inside a teeny tiny house.
We could feel the anxiety radiating through the screen.
5. … But It’s Awesome
Do you see a single unhappy camper at the end of an episode? No. It’s #wholesome viewing.
And while it’s possible the cast are just putting it on for the camera, we reckon they’re genuinely stoked to start their new life living little.
They say change is as good as a holiday – and with a tiny house on wheels, you can holiday without leaving your home behind!
Think you could survive in a tiny house?
If you’d love to make the move into a tiny home, a storage unit could help you cull your possessions. Discover our affordable, flexible options here and book today.
