Minimisation

[MaximumRide]

I have been trying to plan my tiny house and I keep trying to down size how much I own so that it will fit in there. Does anyone have any tips on this.

I have already figured out a couple of things. eg. all furnature should be tall rather than wide.

 

[simply lesa]

Fyi might be a good idea to figure out what you actually DO in your home, then learn how to fit that into your new minihome. I dont want food to be the big focus of my life, so personally i dont want a kitchen all out and pretty. behind a door is better for me. I do, however, want a mirror and an available sink - undera cutting board is fine...hope that is healpful

 

[akrvbob]

Lesa's idea is perfect, what do you DO in a house? Living in a tiny space requires everything be very functional. What FUNCTIONS do you do in a house? You: <br /><ul><li>sleep</li><li>cook</li><li>store your possessions</li><li>stay clean</li><li>go to the bathroom</li><li>relax</li><li>recreation</li></ul>Like Lesa said, you need to find a way to perform those functions in the tiny space of a van. You need to make things as MULTI-FUNCTIONAL as possible. So your bed can be used to: <br /><ul><li>sleep in</li><li>become your couch with enough pillows</li><li>for storage underneath</li></ul>A 5 gallon bucket becomes your: <br /><ul><li>toilet</li><li>garbage can</li></ul>you get the idea. Bob

 

[MaximumRide]

Those are really good ideas.
the main thing I do are art and craft and work for my business.

trying to figure our how to downsize on my paper work. Ive scanned a lot fo it in and thrown the paper away.

 

[MaximumRide]

I went into rays outdoors today and it really gave me a boost. made me want to stick to my minimalist goals. it was wonderful to see so many things made light weight and for small spaces.

 

[wildmountainhoney]

Going minimal is a process. At least that has been my experience. I chuckle at myself when I think of what I thought minimizing meant.&nbsp; HAHAHA! Now I don't really care if I keep anything so much... I have kept all my photos until I can scan them and give to my kids. I finally got thru all my papers down to two file boxes. I also kept my great grandmother's ironing board as it folds up and can be used for many things... LOve that!&nbsp; Every time I thought, this is it... I discovered it wasn't even close! ah well, it feels great! Although it's been a lot of work! I'm almost done! Good luck to you in your process!

 

[MaximumRide]

It is defintly a long process. but im getting better at it.

 

[peacetara]

Another idea, instead of scaling down, is to scale up.<br /><br />I moved into this van with a small suitcase of clothes, a backpack and a bedroll.&nbsp; Then as things come up that you NEED (and need regularly) then think about adding them to your tiny house.

 

[blkjak]

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.designboom.com/contemporary/tiny_houses.html"><span style="color: #000080;">http://www.designboom.com/contemporary/tiny_houses.html</span></a></span><br /><br />i like the hermit cabin ....<br /><br />blkjak ....

 

[MaximumRide]

Ive only bought the bear minimum house wise, but all the other things seem to sneak in. eg. art, business and trinkets...

thanks for the link, very inspiring, about to chekc out the hermit cabin.

 

[MaximumRide]

that is very quaint. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Rollin]

I just saw this posted on FB.<br /><br />&nbsp;http://www.amazon.com/Avanti-Compact-Kitchen-Automatic-Refrigerator/dp/B002O4VM98

 

[blkjak]

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Avanti-Compact-Kitchen-Automatic-Refrigerator/dp/B002O4VM98">http://www.amazon.com/Avanti-Compact-Kitchen-Automatic-Refrigerator/dp/B002O4VM98</a><br /><br />blkjak ....

 

[Rollin]

Thanks blkjak, I&nbsp;couldn't&nbsp;seem to figure that link thing out.

 

[MaximumRide]

WOW 0_o that is amazing, never knew something like that existed. Wants!!

 

[gp]

Does anyone know&nbsp;where in&nbsp;the US zoning permits the tiny houses?

 

[blkjak]

you would have to contact the building/zoning department at a specific location ....<br /><br />they will give you minimum size and if a permit is needed ....<br /><br />blkjak ....

 

[MaximumRide]

Checkout Tumbelweedhouses.com They have info there on buliding codes ect.

 

[blkjak]

<a href="http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/">http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/</a><br /><br />not "tumbelweed" .....<br /><br />building codes would be dictated by the local building department ....<br /><br />there are some rural area that circumvent restrictions for "hunting or fishing" cabins etc. ....<br /><br />blkjak ....

 

[sl1966]

This is Kirsten Dirksen's channel on youtube. She's interviewed a few tumbleweed owners/builders as well as others who are part of the tiny house movement.&nbsp;<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/kirstendirksen?feature=CAQQwRs=">http://www.youtube.com/user/kirstendirksen?feature=CAQQwRs=<br /><br /></a>