Slowly but surely micro homes and apartments are growing in
popularity. But why would such tiny living spaces have such appeal to so
many, and what are the tradeoffs. Let's discuss.
What does it mean to live micro: These living spaces are literally a
single bathroom, a living area that potentially doubles as a bedroom, and a
galley style kitchen. Typically you will be living in 80 to 400 square
foot homes as opposed to 800 plus square foot homes. So you will be
living in a very tiny place. This tiny living space can be applied to
homes, apartments or even other forms of dwellings that intend to maximize
space. Typically a micro home will have a small loft that either acts as
storage or a bedroom. The living area and kitchen are typically squished
together and another small room acts as a bedroom or an additional multipurpose
area. And of course there is a bathroom that usually has a composting
toilet as there is usually no plumbing (if in a tree house or portable micro
home). Both apartments and micro homes have the capability of using
murphy beds (fold out beds), fold out tables, drawers inside stairs (if they
exist instead of a ladder), and under floor storage or pull down from the
ceiling storage. Beds if inside will either have storage underneath them
in the floor or the frame, or host a series of drawers or cubbies.
Couches and benches (and sometimes chairs) will host internal storage as
well. Basically, these dwellings will make every use of space savings
potential they can get. Heck, even treehouses make use of the same
technology so they too become a viable option.
Advantages: The biggest advantages is the cost.
These dwellings run very cheap and typically is the cost of a small car.
Apartments of this variety also run cheap while maximizing occupancy for
low income earners in an apartment building (good for the landlord and those
looking for a place to live). Retirees seem to like this idea as they no
longer have to pay a mortgage or pay a very small one. In addition this
living arrangement works for those scaling down. Also, if you want to
take your home with you, a good portion of these micro homes are portable in
the same way as a trailer. So cheapness, and scaling down seem to be the
primary advantages.
Disadvantages: Living like this is not for
everyone. Some people need large homes to fit all their stuff and cannot
live in such cramped conditions. Others may dislike the fact that they
will have to scale down from larger grander homes, thus sacrificing memories
(though many get through this by repurposing older items like pots into lamp
shades, blankets into pillows and so on). Overall space is the primary
drawback and living in such a way can be draining to some (people may not like
the idea of pulling their bed out of a wall or having to lift up the couch
cushion to get items). Hence why micro apartments seem to fit those who
want tiny living and can get used to all the cubby spaces, but not those who
want to avoid the possible work (composting toilets) that comes with it.
Conclusion: So you have cheap comfortable
living with the tradeoff of space issues. Depending on who you are, this
can be great for single people or couples whose kids have already moved out.
This also works great for college students looking to strike out on their
own, but lack the means to buy a full blown home let alone a regular sized
apartment. So it would probably work for someone like me, as I like to
think I can live small (despite all the books, models and other items I have
stored in my 80 (8x10) square foot bedroom). So if you think this is
right for you, feel free to embrace your compact nature.
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