Tiny House vs Small Home

So what’s the difference between a tiny house and a small home?

We get this question all the time: Here’s how we see it…

Tiny Houses:

A tiny house is usually less than 400 sq ft (40 m²). They are considered to be a transportable unit, often built on a trailer unit, allowing for them to be moved to site. Their width is typically capped at around 8 ft (2.4 m) so they can travel on roads. The tiny house movement is all about minimalism – The design philosophy is that of simplicity and sustainability and they adapt innovative space-saving solutions, to make the most of every inch. Tiny houses are a fantastic solution for a lot of people wanting to simplify their life, drop the big mortgage and embrace sustainability.

Small Homes:

While small homes borrow many smart ideas from their tinier cousins, there are some key differences. Small homes aren’t designed to travel—they’re built on permanent foundations like piles or concrete slabs. Small home designs can start as small as 215 sq ft (20m²) but more commonly range from 380 sq ft (35m²) to 1100 sq ft (100m²) of indoor living space (in addition to this, you may have a garage). These sizes provide you more room to stretch out without going full “McMansion.” Small homes blend the best of both worlds: efficient buildings and functional layouts with comforts you’d expect in a traditional home.

Unlike tiny houses—which must squeeze everything into narrow footprints—small homes have much more flexibility in layout and design. Your small home can also adopt more architectural stylings which tend to be restricted on a tiny house. Finally, if the size of the land allows, using outdoor space to extend your home into other zones or additional small buildings is also a key part to a small home design and lifestyle.

If you’re drawn to the ultimate minimalist lifestyle a tiny house might be the way to go; If you're looking to downsize without sacrificing comfort or perhaps need an additional small home for extended family or as a rental income, your small home is the right choice.