Is that possible at all…living big in a tiny home? Of course it is, unless you don’t want to. Or you have a multitude of gigantic decor and innumerable vehicles, and you’d need thousands of square meters to put them in. For most Filipinos, tiny is the way to go. I wouldn’t say it’s a sacrifice, well maybe in the beginning if you would need to do a RADICAL downsizing.
Caveat: For those who need a big house to feel good, this would be torture, so don’t bother reading this.
Tiny Home
What is tiny exactly? In the Philippines, this would mean a living space within the 18 to 54 square meter (sqm) range. If you’re a family of four, this would be very tight, especially if the kids are no longer toddlers. If you live alone or you are a couple, this could work comfortably. In the Philippines, we are used to making adjustments in order to survive. But what’s great is that with a fantastic mindset, good design, and loads of creativity, you can live big in a tiny home. Here are some tips.
If you are renting, you’d have to curb your creativity. After all, there are contracts with landlords that have to be adhered to. Despite existing contractual conditions, you can still make a lovely home. Just click on the post to get ideas on how to overcome the challenges.
Here’s a summary:
- embrace minimalism
- make use of vertical space
- bring in light and color
- create a cozy corner
Still another practical post talks about how to brighten a small, dark rental apartment. Most of the tips are largely cosmetic. But these are really helpful if you don’t own the place. The tips create great impact while still being cost-effective.
Here’s a recap of the advice in the above post:
- maximize natural light
- layer your lighting
- go #teamputi
- try an accent wall
- install a mirror
Your Own Property
You’ve got more leeway if you own the property. If there is already an existing structure, here are some things you can do.
Add to the Living Space Vertically
You can do a major renovation, like building a real loft, if the ceiling height allows it. You can then have a “second” floor inside the home. If the ceiling is too low to accommodate that, you can opt for a loft bed. See below.
You can also consider repurposing an attic or basement (if you have those) that may be currently used as storage to become another livable space, like a family den, bedroom, bathroom, etc. You can even extend up if your foundation allows it. For these renovations, talk to an architect and a structural engineer first, if you’d like to make extensive changes to the building.
Add to the Living Space Horizontally
If your property is bigger than the footprint of the house, then you can think about a horizontal expansion. Not much if you want to keep your home small. But I suggest you add exterior domestic spaces like a patio, a veranda, or a lanai so that you have added space to commune with nature or to entertain guests. Even a pocket garden would be great just to have a place to sit in while you soak up the sun and get your daily Vitamin D dose.
Color Zoning
Usually tiny homes use an open-plan space without walls or physical barriers to create the illusion of a bigger space. To define the different functional spaces, you can use color zoning, which is the use of a different paint color for each functional space. Just make sure that the colors you choose go well together. To make it easier on yourself, you can always visit the Boysen Color Trend website and check out the color palettes that have been professionally curated.
Ethical Consumerism
It’s my belief that it would be good for ourselves, our families, and for our planet to be more mindful about what we buy. Let’s move away from false needs, and just buy what is necessary to give us that quality life that is everyone’s right.
However, despite the awareness that materialism does not really improve our standard of living and our psychological well-being, social media and the internet have made it so easy for us to buy.
So let’s stop being a Shopee | Lazada | Temu | Etc. queen or king. If we live in a tiny home, having so many things would drive us bonkers very quickly. In other words, let’s make thoughtful and intentional purchases. Despite marketing and cultural pressures, non-essential goods including luxury items, do not define who we are or our status.
A tiny home is not a barrier to living a meaningful and fulfilling life that is rich in experiences, accomplishments, relationships, and purpose.
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