To start off, I live with my family in what western society would deem as a small home. Our house is a 3 bedroom 1 bathroom rancher that is just under 1200 square feet. If I had the keep up with the Jones attitude we wouldn’t live in this house anymore as we would have felt the pressure to move on from our “starter home” into a larger home by now. Personally I like small, less costs for maintenance and less time to clean. Our lot is also small, in fact I like to say that we have a “postage stamp” sized yard. It has just enough grass space for the dogs to pee! Now, compare this to other areas in the world and our home is a mansion!I guess what is large or small is somewhat relative to where you live.
According to Psychology’s Abraham Maslow and “Maslows Hierarchy of Needs”, a roof over our heads is something that is considered one of the basic needs of humans. I wonder how many of us have really looked at what is out there for a roof over our head as opposed to what we have been somewhat spoon fed for housing alternatives? Of course if money was no object creativity could reign to a degree but lets say money is an object whether due to finances, beliefs around wants and needs, simple living, frugality, sustainability and/or even consumerism. If any of these are the case then what’s available out there?
Renting aside lets take a look at western housing ownership alternatives, frugal alternatives.
Some time ago I watched a TV program, maybe even a news segment, about a gentleman who had designed some shipping containers into homes. At the time I thought it was an amazing idea as they were portable and could be brought in when needed, as I believe they were used for a homeless shelter if I’m remembering the story correctly. It didn’t cost much to make the containers into homes and I think he designed them so that there were two or three units in one container. Shipping container homes aren’t just limited to this type of an idea though, in fact they are being utilized as small homes, cabins or summer homes, large homes and even a drop in center in London England! If you don’t have that creative of an imagination as to how this would work click on the links below…you’ll be amazed!
http://weburbanist.com/2008/06/01/more-cargo-container-homes-and-offices/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7Wh_f3enMo&feature=related
Other alternatives for Housing ourselves frugally or for those who want to live more simply is the small house movement, and I don’t mean small like the size of home I live in. Perhaps the better word would be tiny. These homes are in the size ranges of around 100 square feet. The following is a You Tube clip of a gentleman by the name of Jay Shafer who founded the “Tiny Tumbleweed House Company”. Jay’s philosophy is to live simply and enjoy life, he seems to be doing that.
The next video clip is about a woman who built her own small 83 square foot two story home with recycled products. In fact, her front door came from a garbage dump. It’s amazing!
The next idea for living simply and frugally is the idea of living in a van, 5th wheel or RV year round, not just for summer camping or vacation purposed. This isn’t a new idea as where I come from I know of many people who are snow birds. These folks live in their home 6 months of the year during summer but as soon as winter hits they go on down south where it’s warm. The difference is living in your van, 5th wheel or RV 12 months out of the year. Perhaps selling your home, downsizing and moving into a 5th wheel or a Motorhome. People have done it and some really enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJc8973GURk&feature=related
The following is a blog about a women who lives out of her van, a very resourceful person!
http://www.faliaphotography.com/2008/12/faq-about-this-site.html
There are still other alternatives such as Geodesic dome homes, tree homes, and for those who live near bodies of water….house boats or boats converted into floating homes.
The first link is of the infamous Freedom Cove float home on the westcoast of Vancouver Island British Columbia Canada…truly amazing what they have accomplished and they live very sustainably.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDqbfiejLdM
This second link is of a floating home tour of a tiny floating home located on the Columbia River in the US.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKzWtlZHl1s&feature=related
There are still other alternatives I could mention, especially in other parts of the world but I focused mainly on western world alternatives. If you know of any links to some other alternatives that could be posted here I’d love to hear about them, I found this particular blog post very interesting and welcome any addition to it.
yurt holidays said,
June 10, 2010 @ 11:10 am
And lets not forget yurts that have the bonus of being mobile too. Not to mention the connection to nature you experience with a yurt.
Bed Guards said,
August 22, 2010 @ 10:53 am
Small but perfectly formed! I love the idea of living in a shipping container as well.
Domestic Cleaners Altrincham said,
October 5, 2010 @ 4:47 pm
I’d love to have a go at living in a tiny cabin but not sure I could do it full-time. It might be nice as somewhere to go to get away from the city.
yurt holidays said,
March 8, 2011 @ 4:47 am
In addition, It is indeed such a cute and small house. It looks like a cabin pod.