Additional Coverage:
- When I moved into my tiny house, I became a minimalist. Here’s how I keep my 200-square-foot space clutter-free. (businessinsider.com)
Tiny Living, Big Impact: How One Journalist Embraced Minimalism in 193 Square Feet
By [Your Name/Local News Desk]
Living large in a small footprint – that’s the reality for one local resident who has transformed her life by embracing the tiny house movement. For years, she globe-trotted as a travel writer, accustomed to a minimalist, semi-nomadic existence. But it was the design and construction of her own 193-square-foot tiny home that truly solidified her commitment to a simplified lifestyle.
More than just a trend, minimalism, for her, is a philosophy that fosters calm, streamlines daily routines, and promotes both financial savings and environmental sustainability. Her compact dwelling has become the perfect laboratory for this intentional way of living.
Designing for Deliberate Living
When it came to crafting her tiny house, every design choice was a strategic one, prioritizing functionality and avoiding excess. Storage, though limited, was meticulously planned.
Dedicated shelving now houses her beloved indoor plants, a curated collection of books (a testament to prior culling), and essential bed linens. A small alcove above her timber bench provides a designated spot for cherished mementos and small artworks, keeping walls and windowsills clear and uncluttered.
Hidden compartments are a hallmark of her design. Under the couch, beneath the stairs, and even within the floorboards, “she-shed” style bins cleverly store everything from old photographs and sentimental letters to home maintenance tools and camping gear.
Kitchen cabinets are designed to perfectly fit all cookware, ensuring countertops remain free of appliances like toasters and blenders. An unexpected bonus: a preference for outdoor showering means her indoor shower now serves as additional storage for a guitar and a few extra reads.
Downsizing, Not Depriving
Her professional life, working from home, has naturally reduced the need for extensive wardrobes. Without the demands of office attire, makeup, or a hairdryer, her personal belongings are remarkably few. The subtropical climate of New South Wales, Australia, where she resides, further simplifies matters, allowing for a year-round rotation of shorts, T-shirts, sandals, and linen dresses – all easily stored.
The transition to tiny living has also influenced her purchasing habits. Now, when a new household item or appliance is needed, the mantra is “buy small.”
Her home features a petite kettle, a hand-held vacuum, a shoebox-sized heater, a 32-inch TV, and a lime-green watering can that tucks neatly under the sink. Even a pocket dictionary has found its place on her desk.
In this scaled-down environment, these compact items don’t appear quirky; they simply fit.
A New Standard of Tidiness
Life in a tiny house has cultivated a heightened sense of organization and tidiness. Clothes are immediately put away, dishes are washed nightly to greet a clean kitchen each morning, and borrowed books are promptly returned. Daily sweeping, dusting, and cleaning have become ingrained habits.
Constant decluttering is key; the “just in case” mentality has been banished. Clutter, for minimalists, is a major impediment. The peace of mind that comes from knowing everything has its designated spot is surprisingly profound, and the chances of misplacing items are significantly reduced – after all, there are only so many places to hide in a tiny house.
The Gatekeeper of Goods
While never an avid shopper, she has become a strict gatekeeper for any new item entering her home. Much like a nightclub bouncer, she meticulously vets each potential acquisition.
Questions like “Do I need this?” “Will it last?”
and “Does it justify the space it will occupy?” are paramount.
Anything that doesn’t “spark joy” or serve a practical purpose doesn’t make it past the front door.
Another crucial consideration is whether an item will simplify her life. For her, simplicity and minimalism are inextricably linked, creating a continuous positive feedback loop that clarifies her life and makes room for what truly matters.