Tiny Homes: the rustic charm, four walls and 400-square-feet combine simplicity and comfort in a pint-sized residential feel. Every inch is thoughtfully utilized to create a warm and efficient sanctuary away from the bustling suburban neighborhoods.
For many Generation Z young adults and millennials, the dream of owning a spacious, single-family home is increasingly out of reach in the current housing market. Skyrocketing prices have left these young, ambitious hopefuls on the sidelines and searching for alternatives.
However, cozy, cottage-core living and affordability are both still obtainable with the tiny home lifestyle, the recent housing trend that is advantageously turning the tide for this generation.
Did you know? Cottage-core is a niche style of living that embraces a simpler, sustainable existence that is more harmonious with nature. Aesthetically, cottage-core is a nod to the traditional English countryside style, romantic and nostalgic, according to Architectural Digest.
Tiny living is emerging as the new, savvy solution for those aiming to save their income and live minimally. Some residents live in tiny homes for a few years as a money-saving step before purchasing a full-size home. The art of living in a tiny home can significantly cut down living expenses and may even lead to new and refreshing minimalistic habits, says College Station local Mckean Matson, a former tiny home resident, who streamlined her minimal lifestyle to a spacious three-bedroom home.
“People nowadays are very materialistic and feel the need to have so many things that they don't actually need,” Mckean says. “At least, that's what I think the world has shown younger people ... that was probably the nicest thing about living in my tiny home. It really did show me that I don't need all those things. I don’t need 50 pairs of shoes. I don’t need two whole closets full of clothes.”
Mckean considered her minimal lifestyle as an opportunity for liberation, not limitation. At 19 years old, she remodeled her childhood play fort-turned- tiny house in the backyard of her family home step- by-step with her father, something she recalls as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. After living there for five years, she is now reaping the benefits of her cost- efficient habits and closed on a three-bedroom home at $250,000 in June 2023. Mckean lived in the tiny home from 20 to 25 years old and purchased her first home last summer.
Mckean said she was able to save her income significantly in order to save up for this big purchase and put a 3% down payment on her current home, which is around $7,500.
“I applaud my parents for all,” Mckean says when asked about her financial knowledge. “They have definitely drilled in so much financial advice since I was very young. I have to thank them for all of that.”
The numbers speak for themselves in terms of just how much a tiny home can decrease living costs. Tiny home residents have 55% more savings and 89% less credit card debt than the average American, according to The Tiny Life.
Tiny home construction costs can range anywhere from $45,000 on the low end to $100,000, depending on if you are remodeling or starting from scratch. Building a tiny home from the ground up like Mckean and her father could save money and serve as theultimate DIY project, although potentially time- consuming. Companies like Brazos Home Center in Bryan and Buffalo Springs Creations in Navasota offer pre-made and tailor-made tiny homes for those who wish to bypass the construction process.
Brazos Home Center offers three different tiny home floor plans under 400 square feet with a bright, farmhouse-style charm. These tiny homes are originally built by Platinum Cottages, a company out of Malakoff, but a model unit is ready to tour upon request at the dealer-style location in Bryan.
Buffalo Springs Creations offers a catered experience to help craft your perfect tiny home every step of the way and services all seven counties of the Brazos Valley. This company specializes in constructing tiny homes and will schedule a consultation to discuss your cozy living dreams via phone or email.
Contact Brazos Valley Home Center, (979) 485- 5929, and Buffalo Springs Creations, (713) 851-8776, for more information about tiny homes.
