How to Add Extra Living Space to Your Home: Tiny House Style

Are you running out of adequate space? It's time to be a bit more creative! Here are ways to add extra living space to your tiny house or traditional home.

Even though the size of families has steadily decreased, the size of our homes has gone up, up, up.

In 1973, the average size of a single-family home was about 1,660 square feet. By 2015, that number began to reach the 2,600-square-feet range. It's worth noting that a lack of use might waste up to 80% of that living space!

That's one reason why the tiny home movement has become a lifestyle. People find comfort in downsizing (a lot—the average tiny home is about 100 to 400 square feet). Minimalism is taking center-stage, with people going for cozy, humble abodes over Versailles size.

Even still, the adjustment period can be tough. Many people find themselves quickly running out of adequate space. When that happens, what's the solution?

Here, we explain how to add extra living space or better use what you have, whether it's a tiny home or a larger dwelling. Keep reading!

tiny houses_adus

Add a Mother-In-Law Suite . . . Whether You Have a MIL or Not

ADUs, or accessory dwelling units, are becoming increasingly popular.

You may have heard them referenced as granny flats, attic apartments, basement apartments, and that'd all be correct. What they are, essentially, is a backyard house.

And now movable tiny houses are widely being used as ADUs too.

If your tiny home is stationed on a piece of land, and you've got extra space, a second home can be the perfect addition to your set-up. Perhaps that's the place where you host guests (family and Airbnb renters). Or it could become an area where you do laundry or work from home, can double as extra storage space too.

Consider it like having a shed on your land—but a much more creative, well-decorated, livable shed. And of course, you could convert a shed into a tiny house or office.

Homeowners and tiny homeowners alike can benefit from this additional space on their property.

Get Creative About Your Storage Methods (hint: less is more!)

Be honest with yourself—do you really lack living space, or do you just need to clear some of the clutter?

It might be time for you to Marie Kondo your space, i.e., tidy it up a bit.

Using her methods (or for that matter, any organizational inspiration), begin to run through the different rooms in your home and see where you can improve.

Start with specific rooms (like the kitchen) or spaces (like the closet) and spend a day there reorganizing, donating items, or trashing some.

Not only does this clear up more space for you, but it provides much-needed calm for your environment. You're sure to spend less time stressed out about space if your living quarters are clean and tidy.

"When you come across something that you cannot part with, think carefully about its true purpose in your life. You’ll be surprised at how many of the things you possess have already fulfilled their role.

By acknowledging their contribution and letting them go with gratitude, you will be able to truly put the things you own, and your life, in order. In the end, all that will remain are the things that you really treasure.

To truly cherish the things that are important to you, you must first discard those that have outlived their purpose."

-Marie Kondo

Enhance Your Living Space With These Two Options

Don't overthink it.

If you genuinely need more space, considering adding an extra dwelling to your property in the form of an ADU. Use it for storage, a guest house, a place to hold gatherings—whatever you need.

If what you really have is clutter, then it's time to get organizing and further downsizing. Start small and slowly tackle every area in your space. Use your free time to declutter now, and you'll spend less time picking up and cleaning in the future.

"Never organize what you can discard."

For more great tips and advice like this, keep scrolling our blog!

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Digital Magazine Dedicated to Micro, Tiny & Small Home Living

Do you have more time at home? Enjoy some inspirational reading from Tiny House Magazine!

  • Discover different types of tiny houses from liveaboard boats to Alaskan yurts, converted school buses to high wall tents.
  • Try recipes from a tiny house kitchen. Each month we feature a recipe from the Tiny House Foodie. Learn to make it work and still cook like a pro.
  • Hear from those living with kids in a tiny house. What happens when you build for two but end up with four? Can it really be done?
  • Read excerpts from books on tiny houses, downsizing, and a host of other related topics.
  • Each month brings new topics and new, exciting articles!