Small and versatile, tiny houses continue to capture the interest of many people around the world, collecting quite a few, including here in Hawaii. Some believe that the tiny house movement, as it is commonly known, began around the 1970s and has recently gained momentum again as an affordable housing option during the Great Recession. 

Now popular for reasons that extend to eco-friendly and minimalist ideals, the tiny house craze shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.  

Instantly recognizable for their rather subtle features, tiny homes in Hawaii have become especially numbered in the luxurious valleys of the Big Island. Ranging in size from 100 to 600 square feet, these attractive miniature homes are much more than meets the eye.

The benefits of choosing to go tiny. 

The benefits of joining the tiny house movement, as it is also called, are legion. Not only does it require significantly less capital to build, it also avoids the huge long-term costs of a 30- or 15-year fixed mortgage, putting financial independence within reach. From a social perspective, tiny houses are also significantly better for the environment. 

In addition to requiring far fewer building materials during construction, a tiny home will also leave a smaller carbon footprint in the long run. With less cooling space and meager appliances to power, tiny home residents end up relying on less electricity compared to a typical single-family home. 

Some tiny homes can even be configured to be completely self-contained for a truly off-the-grid lifestyle that continues to appeal to many. And perhaps one of the simplest reasons why some choose to downsize their homes is to simplify their lives. 

Without closets and storage rooms for odds and ends and any number of things piled up, homeowners can let go of the mundane things and focus on other, more important matters in life.

Although tiny houses are small, they can still be surprisingly stylish. 

Downsizing doesn’t mean you have to skimp on the overall aesthetics of your tiny home. 

In fact, for a lower overall cost, this is a great opportunity to get the best of both worlds.