Book Review How To Decorate The Tiny House

Anyone who has ever lived in a small space knows that in addition to the difficulty of just fitting all of your possessions into a small space, decorating it can be just as tough. Color and pattern has a large impact on not just how the room appears, but how we feel about the space we live in. Clutter can lead to a feeling of anxiety and discontentment, while certain colors can bring out emotions like anger and sadness. Andrew Odom of  Tiny R(e)volution, a site dedicated to those who wish to live the tiny lifestyle, has released an ebook entitled How to Decorate A Tiny House. The book is packed with tips and tricks for comfortably living in a dwelling of small space. Storage, furniture, and even what colors to paint and decorate with are covered in this handy 48 page ebook. Right now the book is on sale for $2 and will then list at $4.95. I purchased it at the sale price, but I would purchase it at the regular price too as it did have some valuable information. Even if you just live in a small house or apartment, the instruction into putting it all together is worth more. If you are someone who does or is planning to move into a very small space, I highly recommend you read this book. The sale price on this book is good from November 5 until November 8, or until the 100 copies they allotted sell out.

Do you have any tips or tricks for decorating a small space you would care to share with others? Feel free to share them in the comments. Happy decorating!

200 Things Challenge - What is Your Relationship with Things

Within the Tiny House movement is the 100 Thing Challenge. It didn't start in the Tiny House community, but many within it decided it made sense and paid if forward by sharing it with others. It quickly took on a life of its own simply because the size of a Tiny House forces one to reevaluate all their possessions, to determine what is most important, and what is superfluous. Eventually the challenge was increased to 200 Things, but the intent is the same: Choose what you own carefully and don't bring anything in without taking something out. 

Certain types of possessions take priority over others. These are items that can do double-duty, be used in more than one way, take precedence over items such as purely decorative ones. A library of books can be stored in one e-book. Laptops replace desktops. No longer is there a walk in closet full of clothes, but a wisely chosen wardrobe of key pieces that can be mixed and matched. There are countless other ways to eliminate unneeded belongings.  Lina, over at her blog This is The Little Life, recently looked back over her 200 Thing Challenge and wrote about her experience:  

"I’ve found that My 200 Things Challenge has made me a better minimalist. I am less attached to my possessions, but more pleased with the things with which I surround myself. I am more likely to loan something out. I am less worried about wearing something out because there’s a new excitement about acquiring something new. I am more likely to decorate with fresh flowers or fall squash. I only wear clothing that I feel comfortable in. I own few possessions that I don’t use on a daily, weekly, or at least monthly basis. I don’t have to shuffle things around as much to get to the other things I need. I no longer own things that frustrate me because they are broken because I have repaired, replaced, or purged them. I am more particular about what I allow into my home, which means I no longer take something just because it was free. I am more likely to consider whether or not I really need something before I acquire it. I am more likely to get rid of something I’m waffling about. But most importantly, I give less attention to my stuff and more attention to my experiences."

Lina offers workshops in Portland for those who are interested in how to go about participating in the challenge, but most can undertake it on their own. Here are some things to think about if you want to downsize: 

• What is the most important thing you own?

• What clothing must you have vs what is just hanging in a closet or stuffed in drawers?

• If you don't love it, leave it.

• What can you fit into technology (Books, photos, documents, etc.)

• How will you store all your items?

• Can items fill more than one role?

• How big is the footprint of the item? 

Living in a tiny house and living the Tiny House lifestyle comfortably requires thought and consideration. It is most certainly and adjustment, but I have yet to hear of anyone who was disappointed by their choice. If you are considering downsizing, you can begin preparing long before you move. 

What is one item you would never part with, even if you lived in a tiny house?