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How to Make Your Tiny House Feel Bigger

Tiny houses are becoming more popular by the day, especially on rental sites like Airbnb. It takes minimalism to the next level, encouraging the idea that downsizing forces you to only have the things you need. 

However, it can be easy for a tiny house to feel cluttered and claustrophobic if you don’t know how to embrace it. Whilst you want your tiny house to be cosy, it still needs to feel spacious. Your guests should enjoy the warmth without feeling squashed.  

Fortunately, there are lots of ways to make smaller spaces feel bigger, so your tiny house can reach its full potential. 

Read Now: Is Buying an Airbnb Tiny Home a Good Investment? 

Pick a Colour Scheme 

Having the right colour scheme is crucial for setting the tone of your tiny house. In smaller spaces, opt to use light colours to make the room feel bigger. These reflect the natural light to give the feeling of a bigger space. 

Whilst dark colours can help to make a room feel cosier, when you are already working in a small space it can become claustrophobic. It’s better to stick to lighter colours and a simple colour scheme throughout the house. By keeping the colours similar, it helps to create a natural flow through the space. 

Optimise Storage Space 

When working with a small space, storage is key to reducing a cluttered feeling. Luckily, there are easy ways to create extra storage space that won’t impact the feel of the house. Furniture can often serve as a storage method. Get a coffee table with built-in drawers, or hollow out your stairs for extra space.  

In a tiny house, you want to use all the space you have in the most efficient way possible. Lots of regular furniture can be adapted to also hold storage. You don’t have to fill every space available, but this creates an easy way to remove clutter and keep things out of sight.  

Read Now: Airbnb Interior Design Advice: How to Create a Cohesive Space 

Choose the Right Furniture  

Picking the perfect furniture is always difficult, but it’s even harder when you don’t have a lot of space. The main aim is to make your space feel bigger than it is, without overcrowding it. Get sofas that are slightly elevated, and don’t position them flush against the wall.  

Creating space around it gives the impression that you have excess space available. It also allows you to see more of the floor, making the room feel bigger. 

You can also get floor-to-ceiling shelves, to draw the eye upwards and for extra storage. It makes good use of wall space and makes the ceilings look higher. This is a simple way to make the space feel bigger and optimise storage without losing the cosiness of a tiny house.  

Read Now: Interior Design in 2022: The Best Style for Your Airbnb 

Windows and Mirrors     

Light is one of the best ways to make a space feel bigger and airier. By pairing windows and mirrors, you can make the most of the light that your tiny house gets.  

Place large mirrors opposite windows to retract sunlight and expand the feeling of the room. You don’t want to place mirrors by cluttered or confined areas, as that will only make the space feel smaller. 

In a small space, the more windows, the better! Simple, uncovered windows can let plenty of light in to make the space feel bigger. Using sheer covers or blinds can be beneficial as they don’t take up much space.  

If you have a little more room to work with, use drapes that go past the windows. If your curtains start higher up and stretch out further, it creates the illusion of bigger windows. This makes it feel like you are in a bigger room!    

Be Minimal  

The easiest way to create more space is simple – have less stuff! The great thing about tiny houses is they force you to deliberate with your choices. It encourages you to remove any clutter to stop the room looking too busy, so you have to really think about what you want to keep. 

One bigger piece of art on the wall instead of multiple smaller pieces can make the space seem bigger. If you hang it at the average eye height, the space above the art gives the illusion of a taller room. 

Focus on simple décor that doesn’t take up too much space. You still want to include things that give your house a personality, but you have to edit and hone your ideas. The aim isn’t to show how much you can fit in your house – you want to emphasise how spacious your tiny home can be. 

Read Now: Top Interior Design Ideas for Rental Properties 

To Sum Up… 

There are loads of great ways to make a tiny house feel bigger, without impacting the cosy atmosphere you want to create. Make sure you get creative, edit everything, and remember: less is more! 

For more advice on how to manage your tiny house, contact the team at Keey today.  

Is Buying an Airbnb Tiny Home a Good Investment?

Hosting on Airbnb is becoming ever more popular. With the rise in staycations since Covid began and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky’s prediction of “a travel rebound that’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen,” now could be the time for you to dip your toes into Airbnb rentals.  

One way you may decide to venture into Airbnb is by investing in a tiny home. They’re the smallest rental properties you can buy and are highly favoured by potential guests. A tiny home could be the perfect option if you’re not looking to make a huge purchase for your first Airbnb. 

 

What is a tiny home?  

Tiny homes are small homes that have a minimalist design. They’re usually between 80 and 400 square feet. The tiny house movement is an architectural and social movement that supports the downsizing and simplifying of your living space.  

The movement gained traction after the 2008 financial crisis when many started looking for cheaper alternatives to traditional homes. A tiny home could cost you anywhere between £35,000 – £60,000 or if you’re just looking to buy the shell of a tiny home and furnish the rest yourself, between £12,000 – £15,000.  

Read Now: How to Get Positive Reviews on Airbnb 

The pros and cons of investing in an Airbnb tiny home 

Before making the plunge and investing in a tiny home, it’s wise to be fully informed of the risks and benefits and to seek the guidance of a financial advisor. Below we have listed a few pros and cons to a tiny home investment to help you with your decision.  

The pros 

The main advantage of a tiny home investment is their affordability but they’re also extremely cost effective due to their size. A smaller home with less lights to power and less space to keep heated means your running costs will be much lower than a traditional rental property. There’s also the option of running your tiny home completely off grid with solar panels for electricity and a wood burning stove for heating.  

Another advantage of a tiny home rental is their increasing popularity as Airbnb reported tiny homes trending up 112 percent and 85 percent from 2019 to 2020, respectively. So, with the right property management you’ll be able to generate a positive cash flow

Read Now: How To Make Your Airbnb Property More Environmentally Friendly 

The cons  

One of the main challenges of a tiny home investment is finding the right financing. Home loans aren’t structured to accommodate small amounts of money so unless you’re able to fund your tiny home outright you’ll need to open an motorhome or personal loan.   

How to ensure your tiny home’s success on Airbnb 

If you do decide to invest in a tiny home there a few factors you need to take into consideration to ensure your success as a host. Your top priority should be ensuring your property is rented out enough to make a profit on your investment. Below are a few elements to consider that will affect your rental’s cash flow:  

  1. LocationLocation is very important when investing in an Airbnb. You want to choose an area that will be popular throughout the year and not just in the high season. Do some market research and see where the highest-rated tiny homes on Airbnb are located.  
  1. Airbnb regulations – Once you’ve chosen your location it’s important to check the local Airbnb regulations of the area. Make sure that short-term rentals are legal and that you can rent all-year round.  
  1. Insurance – Landlords are responsible for ensuring the property is safe to be lived in, so if a guest is injured on your property, you could be liable. It’s important to have an insurance protection plan for any incidents that may occur. 
  1. Essential amenities – To attract potential guests you need to supply all of the essential amenities and to stand out you should look into supplying luxury amenities at your Airbnb. This will lead to five-star reviews and a greater guarantee of bookings. 

Read Now: What Amenities You Need to Supply as an Airbnb Host 

Summary 

For first time hosts, purchasing a tiny home to rent on Airbnb is a great investment option. It’s a cost-effective and affordable property which can generate a high rental income when managed efficiently. With the demand for tiny home rentals on the rise, now is a perfect time to enter the market. 

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For further advice on your Airbnb investment, contact our team of experts at Keey. 

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