The Tiny house Blog

Maximizing Minimalism: How Tiny Homes Are Revolutionizing Student Housing

By
Jason Francis
Designed and built over 100 custom tiny homes, lived on a sailboat for 9 months, and loves to live life to the fullest with his wife and their 4 kids.
Updated on:
June 7, 2023
timber-clad tiny home on wheels

Tiny homes are a way to maximize minimalism. And it is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. But for those who either like to live eco-consciously and reduce their carbon footprints or are looking for ways to live as economically as possible, such homes are perfect. 

For most students, it’s the latter.

With the growing population and high inflation worldwide, housing is becoming a serious issue. And for students, regardless of whether they live on campus or rent an apartment, the living cost is too high. 

The tiny home concept is emerging as a viable solution since it is economical, affordable, and, most importantly, sustainable. But it is not as simple as using a professional essay writing service to write my paper and submit assignments before deadlines.

What Are Tiny Homes and Their Role in Student Housing?

The tiny home movement is an architectural revolution that emphasizes downsizing living spaces. The idea essentially stems from the core concept of minimalism, which says “less is more.” Hence, the advocates of it prefer to live in homes of sizes less than 400 sq. ft. 

For reference, a student in Michigan made a 170 sq. ft. house sitting on a trailer. He rented a parking space to park his tiny home and saved money on all the rent and other living expenses. 

Similarly, in Lund, Sweden, a students-owned housing company named AF Bostader initially designed a 94 sq. ft. house. The project was later turned into a community of tiny houses for students. These micro dorms were rented away for $370 a month. 

The primary motivation behind this trend has been affordability and sustainable living. The downsized structure would lack basic amenities, you’d think. But these homes have everything one needs to live comfortably. 

A compact space with a strategically designed bedroom, study space, kitchen area, shower, and toilet, can easily be further customized with smart storage options to accommodate essential possessions, such as clothes, stationary, and books. Remember, you can rely on a professional custom writing service to write me a speech for your next assignment if you are running short of time to personalize your space.

Imagine if student housing boards worldwide utilize this trend to the fullest. We could easily get past accommodation crises and unburden students of massive loans. There are even more benefits of tiny homes for students, such as the following.

Decreased Bills

Since a micro house is built on less than 400 sq. ft. space, the cost of maintenance is a lot less than regular homes. With the help of glass windows and efficient heating systems, the temperature can be managed at minimal expense. 

Some builders customize such homes with solar panels in locations where there’s plenty of sunlight. It helps students save on electricity bills. These homes are mostly mobile. So, you get to choose how far from the university you wish to live. If one plans carefully, one can save a good sum on daily commuting.

More Privacy

One of the prominent issues with shared dorm rooms is that one rarely gets any privacy. While it contributes to many learnings students get from living on campus, for some, living like this can be a real struggle.

Tiny homes built on campus for student housing are a good way to offer privacy without robbing the students of the unmatched experience of living on a college campus. Besides, such tiny dorms would be perfect for students who need quiet surroundings and minimal disturbance to study.

Independent living also creates a sense of responsibility and ownership. You can be creative with your personal space, arrange things as you like, and explore your lifestyle preferences. 

Universities can also allow students to park their own mobile homes inside the campus and charge a nominal parking fee, making it feasible for students who wish to own a tiny home themselves.

Exemption from Exorbitant Rents

Tiny homes are affordable, but you would need a good amount of money to own one—whether you build it from scratch or buy a pre-owned one. However, if you pay for it from a loan, the monthly EMI would be a lot less than the college dorm fees. 

You can rent an appropriate parking space in a good property, and the cost still won’t be anywhere near the monthly rent you would otherwise be paying. Like how you don’t need to pay unbelievable prices if you hire the best essay writing services to deal with your homework. 

If used at campuses instead of traditional dormitories, the rent of student housing can be brought down to an average of $170-$400 range per month depending upon spaciousness, amenities, etc. 

Challenges Associated with Living in Tiny Homes

Less Space

The lack of space may lead to a messier lifestyle if you don’t learn to live minimally and clutter-free. Hence, if you wish to rent out or buy a tiny home, you must ready yourself for the challenges you are setting yourself up for. You can look for essay writing assistance till you make yourself comfortable in your micro home. 

The best solution is to customize your small space with organizers and smart furniture to create ample storage. You should also learn basic life skills, such as folding laundry, keeping stuff in their dedicated space, and cleaning your home regularly to keep it mess-free. 

Weather Protection

Another challenge that arises with micro-living is the weather. While most architects have devised solutions for temperature control, the structure is often not strong enough to withhold extreme weather conditions, such as storms and heavy rainfalls. 

Universities can collaborate with builders and architects for research and development of sturdier and more durable constructions. 

Housing Laws and Regulations

While the Tiny Home Movement is gaining momentum, the concept is still new for governments worldwide. Hence, not every state has recognized and legalized such homes. Wherever you wish to build a residence on wheels, you must check the local codes and structural requirements. Universities can approach government bodies and help them develop laws for this revolutionary housing solution. 

The Bottom Line

Even though tiny homes for student housing seem to be the perfect solution for ongoing accommodation crises and exceptionally unaffordable house rents, there is still a lot to be discovered and modified to make this housing more feasible and easily attainable.

Nevertheless, the tiny home concept has stirred the possibility of curbing cost and space issues for students, maximizing minimalism at its best.

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