Tiny Home: What It Really Means and Why It’s Changing How We Live

When people talk about a tiny home, a compact, intentionally designed living space that prioritizes function over square footage. Also known as small space living, it’s not about living with less—it’s about living with purpose. This isn’t just a trend for hipsters or retirees. It’s a practical response to rising housing costs, climate concerns, and the quiet exhaustion of owning too much. People are choosing tiny homes because they want control—over their bills, their time, and their impact on the planet.

A true tiny home, a compact, intentionally designed living space that prioritizes function over square footage. Also known as small space living, it’s not about living with less—it’s about living with purpose. often goes hand-in-hand with eco-friendly cottages, homes built using sustainable materials and low-impact systems like solar power and rainwater collection. Also known as green living, these homes don’t just reduce waste—they help restore it. Think reclaimed wood floors, hempcrete walls, and roofs that catch rain instead of letting it run off into storm drains. These aren’t fancy add-ons. They’re the baseline. And they’re not just for off-grid cabins in the woods. You’ll find tiny homes on the edge of Croyde’s beaches, tucked into quiet lanes, designed to blend in while standing out for all the right reasons.

People who live in tiny home, a compact, intentionally designed living space that prioritizes function over square footage. Also known as small space living, it’s not about living with less—it’s about living with purpose. aren’t trying to prove something. They’re trying to live better. That means fewer chores, lower bills, and more freedom to travel, work remotely, or just sit by the sea. Many pair their tiny home with off-grid living, a lifestyle that operates independently of public utilities like electricity grids or municipal water systems. Also known as self-sufficient living, it’s not about isolation—it’s about resilience.. Solar panels charge phones. Composting toilets handle waste. Rainwater feeds gardens. It’s not magic. It’s engineering, common sense, and a willingness to do things differently.

You won’t find a tiny home that’s just a scaled-down version of a regular house. That’s the mistake. A real one is built from the inside out—every shelf, every fold-down bed, every hidden drawer is designed with intention. It’s why so many of the cottages we feature here in Croyde, even if they’re not labeled "tiny," follow the same principles: natural light, smart storage, local materials, and a deep respect for the land around them. These aren’t just places to sleep. They’re reminders that comfort doesn’t need square footage.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t a list of products or DIY tutorials. It’s real stories from real people who chose a different path. You’ll see how eco-friendly cottages cut energy use by 70%, how some tiny homes cost less than a car payment, and why places like Croyde are becoming quiet hotspots for this movement. No hype. No fluff. Just what works, what doesn’t, and what’s changing fast.