From the television show Tiny House Nation to to the formation of the American Tiny House Association, the idea of living in smaller, more ecologically-friendly structures has been growing large in recent years.
One Ohio Couple, Ron And Sue Corl, adopted the lifestyle over 28 years ago. They currently live in a cozy 450 square foot cottage on top of a grassy hill in Millersburg, Ohio that reflects their colorful, retro style but also is a testament to their ideas about earth-friendly living. “Live small to have it all! Live rich with just what you need!” is the Corl motto.
The average single family home currently measures over 2400 square feet. Now that many households support only single individuals, couples or smaller families, the idea for less expansive homes to maintain have grown in popularity in America, as well as across the globe in Japan, Russia and Europe.
Sometimes a tiny home can be added to an existing property as a private dwelling for an aging relative, an adult child seeking to costs low while repaying college debt or a friend in the midst of a transition. During the housing crisis created by Hurricane Katrina, 308-square-foot home shelters were the popular alternative to FEMA trailers because they resembled little homes while also being cheap, quick and easy to build.
While small living may not be for everyone, a storybook cottage like the Corls seems like a fairy tale come to life for many seeking an economically sound and environmentally friendly alternative.
