If you ride through the suburbs of America, you’ll likely notice that the houses just seem to get bigger and bigger. Like our taste for large trucks and SUVs, Americans tend towards the idea that bigger is better.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are people who feel quite the opposite. From this minimalist mindset has emerged the “tiny house.” What exactly is a tiny house?

There is no exact definition. However, most tiny houses are built on wheels--to adhere to local building code--and typically don’t exceed 500 square feet in size.

You might be thinking that’s a bit extreme. And you wouldn’t be alone--Americans have taken advantage of small homes in the form of modular homes, and cottage-style houses for decades.

With the cost of heating and powering a home rising year after year, it’s beginning to make sense to downsize.

So, in this article we’ll talk about what it means to live in a smaller home to help you decide whether it’s a good choice for you.

Barriers to building small houses

If it’s your dream to someday build a small house on a hilltop in your hometown, you might have to face-off with the local zoning committee first. Some of the biggest barriers to building smaller houses are local regulations involving minimum house sizes.

This isn’t a new problem, with towns struggling with the idea of minimum square footage as far back as the 1970s. In spite of this barrier, small house and tiny house proponents have been finding loopholes.

One such workaround involves simply building your house on wheels. However, that isn’t easy to do and it doesn’t always look great either.

Living simply

Depending on your hobbies and philosophy, living in a small house can be a good or a bad thing. Those who seek to become more minimal in their belongings often find that small houses help them achieve this.

The more things we own the more we have to worry about storing and maintaining them. However, if you value experiences more than objects, living in a small house could save you money and therefore leave you with more funds for traveling and other experiences.

Family is another thing to consider when living in a small house. If you have a large family or pets, living in a small house can be difficult. However, there is something to be said about growing up in a small house (it makes it harder for kids to avoid their parents by playing video games in their room or the basement!).

How to decide if you can manage living in a small house

If you’re downsizing from a larger home it can be scary to lose all of that extra space you were used to. There are a few ways to see if you can adapt to a smaller home, however.

You could rent a small apartment while you search for a new home. This will allow you to acclimate yourself to living in a smaller environment.

If you don’t want to go through the trouble of signing a lease, there’s always renting a small property through AirBnB or a camping cottage for a few weeks. Then you’ll have time to notice what you like and dislike about the smaller space and will be able to plan for how to want to deal with those changes if you decide to move into a smaller house.

Are you looking for some new and unique flooring options for your home? Check out this list of artistic, eye-catching and unique flooring options from around the globe.

Roman Tile Floor

The most luxurious homes during the Golden Age of Rome boasted floors that were a fantastic work of art. Tiny colored tiles were created with meticulous care to make beautiful mosaics. Animal motifs were common, but so were geometric patterns. Some Romans also enjoyed heated floors. In this present day, you can have a mosaic floor just as the Romans, and have it heated for some extra cash, too.

Bamboo Cane Floor

Over the years, bamboo has become popular as an eco-friendly choice to hardwood. Bamboo has the same shiny, grainy and smooth appearance of a typical wooden floor and the same durability, too. However, bamboo grows faster than regular trees, which makes it a renewable source. Bamboo is easy to clean and can last for many years.

Log End Floor

Log end floor is a different twist on the standard hardwood floor. With an amazingly rustic yet sophisticated appearance, the log-end floor is made of well-crafted log pieces to bring the feeling of a traditional log cabin and a splash of high-class.A log-end floor has a very flexible design and is superbly comfortable to walk on.

Rubber Floor

If you want to think out of the ordinary in regard to floors for your kitchen, a rubber floor is a beautiful, unique flooring choice. Typically, used in playroom and gyms, rubber is springy underfoot and soft, so it is excellent for standing for an extended period, such as when cooking or washing the dishes. A rubber floor is durable and requires low maintenance. It will provide a fresh and unique look for homeowners who want something different.

Penny Floor

A fresh and exciting trend is known as a penny floor aka copper floor. Penny floor is just as the name implies: a layer of pennies makes up this unique floor, held firmly into place with a sealant. Even though it takes a considerable amount of time to lay down all the pennies, it is surprisingly affordable. If you want stylish flooring for your home without spending too much, the penny floor is a great choice.

When renovating your home, you should consider choosing a unique flooring option as it can boost the value and appeal of your home. Not sure what to pick? Ask your real estate agent what flooring types are the best return on investment in your market.