Big living seems to be in America’s blood (cue images of Costco, SUVs and shows like Kate Plus Eight). But the voice for sizing down is growing strong (now think Minis, pop up restaurants, and small speakers with big sound).
Here’s where tiny homes come in. Many people are starting to consider the pluses of doing without when it comes to their living space. Words that are often associated with tiny homes are “liberating,” “uncomplicated,” and peaceful.” Sign me up.
An episode of HGTV’s Tiny House, Big Living might be an easy way to see what’s behind the door of a super small home. Here’s a better idea. Attend Renovator’s Home Tour on September 25th and walk through two homes that embrace the idea of being happy—and comfy—with less.
Liberation Tiny Homes, which is opening their Ephrata-based building facility to Renovator’s Home Tour-goers, creates homes at about 350 square feet. To help you visualize that, the interior of a school bus is about 300 square feet. For someone downsizing to a tiny home, that’s a heck of a yard sale.
When asked what clients find to be the hardest thing to part with, Liberation’s Marcus Stoltzfus says paring down one’s closet is a toughie. “It is a freeing experience, but also daunting when one must choose five shirts to wear,” he says. Think of paring down as a lifestyle renovation.
Compared to the Liberation home, Gary Hufford and George Centini’s 800 square foot residence (also on the Home Tour) in Lancaster seems absolutely palatial. George and Gary renovated every square inch of their 1870 cottage. Little design tricks, like high ceiling and painting surfaces white, actually makes the space seem larger than it is.
George has a nifty rule we all heard about … the one year rule. If you don’t use it over the course of 12 months, ditch it. “We hang on to things, thinking that we’ll use them, but that day hardly ever comes,” he says.
There’s another rule that has been given some play in more recent years, thanks to organizing guru Marie Kondo … if it doesn’t “spark joy,” give it a loving nod of thanks then ditch it.
George said it a little bit differently, but same idea. “We have what we really love and enjoy, and got rid of a lot of baggage. And God knows it’s easier to clean!”
Smaller living spaces are among the many renovated homes available to see first-hand at this year’s Renovator’s Home Tour on Sunday, September 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.RenovatorsHomeTour.com or at Penn Stone, David Lyall Home & Design, AK Interiors and Lancaster Habitat ReStore. Advanced purchase is recommended.
