Tiny homes, also called micro homes, are great for those looking for affordable living space and want a more location-independent lifestyle. These dwellings have modest usable dimensions, usually at least 40m2 or around six meters. Tiny homes are at the forefront of minimalist living, embracing simplicity and functionality. They have a minimalist yet functional interior design, which is usually self-sufficient and cost-effective.
The basic configuration of a tiny home is to limit home contents to a bare minimum. In this house, you’ll be essentially “living with less.” If you’re considering investing in a tiny home, here are a few space-saver, multifunctional bare essentials you have to add to your to-buy checklist.
1. Pegboards
A pegboard is a versatile organizing tool that can function anywhere in your tiny house. You can hang it in your kitchen, dining area, bedroom, toilet, living room, or workroom, then customize it to fit your needs.
What’s more, the vertical storage of pegboards doesn’t only offer a good medium to store and organize your stuff. Since it allows more room on your floor, you and your loved ones can move freely and safely inside your tiny house.
2. Moveable Storage
In addition to pegboards, choose moveable freestanding units over permanent fittings for storage in your tiny space. For example, you can go for trolleys on casters that can be easily tucked away when unused or stackable crates you can reconfigure as desired.
For your workspace, unless it’s your priority, it’s a no go to install an all-singing, all-dancing office set-up since your space is scarce. One good option for you is a nifty pull-down or flip-down unit. Consider a tiny floating desk over a footwear rack or dresser too.
3. Multipurpose Sofas
Don’t underestimate the importance of comfortable tiny house seating. It’s where you spend most of the time relaxing in your tiny home. So opt for something comfortable enough to lounge in and small enough to fit your tiny space, like multipurpose sofas.
Since your space is very limited, choose something compact with extra concealed storage. You can use it as your bed and couch or have it as an extra sleeping area at the ready for friends or relatives who like to crash.
4. Space-savvy Kitchen Tools
When space is limited, the last thing you want to see is a bunch of kitchen tools taking it up. For your small-space kitchen, opt for collapsible kitchen tools, hanging racks and storage, multipurpose tools, and compact versions of kitchen machines.
Today’s market is filled with space-friendly go-to kitchen staples. So there’s no reason why you can’t organize your kitchen in a way that makes everything accessible. Also, invest in storage that keeps your kitchen items not only in an organized way but also aesthetically. 
5. Washer-and-Dryer Combo
Placing a separate washer and dryer in your tiny house will take up a lot of space. This is the very reason why most tiny homeowners invest in washers only. To dry their clothes, they’ll just have them dry in an eco-friendly drying rack outside.
But if the weather in your place isn’t always good, opt for a space-saving 2-in-1 solution —washer-and-dryer combo. Not only are they space-efficient, but they are also gentler on the clothes. Its washing performance and energy consumption are on par with a standard washer.
6. Combo Kitchen
A practical substitute for an expensive traditional cooking space is a combo kitchen. It offers affordability and a space-saving solution for small living spaces without sacrificing essential conveniences.
It’s a single, standalone unit that combines all your basic kitchen needs, hence called “combo.” For example, it can have a stovetop range, a sink, and a mini refrigerator. Other models have ovens, freezers, and electrical outlets, as well as built-in cabinets, cutting boards, and storage drawers.
Nonetheless, carefully consider your needs before purchasing a combo kitchen. For example, some combos don’t offer specific appliances, like an oven and a freezer. So make sure to know your eating and cooking habits and the appliances you usually use. Also, since most combination kitchens are space-savers, they only offer small spaces for food prep. If you want something more spacious, you can add a countertop kitchen cart easily.
In general, having a larger refrigerator and pantry is a good option for those who usually make homemade meals but rarely cook. But, conversely, for those who like cooking, there’s no need to worry. All combination kitchens can meet your daily culinary needs.
7. Home Insurance
Motorhome insurance is a legal requirement in the United Kingdom. Should anything happen to your motorhome when it’s in storage, parked up, or out on the road, it provides financial coverage against theft, accidents, and damage to your home on wheels or another vehicle.
There are three main types of motorhome insurance in the UK. First is the Third Party coverage. It’s the basic level of cover required to drive on UK roads. It covers the costs of compensating others for the injuries or damages you cause to them or their vehicle.
Second is the Third Party, Fire, and Theft coverage. It’s similar to Third Party but with additional coverage. As its name implies, it covers the costs of your motorhome being stolen, damaged, or destroyed by fire.
Last is the Fully Comprehensive coverage. It’s also similar to Third Party, Fire, and Theft coverage but can also cover damages on your motorhome that aren’t your fault. It’s the most recommended coverage among the three.
There are several sites that can help you compare quotes and policy levels that suit you best at a glance. For example, if you’re going around Europe, Compare the Market and Money Supermarket can give you a hand.
If you’re aiming for the United States, try checking Assurance, another site where you can easily compare affordable rates , get home insurance quotes, and purchase policies from up to 15 carriers. However, it typically offers coverage for foundation-based tiny homes, not tiny houses on wheels.
Even if your house is tiny, its unexpected risks can be huge. The damages of catastrophic events and accidents are usually inevitable and can surely leave a big hole in your wallet. More importantly, your tiny house is a serious investment, so it’s financially wise to protect it with a good insurance policy.
Final Thoughts
The trend of tiny homes can also be interpreted as a result of the skyrocketing property prices in conurbations due to our current global economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But generally, tiny homes are suitable for those who prefer a minimalist and mobile way of living.
