Last fall I had a conversation with an adventurous man who had packed his van and traveled to Florida without reservations. He planned to rent a place for the winter months. Much to his surprise upon arrival, he had a difficult time finding anything available so late in the season. Luckily, he found a small efficiency apartment. After a few weeks of living in a tiny space, he told me, he experienced a big revelation. He never realized how little space he needed to be comfortable.

Maybe that is what tiny-house wannabe’s need to do. Rent an efficiency or spend time is some other kind of small space to get the feel for it. Sit in the middle of your space and imagine yourself there with your belongings, keeping in mind the things that are important to you and what you really need. Walk around. Bring a friend to see how you can manage when someone else is in that space with you. Do you feel crowded? If you like to cook, visualize yourself making your favorite dish on that small counter area. Actually experiencing these things will help you decide if living tiny is right for you.