Why Tiny Homes Are Trending Across Australia

Tiny homes have come a long way since the early days when cabinet makers and carpenters tried to maximise every square inch of space out of an already cramped shoebox.

Comparatively, in 2022, tiny homes are bigger, modern, and often relocatable but still meet the requirement of ‘affordable living’. 

Tiny home sales in Australia continue to increase each year. However, the reason for the boom in tiny house interest will surprise many Aussies. It’s not just the elderly or the eco-focused young and free who are increasing the sale numbers of tiny homes and granny flats.

90% of millennials are concerned they won’t be able to enter the property market, and alternate housing for long-term and short-term accommodation fills the gaps. 

Who Else Lives in Tiny Homes?

With property prices increasing year on year across Australia, tiny houses have become a suitable solution for people wanting to enter the property market while needing to hold off building the dream home. This gives younger Australian’s the opportunity to enter the property market sooner. 

Additionally, tiny homes, often called “granny flats,” continue to enter suburban backyards. In this scenario, middle-aged children are the typical buyers, with ageing parents becoming the occupants. 

According to 2019 data from CoreLogic, simply adding two bedrooms and an extra bathroom to a house can add 30% value on top of the properties previous amount. Therefore, the investment savvy has also joined the tiny home trend to help fuel the growth in tiny home sales across the country (here are examples of tiny homes with two bedrooms and one bathroom). 

Tiny houses have become a viable option for short-term living solutions, allowing people across Australia to secure and live on their own blocks of land faster and with less cost. Giving them their own home sooner and more time to save and build the bigger ‘dream home’ on their land when that time arrives.

Is a Tiny House and a Granny Flat The Same Thing?

The short and simple answer is “yes”. No matter what label people put on these small houses, it mostly refers to a modern, comfortable home on a smaller scale. 

Tiny houses are now built-in:

• Studios
• One bedrooms
• Up to 4 bedrooms 
• And mostly all with internal bathrooms and kitchens (depending on the manufacturer). 

Tiny House Trends are Changing

If you look at the range from VanHomes, you’ll quickly see that the interior of these “tiny homes” would not look out of place on the front cover of a property magazine.

Customers’ requests for more inclusions and industry standards have progressed well over the last ten years. The better tiny home manufacturers have upgraded designs to complement intelligent construction. 

Inclusions in tiny homes now need to meet the lifestyle of 2021 and far beyond. Features can include:

• Gas or electric cooktop
• Dishwasher
• Rangehood
• Island bench
• Complete modern cabinetry 
• Stainless steel sink with drying rack
• Shower recess
• Complete bathrooms 
• Space for washing machine
• And much more.

Not only are tiny houses becoming more sophisticated in general, but the usage trends are changing too. 

What Does This Mean for the Future of Tiny Living?

Buyers of tiny homes have been mentioned above. However, a growing group of people are emerging, boosting the popularity of tiny houses. 

Where there is a need for a semi-permanent living situation, a relocatable tiny home can provide the perfect solution and answer this lifestyle needs. Buyers are moving for work, lifestyle, and others and are not ready to purchase a home in their new area. 

For example, VanHomes construct tiny homes in the factory and deliver them on-site. With set up complete within one day, owners of these homes can quickly relocate when needed to continue living the flexible tiny house lifestyle comfortably and without giving up any of the modern comforts expected in any new home.