Smallest Homes in America

Explore the fascinating world of small dwellings and uncover the charm of the smallest homes in America. Discover the ingenious design concepts, innovative use of space, and the unique lifestyle that comes with living in compact living spaces. From cozy cabins to tiny houses on wheels, this article delves into the diverse range of tiny homes across the country.

UPDATED: Nov 28, 2023

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UPDATED: Nov 28, 2023Fact Checked

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Chris Abrams

Licensed Insurance Agent

Chris is the founder of Abrams Insurance Solutions and Marcan Insurance, which provide personal financial analysis and planning services for families and small businesses across the U.S. His companies represent nearly 100 of the top-rated insurance companies. Chris has been a licensed insurance agent since 2009 and has active insurance licenses in all 50 U.S. states and D.C. Chris works tireles...

Licensed Insurance Agent

Daniel Walker

Licensed Insurance Agent

Dan Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has been working in his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. He reviews content, ensuring tha...

Licensed Insurance Agent

UPDATED: Nov 28, 2023

Advertiser Disclosure

It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.

Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single insurance company.

Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.

UPDATED: Nov 28, 2023

Advertiser Disclosure

It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.

Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single insurance company.

Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.

UPDATED: Nov 28, 2023Fact Checked

Welcome to the enchanting realm of tiny living as we explore the captivating world of the smallest homes in America. In this article, we delve into the intriguing concept of compact living and showcase the ingenious design and creative use of space in these petite dwellings.

From charming tiny houses to innovative micro-apartments, we uncover the secrets of maximizing functionality and embracing a minimalist lifestyle. Discover the benefits of living small, such as reduced environmental impact and lower costs, and learn about the unique challenges that come with downsizing.

To ensure your tiny home is protected, enter your ZIP code now and compare rates from the best insurance providers. Safeguard your tiny haven with comprehensive coverage and embark on your journey of living large in a small space.

Dee Williams’ Tiny House

Dee Williams decided to downsize, and did it in a very big way. The result was an 84 square foot house that contains a living and sleeping area along with some limited extras. The sleeping loft is above the living area, and the home even has a kitchen counter and storage compartments. Her monthly household bills consist of about $8 for heating costs.

Eco-Bike Trailer

Paul Elkins took his home on the road with a mobile home design that rides
behind his bicycle. He gets his electrical power from a wind turbine and uses solar power for cooking and heating. This compact design utilizes the same space for multiple functions, but it has everything a single person needs for living.

Sun Dog Cob House

The Sun Dog School of Natural Building teaches people how to build small, sustainable homes. The Cob house is primarily made from straw and
mud, but also incorporates modern design techniques. Other features that can be used in home building include earthen floors, stone ovens and living roof designs which keep the home cool by using plants and soil.

Tiny House on Wheels

This home is 160 square feet in size, features bamboo flooring and has cedar siding. The kitchen is powered using 110 AC power. The
roof is double insulated for more effective heating and cooling and a complete gutter system is included. Plumbing was omitted to avoid zoning concerns, and the home is for sale at a modest price
of $25,000.

The Spite House

This home was built in in 1830 in Alexandria, Virginia. It measures 7 feet wide and a total of 320 square feet. Built by closing in alley and using the exterior walls of the two adjacent buildings as the interior walls for this home, the Spite House has all of the modern conveniences of home and
includes an outdoor patio-garden that is, like the home, only 7 feet wide.

Shipping Container Homes

These remarkable homes can be as small as a single shipping container or as large and luxurious as you can afford. For tiny homes, furniture is
designed to serve double and triple uses, folding into and out of walls, floors and ceilings. Another usage for shipping containers is design modular rooms which can be inserted into specially cut
containers.

Tiny Houseboat

Houseboats, by and large, are tiny homes. This one is less than 500 square feet, uses solar power to provide 12 volt electricity to the appliances, and includes a kitchen and dining area. Cooking is done on a 2 burner gas stove and the home is supported on recycled 55 gallon drums. Complete with a lower deck and roof access, this is a small home with the potential to go anywhere, either by water or pulled by trailer to a launching facility.

Smallest Homes in America: The Bottom Line

While the evolution of the average size of a US home has followed an upward trajectory over the last forty years, tiny houses still very much have their place.

From decreasing the amount of space you need, to being able to show off a creative way of living in a cozy house, living in one of the smallest homes in America is a surprisingly popular—and viable—way to live.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the smallest homes in America?

Some of the smallest homes in America include Dee Williams’ 84 square-foot tiny home, the Spite House in Alexandria, VA, which measures only seven feet wide, and a tiny houseboat that is less than 500 square feet.

Are these homes designed to be mobile?

Yes, some of the smallest homes in America are designed to be mobile, such as the Eco-Bike Trailer and Tiny House on Wheels.

Do these homes have restroom facilities?

The smallest of these homes may not include restroom facilities, but they have everything else, and since the smaller ones are designed to be mobile, you can use restrooms and showers at campgrounds and other stops along the way.

Are these homes affordable?

Yes, some of these homes can be quite affordable. For example, the Tiny House on Wheels is for sale at a modest price of $25,000.

What materials are used to build these homes?

These homes are built from a variety of materials, depending on the design. Some are made from shipping containers, while others are primarily made from straw and mud.

Can these homes be insured?

Yes, these homes can be insured. However, insurance coverage and premiums may vary depending on the size, location, and other factors. It is best to consult with an insurance agent to determine the appropriate coverage for your home.

Are there any specific insurance requirements for these homes?

Depending on the design and location of the home, there may be specific insurance requirements. For example, if the home is mobile, you may need to consider coverage for transportation and liability during transit. It is best to consult with an insurance agent to determine the appropriate coverage for your home.

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Chris Abrams

Licensed Insurance Agent

Chris is the founder of Abrams Insurance Solutions and Marcan Insurance, which provide personal financial analysis and planning services for families and small businesses across the U.S. His companies represent nearly 100 of the top-rated insurance companies. Chris has been a licensed insurance agent since 2009 and has active insurance licenses in all 50 U.S. states and D.C. Chris works tireles...

Licensed Insurance Agent

Daniel Walker

Licensed Insurance Agent

Dan Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has been working in his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. He reviews content, ensuring tha...

Licensed Insurance Agent

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.

Free Insurance Comparison

Compare quotes from the top insurance companies and save!

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