Tiny houses aren’t only capturing people’s attention – they’re turning into a full-on movement. People from all walks of life are choosing to downsize their lives by living with less and in less space. So, just how tiny are tiny homes? The typical tiny house is usually between 9 and 37 square metres. (Yes, you read that right.)

My husband and I have been in our 18-square-metre home for a year and a half. Our reasons for choosing this lifestyle include the financial freedom that comes from mortgage-free living, more free time because we have less house to maintain, and clean living in a more eco-friendly and sustainable dwelling that aligns with our focus on the environment. Plus, because we save money from not having to pay rent or a mortgage, we are able to travel more frequently. Of course, there are also some challenges that come with living in a tiny house, but we’ve figured out a few key ways to make this lifestyle work for us. Here’s what it’s all really like.