I stayed in a 250-square-foot tiny home for the first time, and 10 surprises left me thinking I could live in one

The tiny home I stayed in had wheels meant to be pulled by a trailer, but it didn’t look like it had been moved recently.

Located in the hidden yard of a larger home, the Airbnb stood on cinderblocks against a wall. Its wheels were not visible from the accessible side, and I thought moving it would be no easy feat since it was far from the street.

This didn’t deter me from the lifestyle, since I wouldn’t want to move my hypothetical future tiny house, even if I had the option.

From the outside, the tiny home looked to be the size of a bedroom.

But the inside had a bed, a kitchen, a bathroom, and storage space, all without feeling cramped. High ceilings made the space feel even bigger. I was especially surprised that there was enough room for me to do yoga.

I arrived at my Airbnb at night. The next morning, the room felt much larger with the window curtains drawn, which made me realize that windows can make a small space feel more open.

I expected to find some of the space-saving hacks I saw in the tiny home, like a mounted TV and a table that doubled as storage.

But the sliding bathroom door was surprisingly clever. The sliding feature saved space that a swinging door would take up. I thought the door’s vibrant mosaic surface made it double as a piece of art.

Similarly, next to the shower, a storage closet had a curtain rather than a door, which I thought looked better while saving more space.

The bathroom felt spacious because there was no furniture in it, thanks to clever wall storage for toiletries and towels.

Since the square footage was so limited, I expected to have to sleep in a full- or twin-sized bed. But seeing this queen-sized mattress made me realize I wouldn’t necessarily have to compromise on my bed size in a smaller space.

Every mess can quickly feel like a big one when you’re in a tiny space. Something as small as an unmade bed, dishes in the sink, or clothes on the floor can be enough to make the room look chaotic.

Because of this, I cleaned up between every task. Since this isn’t something I normally do, I thought tiny living could help me build better home habits.

This home’s liberal use of color, unique storage spaces, and wall art gave it character. I thought the Airbnb had an inviting, lived-in feel that I often miss when staying in a minimal space. Paintings, prints, and sculptures extended to the ceiling, drawing my eyes up and elongating the space.

Admiring the interior design made me realize that filling a small space with decor doesn’t have to make it feel cluttered.

I realized during my stay that having additional outdoor space to work, relax, and host guests outside would be crucial for me to live happily in a tiny home.

I pictured myself working in the lush backyard and thought this outdoor space made the tiny home seem more livable.

I didn’t think I’d leave this tiny home sincerely considering the lifestyle for my future. But seeing how storage hacks, sliding doors, and outdoor furniture made the home feel larger made me think I could downsize without sacrificing my love for decorating.