What the Tiny Home Trend Really Says About Us

Updated on 12/31/2015 at 8:15 PM

For a lot of people, 2015 was the year of BIG — it seemed like big lips, big desserts, and even big muscles were all anyone could talk about. But for the world of real estate and home decor, the past year has been all about going tiny. Tiny houses, that is! While the popularity of McMansions surged in the '90s and early 2000s, the new tiny home movemment is reflecting a cultural shift that's impossible to ignore. Downsizing seems to be fulfilling an entirely different fantasy — one that celebrates the freedom of small space living as a new form of luxury.

From a bounty of new television shows based on the subject to real life homes dominating social media, here are eight fascinating ways we've embraced tiny homes in a big way!

"She sheds" became the biggest Instagram fad.

Move over, man caves! She sheds became the biggest Pinterest and Instagram trend this year, and they're only destined to become bigger in 2016. A place for women to shed the stresses of the everyday, these backyard structures are ideal for reading, creating, gardening, or even napping.

Tiny houses took over our TVs.

With four shows dedicated to tiny homes on the air this year, there's no denying that the tiny house sensation is here to stay. Our DVRs can't get enough of Tiny House Nation, Tiny House Hounters, Tiny House Builders, and Tiny House Big Living — here's to hoping for more next year!

Small spaces were developed (and sold) on a large scale.

Tiny houses aren't always standalone homes — the desire for small living spaces has caught on in apartments, too. Many people are opting out of massive rentals and choosing tiny, affordable units instead. These popular 225-square-foot apartments occupy a former mall! The cool thing? There are still a select amount of shops downstairs.

Mobile homes enter the luxury market

Bloggers who live in hip, mobile homes have amassed tens of thousands of followers over the course of 2015, with more young people and families opting for small-space life on the road instead of traditional family homes. Start ups like Portland-based Tiny Heirloom offer luxurious features like granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and washer/dryer combo units in a small but stylish package.

People turned tiny backyard sheds into the coolest part of their homes.

Used as everything from personal pubs to luxe guesthouses, mini backyard sheds have become a huge demand for traditional homeowners.

Tiny homes helped needy communities.

Various charities are using the tiny house trend to provide shelter for the homeless. Inspiring organizations like My Tiny House Project LA have transformed a hip, minimalist housing movement into an opportunity to help those in need.

Offices are growing smaller, too.

People in 2015 don't just want to live in tiny homes . . . they want to work in tiny offices, too! After all, when you sit at a computer all day, do you really need a massive space?