Tiny Preparations

MAKING SPACE

Becoming a parent is daunting enough—but preparing for a baby while living in a tiny house adds an entirely new layer of intention. When every square foot matters, you tend to listen a little more closely when people talk about what baby items were truly worth it and which ones didn’t live up to the hype. We knew that adding a little one to our tiny house would come with challenges, but also overwhelming joy. During this season of preparation, I’ve been researching what we actually need and carefully measuring the spaces we do have to see what will realistically work for us.

I’ve compiled a list of most of the basics and will be sharing some tiny-house-optimized options in a future post. But before we get into what we’re bringing in, let’s talk about the space itself—because in a tiny house, the space always comes first.

THE NOOK THAT IS BECOMING A NURSERY

Our tiny house originally had a twin-sized bunk bed in what we call the “nook,” located across from our bathroom. This area is essentially a wide hallway that leads to the bedroom (we have both a ground-floor bedroom and a loft). Over time, the nook has evolved into a cozy but functional space that currently holds a secondhand rocking chair my husband loves (I can’t say I was originally a fan, but it’s grown on me), our desk, and a bookshelf that once lived in my childhood closet.

It’s also where I’m sitting and writing this now.

When we moved into our tiny house, we already knew we wanted to start a family while living here. Because of that, the bunk beds were one of the first things to go. Removing them opened up space that could adapt to whatever season we were in—and now, that season is preparing for a baby. It’s finally time to turn the nook into a nursery of sorts, and I couldn’t be more excited to create our tiny nursery in this little corner of our home.

WORKING WITH 24 SQUARE FEET

The nook is small—very small. With the loft directly above it, the ceiling is low enough that my 5’3” self can reach it easily, and the total space comes in at around 24 square feet. Surprisingly, seeing that number makes me hopeful rather than discouraged. Tiny living has taught me that limitations often spark creativity.

Our plan is to fit a crib and a dresser into the space, with the dresser doubling as a changing table. Of course, this means the beloved rocking chair will need to move out of the nook. But never fear—it will (hopefully) find a new home in the living room, where it can continue to be enjoyed during many quiet mornings in our tiny house.

LETTING GO TO MAKE ROOM

The nook isn’t the only area of our home that will need to change. With the rocking chair moving, several other items will likely be finding their way out of our living space as well. Our desk, my mini coffee bar, and probably more clothes than I’d like to admit will need to be rehomed.

When we designed the interior of our tiny house, our goal was to make every inch count. Much of our furniture was built by my husband specifically for this space, so most of it is staying. That means the real changes will come from how much we store and what we choose to keep. Going more minimal is the only option—and honestly, it’s not an easy task for me.

I own a lot of clothes, and I really like mugs.

Still, this challenge is pushing me to focus on what I truly need and what actually adds value to our daily life. I may not be perfect at this tiny-living thing yet, but I’m learning.

LOVING THE CHANGES

Our home has been in a constant state of flux since the day we moved in. I’m always looking for new ways, appliances, and tools to make the space function better and feel easier to maintain. That’s part of the adventure of tiny-house living, and truthfully, I love it.

Both my husband and I cherish the coziness of our small space and enjoy filling it with warmth to make it feel like home. Tiny living has taught us that space isn’t just about square footage—it’s about intention, flexibility, and making it something you love. We truly can’t wait to add a little one to this adventure and see how our tiny home continues to grow right along with us.