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Tiny houses are still far from commonplace

With lots of media exposure these days, tiny houses have earned a place at the top of the mountain.

There's a TV program devoted to documenting the search for the perfect model, and print media covers the topic regularly. Yet, there are still a fair amount of obstacles facing those who want to squeeze all their belongings into a 150-square-foot home on wheels.

When it comes time to locate a place to park these small havens, local governments often have a problem with the entire idea. That's when reality hits.

It seems that on top of the challenge of how to pare down one's belongings to fit into a tiny house, which is a herculean task, the rest of society is still grappling with how these homes should fit in residential neighborhoods. Many building inspectors consider these miraculous alternatives to a big mortgage to be mobile homes, and they forbid them. But folks who buy these homes on wheels classify them as a home.

Of course, the rules differ from city to city, but most communities have a minimum size for adjunct buildings. In most places, auxiliary dwelling units must be at least 350 square feet. Where I live the minimum is 700 square feet, which is far too large a home to be towed by a truck.

Some purchasers of tiny homes park them on friends' or relatives' properties. But finding space continues to be a struggle.

One would hope that tiny-house communities will eventually spring up, aided by organizations devoted to supporting affordable housing models. Such communities could have regulations similar to that of trailer parks that would maintain standard aesthetics acceptable to the larger communities.

The other challenge, of course, is how to make these tiny structures feel comfortable and function well. In the larger tiny-home models there is often room for a petite built-in sofa or a couple of chairs. I love the idea of a rocker in a tiny place because it offers a soothing, gentle experience that everyone from an infant to an elderly person appreciates. What could be better than a small, fully upholstered rocker? Rockers have been around since the early 1700s in England, and they are one of America's favorite pieces of furniture.

Tiny houses often include design solutions that are used in modern mobile homes, but usually only mobile homes offer two plush cab seats. They are ergonomically designed for hours of sitting during travel. They swivel, and the pitch and seat height are adjustable. It is difficult to replicate these features in a free-standing piece of furniture.

Everyone wants at least one super-comfortable chair in their home to watch TV or read. The trick is to find well-designed, but petite models. Consider buying a humble ottoman or footstool to accompany a small armchair in order to increase comfort.

Another way to increase the function of the interior of a tiny house is to create a living space outside the home. Create a separate space using a free-standing canopy or a triangular sunshade. Sometimes these unique devices are called shade sails. They are hung by attaching all three corners: Generally, one side is attached to the home, and the other two corners are tied to trees or well-secured posts. These sails are generally made of durable, mold-resistant plastic that offers relief from strong sun, blocking about 95 percent of harmful UV rays.

In some parts of the country, a canopy is only a fair-weather solution. But some tiny houses have hinged porch covers that are more durable and can be closed down for transportation to a new site.

By creating an outdoor seating space you have more options to augment limited interior space. However, you do have to be aware of insects and exposure to the unrelenting elements.

• Christine Brun is a San Diego-based interior designer and the author of "Small Space Living." Send questions and comments to her by email at christinebrun@sbcglobal.net.

© 2016, Creators Syndicate

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