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What It’s Like to Stay in a 250-Square-Foot Tiny Home

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  • I stayed in a tiny home that I found on Airbnb for two nights, and now I want to live in one full-time.
  • I’d never stayed in a tiny home before and thought I’d feel limited in a 250-square-foot house.
  • The home’s impressive space-saving hacks and lush outdoor area won me over.

“Hopefully it looks smaller on the outside than it feels on the inside,” I thought as I walked up to the front door of my home for the next two nights.

In 2021, I took a trip to Miami and stayed in a 250-square-foot tiny home I found on Airbnb for about $100 a night.

It was my first time staying in one, and I figured I’d find the space uncomfortably small for more than a couple of nights. But the tiny house packed in a queen-sized bed, a kitchen, a bathroom, decor, and storage space, all without feeling cramped.

I also thought tiny homes were just for minimalists. However, this one’s liberal use of color, unique storage spaces, and mixed-media wall decor made it feel inviting without seeming cluttered.

I never thought I’d say this — but now I can picture myself living tiny.

The tiny home had a private entrance in the side yard and felt hidden away by plants.


The exterior of a vibrant tiny home with a painted porch and trees on the left



The outside of the tiny home.


Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Located in the lush backyard of a full-sized home, my Airbnb was hidden underneath 100-year-old oak trees, according to the listing.

When I arrived, I pictured myself working among the array of plants and thought this outdoor space made the tiny home seem livable.

To the right of the front door, the bedroom had a queen-sized mattress and frame.




The reporter relaxes in the tiny home.


Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I was surprised to find a queen bed in such a small space. But it made me realize I wouldn’t have to get a smaller mattress to live in a tiny home — as long as I was smart about using the remaining space.

There was a table next to the bedroom, and I thought it was clever of the owners to put crates on the walls for more storage space.




Kitchen storage in the tiny home.


Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The table also doubled as storage shelving. I stored my belongings here to feel more at home during my stay.

The kitchen had a fridge, toaster oven, full-sized sink, and counter space to the left.




Inside the kitchen.


Joey Hadden/Business Insider

A sliding barn door led to the bathroom past the kitchen, which I thought was a clever way to save the space a swinging door would take up.

The bathroom had more storage and decor all over the walls.




Inside the bathroom.


Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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

After a meal and a shower, I relaxed on the bed and thought, “Yeah, I could live somewhere like this.”




Inside the tiny home in the morning.


Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In the morning, my feelings were confirmed when I saw all the natural light through the windows.

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