According to research conducted and published by Technavio in August 2020, the global “Tiny Homes” market will grow by $5.80 billion between 2020 and 2024.

What is the key market driver?

The popularity of eco-friendly tiny homes is a key factor driving the growth of this market. Studies show that the United States and Canada are of course the countries with the largest market potential, but Europe is not far behind.

Why do customers look for small-scale houses?

1. Ecologically

If you don’t know yet, small-scale houses are an ecologist’s dream come true. This is one of the most important reasons to use a compactly designed space. According to recent studies, small houses reduce the carbon footprint by up to 45%. Previous studies have also shown that people need 8,000 sq m of resources to sustain themselves throughout the year. After moving to a small house, they only needed 3,700 sq m. Eco-friendly things are popular these days. In the case of small houses, builders have come up with various solutions to meet the growing demand, including:

- use of composting toilets in bathrooms

This type of toilet is pleasant to use and does not require flushing, which makes it extremely ecological.

- use of solar energy

Renewable energy is the future, and tiny house owners are using solar energy to power their homes. The panels have become much cheaper in recent years. The only requirement is that the tiny house be located in a sunny spot. In this way, the stored energy can charge the batteries and support the household.

- use of natural light

There is nothing more ecological than a slow house, which is mainly based on natural lighting. Small houses are designed to please the eyes with the beauty of nature, but also light bulbs have been replaced with large, illuminating windows. Houses often also have skylights, which allow for efficient use of sunlight.

- building made of recycled materials

Some items, including pallet wood and other reclaimed materials, can be used to build a small home. Let’s remember to renovate furniture and give it new life in the spirit of slow.

With more and more people becoming aware of the needs of the environment, it is no wonder that eco-friendly tiny houses are so appreciated.

2. Unique styles

A small home doesn't have to be boring. Here are some trendy designs that have caught the attention of people all over the world:

- Cob Houses

This style is completely eco-friendly because it is made from a mixture of clay, water and sand. It has a strong glue that lasts for a long time. Natural materials make the house durable while providing a comfortable place to stay without harming the environment.

- Containers

Who would have thought that containers can be transformed into a stylish little home? These containers are not made of natural materials, but instead of throwing them away, we can arrange our own little cozy place in them.

- Hobbit-style houses

If you are a fan of The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings, this small home trend is growing. It is best for those who, like in Poland, live in a colder climate. The house is dug into the ground. The first Hobbit houses have already appeared in Poland.

Rich, small houses.

When people think of a tiny house, they usually imagine a run-down, cold cubicle. However, many homes are just as luxurious as traditional homes. Even if you see a log cabin from the outside, its cost can rival that of a standard-sized home.

In most cases, the price is influenced by the materials used and the location where the house will be built. For example, if you want to enjoy a stunning view of the mountains or the sea, getting what you want will not be cheap.

You should also consider the appliances you will be using. High-end ones, along with solar panels on the roof, can quickly increase the price of your home. However, they are worth the investment. After all, it is your home, a place you want to be proud of.

Tiny Houses cost, depending on the equipment and location (plot costs), from PLN 150,000 upwards.

3. Small communities

As the minimalist lifestyle is becoming more and more popular, tiny houses, cozy cottages, BRDA-type summer houses, cabin houses, jute houses, glamping – all these concepts are becoming increasingly fashionable and many places have also appeared in Poland where you can rent an ecological cottage for a night, a weekend or longer. Agritourisms with a climate where the hosts will serve milk and cheese in a basket to your door in the morning have already gathered a considerable community in Poland around the great SlowHop portal. In your free time, take a look there if you don't know them yet.

Tiny houses for rent are a great opportunity for those looking to earn extra money.

"The Domki Marysia project was created for those who would like to buy a luxury house in an unusual location but do not have time to search, arrange the construction and ultimately take care of its rental. We are the first company on the market that deals with professional preparation of such projects.

In August 2020, we acquired a large foreign investor who believes in our idea and expects development outside of Poland in the coming years.
Two aspects are important to us: ecology and CSR. The houses are to use prefabrication technology on the outside and recycling on the inside. In addition, we do not want to be passive towards the local community. The houses are located in the wilderness but in a rural area, which means they have access to some infrastructure, and there are neighbors at a comfortable distance who will sell their agricultural products to the residents: honey, milk or eggs. If someone expects to rent their house, we can help find people who live in a given place and are willing to take care of the service. We found a dozen or so people willing to help us locally on the first project in Bojany: to prepare handicrafts, furniture that we want to use in the interior design of the houses.

Of course, we realize that you can't buy everything locally and most of us need at least a coffee from a coffee machine in the morning, but the idea of ​​our "villages" is to take maximum advantage of the benefits of the surroundings. Not to disturb them with our presence, both business-wise and environmentally.

"I transfer my experience from implementing and managing large projects to the field of luxurious but cost-optimized facilities, the locations of which delighted me and I saw the potential in their development. My team can quickly assess all technical aspects of the land, what technical limitations a given location has and how to fully use its potential when locating a house.

We are currently implementing a pilot project in Bojany nad Bugiem, we have also secured 3 other locations: in the Bieszczady Mountains, in the Lublin Voivodeship and in Warmia," says Dorota Burzec, the originator of Domka Marysia.