I stayed in a 250-square-foot tiny home for the first time, and 10 surprises left me thinking I could live in one

• I was convinced I could never live in a tiny home. Then I stayed in one.
• I booked a 250-square-foot home on Airbnb and was surprised by how big it felt.
• I wasn’t expecting to find a maximalist decor style that didn’t look cluttered.

Since it was advertised as being on wheels, I figured the Airbnb would feel like a mobile home, but this house didn’t look like it was going anywhere.

Inside, the house felt bigger than it looked from the porch.

But the sliding bathroom door was surprisingly clever. The sliding feature saved space that a swinging door would take up. I thought the door’s vibrant mosaic surface made it double as a piece of art.

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

I was sure the bathroom in a tiny home would feel cramped. I was wrong.

The bathroom felt spacious because there was no furniture in it, thanks to clever wall storage for toiletries and towels.

Back in the main room, I wasn’t expecting to have a queen-sized bed.

Since the square footage was so limited, I expected to have to sleep in a full- or twin-sized bed. But seeing this queen-sized mattress made me realize I wouldn’t necessarily have to compromise on my bed size in a smaller space.

While a smaller space means less to clean, I wasn’t prepared for how quickly and easily the inside can start to look messy.

Every mess can quickly feel like a big one when you’re in a tiny space. Something as small as an unmade bed, dishes in the sink, or clothes on the floor can be enough to make the room look chaotic.

Because of this, I cleaned up between every task. Since this isn’t something I normally do, I thought tiny living could help me build better home habits.

I used to think tiny living was reserved for minimalists, so this home’s maximalist style surprised me.

This home’s liberal use of color, unique storage spaces, and wall art gave it character. I thought the Airbnb had an inviting, lived-in feel that I often miss when staying in a minimal space. Paintings, prints, and sculptures extended to the ceiling, drawing my eyes up and elongating the space.

Admiring the interior design made me realize that filling a small space with decor doesn’t have to make it feel cluttered.

The home’s yard was full of plants and furniture, and it was much more important to me than I thought it would be.

I realized during my stay that having additional outdoor space to work, relax, and host guests outside would be crucial for me to live happily in a tiny home.

I pictured myself working in the lush backyard and thought this outdoor space made the tiny home seem more livable.

Overall, the tiny space felt large enough to live in — and that was the biggest surprise.

I didn’t think I’d leave this tiny home sincerely considering the lifestyle for my future. But seeing how storage hacks, sliding doors, and outdoor furniture made the home feel larger made me think I could downsize without sacrificing my love for decorating.