The tiny house movement revolves around the philosophy of being content with having just the necessities on a physical level and being brought back to the essence of living. The point is to create a healthy, environmentally friendly lifestyle that is as debt-free as humanly possible. This leaves the owner free to spend more time and money on building relationships and having memorable life experiences, rather than on rent and other material, but unnecessary, things in life.

The average home size has continued to grow over the years, even as the average family size has begun to shrink. The tiny house movement is about reconciling our ideals to our needs and focusing on bigger lives and smaller spaces. Things do not (or at least should not) make us happy. Life should make us happy. And Americans in particular have become disillusioned with the fact that having more expensive things means we are living a bigger, better life.