Tiny living means owning fewer things and choosing what really matters to you. Let’s be honest: many items most people own are barely used. You only need them occasionally, like a drill or a ladder. These are perfect candidates for collective ownership and management. A fancy way of saying: “sharing stuff with a group.” 😉 But which items are best for sharing? Let’s name a few.
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Lawn mower
Most Tiny House gardens have a small lawn, and otherwise, there’s often some grass in shared public spaces that needs mowing now and then. A lawn mower is useful in your Tiny House community, but it makes little sense for everyone to own one individually. It’s much better to invest in one quality mower together and share it.
For energy-conscious Tiny House residents, a manual reel mower is a great choice. If that feels too heavy, there are also excellent electric mowers with batteries or cords. And don’t forget the brushcutter, which can also handle a small lawn just fine. One more tip: flowering grass, especially with plants like clover and daisies, is very valuable for insects. So don’t mow too often. In spring, feel free to skip a week or more, or leave some strips uncut and sow extra flowers there. It will look cheerful and playful!
Washing machine
Space in a Tiny House is limited, and a washing machine takes up quite a bit of it. A disproportionate amount, considering most households only use their washer once or twice a week. That makes it an ideal item to share with neighbors, especially if you have a common room or shed. It’s easy to set up a schedule so no one has to wait with a full laundry basket. Each household one time slot per week – simple as that. You might also consider leasing a washing machine, ensuring you always have an energy-efficient, well-maintained model.
Tools
A set of screwdrivers, a drill with bits, a level, screws, and nails – these are things you’ll need from time to time, but you don’t necessarily need to own them all yourself. A well-stocked community toolbox with quality tools is worth far more than all those individual kits combined. Appoint one or two people to take care of maintenance and coordinate usage, and it will work smoothly.
Ladder
Sometimes you’ll need to maintain your Tiny House, like clearing the gutters. It comes with the territory of owning a home. Or maybe you have tall windows that are hard to reach. In those cases, a ladder is essential. But such chores only come up a few times a year, and your neighbors have the same issue. So why not share a ladder? It’s a bulky item that takes up a lot of space. A stepladder with plenty of steps is handy for quick jobs, while a folding or extension ladder is better if you really need height.
Of course, there’s plenty more you can share. The well-known shared car, for example. But also: gardening tools like spades and augers, a large soup pot or canning kettle, or even a mini-library where you exchange books. The list goes on. Sharing is not only space-saving and social but also reduces production needs – which is better for the environment. What do you share with your neighbors?
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