Every Friday, learn about one of our speakers at the 4th Annual BIG MAssachusetts Tiny House Festival! Subscribe to our email list or RSVP on Facebook to get each new update.

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Ethan Waldman is a tiny house author, speaker, and teacher. He built his own tiny house on wheels in 2012, and has been passionately helping future tiny house dwellers on their own journeys ever since. Ethan’s guide, Tiny House Decisions, has helped thousands of readers answer the big questions about tiny houses and plan each system in their future home. He’s also the creator and host of the Tiny House Lifestyle Podcast, a show that brings you conversations with tiny house luminaries, builders, and DIYers.

Ethan and his wife Ann live in their tiny house part-time in Northern Vermont.

What first brought you to the tiny house world?

In 2011, I was 26, bored, and already burnt out on a corporate career. I decided to embark on a 1-month, self supported bicycle tour with my cousin. As we pedaled the 1500 miles north from Vancouver, BC, and down the sunshine coast, people kept saying the same thing to me: “This is going to be such a life-changing trip for you!”. But I didn’t feel like my life was changing. I just felt insatiably hungry, sore, and tired.

It wasn’t until I returned home that things felt different. Sitting in my cubicle, stationary all day, was suddenly unbearable. The 2-bedroom house that I was renting, full of books, music, and furniture felt like a giant weight, dragging me down.

At that point, I had already heard about tiny houses, but the idea of actually building one started to make a whole lot more sense. I could build my own home from savings, and reduce my monthly living expenses from thousands of dollars to hundreds of dollars. I could leave my comfortable salary behind and focus on developing my own business. Tiny house living would allow me to match my lifestyle to my income.

How has living tiny changed your day-to-day?

Drastically slimming down my wardrobe, books and other collectibles was one of the early benefits. But over time tiny living has completely reshaped the way I interact with consumption used to be a real shopper. When I was a kid, I loved going to garage sales and just buying tons of random stuff. Now that I approach the world through the tiny living lens, I seek out quality and longevity over price and have to be way more conscious about what I bring home (because it has to fit!).

What are some of your favorite things about your house?

My copper shower is still just as beautiful as the day I installed it, and it’s so unique! I’ve never seen another house with a copper shingle shower surround. I also love the loft- it has 5 windows, so you get an amazing view of the surrounding nature.

Why are tiny houses striking a chord right now?

Tiny houses continue to be one of the only ways for young people to own their own home without taking on 30 years of debt. They also have become a key way for people reaching the ends of their careers to retire in a way that allows them to stretch their dollars further. Many people come to tiny house living for the financial benefits, but stay for the unexpected beneficial improvements to their overall lifestyle. All that combined with nonstop publicity from tiny house reality shows creates an environment where many newcomers are exploring the possibility of tiny house living.

What have you learned from your work as a tiny house advocate, educator, and now podcast host?

I am constantly surprised by my capacity to be delighted. Let me explain: even in the 7 years since I became aware of tiny houses, the designs and features have changed. I see houses all the time with innovative new features or design ideas that make me wonder how no one had thought of them yet. In design, I believe that constraints are what generates the opportunity for creativity, so tiny houses are a natural testing ground for innovative design ideas. As a podcast host, I now have the privilege of meeting people who are advocating for tiny houses in unique ways all around the country and hopefully, the world. No one idea or model fits every situation, and there are so many wonderful examples of tiny houses being used as a solution to homelessness, affordable housing, creating more adventure, and financial freedom.

Hear more from Ethan and our other speakers at 4th Annual BIG MAssachusetts Tiny House Festival on Sept 28-30! Subscribe to our email list or RSVP on Facebook to get each new update.

Buy your tickets in advance to save $5!