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

The reporter stayed in a tiny home for two nights and was surprised by how spacious and livable it felt. Joey Hadden/Business Insider A 100-square-foot tube in Germany, an Airstream trailer in Austria, and a converted wine barrel in Switzerland — these are just a few of the tiny homes I've crashed in during my travels in a quest to discover how to make the most of a small space.But I'll never forget my first tiny home stay. In 2021, I booked two nights in an Airbnb on wheels in Miami for about $200.At 250 square feet, the home was half the size of my NYC apartment. And my stay was full of surprises. 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. Cinder blocks are seen underneath the house. Joey Hadden/Business Insider The tiny home I stayed in had wheels meant to be pulled by a trailer, but it didn't look like it had been moved recently.Located in the hidden yard of a larger home, the Airbnb stood on cinderblocks against a wall. Its wheels were not visible from the accessible side, and I thought moving it would be no easy feat since it was far from the street.This didn't deter me from the lifestyle, since I wouldn't want to move my hypothetical future tiny house, even if I had the option. Inside, the house felt bigger than it looked from the porch. Outside and inside the 250-square-foot home. Joey Hadden/Business Insider From the outside, the tiny home looked to be the size of a bedroom.But the inside had a bed, a kitchen, a bathroom, and storage space, all without feeling cramped. High ceilings made the space feel even bigger. I was especially surprised that there was enough room for me to do yoga. I definitely didn't think I'd find eight windows on such a small building. I realized they made the home feel more spacious when light poured in. Four of the eight windows are next to the front door. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I arrived at my Airbnb at night. The next morning, the room felt much larger with the window curtains drawn, which made me realize that windows can make a small space feel more open. I found clever space-saving hacks that I'd never considered. The sliding door leads from the kitchen to the bathroom. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I expected to find some of the space-saving hacks I saw in the tiny home, like a mounted TV and a table that doubled as storage.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 tiny home bathroom's sink and closet. Joey Hadden/Business Insider 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. The bedroom area in the evening. Joey Hadden/Business Insider 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. A wide view of the home first thing in the morning. Joey Hadden/Business Insider 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. Wall storage and decor in the kitchen. Joey Hadden/Business Insider 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. A peek at the outdoor space. Joey Hadden/Business Insider 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. The reporter gets cozy in the tiny home. Joey Hadden/Business Insider 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. Read next Joey Hadden is a travel reporter and photojournalist at Business Insider based in NYC. She covers transportation modes, alternative lifestyles, and luxury travel. Many of Joey's stories are visual features that give readers a front-row seat to her personal experiences at home and around the world.Joey graduated from St. Edward's University in May 2019 with a BA in Photocommunications. Since joining BI in 2019, Joey has traveled by train in seven different countries, from day trips to overnight rides as long as 30 hours. She's ridden on many different train lines, including Amtrak, Via Rail, and the iconic Orient Express of the 21st century, among others. During her travels, she's slept in countless accommodations — five-star hotels, unique tiny homes, and private train cabins, to name a few.When traveling in North America, Joey takes readers inside the continent's wealthiest enclaves where billionaires hide away, from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to Medina, Washington. She spends her free time singing and playing drums for the indie-rock band Blanket Approval. You can follow Joey on Instagram or send her an email at jhadden@businessinsider.com.Popular ArticlesI spent $1,000 to have a room to myself on a 30-hour Amtrak ride. It was the best experience I've had on an overnight train in the US.I booked basic economy flights with Delta and United. 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