This show is inspiring and very fun to watch with real people and real stories. The results are often amazing! Although, Zack seems to be the only one who really knows what he's doing instead of John who sort of just tags along making comments? However Zack and John is a great team and they are fun to watch. I really can't understand all the negative comments - yes, the script could be better as it feels a bit fake at times, but it's still a great show with two entertaining hosts!
39 Reviews
Great concept marred by a repeating script
Myrhial6 September 2019
I love the idea of tiny houses as a minimalist solution to having a home that you own yet saving money for other important things. I'm actually a fan of minimalism as a whole, and people like Marie Kondo who in their own way teach us about what matters in life and how we can find out what that is. So it's nice to see two experts host a show about this, more so as I get a kick out of the space saving solutions they come up with.
Where the show falls short for me however is the customization of the build. They seem to want to please the owners to a fault, and there is always a big hidden drama throwing a spanner in the works. Some of it is really only going to work out for a while, and while you can certainly redesign a space, it baffles me and after a while just felt it was an obligatory part of the episode script. There's a lot that plays on emotions too, like how cruel and inhumane it would be to fail these poor new people, and there the interactions start to feel fake. Not to mention every build is on some sort of ticking clock. Sure, there's often an urgency but life or death and then everything magically aligning? I'd have rather seen a realer show that highlights actual problems and how to overcome them or how to make do when stuff goes wrong. I'd also be interested in a season that goes back and revisits people, or shows established tiny home dwellers, where they talk about the good and bad and how things have evolved over time. Now there is just a little segment at the end but the timeframe is so short, everyone is still essentially in the honeymoon period.
Where the show falls short for me however is the customization of the build. They seem to want to please the owners to a fault, and there is always a big hidden drama throwing a spanner in the works. Some of it is really only going to work out for a while, and while you can certainly redesign a space, it baffles me and after a while just felt it was an obligatory part of the episode script. There's a lot that plays on emotions too, like how cruel and inhumane it would be to fail these poor new people, and there the interactions start to feel fake. Not to mention every build is on some sort of ticking clock. Sure, there's often an urgency but life or death and then everything magically aligning? I'd have rather seen a realer show that highlights actual problems and how to overcome them or how to make do when stuff goes wrong. I'd also be interested in a season that goes back and revisits people, or shows established tiny home dwellers, where they talk about the good and bad and how things have evolved over time. Now there is just a little segment at the end but the timeframe is so short, everyone is still essentially in the honeymoon period.
Why so much hate?
andreea_bob13 April 2020
The point of a home is to accomodate it's inhabitants, otherwise it is just a random house that can be literally everywhere. If you don't want to see the reason for which something is built the way it is (what some of those guys reviewing here call "drama") go to pinterest. The story of the poeple that will live in a house is extremly important for it to become a home. Especially if we're talking about houses that are so small.
I'm studying architecture. And while this is not a technical show and it is by no means made for specialists, it reminded me why I wanted to be an architect in the first place: to create for people.
Remove the human-touch of a home, and you got nothing by an empty shell. This show really captured the importance of the human being, human needs and human wants.
I'm studying architecture. And while this is not a technical show and it is by no means made for specialists, it reminded me why I wanted to be an architect in the first place: to create for people.
Remove the human-touch of a home, and you got nothing by an empty shell. This show really captured the importance of the human being, human needs and human wants.
Fun show ruined by fabricated drama
Garbonso19 January 2020
Seriously this show is a pretty fun watch, but every single episode is marred when John pretends he's Dr. Phil and subjects the audience to the most pointless drama. It's not a fun concept when you know there is a segment you are going to fast forward through every time.
Going Tiny In The Music City
bobbyshue-author19 June 2020
I felt that being a family of 2 girls, and your a musician and a wife who is an amateur fashion designer, I feel is a bit selfish to bring two kids into a tiny space (as they did) with all their needs and wants without thinking what is best for the kids. Leave it to artist to be selfish.
Skip through half of each episode and you're left with a decent show.
garnet-suss8 June 2021
WAYYYYYYYYY too much fluff/filler in this show. I'm six episodes into season 1 and find that I usually fast forward through 25-35 minutes of each episode. If I do that, I enjoy the show. There is just FAR too much back story and needless filler from the hosts. Zack is actually pretty good and I enjoy what he ads to the show. John is too much of a game show host for my liking.
Why is everyone so hard on this show?
lizthompsontx1 April 2020
I was reading the reviews and was kind of surprised. Have you never seen ANY of the shows on HGTV?!?! I think Zack is really smart & quirky. John is funny & provides a kind of commentary & kind of keeps the conversations & everything rolling with the homeowners. It's fun. It's interesting. Give it a try because these reviews are too harsh! It's a cool concept, for sure!
It's not a coincidence when this show started
Seller786212 June 2021
First, I wonder how they find these people? Did they talk people into this lifestyle change in exchange for $$$$$$$
Second, these type of shows began after the global economic meltdown that began in 2008. So what you have is people pretending this is an organic fad. The show where you have children and young parents, aren't being honest about the desirability and choice involved. For example one episode (2016) has a cute couple in their early 30s with 3 pre-kindergarten boys. And the focus is how great this will be for everyone. Lol
They need to make a follow-up episode of what type of disaster that became ... or how they avoided misery by giving up on the project after 2 years.
In summation, downsizing is a good idea, but in the past that used to happen organically when kids left the home and couples neared retirement age. They are selling this idea as a fashion statement. And as we all know, the whims of fashion are never long-lasting.
In summation, downsizing is a good idea, but in the past that used to happen organically when kids left the home and couples neared retirement age. They are selling this idea as a fashion statement. And as we all know, the whims of fashion are never long-lasting.
Great idea and characters ruined by fake human drama.
wraptile17 May 2019
The main crew are very likable, funny and joy to watch. The projects are fun and creative. Unfortunately the show falls apart because of constant injection this absolutely fake and horrible human drama. The 40 minute episodes could be boiled down to 10 minutes of good show the rest 30 minutes and an absolute drivel.
The haters are wrong, this is a great show!
susanclaire-287272 July 2021
First of all, John is funny and Zack makes a great sidekick. The projects are fascinating and the work Zack does seems like magic at times. Most of the tiny house homeowners-to-be are nice people. More than once this show has made me tear up. Come on, it's a cool show about a neat concept and appropriate for the whole family!
Better than average show
andrewimcdiarmid10 May 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I've found the tiny house idea fascinating for awhile. As the concept went from a fancy trailer where the occupants would have to borrow utilities and bathroom use from another house to the tiny homes of today where it is its own free-standing home, it has (no pun intended) grown exponentially. This show is a visual storytelling of people who decide to (for mostly economical reasons) go tiny.
The shows hosts are entertaining, although, I don't know if it's just me, but I find the main host John a little bit annoying. Every episode he screams out something about 'tiny homes' and each it seems to be an over the top way to create some sort of feigned excitement, but I just find it annoying. I get this is likely part of the gig, but it feels unnecessary. He also walks through each job site with a selfie-stick and talks about the progress that's been made so far and you get the sense that they'd all rather he go away and let them do their work, but otherwise he's a fairly affable host and the show is an enjoyable watch. The other host, Zack, is less grating and seems to also find John a bit much but it's very much part of the concept of the show, like a big brother and little brother thing. The banter and set up works well most of the time.
One thing I would have liked to have explained is how much of these homes are paid for by the dwellers and if anything is covered by the show. I don't believe anything is paid for by the show, but the way they make adjustments to what's added or how the house is set up seems to be done without consulting the home owner and thus, without concern for the cost. It's a bit confusing.
Other than this, a fun show. Some of the houses are honestly quite amazing. You get the sense that not all the owners will stay in a tiny home forever, but that's discussed openly on the show and cautionary warnings are issued so the show subjects don't get into a concept over the reality.
Worth a watch!
The shows hosts are entertaining, although, I don't know if it's just me, but I find the main host John a little bit annoying. Every episode he screams out something about 'tiny homes' and each it seems to be an over the top way to create some sort of feigned excitement, but I just find it annoying. I get this is likely part of the gig, but it feels unnecessary. He also walks through each job site with a selfie-stick and talks about the progress that's been made so far and you get the sense that they'd all rather he go away and let them do their work, but otherwise he's a fairly affable host and the show is an enjoyable watch. The other host, Zack, is less grating and seems to also find John a bit much but it's very much part of the concept of the show, like a big brother and little brother thing. The banter and set up works well most of the time.
One thing I would have liked to have explained is how much of these homes are paid for by the dwellers and if anything is covered by the show. I don't believe anything is paid for by the show, but the way they make adjustments to what's added or how the house is set up seems to be done without consulting the home owner and thus, without concern for the cost. It's a bit confusing.
Other than this, a fun show. Some of the houses are honestly quite amazing. You get the sense that not all the owners will stay in a tiny home forever, but that's discussed openly on the show and cautionary warnings are issued so the show subjects don't get into a concept over the reality.
Worth a watch!
Bad Acting Nation
sadworks4 September 2019
I love this show!
scoutdevon12 April 2020
Good ideas but terrible shooting
bwrtjntmw20 September 2020
Rochester, NY
nutshel723 January 2020
love it !
nayneezana17 May 2019
I'm a huge fan of tiny houses !
I dream of making one day !
Absolutely love Zack and John.
Thank God Netflix has started airing the show, otherwise finding the episodes on YouTube were difficult . However, does anyone know when Netflix airs more episodes? As of now there is only one season and 7 episodes available.
Thank God Netflix has started airing the show, otherwise finding the episodes on YouTube were difficult . However, does anyone know when Netflix airs more episodes? As of now there is only one season and 7 episodes available.
Let's NOT use the perspective distortion
cherylblake-3554917 June 2020
The try to make things look longer/ bigger by using angles and lenses to force perspectives. First ....stop...it is like cheating....second it makes me feel like it's cheating and makes this look like cheap fun house production filming.
Great show and Great Ideas
mhubbardbeale2 February 2021
Awful show
gordonidwan14 August 2019
I had the extreme displeasure of watching this show. Zack is a great go too guy that lives in a tiny house himself and bring his expertise to the shows special building issues. I have no idea why John is there. I suppose it is for all the "drama" that the producers feel must be necessary for these shows, which in my opinion, seriously detracts from what the shows title say it is supposed to be about.These houses are nice but have to cost at least $150K so I don't know what is so fantastic about that. If you want to watch an amazing show about tiny house living. Go to Youtube and watch Living Large in a Tiny House. The host is amazing, informative and the homes are amazing. There is also no drama!
Fun show!!!
samwillis-8665811 June 2020
FUN
ladybush132 March 2024
Fun show! Zack is amazingly creative. John is a hoot. Relaxing and entertaining and Addictive in a fabulous way. I love the show! Each creation fits the buyer's personalities and accommodates their needs. Zack is amazing and clever with something new and unique with each show. John prepares the people to the realization of moving into a smaller place than what they are accustomed to and the expected challenges that may follow. I learn something new with each tiny house. Building a unique tiny house each show is a real challenge and John and Zack don't disappoint. The guest owners are pleasant with individual reasons for going tiny . It is just good fun.
Love it!!!
matthewleexxx22 April 2022
Definitely a must watch. It is so fun to watch with real people and interesting stories and backgrounds. The two hosts are so dreamy to look at and their chemistry is so good. They both made a good team and are enjoyable to look at. I know they are not a couple and the bromance thingy is really a bonus for the show.
Love the concept
karenishere16 August 2019
I am an absolute fanatic of what the hosts call "right sized living". This show is wonderful in terms of the creativity and the reveals, the hosts themselves are delightful and really seem to do their best to help people transition, but the clients are by and large idiots. No one checks zoning requirements, no one tries living in a tiny space ahead of time, no one seems to consider how much space vs how much sh ... stuff, they actually have. The last one I watched was a 25 year old princess living in her mommy's house in a, what, 600 sq. *Bedroom* who made Daddy build her a mini house in the backyard. So stupid it made me want to strangle someone. Grow up and move into an apartment, please. Other episode, two adults and, on and off, their dog and 3 adult children sharing a space smaller than their garage. So the kids could be student loan free. Please. Free tuition OR free home, not both. They're not 9. 1000 sq and a small mortgage ... that's their answer.
I hate this because it actually Negates the idea of downsizing as a practical - as well as ethical - choice. Why not pick people who already know how to live in smaller spaces? Why not vet the zoning ahead of time? I also hate time-sensitive "reality" shows where there shouldn't be a ticking clock if you want a good result. So ... ten stars on concept and hosts, one star on promoting the movement.
I hate this because it actually Negates the idea of downsizing as a practical - as well as ethical - choice. Why not pick people who already know how to live in smaller spaces? Why not vet the zoning ahead of time? I also hate time-sensitive "reality" shows where there shouldn't be a ticking clock if you want a good result. So ... ten stars on concept and hosts, one star on promoting the movement.
My god, how bad...
jtrascap-112 May 2019
This show is not about tiny houses; it's about nattering personalities and mugging and trying too hard to be good tv. Roughly 10 minutes of the 25 minute show was actually about building the home.. If you actually want to learn about tiny homes, YouTube channels "Living Big in a Tiny House" or "Tiny House Expeditions". This is absolute rubbish.
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