You might be surprised about the concept of living your whole life in a yurt, but this concept has deep roots and was practiced in the past by nomadic communities in Central Asia. They used to rely on traditional portable dwellings known as yurts for their homes.
A yurt is simply a circular tent made of wool felt or canvas, and you can easily assemble & disassemble it when needed. Yurts had a role in the cultural identity of the people like the Mongols and Kazakhs.
But in the modern yurt culture, this is not restricted only to central Asia. People worldwide are seeking sustainable, eco-friendly, and affordable ways of living, and this yurt culture is a great alternative to conventional housing.
In this blog, we will describe the benefits of yurt living, tips and considerations for living in a yurt, and many more.
Benefits of a Yurt Life
Cost-Effectiveness and Affordability
One of the prime benefits of the yurt life is that it can be very affordable and cost-effective.
If you want to live in a traditional house, you will require a lot more materials to set it up. Moreover, you will need a lot more capital to build one than a yurt house.
Another plus is that yurt houses are often exempted from taxes, so you will not have to pay any property tax.
Flexibility and Mobility
With a yurt house, you have complete freedom of flexibility and mobility, as yurts are easy to move from one place to another place. So if your job is such that you have to move from place to place like a digital nomad, this is the perfect fit house for you.
They can also be easily assembled and taken apart when needed. If you are a traveler and you explore the world going to far distant places, you will have a yurt home that you can easily transport with the help of a truck or a vehicle, making things much more practical.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Living
With the increasing use of concrete and other materials for building houses instead of the natural materials used back in the past, houses are making the environment less sustainable, as non-eco-friendly practices are used, causing a polluted environment.
With the use of yurts as homes, we are making the environment much more sustainable as yurts are made of natural materials such as wood, canvas, and wool that provide extra insulation. These materials are renewable and biodegradable resources, so they don’t harm the environment.
Moreover, many modern yurts are designed in such a way that they save energy usage. With features such as double-glazed windows, energy is saved as they keep the interior warm during winter months. And you don’t have to use energy to warm the internal space.
Connection with Nature and Simplicity
As you live in a yurt full time, the one prime benefit you get is connecting with nature. In today’s fast-paced life, we lose our connection with nature and work hard day and night just to make ends meet.
But traditional yurts offer the opportunity to stay connected to nature year round and enjoy a simple life with less hustle and more peace. Some yurts even provide a 360-degree view of the amazing landscape so that you won’t miss anything.
Unique Design and Way of Living of Yurts
If you are a fan of uniqueness, modern yurts provide unique designs and features not present in traditional homes, such as the one in the picture.
Versatile Usage
Lastly, a yurt can be used for various purposes.
They can be used as one’s primary residences or vacation homes. Or as guesthouses or rental properties; or as studios or offices. The options here are vast.
Overall, given yurts’ uniqueness and versatility, you can use a yurt the way you want.
Considerations of Design and Features of Your Yurt Home
When considering living in a yurt, looking for design and feature considerations is standard practice.
Features are important as they can ensure additional comfort and safety (for example, the size of the yurt, the type of insulation used, etc.)
Designs are also relevant, especially for people (like us!) that can’t resist great looking items. Yurts are extremely customizable, so you won’t have a problem creating the perfect one for you and your family.
Many new features and design options are available that may interest you. For example, yurts are now being sold with various floor plans that are similar to modern lifestyles.
On the interior design, there are also significant advancements: modern home decor ideas incorporated in the structural elements of the yurt give it a whole aesthetic look. And without disturbing their portable nature, modern yurts now provide high-efficiency curved glass windows, space-age insulation, and clear translucent vinyl skylights.
Yurt Living: Tips and Considerations
Here are some valuable tips to make the yurt your next home.
Choosing the Right Location and Site Preparation
One of the most important things you need to do when moving to a yurt is to choose the right location and prepare your site according to the requirements.
Like when you buy a home, you will have to look carefully at the site and location, with the goal of finding a decent place free from the danger of wildlife, extreme weather, etc.
Moreover, when choosing a site, ensure you have enough space for your yurt and can easily adjust the space. After that, prepare the ground for your yurt, and for that, level the area and lay a foundation material which can be gravel or concrete.
Understanding Zoning and Legal Considerations
Next on the list, you have to understand the zoning and legal considerations.
Check the laws and the regulations of the area for any prohibition of yurts in the area or something like that. Some governments have minimum and maximum stay periods regulations, so you must follow those rules.
Off-Grid Living Options and Utilities
One thing that you need to look for is whether you will go off-grid or not.
If you choose to go off the grid, you will have to arrange your energy source yourself. You can opt for solar power energy, which is the most popular source. Or you can go for hydropower in case you are in an area where you can set up a small plant for your needs.
Making a Yurt Feel Like Home
Furniture and Storage Solutions
Furniture is something that decorates your home, and at the same time, also fulfills your needs through its function.
When living in a yurt, you need lightweight and multipurpose furniture. You can opt for a sofa, bed options, folding chairs, etc., which are lightweight and can be used for different purposes.
For storage solutions, you need shelves, cabinets, and drawers that can help you keep the space organized.
Lighting Choices
Lightning is also one main thing that is essential for any house, yurt or not. Back in the day, people used lamps in the yurts for lightning. But with modern technology, you can now use other options, such as a skylight. They can be a really good choice for your yurt home.
Moreover, you should also opt for large windows so that more sunshine enters your yurt during the day. You can use wall sconces for nighttime lighting as they will not disturb you with their bright light. Moreover, you can use hanging string lights if you want a cozy atmosphere.
Color Palette
One thing to consider when designing your yurt to feel like home is the color palette. A color palette will create a look that is similar throughout the space. You must look for colors that evoke warmth and comfort, such as earthy tones like browns, tans, and greens or lighter shades like blues and yellows.
Textiles
Textiles are also one essential component in a household, as they give warmth to your yurt’s interior design scheme.
When considering textiles, look for lightweight yet durable fabrics such as cotton or linen. These fabrics won’t get too hot in the summer but still provide enough insulation during colder months.
For throws and blankets, look for options that are made up of natural fibers like wool or alpaca fur for extra coziness!
Personal Touches & Customization
The addition of personal touches throughout your yurt design is crucial. Most of the time, things are good but still missing something. That something is usually a personal touch and customization.
You can hang some of the artwork of your liking on the walls that speak to you; display collections of items you’ve gathered over time; include family photos; use plants as decorations; bring in items with sentimental value, etc. There are endless possibilities when customizing your yurt.
Challenges and Solutions of Yurt Living
When opting to live in a yurt, there are various challenges that you have to face.
Dealing with Extreme Weather Conditions
It is daunting when you opt for yurts in climates with extreme weather conditions. The yurt can provide insulation, but it is tough for a yurt to handle these conditions.
The canvas walls and roof of the yurt can only provide little insulation, and it can get very hot in the summer and cold in winter.
To solve this issue, yurt owners must invest in a good heating and cooling system and proper window coverings to help keep the temperature regulated inside the yurt. Strong foundations to protect the yurt from heavy winds or snowfall are always a must.
Addressing Privacy
In traditional houses, you can ensure adequate privacy. But when you live in a yurt, privacy becomes a major concern for you & your family, as neighbors may be able to see through.
To prevent people from peeking through or hearing noises, consider planting some trees or shrubs around your yurt for added privacy and investing in soundproofing materials.
Maintenance and Upkeep Tips
Another challenge with yurt living benefits is that you must regularly maintain the yurt and do the required regular upkeep to ensure it stays structurally sound and comfortable.
You should perform regular checks for signs of wear or damage, such as water stains on the canvas walls or roof, cracks in the wooden frame, or broken windows and doors.
But you must also not neglect the yurt’s interior components, like the electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures, furniture, etc., to ensure everything functions properly.
Adjusting to a Smaller Living Space
One more challenging thing is adjusting to a smaller space. In traditional homes, we have a lot of space to move around and live within. But you will have a smaller space to adjust here in a yurt.
To adjust to a smaller space, you must learn how to maximize storage solutions and be creative with furniture placement, as well as practice regular decluttering.