120IDEASFORTINYLIVINGAcknowledgements

Therearesomanypeoplewhohelpedmakethisbookareality.Icouldn’tpossiblythankeveryonesoherearejustafew.

ForJillValuet:Thankyoufordeclaringyearsagothatneitherofuscouldcallourselveswritersifweneverwroteanything.BecauseofyouIgotmyacttogetherandstartedputwordsonpages.Icouldn’thavedonethiswithoutyourfriendship.

ForRyanMitchell:IwokeuponMarch17,2010tofindmystoryfeaturedonTheTinyLife.Ifithadn'tbeenforyou,Ryan,IwouldhaveneverknownthatanyonecaredenoughtowanttohearwhatIhadtosay.

ForAndrewOdom:I'vemetalotofpeopleinthetinyhousecommunitybutDrewhasbeenarealinspirationand,occasionally,apartnerincrime.Thanksforgivingmeachancetohavemyvoiceheardquiteliterally.

Andfinally,forMatt:Therearen'tenoughwordsIcansaytothankyouforallyouhavedoneforme.Ifitweren'tforthiscrazyideatobuildandliveinatinyhousetobeginwithIcouldhaveneverfollowedmypassiontobeawriter.Thankyouforbeingmypartnerforalltheseyears.Thereisnothingwecan'tdotogether.

120IDEASFORTINYLIVINGIntroduction

Whetheryouwanttosimplifyyourlifeordownsizeyourhomethereiswisdomtobefoundinthetinyhousemovement.

Thereisalottoconsiderwhendecidingtomakeatransitiontoanytypeofalternativelivingsituation.Therearelessonstobelearnedfromthesekindsofchangesthatcouldrevolutionizethewayweinteractwithourenvironmentandthepeoplearoundus.Inthisbookwewillexplore120ideasfortinyhouseliving–everythingfromhowtobuildittohowtodecorateit.Wewillexplorebigideas,smallideas,andeverythinginbetween.

“IwenttothewoodsbecauseIwishedtolivedeliberately,tofrontonlytheessentialfactsoflife,andseeifIcouldnotlearnwhatithadtoteach,andnot,whenIcametodie,discoverthatIhadnotlived.”–HenryDavidThoreau

AboutLifein120SquareFeet

ForallofouradultlivesmypartnerandIfeltdrawntoliveunconventionally.WeembracedThoreau’sphilosophyto“LiveDeliberately.”Everyaspectofourlives,fromsleeping,toeating,toenjoyingeachother’scompany,shouldbeanexperience.OverthecourseofourrelationshipweexploredeverythingfromtravelingthecountryinanRVtolivingfulltimeonaboat.WelookedintoalternativeconstructionlikeEarthShipsandCordwoodMasonry.Itwasn’tuntilafriendintroducedustotheTinyHouseMovementandJayShafer’soriginaltinyhousecompany,TumbleweedTinyHouses,thatasolutionfinallyfeltright.WeboughtlandinthemountainsofNorthCarolinaandbeganbuildingourtinydreamhouse.WorkingonthehousetookusthreeyearsaswecommutedbackandforthfromAtlantatoAsheville.Thiswasouradventure.Wepouredconcrete,framedwalls,builtcabinetsanddoors.Wepickedoutcolorsandstoragesolutionsanddesignedspecialtyitemstofitourneeds.Everydecisionwasdeliberate.Wealwayshadtolookaheadtothefinishedproductsoweunderstoodhowthispuzzlewouldfittogether.Withthetinyhousefinished,wemovedinandcontinuedbloggingabouttheexperience.

Peopleaskusallthetimewhatitislikelivinginsuchasmallspace.Nowis

agoodtimetosharesomeofthelessonswe’velearnedalongtheway.

Inthisbookwewillexploreaspectsoftinyhouselivingfromtheconstructiontoexteriordesigntolandscaping.Wewillcheckoutsomealternativeenergysystemstorunatinyhouse.Wewilllookatotheralternativebuildingstoconsider.Wewillexaminewaystoorganizeandwaystodecorateyourtinyspaceaswellashowtolivetherebyyourself,withanotherperson,withafamily,orwithyourpets.

“Asweliveandasweare,Simplicitywithacapital‘S”-isdifficulttocomprehendnowadays.Wearenolongertrulysimple.Wenolongerliveinsimpletermsorplaces.Lifeisamorecomplexstrugglenow.Itisnowvalianttobesimple:acourageousthingtoevenwanttobesimple.Itisaspiritualthingtocomprehendwhatsimplicitymeans.”–FrankLloydWright

AQuickNoteaboutPhotos

Allofthephotosinthisbook,unlessotherwisenoted,weretakenbyme.Iamacasualphotographer(notevenamateur)andIamcertainthequalityofthephotoswillreflectthis.However,Idecidedtousemyownphotographsratherthanhireaprofessionalinordertomaintaintheauthenticityofourexperience.Ihopeyouenjoythem.

1.MORNINGSINTHETINYHOUSE

ThesunrisesoverthemountainandIslowlywakeupabout8amwhentheskyisalreadyabrilliantblue.ThemiststhatgivetheSmokyMountainstheirnamearelingeringinthetreesallaroundus.Itfeelslikewe’reinaworldapartfromeveryoneelse.Theairiscool,nomatterthetimeofyear,andIfeelagenuinesenseofserenityaboutme.

Morningsinourtinyhouseareverypeaceful.Ifyougetupbeforethedawnyouarerewardedwiththemostamazingsunrisethroughthemountainsandtrees;morebeautifulthanyoucouldeverimagine.Thereareincredibleshadesoforangeandpinkwithoutnamestodescribethem.Thechillintheairispermeableevenintheheatofsummer.Theairisneverstillattheseelevations.

ThatishowIstartmydayeveryday.Imaginebeinginapositiontodothisforyourselfandyourfamily.Imaginehavingasmallhouseanywhereintheworldthatcallstoyou.Whatareyouwaitingfor?

2.FRIEDEGGSANDWICHLet’sstartoutourfirstTinyHousemorningwithasimplebreakfastrecipe.

Easypreparationisimportantforcookinginasmallspacewithsparseresources.Thisfriedeggsandwichcouldn’tbeanysimpleranditissodelicious.

Youneed:EggsEnglishmuffinsCheese(cheddaroranotherfavorite)BellPeppers(Iprefergreen,butyoucanuseanycolor)

ToasttheEnglishmuffins.Wedothisusingourcastironskilletbecausewedonothaveatoaster.Weputalittlebutteronthemuffinsandplacethem

facedownuntiltheyaregoldenbrownanddelicious.Whentheyareremovedweaddateenybitofoliveoiltothepan.Youcouldaddmorebutterifyouprefer.Weslicethebellpepperssotheymakeringsaboutaquartertoahalfaninchthickandplacetheminthepanuntilyoutheyhavealittlechar.Crackanegginthemiddleofeachring.Cooktheegguntiltheyolkisjustthewayyoulikeit,flippingabouthalfwaythrough.Ilikemyyolksalittlesoftsoweonlycookthemforaminuteortwooneachside.PlacethecheeseonthehoteggandpepperandcoverthepantoallowittomeltbeforeplacingthewholethingontheEnglishmuffin.Enjoy.

3.BUILDINGTHETINYHOUSEYOURSELF

Withyourfirstdelicioustinyhousebreakfastoutoftheway,itistimetogetdowntotheseriousbusinessofdecidinghowandwhereyouwanttobuildyourlittlehome.

Partandparcelofthetinyhousemovementisthedoityourselfnatureoftheprocess.Manypeoplechoosethisroutebecausetheycanbeincontrolofeveryaspectoftheirhouse’sstructure.Herearesomereasonsyoumaywanttobuildatinyhouseyourself.

Choosingyourownmaterialsasyougo.Beingincontrolovertheformandfunction.Designingaspacethatworksbestforyou.Workingonyourowntimeline.Modifyingthingsasyougobecauseyoufiguredouta

betterway.Havingasenseofsatisfactionthatyoubuiltitwithyourownhands.

4.HAVINGYOURHOMEPROFESSIONALLYBUILT

Thesecondoptionforbuildingatinyhouseistopayacompanytobuilditforyou.Therearemanytinyhousebuildersthroughoutthecountry.Moreareestablishingbusinesseseveryday.Itiseasytofindsomeonenearenoughthatcanconsultwithyouandlearnaboutyourneeds.Herearesomereasonsyoumaychoosetohaveyourtinyhousebuiltbyaprofessionalcompany.

Theyareprofessionals.Thatmeanstheyhaveskillsthathomeownersdon’tpossessandwouldhavetolearnonthefly.

Theycanlikelybuilditinashortertimeframethanifyouhadtolearnasyougoalong.Theywillworkwithyouonthedesigntosuityourneeds.Theonlyanticipationyouwillhaveiswaitingtomoveinratherthanworryingabouteverystepofthebuild.

5.WHEELSORFOUNDATION

Therearetwochoiceswhenitcomestothefoundationofyourtinyhouse.Doyouchoosewheelsorpermanentfoundation?Thereareprettyclearreasonswhyyoushouldchooseoneortheotherdependingonyourlifestyle.

Wheelsoffermobilityandinsomecasescanavoidorlessenlocalzoningchallenges.ByconstructingahomeonatraileryoubypassaclassificationasabuildingandbecomeanRVorMotorhome.ThestructureisthenlicensedbytheDMVorequivalentinyourstateratherthanbeingsubjecttobuilding

codeinspections.However,otherinspectionsmightberequired.

Ifyouchosetobuildonafoundation,thereisalwaysariskwiththisapproach.Policiesandelectedofficials

canchangeineachmunicipalityandsomightyoursituation.

Theotheroptionwhenworkingwithafoundationistobuildaslightlylargerhomethatiscompliantwithminimumsizerequirementswithinyourcity.Thismaymeanyouendupwitha500squarefoothomeratherthana200squarefoothome,butyouwillbeabletoworkcloselywithcodeofficialsandinspectorsto

constructyourhomelegallyonyourproperty.Sometimesyoucanbuildasmallerstructureifthereisalreadyahabitablehomeonsite.Creativesolutionsincludebuildingonfamilylandorrentingayard.

6.TYPESOFTINYHOUSES

Whilethemostcommonstyleoftinyhouseisasmall,conventionallyframedhomeonatrailerorfoundation,likeours,thereareotheroptionstoconsider.Therearecountlessstylesonecanchooseforbuildingatinyhouse.Iwanttoexploreafewoftheminshortdetail.Thesestylesinclude:

airstreamboatcobb

cordwoodearthbagEarthshipsgypsyothermobilehomeschoolbustreehouseundergroundhouseyurt

7.BOATS

Boatsareprobablytheoriginalandmostcommontinyhousedesign.Thousandsofpeoplechoseanauticallifestylewhetheritisonasailboatormaybeatrawlerdockedsomewherealongthecoast.TherearealsointricatelittlehousesbuiltonfloatingfoundationslikethehouseboatcommunityinSausalitoCalifornia.Whenmyaunt,whohadlivedonaboatforsometime,sawourtinyhouseforthefirsttimeshefeltrightathomecommentingthatitwasalotlikelivingonaboat.Theonlydifferenceisthatourboatisonamountain.

8.COB

AnotheralternativebuildingoptionisCob.ThisisanhistoricbuildingtechniqueusedinEuropeover500yearsago.Itmixesnaturalmaterialsfromtheregionto

createsturdyclaystructures.Becausecobbuildingsonlyusetheclayforbuildingtheybecomewhatareessentiallyconcretestructuresor“monolithic”assomedescribethem.Cobislaborintensivebutitisenvironmentallyfriendlyandcanbebuilttoanyscale.Becauseofthelaborinvolved,itmayworkperfectlyforasmallstructure.

9.CORDWOODMASONRY

CordwoodMasonryisanotherveryoldbuildingtechniquethathasbeenmodernizedbymanyalternativebuildersintheUnitedStates.

Cordwoodmasonryisthemethodofusinglogswiththecutendsturnedtofacetheexteriorofthehomeratherthantraditional,lengthwiselogcabindesign.Thecordsofwoodcreateanextremelyefficientinsulation.Betweenthestacksoflogsisahandmixedmortarthatfinishesthewalls.Youoftenseeindividualsplacingcolorfulglassbottlesinthestructureaswellwiththistechnique.Theflexibilityofcordwoodprovidesinfinitedesignpossibilities.Youcanuseittobuildanysizehomebutitwouldmakeanexcellenttinyspace.

10.EARTHBAG

Thesehomesarebuiltbyfillingbagswiththerighttypeofsoilwhicharethenstackedupononeanothertobuildthewall.Theyarecommonlyusedtobuildsheltersforvarioushumanitarianprojectsbecausetheyarerelativelyeasytoconstructbutrequirequiteabitoflabor.Thesecommunitieswillcometogetherunderamanagementcrewandbuildthesehomesinthematterofdays.

Likealloftheideasincludedhere,thesebuildingscanbebuilttoanysizebutbecauseofthelaborinvolvedatinyorsmallhousecouldbeideal.

11.AIRSTREAM

JayShafer’sfirsttinyhomewasanAirstreamtraileranditisapopularchoiceamonghousingrebels.However,hetellsstoriesthatnomatterhowmuchhetriedtowinterize,thelittlemetalboxwasanuncomfortablewinterretreat.Dependingonwhereyouliveandwhatyouwantoutofyourtinyhouseaclassicairstreamcanmakeforanamazingexperience.Becauseoftheretrovibeatitscoretherearesomanythingsyoucandototheinteriortomakeitafunctionalandaestheticallypleasinghome.

12.EARTHSHIPS

Earthshipsareanothermethodofbuildingthatisintendedtobeself-sufficientandecologicallysustainable.Theyarealwaysbuiltwithsolarpowerandexcellentwaterreclamationsystems.Themostwell-knowncommunityistheGreaterWorldEarthshipCommunityinTaosNewMexicowherethereareseveralbuildingsavailabletorentbythenightorweek.

Thisstyleisbuiltusingrecycledtiresandrammedearth.Youplacethetirestocreatethestructureandfillthemwithpackeddirt.Itisverylaborintensive.Thesouthfacingpartofthehouseisalwaysbuiltwithlargewindowswhereyouwillplantanindoorgardenthatusesthegraywaterproducedbythehomesinhabitants.Itisatrulyelegantsystem.

13.VARDOORGYPSYWAGON

Agypsywagon,oravardo,isanothercommontypeoftinyhouse.Manypeoplearechoosingtoconstructupdatedversionsoftheselittlewagonsbecauseoftheirstyleandaesthetic.Manyusebrightcolorsandluxuriousfabricsthroughout.Thereareoftenintricatedesignsontheexterior.Avardoisusuallyasimplebedroomonwheels,butaddingasimplebathroomandkitchencanmakethestructureamorefunctionallivingspace.

14.RVSANDOTHERMOTORHOMES

Likeboats,motorhomesandRVsarealsopopularmobilelivingspaces.Theyareoftenusedastravelingvacationhomesorbyretireeswhowanttoseethecountry.ThereisnoreasonwhyawellmaintainedRVcan’tbeapermanenttinyhouseforanenthusiast.BecauseoftheprevalenceofRVparksthroughoutthecountryyoucanleadatrulynomadiclifestylewiththesehomes.

15.REPURPOSEDSCHOOLBUS

Amorefunkyideaforbuildingasmallhomeistoconvertanoldschoolbus.Lotsofindividualshavedonethisandshowcasedtheirworkontheweb.AschoolbusisverysimilartothesizeofanRVsobystrippingtheinteriordowntotheframeitprovidesablankcanvasfordesigningsomethingincrediblycoolandtosuityourowntastes.

16.TREEHOUSE

Whynotliveoutyourchildhoodfantasiesbybuildingyourhomeinatree?Ifyouareinanareawhereyoucantakeadvantageoftheverticalspacethismightbeagreatsolutionforgoingtiny.Therearemanywaystoconstructatreehouseandmanyofthemdonotharmthetreeinanyway.Imaginewakingupinthemorningandlookingoutoverthetreetops.

17.UNDERGROUNDHOUSE

RobRoy,leadingbuilderofcordwoodmasonryhomes,wasalsowellknownforundergroundhousemovementinthe60sand70s.Buildingahomeundergroundcanbeagreatwaytotakeadvantageoftheenvironmentandpotentialgeothermalheat.Thereareseveralwaystoconstructahomebelowthegroundincludingburyingashippingcontainerordoinganearthburmedhomewherethehouseisdugintoaslopedarea.

18.YURT

AYurtisaMongolianstructuredesignedtobeusefulfortheirnomadiclifestyle.Atitsmostbasicitisaroundframecoveredbysturdyfabriclikeskinsor,inmoderntimes,canvas.Manycompaniesarebuildingyurtswithalltheconveniencesofhomeandtheycanbeanincredibletinyspace.

Insomestrangeway,manytinyhouseownershaveatonetimethoughtaboutlivinginayurt.Iwonderifthiskindofnomadicdreampushesustofindwaystomakethissortoflifestylereallyworkinourlives.

19.THEMODERNTINYHOUSE

Nowthatyouknowwhatyouwanttobuild,howdoyouwanttobuildit?Therearecountlessoptionswhenitcomestotheoveralllookofthehouseandsomeofthestyleswillinformtheoveralldesign.ManyofthedesignsIgravitatetowardtendtobeeithermodernorrusticandsometimesastrangecombinationofboth.

Typically,modernisdemonstratedwithcleanlines,whiteaccents,andglassormetaltrimmings.Usemetalastheuprightsforyourladder.Installmetalorglassshelving.Usewhiteonyourwallsbutaddapopofredonthesofaorbed.TheSwedishfurnituregiantIkeacanhelpyoudesignagreatmodernplacewithsimplicityandkeepitveryuserfriendly.

20.THERUSTICTINYHOUSE

Asecondcommonhousestyleisrustic.Thisislikethequintessentiallogcabinwithlotsofwoodandnaturalelements.Usuallyithadwarmcolorssuchasbrownsandoranges.SometimesitmayalsoincorporatefrontierorSouthwesternmotifs.

Youmayconsiderbuildingaporchrailingusingbranchesforthebalusters.Youmayincorporatenaturalmotifswithstencils.Usebarewoodandwarmfabricsthroughout.

Foratinyhousedesignitmaybefuntoplaywithacombinationofthesetwostylesanddesignamodernrustichouse.21.WHERETOPARKORBUILD

Wheretobuildorparkyourtinyhouseisakeyquestionforanysmallbuildingproject.Itisnotonethatiseasilyanswered.Youneedtoanswerthreesimplequestionstodeterminewhatisrightforyou.

Doyouwanttobemobile?Doyouwanttobeinacity?Doyouwanttobeinthecountry?

Dependingonthelifestyleyouwantandthereasonyou’rebuildingatinyhouseinthefirstplaceyouranswerwillvary.

Manypeoplewillbuildtheirhomeinthebackyardofafamilymemberorintheirownbackyardiftheyalreadyhaveahome.Orifyouchoosetobuildonafoundation,likewedid,youwillwanttohaveyourlandalready,ofcourse.

Atinyhouseonwheelsallowsformanyparkingoptions.YoucanrentbackyardspacewhichyoumaybeabletofindonTinyHouseListings.Oryoucanfindaspotinaremoteareaandlivethere.ThereissomedebateinthecommunityaboutRVparks.Someareallowingtinyhousesandothersarestillconsideringtheissue.

CheckyourlocalbuildingcodesandRVParkingrequirementsbeforeyousetupshopanywhere.

22.TINYHOUSEINTHECITY

Therearemanyplacesyoucanparkyourtinyhouseandmanypeoplebuildwiththeintentionoflivinginthecity.Thecitypresentsitsownchallengeswiththebuildingcodes.IinterviewedMacyMillerofMiniMotivesfortheTinyHouseListingswebsiteandshegavesomeprettygoodadviceaboutdealingwithcodes.Youshouldbeabletoapproachthecitygovernmenttotalkaboutwhatyoucando.Ultimately,oncethehouseitbuiltitwillneedtoberegisteredwiththeDMVorequivalentinyourstateasanRVorMotorhome.Thiswillchangethelegalstatusofthehouseandyouwillfindsomeplacesyoucanparkit.Therearemanywaystohaveatinyhouseinthecity,sometimesyoujustneedtobecreativeaboutit.

PhotobyMarieMosley.23.TINYHOUSEINTHECOUNTRY

Havingatinyhouseoutinthecountryisadifferentconceptaltogether.Often,ruralareaswillhaveamuchmorerelaxedattitude.Thereareareasofthecountrywhereyoumightnotbesofaroutoftownthatitisn’tworthit.

Wemadethechoicetobuildourhomeinthemountains.Wemadefriendswithourneighbors,whichwaseasytodosincetheyareallsowonderful,andletthemknowexactlywhatweweredoingandhowweweredoingit.Weeven

sharedoursystemswiththemsotheycouldseehowthegraywaterandcompostingworked.

“Havenothinginyourhousesthatyoudonotknowtobeusefulorbelievetobebeautiful.”-WilliamMorris

24.TYPESOFWINDOWS

Hereisafunnystory.Yearsago,whenweboughtourplansfromtheTumbleweedTinyHouseCompanyweweretoldthatthewindowsrecommendedwerestandardsizes.Soweframedthehouseaccordingtoplanbeforepurchasingthewindowsthemselves.Whenwegottothepointwherewewerereadytobuythewindowswediscoveredthatstandardsizesdifferedthroughoutthecountry.Weconsideredouroptionsanddecidedtoinvestincustomwindows.

Wechosedoublehungwindowsforourhome.Wewantedtobeabletoopenand

closethewindowsinamannerthatwassafeforourcatsoshewouldn’tpushoutthescreenandescape.Wethoughtwemightopenthemfromthetopwhichweactuallydon’tdobutitisnicetohavetheoption.

Wechoseahandcrankedawningstyleforthelofts.Whataresomeotherwindowstylesyoucouldchoose?

CasementWindowsAwningwindowsDoublehungPicturewindowGlidingwindowSkylightBaywindow

Manytinyhousebuildersalsochoosetorepurposeoldwindowstheyfindatantiqueshops,thriftstores,orreclamationstores.

25.BUILDINGYOURTINYROOF

Howtoconstructyourroofisasbigadecisionashowtoframethewallsofthehouseorwhetherornottobuildonafoundation.

YourroofcanbeasimpleAFrameroof,bepeakedwithgables,orbeaslopedshedstyleroof.Thereareprosandconstoanychoice.Let’slookattheoptions.

TheeasiestisthesimpleAFrame.Abuilderwillexplaintheproperformulaforyoutousetohavethecorrectangles.Itisstraightforwardtoframeandsheathbecauseitistwostraightlines.

Additionallyyoucanaddgablesanddormerstoyourroof.Ashedstyleroofwouldhavebeenoursecondchoice.Becauseofthestylehousewebuiltwiththeloftitwasnotpracticalforus,butasimpleoneplaneroofthatslopeswouldbegreatforcollectingrainwater.Youcouldalsoputabeautifulbankofwindowsjustundertheeavesforagreatviewfromtheloft.

26.ATINYPORCH

Webuiltourtinyhouseporchasaseparatestand-alonedeckinfrontofthehouse.Itisconnectedtothehousebytheporchroofoverhang.Weuseddeckblocktolevelthetinydeckandittookjustacoupleofhourstoconstructthewholething.Theoverhangwasattachedtothehouseusingabeamandbird’smouthcutson2X4s.Thiswascoveredinthesameroofingmaterialastherestofourroof.Weusedbeautifulcedar4X4poststocreatealintelandpoststo

connectittotheporchproper.Weaddedtwosmallstoolsmadeoutofreclaimedbarnwood.Aredandbluegardengnomestandsguardatthedoor.Youwillmeethimlaterinthisbook.

27.YOUREXTERIORSIDING

Howyouwanttheexteriorofyourtinyhousetolookispurelyaquestionofaesthetics.Doyouwantsomethingmoremodern,moretraditional,ormorerustic?Therearemanypossibleoptionstoconsider.

Cedarshingles.Thisclassicmaterialwillgiveyourhouseanadorablecottagelook.Naturallyresistanttorotandinsectdamage,cedarisahardymaterialthatstandsthetestoftime.

Metal.Amoreindustrialfeelcanbeachievedwithcorrugatedmetal.

Doneproperlythiscanbemaintenancefreeaslongasyoulikethelookofweatheredmetal.

Clapboard.Thisstyleisaniconiclookformanytinyhomes.Itisagoodbalancebetweenlaborandcost.Boardandbatten.Thistraditionalcountrystyleismadeusingverticalboardswherethejointsarecoveredbysmallerbattens.Somebuildersreplicatethistechniquebysidingthehomewithstainedplywoodandcoveringtheseamswith1x2s.Reclaimedmaterials.Anotheroptionistolookatreclaimedwoodorothermaterialstosideyourhouse.Barnwoodisacommonoption.Also,imagineatinyhousecoveredinoldlicenseplates!

28.YOURINTERIORWALLCOVERING

Finishingtheinteriorofthehouseisasimportantasdecidinghowtofinishtheexterior.Herearesomeideasforinteriorfinish.

BeadboardPineorcedarsidingDrywall

Youmayalsochooseacombinationofthesewithachairrailanddrywall.Dependingonhowyouchoosetofinishyourhouseyoucandecideoncolorsandotherdecorativetouches.Manytraditionaltinyhousesusetongueandgrooveboardsfortheinteriorwalls.

“Toomanypeoplespendmoneytheyhaven’tearned,tobuythingstheydon’twant,toimpresspeopletheydon’tlike.”–WillRogers

29.TINYHOUSEFURNITURE

Whenfurnishingyourtinyhomeyouneedtomakesurethatallthepiecesarenotonlycomfortablebutsmallandfunctional.Youaren’tlikelytobeabletofit

aLazyboyreclinerinthespacesothinkcarefullyabouthowyouwanttoplantheplacementofyourfurnitureinyourtinyhouse.Ibelievethatasmallspaceonlyneedsafewselectpiecesoffurnituretomakeitcomplete.Regardlessofwhatyouchooseforyourhomeitneedstospeaktoyouandmakeyourspaceacomfortable,everydayretreat.

ManytinyhousebuildersgetnotonlytheirinspirationbutalsotheirfurniturefromIkea.Simplywalkingaroundtheirshowroomandlookingatthewaystheycanfitpiecesintotheirsmallspaceexhibitsisenoughtogetthetinyhousedreamer’screativejuicesflowing.

30.SOFAINTHETINYHOUSE

Seatinginthetinyhousecanbedifficult.Wewentthroughseveralideasbeforesettlingonoursolution.Manypeoplebuildtheirownsofaintothedesignofthetinyhouse.Wedidahybridapproach.Wefoundatinydormstylefutonwithaframethatdidn’tworkforus.Webuiltaframeoutof2x4sandre-boltedtheseatontop.Thisalsoallowedustohavestorageunderneath.Thissofaiscomfortableandworksgreatinthespace.

Youcanbeascreativeasthespaceallowsforyourtinyhouseseating.Otheroptionsinclude:

SmallsectionalsofaBuiltinseatingwithinabaywindowareaFutonPillowsandcushionsonthefloor

31.DIRECTOR’SCHAIRSASSTOOLS

Beforemovingintothetinyhouseweownedasetofdirectors’chairs.Itstruckusthatwecouldremovethearmsandusethemasstools,whichmadeusfeelrathersmart.TheyareverycomfortableandIspendmuchofthedaytheretypingsinceIworkfromhome.Directors’chairsaresmallandtakeupverylittlespaceplustheycanbeeasilyfoldedandstoredifnecessary.Whataresomeotherdiningchairoptionsfortinyhouses?

StackablechairsDeskchairsonwheelsFoldingbutterflychairsBarstools

32.DININGTABLE

Ourdiningtableisoneofourfavoritethingsinourtinyhouse.Itwasoneofthefirstaccessorieswebought.Severalothertinyhousebuildersalsousethesame

table.Thiswallmountedfoldingtable,calledaNorbo,isavailableatIkea.Itisexactlytherightsizetofitbetweenthetwowindows.

Therearealotofpotentialoptionsfortinyhousetables.Youcanbuyonecommerciallyoryoucanmakeoneyourself.Herearesomeotheroptionstinyhousebuildershavechosen.

Youcouldmounthalfofasalvagedorrepurposedtabletothewalltocreateaninterestinglook.Buildabar/desk/tableintothewalljustasyouwouldacountertop.Thiswouldprovidemultipleuses.Atablethatfoldsupintothewallvs.downlikeours.Averysmallstand-alonetable.Atablewithremovablelegsthatcanbestoredaway.

33.YOURCHOICEOFBED

Yourbedisgoingtobeoneofthemostimportantdecisionsyoumakeinatinyhouse.WhenwebeganbuildingourTarletonthesuggestionmadebytheTumbleweedTinyHouseCompanywastobuildabedoutoffoam.Wedecidedwewantedsomethingdifferent.Ouroriginalplanwastouseanairmattressbutdecidedagainstit.Infact,wespenttwomonthssleepingonadoublehighairmattresswhilevisitingfamilyfortheholidaysandwereverygladwedidn’tuseoneinthetinyhouse.Instead,weinvestedinafutonmattress.Weplaceditupinthesleepingloftanditisaperfectfitandverycomfortable.

Otherideasfortinyhousebedsinclude:

MurphybedSlideAwayBedortrundleFuton(mattressorfullpulloutcouchstyleframe)TatamiMatConventionalMattressAirMattressFoamMattressofyourowndesign

"Theminuteyouchoosetodowhatyoureallywanttodo,it'sadifferentkindoflife!"-R.BuckminsterFuller

34.IMAGINESPRINGATTHETINYHOUSE

Springonourmountainisinspiring.ThebrightgreenleavesbegintosproutonthetreebranchesandtheanimalsemergefromwinterintheSmokies.Springisthetimeforprojectsonthelandforus.Timetoplantagarden.Timetoworkwiththespringwatertomakesureitisoptimal.Timetocleanupafteranywinterstorms.

AcoupleofyearsagoIplanteddaffodilsnearagardenstatue.Whentheypushtheirnewgreenleavesfromthegroundandslowlyopentheiryellowpetalstofacethesun,Iknowthatwinterisnearlyover.Plantyourfavoritebulbsnearyourtinyhousetogiveyourselfthesamesenseofrenewaleachyear.

35.MID-DAYATTHETINYHOUSE

Itistimetotakeabreak.Putasideyourworkandyourchoresandspendsometimerelaxing.Fixyourselfsomelunchandthinkabouthowtherestofyourdaywilllook.

WhenIamworkingfrommytinyhouseI’musuallydonewithmywritingbyaboutmidday.Ioftentakeshortbreakstotacklesomeofmychoressuchasemptyingthegraywaterorfillingourwaterfilter.Thesethingshelpmestayconnectedtoourtinylife.

Howwouldyouspendyourdaysifyoulivedandworkedfromyourtinyhome?Whatarethethingsyou’vealwayswantedtodo?Willyoubeonoroffthegrid?Willyoubelivingwithsomeoneelseorbyyourself?Allofthesearethingstoconsiderwhendecidingtogotiny.Nowistheperfecttimetoconsiderthesequestionsandmore.

36.PLOUGHMAN’SLUNCH

I’veneverbeenafanofsandwiches.Idon’tmindanicePanininowandagainandoccasionallyIwilloccasionallyeatasubbutIdon’tpreferasandwich.LuncheswerealwayscomplicatedformewhenIwasworking–IhatedeveryoptionIcouldthinkof.ItwasreallyashamethatIdidn’tthinkofthisideawhileIhadafulltimejob.

WhatIdoloveareantipastoorcharcuterieorcheeseplates.Or,asafriendcalledthem,ploughman’slunches.Ruralworkerswouldtakecuredmeat,achunkofcheese,andheartybreadinthefieldswiththemwhentheyworked.Theoptionsareendless.Hereisatypicallunchforme.

Curedmeat.Wepickoutdifferentdriedsausageseachtriptothestorebuttypicallyitwillbea

pepperoniorsalami.Ialsoloveprosciutto.

Cheese.Thiscanbeahardcheeseorasoftspreadablecheese.Myfavoritesaresharpcheddarsorherbedgoatcheeses.

Crackersorbread.IpreferthecrunchofcrackerssoIwon’ttypicallygetjustaloafofFrenchbreadbutthatisanoption.Ilikebagelchipsoranytypeoforganiccracker.

37.THEHOMEOFFICE

Lotsofpeopleaskusaboutworkinginthetinyhouse.OneblogreaderwantedtoknowhowIhadspaceforahomeofficetoincludeprinters,books,paperwork,etc.Forus,workinginthetinyhousewasallaboutchangingourentireconceptof“working.”Iamafreelancewriter.Mostofmyworkisdoneonacomputerandsubmittedthroughtheinternet.Idoallofmyresearchonlineaswell.Therefore,theonlytoolsthatareessentialforworkingaremylaptopandaninternetconnection.MyhomeofficeishousedinmylaptopcasewhereIstoremycomputerandalltheassociatedcablesandotherrandomchargersanditems.Ido,ofcourse,haveapenandonesmallnotebooktowritedownthingstheoldfashionedway.

38.INTERNETINOUROFFTHEGRIDHOUSE

Inconjunctiontoworkinginthetinyhousepeoplealsowonderhowwehaveaninternetconnection.Ofcourse,ifyouhaveatinyhouseonthegridthisisnotanissueandyoucangetanysortofservice.Peoplesometimesthinkthatsinceweliveoffthegridanduponamountainthatwecan’thaveinternet.Weactuallyuseawirelessinternethotspotavailablethroughmycellphoneprovider.Allofthemajorcarriersoffertheseservicesandtheyareaffordable.Weranawire

throughthewallanditconnectsthewirelesshotspottoamagneticantennathatsitsonourmetalroofthuscreatingagiantantenna.Wehave4Gsignalonourmountain.

39.SOCIALMEDIAFORTHETINYHOUSE

Thisseemslikeastrangetopic,butIhaveputalotofthoughtintothebestwaytohandlesocialmediafromthetinyhouse.IrealizethatIamnotapioneerroughingitalongtheOregonTrail,rathersomeonewhowantstoliveasimplelifecombinedwithtechnologywhereitfits.IlovethefactthatweareoffthegridbutIcouldn’tstandtolivewithoutmyinternetconnection.

Lotsoftinyhouseowner’sblogandpromotetheirownstoryontheinternet.LinkedInisanessentialnetworkforbuildingmybusiness.Facebookisgreatforkeepingupwithfriends,familyandotherlike-mindedindividuals.WearefarflungbutbecauseoftheinternetIknowtinyhousersfromCalifornia,Idaho,Georgia,Florida,Oregon,Michigan,anddozensofotherplaces.Westayconnectedontheinternetbecausewecan.Wekeepintouchbecauseweallcare

abouttransformingourlivesthroughsimpleliving.Allofushaveverydifferentreasonsforwantingtodowhatwedo,butweareabletocometogethertoshareideasandourstorieswithoneother.Itreinforcesourcommunity.Nooneistrulyalonewithsocialmediatobringustogether.

Asyousimplifyyourlife,thelawsoftheuniversewillbesimpler;solitudewillnotbesolitude,povertywillnotbepoverty,norweaknessweakness.-HenryDavidThoreau

40.SOLARPOWERSYSTEM

Whenwestartedourtinyhousebuildwehadasmallsolarpanelsetupwithsmallportablebatteries.Whilethisworkedfineonatemporarybasisbuttoliveinourtinyspacefulltimeweneededtoampitup,nopunintended.Wereplacedourtemporary60wattsolarpanelsystemwithanewKyocera490wattsystem.Thisconsistsoftwo245wattpanelsthatconnectto45ampTristarMPPTchargecontrollermadebyMorningStar.Thesefeedintothree110amphourAGMbatteries.Weusedthesametrusty1800wattinverterfromouroriginal

systemtoconvertallthepowertoACinsidethehouse.Thereareseparatebreakersthroughoutthesystemsotheycanbesafelyisolatedandservicedatanytime.

Allofthewiringrunsundergroundinrigidconduit.

Wehadboughtatraditionalpoleandtopofpolemountforthepanelsbutwewantedmoreflexibilitytomovethemsincethesunvariesinpositioninourclearingthroughouttheyear.Mattcustomdesignedamountthatallowustodothisasnecessary.

WeboughteverythingattheAltEStoreonlineandtheywerequitehelpfulthroughouttheprocess.

41.ARTIFICIALWETLAND

Yearsago,whenwefirstdecidedthatwewantedtobuildsomethingsustainableinthemountainsofWesternNorthCarolina,wefoundabookcalledHealingAppalachia.InitweretonsofgreatideasforenvironmentallyfriendlysystemsthatyoucouldusetoimproveyourownpatchoftheAppalachianMountains.Ihopethatwhereveryouareinthecountrythatyoumightbeabletofindsimilar

localresources.

Oneideastuckwithus:buildinganartificialwetland.Thissystemisintendedrecycleanygraywateryougeneratefromyouroffthegridhome.Wehavea5gallonbucketthathangsbeneathourshowerdrainandallwaterthatisusedforcleaningourselvesordishesiscollectedthere.Weusebiodegradableshampoosandsoapstokeepasmanychemicalsaspossibleoutofthewatershed.Eachdayweremovethebucketandpouritintoourartificialwetland.Itcyclesthroughtheseriesofrocksandemptiesoutattheedgeofthewoods.

Ourdesignismodifiedtofitourspaceandouraesthetics.Theideaisstillthesame–watergoesthroughlayersofpumice,riverrockandpeagravelwhichhelpsfilteritbeforeitgoesintotheecosystem.Wechosetousaseriesofpotsindescendingsizeconnectedbyrigidpipe.Thisisnotonlyafunctionalsystembutanattractiveoneaswell.Dependingonyoursituationyoumaybeabletoconnectahosedirectlytoyoursystem.

42.HYDROPOWERSOLUTIONS

Wehaveoftenthoughtofwayswemightbeabletomakeuseofthespringonourlandbesidesjustusingthewater.Evenwithourlimitedwaterflowpowercanbegeneratedbyinstallingamicro-hydropowersystem.Ifyoubuildorparkyourhomeonlandwithariverorstreamyoumaybeabletogenerateasubstantialamountofpower.

Thereareseveralideasforconstructinghomemadehydropowersolutionsavailableontheinternet.

43.RAINWATERCATCHMENT

Ifyoudon’thaveorwanttousespringorwellwaterforyouroffthegridtinyhouse,anotherpopularoptionisraincatchment.Thisissomethingweplantodoonourowntinyhousebutbecausewehaveaccesstospringwaterwehaven’trushedtobuildit.

Theroofingmaterialthatwepurchasediscoatedwithafoodgradefinishwhichwillallowustocollectwaterthatisultimatelypotable.Wewillinstallguttersoneithersideofthehousethatwillleadintoaraincatchmentbarrel.Incolderclimatesyoumayneedtoburythebarrelbelowthefrostlinetopreventthewaterfromfreezing.

44.WINDPOWER

Ineverthoughtofwindpowerasareliablesourceofenergyforatinyhouse.Itseemedasthoughthecostoftheequipmenttoproduceitwouldbeentirely

unreasonableforsomeonechoosingtoliveamoresimplelife.ThatwasuntilIlearnedaboutportablewindturbinetechnology.ThereareseveralmodelsdesignedforandmarketedtotheRVcommunities.Someevenhavetelescopingmountswhichmakesetupandtakedownextremelyeasy.

Smallerwindturbineshavebecomeincreasinglymoreaffordableoverthelastfewyears.Itmightbeworthlookingintoifyouareinanareawhereyoucanmakegreatuseofthewind’spower.

“Thetruewaytoliveistoenjoyeverymomentasitpasses,andsurelyitisintheeverydaythingsaroundusthatthebeautyoflifelies.”–LauraIngallsWilder

45.YOURTINYBATHROOM.

Abathroomisoftentakenforgrantedinatraditionalhousebuttherearesomeadditionalconsiderationswhenconstructingoneinatinyhome.Someofthesecanfeellikeinsurmountableobstaclesinasmallspace.Herearesomeofthethingstotakeintoconsiderationforyourtinybathroom.

BathroomDoorsShowerToiletStorage

46.YOURTINYBATHROOMDOORSIfyouhaveenoughspaceinyourhomeyoumaywanttoinstallaslidingdoor.

Wedecidedtomaketwosmalldoorsthatclosetogetherinthemiddle.Thissolvesacoupleofproblems.Afullsizedoorwouldbangintothecabinetswhenitisopen.Withtwodoorsitiseasytoaccessthebathroomevenifsomeoneelseisinthekitchen.

Atonetimewethoughtaboutcurtainsforthebathroomdoorbutdecideditwouldnotprovideenoughprivacyorenclosureforthespace.Ihadalsoreally

wantedtodoswingingwesternsaloondoors,butthedesignjustwasn’tright.Bifoldclosetdoorsmighthaveworkedaswell.

Considerhowyourbathroomissituatedinyourhouse.Whatmakessenseforthespace?Isitbetterforthedoortoswinginorout?Canyouuseatraditionaldoor,apocketdoor,orafoldingdoor?

47.SHOWERINGINTHETINYHOUSE

Sincewemadethedecisiontoleaveoutplumbing(fornow)weneededhaveasolutionforhowtotakeashowerinside.Inthetimewespentbuildingandcampingnearourtinyhousewetriedeverykindofoutdoorshoweryoucanimagine.Weusedasubmersiblepump.Weusedacoppercoilwaterheater.Weusedgravityfedbags.WeusedaColemanhotwaterondemandsystem.Allofthemweregood,butnonewereperfect.

ThenMattmetamanwholivedonaboatandusedasimplegardensprayerforhisshower.Wethoughtthiswasagreatidea,buttheremightbeawaytoimproveit.

Wefoundourselvessearchingthelocalhomeimprovementstorestobuyagardensprayer,ashowernozzleattachmentandsomeplumbingpartstofitthemalltogether.Thesprayerwefoundhasanon/offswitchsowecantakeanoldfashionedboatshower–turnonthewater,getwet,turnoffthewater,soapup,turnonthewater,rinse,repeat.Itisamazinghowmuchwateriswastedinatraditionalshowerconfiguration.Ourdailywateruseisprettyminimal.

Sincewedon’thaveahotwatertapweuseaslightlymoreoldfashionedmethodforheatingourwater.Wefillthe2gallonsprayerwithaboutagallonofairtemperaturewater.Thenwefillourkettlewithaboutahalf-gallonandheatitonourstove.Onceitboilsweaddittothewateralreadyinthesprayer,screwonthetop,shakeandpump.Thefinaloutcomeisadelightfullyairpressurizedandhotshower.AgallonandahalfisenoughtogeteverythingquitecleanandIusuallygetafewrelaxingmomentstoluxuriateinthehotwater.Showeringisnolongerjustashower,itisanexperience.

48.THETINYHOUSETOILET

Noonewantstotalkaboutit,butthesubjectisimportant:toiletsinthetinyhouse.Manytinyhousebuildersgowithadrycompostingsystemasdescribed

byJosephJenkinsinTheHumanureHandbook.Therearealsocommerciallyavailablecompostingtoiletsthatyoucaninstallwhichdothesamethingbutinamoretechnologicallyadvancedway.IhavealsoseenotherbloggersmentionanincineratingtoiletwhichIfindmostfascinating.

Thebestpartaboutbuildingacompostingtoiletisbeingabletocreateonethatfitsyourspace.Youcanincludeatoiletpaperholderandastoragebinforthecovermaterial.

Iamnotanexpertonhumanure.Ifyou’reinterestedinlearningmoreabouthowitworksandwhyitisperfectlysafe,IhighlyrecommendcheckingoutthebookbyJosephJenkins.

Otheroptionsfortinyhousebathroomsincludecommercialcompostingsystems,incineratingtoilets,andtraditionalplumbing.Allwillrequirespecializedsystemstoinstallandworkproperly.

Simplicityisanacquiredtaste.Mankind,leftfree,instinctivelycomplicateslife.KatharineFullertonGerould

49.ATINYKITCHEN

Designingyourtinyhousekitcheninvolvestheartofspatialrelations.Withsuchasmallprepareayouneedtomakeeveryspacecountandbeasefficientaspossible.

Wechosetomakestandardcounterswithcabinetsbeneathandusedopenshelvesforstorageabovethecounters.Everythinginthekitchenisfunctional.Therearefourdrawersbeneaththetwosmallestcountersandthreeshelvesinthelargestcabinet.Thefinalcabinetisforrefrigerationwhereweuseasmallcooler.Inordertokeepthespaceopen,wechosenottobuilduppercabinets

Everythingonthecountershouldbedecorativeaswellasuseful.Withtwopeopleinthekitchenitmayseemcrampedattimes,butyoucanexpandsomeofthefoodpreparationtothetable.

50.TINYUTENSILSANDOTHEREASYTOUSEKITCHENGADGETS

Utensilsarenecessarybuttheyoftentakeupalotofspace.Usecollapsibleitemsasmuchasyoucan–theyarebecomingquitepopular.Wehavecollapsibleset

ofmeasuringcupswhichstoresflataswellasacollapsiblecalendarfordrainingpastaandwashingvegetables.Animmersionblendercanbeavaluablespacesavingtool.Wealsolikepotsandpansthatnest.Theyaremadeforcampingbutworkverywellfortinyhouses.Makesureeverythinginthetinyhousehasaplacewhereitbelongsorelsetheclutterwillstarttogetoutofhand.

51.HOWTOUSEREFRIGERATION

Thereisamovementoutsideofthetinyhousecommunitytoreduceourdependenceonrefrigeration.Evenfamilieslivinginsuburbanhomesaretryingtolivewithoutusingtheirrefrigeratortostorefoods.

Whenwehadarefrigeratorwefoundthatitwastypicallyfilledwithhalfusedcondimentsandnotmuchelse.Wewouldoftenbringleftovershomewithusandnoteatthem.Bychoosingnottohaveaconventionalrefrigeratorinthetinyhousewehavebecomemoreconsciousabouttheamountoffoodwecookorthatweorderinarestaurant.Ifyoueatfoodwithinafewdaysofpurchasingitmanythingssuchasfruitsorvegetablescangowithoutrefrigeration.Evenbutterandeggsdon’tneedtobekepttoocold.Makesureyouhaveacool,dryplaceinyourhome.For

us,ourcabinetsnevergetveryhotevenonthewarmestdays.Wealsohaveacoolerinsidethehousewhichwecanaddicetoasnecessary.Thetruthis,werarelyuseit.

52.STIRLINGENGINECOOLER

TheonepieceofrefrigerationtechnologythatwedohaveisaStirlingEngineCooler.ThiscoolerwasmanufacturedbyColeman,thecampingequipmentcompany,primarilyforusebylonghaultruckersandfishermen.ItisthesizeofatraditionalcoolerandhasanenginecalledaStirlingEngine.Itisaveryefficientenginethatcoolsanythingstoredinside.Wekeptthecoolerunderthehouseandpoweritthroughourbatterysystemdirectly.Weonlyturnitonwhennecessary.Weprimarilyusedittocoolourcraftbeer.WhilethecoolerisnolongermadebyColeman,thereareothersimilarunitsthatarestillusedonboatswhichmightbeagoodfitfortinyspaces.

53.COOKINGINTHETINYHOUSE

Cookinginthetinyhousepresentsitsownsetofchallenges.Manypeopledreamofthelargekitchenwiththetopofthelineappliances.Whilemanytinyhousebuilderswillinstallsmallversionsofregularkitchenappliancessuchasarefrigeratororastove,wechosetogoadifferentroute.Sinceourhomeiscompletelyoffthegridwedecidedtousebutaneburnersforourgeneralcookinganditworksoutverywellforus.

Tomakethebestuseofspace,wealsobuiltanoutdoorpreparea.Thisgivesusanopportunitytospreadoutabit.54.TINYSPICES

Evenanamateurcookneedsaccesstoherbsandspices.Oneoptionistogrowanherbgardentohavefreshflavors,butsometimesjarsofspicewilldothejob.Considerallthedecorativewaysyoucandisplayyourspices.

Fastensmallmasonjarsorbabyfoodjarsunderyourcabinetsofshelves.Thenyoucansimplyunscrewthejartousethecontentsandputitbackwhenyou’redone.

Createasmallnicheinyourinteriorwallbetweenthestudstostackyourspices.Putyourspicesinsmallmetalcontainersanduseamagneticstriponaverticalsurface.

55.USINGCASTIRONCOOKWARE

Thesinglebestweaponyoucanhaveinyourtinyhousekitchenarsenaliscastiron.Infact,Iwouldrecommendcastirontoanyonewhowantstolive,cook,andeatsimply.Castironisextremelyuserfriendlyandperfectforahomewhereyouareverycarefulaboutyourwaterusagelikeours.Properlyseasonedcastironcookwarerequiresverylittlecleaning.Onceyouhavefinishedcookinginit,cleanoutanyobviousfoodparticlesandthenrubitwithalittleoilanditisreadytogoforthenexttime.Irecentlyreadanonlinetipthatsuggestedusingcoarsesalttocleanitratherthansoap.

Wehavethreeessentialpiecesofcastiron:awok,askilletandaDutchoven.WechoseaskilletandDutchovensetwheretheskilletcandoubleasalidfortheDutchovenasnecessary.

56.THECASTIRONWOK

Weinvestedinanicecastironwok.AsImentionedinthelastidea,castironisgreatbecauseitiseasytocleanandthefoodcookedonittastesamazing.

Stir-frysareeasybecausetherereallyaren’tanyrules.Usewhateveryouhave.Whatkindofvegetablesdidyougetfromthefarmersmarketthisweek?Theycanbestirfried.Ifyouhaveleftoverriceandanextrafarmfresheggyoucanmakefriedricethenextday.Thefreshmeatsandvegetablesfromthelocalfarmer’smarketaregreatforthisstyleofcooking.Youcancookinyourwokeverydayandmakeacompletelydifferentmealeachtime.

57.EASYSTIRFRYRECIPE

Ingredients:Smallstripsorcubesofchickenorbeef.VegetableoilChiliOilCornStarchHoneyGingerSoySauceBroccoli(oranyvegetableyouprefer.Ilikebroccolibecauseitholdsthesauceandisveryflavorful)Brownrice

Inaseparatepot,startyourriceaccordingtopackagedirections.Bringittoaboilandthenturnitdowntosimmerforabout40minutesoruntiltender.Waitthefull40minutes,though,becauseyoudon’twanttoliftthelidofthepotveryoften.

Inasmallbowlcombinesoysauceandwaterforthebaseofthesauce.Wedothiswithoutmeasuringspecifically,buttypicallyitisahalfacupofeach.Addgingerandhoneytotaste.Stir.Addaverysmallamountofchilioil.Itgoesalongwayandcaneasilyruinthesauceiftoomuchisused.Youcanalwaysaddadroportwomoreasyougo.Thenwhiskincornstarchuntilthesauceisthickenedslightly.Again,youdothisbysight.

Goaheadandchopyourbroccoli.

Whenthericeisalmostdone,ordoneandkeptwarm,fireupyourwok.Onceitisheated,drizzlewithalittlevegetableoiltocoatthecastiron.Throwinyourchickenfirst–thiswilltakethelongesttocookandneedstobecookeduntilitisnolongerpinkinsidebeforeyouaddthebroccoli.Beefwilltakelesstimeandyoucancookittothetemperatureyouprefer.Oncethemeatisdone,throwinthebroccoliandthesauce.Stiritupandplacethelidonthewok.Givethisjustacoupleminutestosteamandyoursirfrywillbedone.Serveoverrice.

58.NOUNITASKERSINTHETINYHOUSE

IamabigfanofAltonBrownandhisFoodNetworkcookingshowGoodEats.Ontheshowhepreachesthatnotoolinthekitchenshouldbeasingletaskitem.Nothingshouldhaveonlyonejob.Thisisessentialadviceforthetinyhouse.Thereisnopointtohaving16itemsthatdoonetaskeachwhenyoucanreplaceitwithoneitemthatdoes16tasks.Consideryourkitchenneedsbeforestockingit.Whatkindsofthingsdoyoucook?Whatyouenjoydoinginyourkitchen?Whatkindsoffoodrequirementsdoyouandyourfamilyneed?Forexample,weownedagarlicpressbutrealizedwecouldeasilychopgarlicusingthesamecuttingboardandknifeweusetochopvegetables.Simplicityiskeywhenitcomestotoolsinyourtinykitchen.

59.BUTANEBURNERS

ManypeoplewillbuildtheirtinyhousewithasmallkitchenrangelikethoseusedinRVs.Sincethiswasourfirsttimebuildinganythingwedecidedthatwedidn’twanttoinstallanyappliances.Wechosetobuildstraightforwardcabinetsandcountersandusestand-aloneitemsforourcooking.Wehaveacampoven,whichcanonlybeusedoutside,butforregularstovetopcookingweusebutaneburners.Butaneisefficientandthelittleburnersworkquitewell.Weusethem

foreverythingfromheatingshowerstocookingdinner.Thebestpartaboutthebutaneburnersisthattheyareportable

Otheroptionsforindoorcookinginclude

StovesdesignedforRVsorBoatsAlcoholburningstovesElectrichotplatesInductionburners

60.TINYDISHESFORATINYHOUSE

Determininghowtostoreyourdishesmaybeaninterestingchallenge.Weoptedtocreateopenshelvingusingshelfbracketswithamodernindustrialdesign.OurdishescamefromIkeaandbecauseoftheirovalshapetheyareabletofitonskinniershelves.Wechosewhitesotheywouldmatchanydécor.

Whatotheroptionsexistfordishesinthetinyhouse?

VintageChina

MismatchedplatesfromthriftstoresforashabbychiclookMatchthedishestoyourcolorschemeCampingdishesforarusticlookEarthenwareproducedbyalocalartist

61.STAYINGCAFFEINATEDINTHETINYHOUSE

BeforemovingintoourtinyhouseweusedaKeurigcoffeemakerforallofourhotbeverages.ThesearethesinglecupcoffeemakersthatuseK-Cups.Iknowalotofothertinyhousedwellersneedtheirmorningcoffee,too.Wedecidedtoinvestinareallynicekettleanduseinstantcoffee.HelikestheStarbucksViabrandbecauseitdoesn’ttastelikeinstantcoffee.Thekettlecanbeusedforanumberofpurposes.Otheroptionsinclude:

ThesmallestmodeloftheKeurig.Frenchpress.Aeropress

Becomingaregularatalocalcoffeeshop.

62.USINGWALLSASSTORAGESPACE

Anothergreatwaytomaximizeyourstoragepotentialistousealltheverticalspacepossible.Useamagneticknifestriponyourwall.Youcanusehookstohangyourspoons,spatulas,andotherutensils.Useacorkboardtopinthingstothewalltokeepthemoffyourtablesandothersurfaces.Useachalkboardtowritenotesratherthanapadofpaperandapenlyingaroundthehouse.Creatingshelvesbetweenthestudsofyourinteriorwallsisanothergreatwaytomaximizethespace.

63.WATERINTHEUNPLUMBEDTINYHOUSE

Lotsofpeopleaskusaboutourwatersystembecausewechosenottohaverunningwaterorconventionalplumbinginourtinyhouse.Wedecidedtousethewaterfromthespringthatrunsonourland.Wecollectthatwaterandcarryituptothehousein4galloncontainers.Oncethere,weuseaBigBerkeywaterfiltrationsystemtofilterthewaterforhouseholduse.Thiswaterisusedforshowering,washingdishes,anddrinking.

“Thesecretofhappiness,yousee,isnotfoundinseekingmore,butindevelopingthecapacitytoenjoyless.”–Socrates

64.THETINYSUMMER

Forus,summerisallaboutcelebration.EachyearaswewerebuildingwehostedanIndependenceDaycampoutoverthe4thofJulyWeekend.Ofcourse,4thofJulyisIndependenceDayintheU.S.,butthetitlehasdoublemeaningforus–buildingthistinyhousegaveusanewsenseofindependenceinourlives.

Ourtraditionistoinviteourfriendstocamponourland.OneyearwhilewewerestillbuildingthehouseIcookedseveralthingsatourapartmentinAtlantaandfrozethem.TheythawedinourcoolerandIfinishedcookingtheminourcampoven.Onenightwehadcampnachos.Thenextnightweenjoyedtwodifferenttypesofstuffedpastashells.Thiswasn’tyourtypicalcampout.Weplayedmusicandtoldstoriesaroundthecampfire.

Ourfirstyearofficiallylivinginthetinyhouseweweretravelingnearthe4thofJulysowepushedoursummerpartybacktolaterintheyear.Atthispointthe

housewasbuilt,theoutdoorkitchenwasfinished,andtheFolkN’Ale(our“backyard”deck)becameanoutdoorstage.Thesearethekindoffantasticthingsyoucandoatyourtinyhouseinthesummer.

65.OUTDOORLIVINGSPACE

Whilewelovelivinginourtinyhouseitisimportanttoustospendtimeoutdoorsaswell.Wereallywantedtobeabletomaximizethe15acresweownandenjoythemountainsandthewoods.

Regardlessofwhereyoubuildyourtinyhouseorwhereyouparkit,youwilllikelywanttospendsomeofyourtimeoutdoors.Youmaybeinsomeone’sbackyardorinaruralarea,butmakesurethatyouhaveawaytogooutsideandenjoytheareayou’reinfromtimetotime.

Someideasforoutdoorlivinginclude:

solarlightdecorationaporchordeckgrowingherbsafirepitlandscapingyourtinyhousegardeningatyourtinyhouse

66.THEBACONALIA

TheancientRomanscelebratedtheBacchanaliainhonorofBacchus,thegodofwine.Theideaofabaconpartycametouswhilewewerecampingwithfriends.Latethatweekwerememberedthatwehadbrought2poundsofbaconandwereallywantedtoeatit,sowebegantofryit.Thesizzleandaromawokeourcampmatesandeveryonewasexcitedtogettheirhandsonsomebaconasitcameoutofthepan.Butthatmuchbacongeneratesalotofgrease.Isaid“whatweneedarepotatoes”andmyfriendsaid“Ihavepotatoes!”Sowecutthemupandthrewtheminthepanwithsomemincedgarlicandcookedthemforaslongasittookforthemtogetperfectlygoldenbrown,tenderanddelicious.Itisgreatforacelebration.IfyoudecidetohaveyourownBaconalia,Irecommendcookingoutsideorusingasplatterguard.Sinceitonlyusesonepanitisagreatideaforanoutdoortinyhouseparty.

WeuseourDutchovenbecausethedeepersideskeepthegreasesplattertoaminimum.

Startbyfryingyourbacon.Asyousetbaconasideonpapertoweltodrain,don’tbeafraidtoeatsomeasyoucontinuetocook.Thatispartofthefun.

Onceyou’vecookedapoundorsoofbaconthereshouldbequiteabitofgreaseinthepan.

Cutpotatoesintothinslices.Thethinnertheyarethefastertheycook,butyoudon’twantpotatochipthineither.Maybeaboutaquartertohalfaninchthick.Throwtheminthegreaseandstirsoeverythingiscoated.Addsomegarlicorotherseasoningasyouchoose.Thebacongreaseisveryflavorful,however,soyoudon’tneedtodomuch.Letthepotatoescookuntiltheyaretender.Thiscantakeupto40minutesorso.Thenremovethemfromthepanwithaspatulaanddrainthemonapapertowelandenjoy!

67.THECAMPCHEFCAMPOVEN(OREQUIVALENT)

WhenIwasintroducedtotheCampChefCampOvenitchangedthewayIthoughtaboutcooking,camping,andliving.TheCampChefCampOvenisdesignedforcampingapplicationsbutwehavefoundthatitisagreatadditiontoourtinyhouse.Sincewechosenottoinstallatraditionaloveninourhome,weuseourcampoventocookoutside.TheCampOvenispropanepowered,muchlikeatraditionalcampstove.Youcansimplyscrewinaonepoundpropanecanisterorusealargertankwiththeregulator(availableseparately).Thetopofthecampovenisatwoburnerstoveusefulfortypicalstovetoprecipes.Theovenitselfiseasytolightanduse.

Sinceitisalittlemoredifficulttoregulatethecampoventemperaturethanahouseholdoven,itisbesttoleavethedoorclosedasmuchaspossible.Ifyouneedtomakeadjustmentstothefoodduringcookingoraddany

ingredients,simplyremovetheitemfromtheovenandclosetheovendoortomaintaintheheat.Wehaveusedourcampoventocookcasseroles,roastvegetables,andevenbake.Smallerbakingpansandcookiesheetsworkwellforthissmallovenandfortinyhouselivingingeneral.

.68.CAMPNACHOS

Ilearnedthisrecipewhilewewerebuildingourtinyhouse.Iwouldmakeitaheadoftimeandfreezeit.ItwouldthawinthecoolerwhileweworkedonthehouseandIcouldcookitinthecampoventhatevening.

Ingredients:

1lbGroundChicken1tablespoonoliveoilRoastedRedPepperFlakeMincedGarlic1packettacoseasoning1canblackbeans,drained1cupsalsaShreddedMexicanCheeseTortillaChipsSourCream(optional)

Heattheoilinaskilletandaddahealthydoseofroastedredpepperflakesandgarlic.Whenthegarlicstartstobrownaddthegroundchicken.Breakitupandletitcookthrough.Thenaddthetacoseasoning.Mixthoroughly.Addthecanofblackbeans,thecupofsalsa,andstir.Letthemixturecoolandtransfertothe6X6pan(Iusedisposablefoilpans).Coverintinfoilandfreeze.

Onceyouarereadyfordinneratyourcampsite,setupyourCampChefCampOvenandignite.Setonhighandwaitforittocometo350degrees.Onceitdoes,turnitdowntolow.Removethefoilfromthenachosandplaceinoven.Monitortheoventomakesurethetemperaturestaysatabout350andadjust

knobasnecessary.Cookforabout20to30minutesoruntilheatedthrough.Addcheesetotopofthenachosandplaceinovenagainforabout10minutesoruntilthecheeseismeltedandthenachosarebubbly.Serveontortillachipswithaspoonfulofsourcreamorguacamoleontop.

69.LANDSCAPINGTHETINYSPACE

Dependingonwhereyourtinyhouseisparked,youmaywishtolandscapeyourimmediatearea.Ifyouarerentingsomeone’sbackyardyoucandothisbyaddingplanterswithbrightbeautifulflowersaroundyourhouse.Consideraremovablewindowboxsoyoualwayshaveaviewofgorgeousflowerswhenyoulookoutside.

Youmaycreateapathtoyourhouseusingstonepaversorevenwoodchips.Ifyouareinaspacewhereitisfeasibleyoumaywishtoplantsometrees.

70.ANOUTDOORFIREPIT

Whenyouhaveoutdoorspaceitisnicetohaveafirepitavailableforcookingorgathering.Youcanalwaysbuildasimplerockringoruseacommercialbrazieravailableatyourlocalhomeimprovementstore.Herearethebasicsofafirepitthatwebuilt.

Weusedstonepaversfromthehomeimprovementstore.Theyarethekindsthatareslightlytaperedinsoyoucancreatecurves.Webeganbylayingdownalayerofnarrow,gray,openbricksinaroughcircletoallowforairflowatthebaseofthefire.Wethenstackedtwolayersofthepaversontoptocreatethering.Wepouredpeagravelinthebedofthefirepittoprotecttheground.Itwasasimplejobthatonlytookahalfaday.Makesuretolevelyourgroundbeforeyoubegin.Youcandothisbydiggingasmallpitandtampingitdown.

Besafewhenyoubuildafire.Don’toverbuildandalwayshavewateravailable.

71.HERBS

Whenyoudoalotofcookingitisnicetohavefreshherbsatyourdisposal.If

youhaveatinyhouse,therearesomegreatwaysyoucangrowthemyourself.Youcanhavethemaspartofagardenoryoucanplanttheminasmallpotthatstandsonyourporch.Oneideaistoplantherbsintincansormasonjarswhichcanbeattachedtothesideofyourhouseandlabeled.Iliketohavebasil,cilantro,androsemaryonhandbutyoucanchoosewhateverflavorsyoulikethemost.Considerbuyingagardenkitorindividualpottedherbsthatyoucanreplantatyourtinyhouse.Therichgreencolors,scents,andflavorswillenhanceyourentiretinyhouseexperience.

72.GARDENING

Learningtogrowyourownfoodisaneasyfitwithinthetinylifeexperience.Manyfamiliesandindividualsareplantingmoreoftheirownfoodingardensandatinyspaceisaperfectplacetodothatyourself.Itgoeshandinhandwithself-sufficiencyandsustainability.

Asanalternativetoatraditionalgardentrycontainerorraisedbedgardeningtofitwithinyoursmallyard.

73.GNOMES:TINYHOUSEPROTECTORSMeetChomsky.

Chomskywasagiftfrommysisterandherfamily.Shefeltweneededatinygnomeforourtinyhouse.OurhousewouldnotbeahomewithoutChomsky.Iamsopassionateaboutagnome’splaceinatinyhousethatIfirmlybelieveeveryonewhobuildsoneneedstoacquireagnome.

Thebestgnomeforatinyhouse?

Youneedtochooseagnomewhosescalematchesthatofyourhome.Ifyourhomeisonwheelsmakesurethereisasecureplaceforhimtotravelindoors.Gnomescomeinmanycolorsandstyles.Makesuretoincludeyourgnomeinallyourtinyhouseadventures.

74.OUTDOORSTORAGEOutdoorstoragecanbeveryusefulwhenlivinginasmallspace.Youcanuseitforallofyourtoolsandoutdoorcookingutensils.

Wehavetwoformsofoutdoorstorage.Oneistheshelfbeneaththeoutdoorkitchen.Sincewecollectallofourwaterfromthespring,wehaveroomforsix4-galloncontainersofwateroutthere.Thereisalsoabinthatholdsalltheoutdoorcookingitemsincludinggrilltools,lighters,firestarter,charcoalandwoodchipsforgrillingalongwithdishsoapandabrushforwashingdishes.Westorethecampoveninitscaseonthisshelf.

Wealsobuilta“basement”belowthehouse.Becauseourhouseisoncementpiers,thebackofthehousesitsquiteabithigheroffthegroundthatthefront.Weusedscraplumbertobuildsteppedplatformsbetweenthreeofthepierstomakespacetostoresomeofourtools,shovels,hedgeclippers,campchairsandanythingelsethatcouldn’tbestoredindoors.

75.GARDENINCINERATOR

Whenlivingoffthegridsomethingtoconsideriswhatisgoingtohappentoyourtrash.Ratherthansendingittoalandfill,considerbuildingagardenincineratortodisposeofanyunwantedmaterialsthataresafetoburn.

Theeasiestwaytodothisistobuyametalgarbagecanwithalid.Youwillalsoneedaroundgrillgratethatwillfitinthebottomandthreeorfourbricks.

Usingadremeltoolorsimilardevice,cutventilationholesallthewayaroundthebottomofthecan.Placethebricksinthebottomandthegrillgrateontopofthem.Youcanseehowtheseventilationholeswillallowairtocomeupunderthefirethroughthegrateandcontinuetofeeditoxygen.Youthenbuildthefireinsidetheincinerator.Thefirewillburnextremelyhotsoitwillburnanythingfromfallenbranchestopapertrashquicklyandefficiently.

76.COMPOSTING

Compostingseemstogohandinhandwithtinyhouseliving.Manypeoplewhochosethislifestyledosofortheecologicalimpactsofreducingourcarbonfootprintandattemptingtolivemoresustainably.Compostingisoneoftheeasiestwaysyoucanaccomplishthis.Iknowmanypeoplelivinginconventionalhomeswhoalsocompost.Therearetwowaystodothis.

Enclosedcomposting.Wechosetobuyacommercialcompostingunit.Itisaplasticbarrelonastandthatyoucanrotatetoprocessthematerialsinsideastheycompost.Wedidthisprimarilybecauseofthepossibilityofbearsonourmountain.Wewantedthefoodwastetobeconcealedsotheywerelesslikelytoattractanimals.

Compostpile.Buildinganexposedcompostpileisjustaseasy.Youcandothiswithchickenwireoroldpalates.Thekeyistokeepthecompostturningtocontinuetoencouragethedecompositionofthematerialssoiteventuallybecomesusefulforgardening.

77.OUTDOORSOLARLIGHTING

Youmaywanttoconsidersolarlightingoptionsforyouroutdoorspace.Thebestpartaboutsolardecorationisthatyouareabletousethemwithoutworrying

aboutelectricalorbatterypower.Yourlocalhomeandgardenstoreshouldhavelotsofoptions.

GardenBulbsonstakesHangingLanternsDecorativesolarstatuaryLandscapestakes

Whateveryoudecidetodo,placeyoursolardecorationwithcare.Wedecidedtousesomehanginglanternsplacedinthetreesaboveouroutdoordecktogivesomeambiancetotheareaatnight.Itwasn’tenoughtoblockoutthestars,butofferedalittlemoodlightingafterthesunset.

78.NIGHTFALLSATTHETINYHOUSE

Haveyoueversatbackandwatchedbatsatdusk?Theyflitacrossthetreelinelikeshadows.Itissopeacefultositoutonachairandtiltyourheadbacktowatchthebatsasthesunsetpaintspurpleacrosstheeveningsky.

Whenthebluefadestopurplethentovioletandthenfinallythemidnightblueofthenightsky,onlythenwillyoubegintoseethestarsemerge.Ifitisaclearnight,theconstellationssketchacrosstheskyleavingyouwithbeautifulmythologicalstoriestotellbythecampfire.Youmightcatchashootingstar,acometorasatelliteifyouarediligentenough.

Haveyouconsideredallthereasonsyouwanttolivesimply?Nowisthetimetoactonthem.“Homeisthenicestwordthereis.”―LauraIngallsWilder79.FAMILIES

Tinyhouselivingsounds,onpaper,likeitwouldbebestforonlyoneperson.Isuccessfullyliveinatinyspacewithmypartnerandweloveeveryminuteofit.Itisquitepossibletohaveafamilyinatinyspace.Youmaywishtohaveahomeslightlylargerthan120squarefeet,butitispossible.Checkoutthesetinyhousefamilies.

TinyHouseFamily:www.tinyhousefamily.comTinyr(E)volution:www.tinyrevolution.usTreadingTiny:www.treadingtiny.com

AndrewandCrystalOdomalongwiththeirdaughterTillyMadison.PhotocourtesyofTinyr(E)volution.80.LOVEINTHETINYHOUSE

Anothercommonquestionwegetaskedishowexactlywecanliveinatinyspacewithanotherperson.MattandIhavebeentogethersinceIwas19yearsold.Weenjoyeachother’scompanyagreatdealandwearepartnersineverything.Thatisn’ttosaywedon’tdisagreeorevenfightsometimesbutweareprettygoodatovercomingobstacles.

Livinginthetinyhouse,however,wasnoobstacle.NowIfinditstrangetonotbeinthesameroom.IwaslonelyinthetinyhouseifIwasbymyselfforextendedperiodsoftime.Thekeytolivinginatinyspacewithanotherpersonistoreallyenjoythatotherperson’scompany.

Privacyisabigissueforsomepeople.Iknowlotsofpeoplewhohaveseparatebathroomsorevenbedroomsintheirtraditionalhomes.Neitherofthesearethingswe’deverdonebeforeandsawnoreasontostartnow.Downsizingintoa

weehousewasaperfectfitforthewaywealreadylived.

PhotobyAndyKalat81.TINYENTERTAINING

Entertaininginthetinyhousecantakeonalotofforms.Doyouhavejusttwopeopleoverfordinneronyouroutdoordeck?Doyouinviteallofyourfriendsforacampingweekendwithmusicandacampfire?DoyouenjoybeerorwineormaybeadeliciouscocktailliketheoneIdescribeinidea84?(Nopeeking,you’llgettheresoon!)

Entertaininginthetinyhousecertainlyrequiressomeplanningandspacearrangementsdependingonyourlivingsituationandexperience.However,Ithinkitisimportanttoentertaininyoursmallspace.Livinginadifferentwaylikethisshouldencourageustoengagewithourlivesandourfriendsandfamilies.

82.GUESTSINTHETINYHOUSEYoumightthinkthatyoucan’thostpeopleinyourtinyhouse,butyouwouldbewrong.

Becausewehavesuchalargeareaoflandweoftenhostcampingevents.We’vehadupto12people(about6tents)campingonourland.Butrecentlywehostedaneventwhereagoodfriendofoursstayedonthetinyfutoninthetinyhouse.Inthemorning,aswemadeteaandlookedoutatthemistsrisingovertheSmokeyMountains,shemused,“Thisisthewaytowakeup.”

Youmaynotbeabletohostscoresofpeopleatyourtinyspace,butwithalittlecreativityyoucancreateamemorableexperienceforyourvisitors.

83.AUTUMNATTHETINYHOUSE

Whereveryoulive,thistimeofyearisblazingwithredsandgoldsanditisasspectacularasyoucanimagineintheNorthCarolinaMountains.Whilespringisatimeofactionandrebirth,autumnisatimeofreflection.Forus,becausewechosetoleavethetinyhousetotravelforthewinter,weconsideredtheprevioussixmonthsandhowmuchwelovedlivinginthisway.Itwasbittersweettoleave,butexcitingtoknowthatwewouldbecomingbackasspringbloomsonthemountainagain.Whenyou’reengagedinthesimplelifethecrispautumnairandtheexplosionofcolorinthetreescangiveyouawholenewperspective.Takethistimetothinkaboutwhereyou’vebeenandwhereyouwanttogo.

84.THEAUTUMNTINI

EventhoughIusuallydrinkbeer,Ireallywantedtoincludeacocktailrecipeforthetinyhouse.Thisisthekindofdrinkyoumighthavewhileyousitoutonthedeckwatchingtheblazingorangesunsetbelowthehorizonofredleaves.IrememberedthisrecipewedesignedforasmallHalloweenpartyafewyearsago.Ididn’tliketheideaofallthekitschyhorrorthemeddrinkslike“VampireBlood”or“Witches’Brew,”sothisiswhatIcameupwith.Itdoesinvolvemakinganinfusion,soitrequiressomeadvancedpreparation.

Addthreecinnamonstickstoabottleofvodkaandstoreinthefreezer.Afteraboutaweekorsotheflavorwillbeamazing.

Inamartinishakeradd:IceOneshotofCinnamoninfusedvodka

OneshotofcrèmedecacaoOneshotofBailey’sIrishcream

Shakeandpourintoamartiniglassthroughthestrainer.Sprinklegroundcinnamonontop.Youmayalsochoosetorimtheglasswithcinnamonsugar.

85.KEEPINGYOURSELFENTERTAINED

Oneofthemostcommonquestionsweareaskedaboutlifeinthetinyhouseishowdowekeepourselvesfromgettingbored.Truthis,Icouldn’timaginegettingboredinourhouseonthemountainsincetherearesomanythingstokeepmeengaged.

HikingourownlandHikingnearbytrailsIdentifyingtrees,birds,andwildflowersWatchingmoviesandTVvia4GInternetandaTabletListeningtoouriTunesmusiclibraryReadingbooksonKindleRelaxingoutdoorsPlayingguitarandwritingmusicBeingpartofoursmalltowncommunityExploringothernearbytowns

DrinkingbeerEnjoyingGreatSmokyMountainsNationalParkExploringtheBlueRidgeParkwayHorsebackridingatourneighbor’sbusinessHavingfriendsvisitfromnearandfarCookingBuildingcampfiresOutdooradventureslikeraftingandcanoeingConstructingcreativethingsonourlandPlayingoutdoorgameslikewhiffleball,ladderball,

bocceball,andarcheryThrowingdartsGardening(we’renotverygoodatityet)StargazingwiththehelpofcomputerapplicationsPlayingonlinecomputergameswithfriendsalloverthe

countryShootingairsoftgunsataluminumcansSometimesenjoyingallthatdowntownAshevillehasto

offer

Inadditiontoallofthesefunthingswe’vealsogrowntoenjoyallofthechoresthatcomewithouroffgridlivingsituation.Whenyoudon’thavetoworryaboutdrivingtoanofficeeveryday,thingslikecarryingwaterandmaintainingtrailsbecomeenjoyableratherthantedious.

86.MUSICINTHETINYHOUSE

IlovemusicandIwasanearlyadopterofdigitalmusic.IamabletokeepmyentirecollectionofCDsandallthemixesI’veputtogetherovertheyearsonalittledevicethatfitseasilyinmypurseorpocket.

ForlisteningtomusicinthetinyhousewepurchasedasmalliPoddockwherewecanpluginourdevicesandlistentomusicallday.Itcanrunonbatteriesorplugintoourhouse.Itdoesn’tuseverymuchenergyatall.

Anotheroptionwouldbesatelliteradio.Mostsatelliteradiosubscriptionsincludeonlinestreaming.Ilovelisteningtoseasonalmusic.IalsoenjoylisteningtoNPRorotherstreamingradiointhetinyhouse.ThereisalsoanoldtimeydeviceknownasanFMradio.

Ofcourse,youcouldalwaysmakeyourownmusic.

87.ROOMFORALLTHEBOOKS

Thebestwaytohaveyourbooksinyourtinyhouseistoconvertthemalltodigitalmedia.Iknowalotofpeoplehavefearsaboutgettingridofalloftheirpaperbooks,butpaperbooksandtheextremedownsizingittakestomakeitinatinyhousearenotcompatible.Therearemanyoptionswhenitcomestobookreaders.

IusetheKindleapponaniPodTouchsoIcanholditinonehandwhenIamreading.TheotherthingIreallylikeabouttheKindleappontheiPodtouchisthatIcanreaditinblacktextonasepiabackground,whichiseasyontheeyesinthedaylight,orIcanreaditinwhitetextonablackbackgroundwhichisperfectforreadingafterdark.Ihavenearlyforgottenwhatreadinglampsare.

Irememberafriendloaningmeapaperbackbookrecently.AsIsettledintobedforthenight,Iproppedupmypillowsandmademyselfcomfortable.Igrabbedthebookoffthenightstandand…turnedoffthelight.Ittookmeaminutetorealizewhatwaswrong.Andthispartisgoingtofreakoutthebibliophilesinthe

audience:Ineverdidreadthatpaperback.IwentbacktotheKindlebecauseitwasmuchmoreconvenient.

TheNookisanotherpopulare-reader.ItisproducedbyBarnsandNobleandavailableinstoresoronline.

BothBarnesandNobleandAmazonoffergreatselections.IoftenbrowsetheAmazonmonthlyfeature“100booksfor3.99orless”togetsomegreatstuff.

Thedifferencebetweenfriendsandpetsisthatfriendsweallowintoourcompany,petsweallowintooursolitude.-RobertBrault

88.PETSINTINYSPACES

Wemightbebestknownontheinternetforourcat,Piglet.Shehasbecomeaposterchildforpetsintinyhouses.UponmovingintothetinyhousePigletdemandedthatwemakecertainconcessionsandweobliged.Therearemanythingstoconsiderwhenitcomestohavingacatinyourtinyspace.Iimaginedogscouldmakethingsevenmorecomplicatedwiththepotentialneedfordoggydoorsandtheymaynevergetuptotheloft.HerearesomeofthethingsweneededtoconsiderforPiglet.

OutdoorSpacesLoftAccessToysLitterBoxAccess

89.OUTDOORSPACESFORYOURFURRYFRIENDS

Iamnotanadvocateofallowingcatsoutdoorstoroamfree.Ithinkitistoo

dangerouswithdisease,cars,strangers,andotheranimalstocontendwith.Piglet,forvariousreasons,isindooronly.Butshedoesliketogooutside.Wedothisbytakingherfor“walks”onherleash.Yes,youcanleashtrainacatifyoustartwhentheyarekittens.Oftenthecatistheonewhotakethelead.WesaythatwearetakingPigletona“Follow.”Thiskeepsheractiveandhermindstimulated.Anotheroptionistobuildanenclosureforthecattobeoutsidesafely.Therearealsocommerciallyavailablecatenclosureoptions.Ifyoudon’thaveafencedyardforyourdogyoumayconsiderayardstaketocliptheirleashtoinordertokeepthemsafe.

90.LOFTACCESSFORPETS

ThebiggestpuzzlewehadtopiecetogetheruponmovingintothelittlehousewashowtogetPigletuptotheloft.Wethoughtshemightlearntousetheladderbutshewantednothingtodowithitthefirsttimeshespentthenightthere.So,wedevisedaseriesofplatforms.

Weusedtraditionalshelvingbracketswhichallowedustoadjusttheheightas

Pigletbecamecomfortablewiththearrangement.WeinstalledtwoshelvesthatmakeiteasyforPiglettojumptotheloft.WecoveredtheplatformswithpiecesofFLORcarpettiles,whichgivesPigletasoftplacetostandbutalsoprovidesscratchingoptionsforher.FLORismoredurablethanregularcarpetand,asanaddedbonus,isagreatscratcher.

OnthefirstdayweshowedPiglethowtousetheplatformsandsheseemedtogetit,butthatnightshedidn’tcomeuptotheloft.WhenIwentdowninthemiddleofthenightIstoppedtogiveherasmoochwhereshewassleepingonthecouchandremindedherthatshecouldusetheplatformstogettothebed.Mattheardourmidnightexchangeandcalledhernamefromtheloft.Alightbulbwentoffinherlittleheadandshehoppedrightup.

Overtime,Pigletnotonlylearnedhowtousethoseplatformstogetuptothestorageloftaswellbutshealsofiguredouthowtoclimbtheladder–adailyeventthatneverstopsbeingfuntowatch.

91.LASERPOINTERANDOTHERTOYS

CatsneedlotsofexerciseandinthecaseofPiglet,whoisexceptionallysmart,lotsofstimulationtokeepthemfromgoingabsolutelynuts.NooneevertoldPigletsheshouldbenocturnalsoshesleepswithusallnightlong.Wepreferthatshenothavealotofpentupenergybeforebedorwedon’tgettosleepright

away.Onesolution,besidesoccasionalwalksonherleash,wastogetalaserpointer.Itisagreattoyforasmallspaceandveryentertainingtowatch.

Othergreattoysforsmallspaceslikethetinyhousearecatdancers(toysonastickorstring)andawrestlingtoysoshecangrabon,bite,andkickwithherbackfeet.

92.LITTERBOXESINSMALLSPACES

SincePigletisanindooronlycatweneededtomakesureshehadaplaceforherlitterboxthatwasoutofthewayforusbutconvenientforher.Oursolutionwastocreateasmallaccessdoorinoneofthetinyclosetswherewewouldthenplacethelitterbox.Weframeditoutsothatitwasslightlybiggerthantheopeningofhercoveredlitterbox.Itisfinishedthesamewayastherestofthewallwithtrimaroundtheedgestogiveitacompletelook.WeplacedasmallpieceoftheFLORontheinsideoftheframingtokeeplittertrackingtoaminimumandanotherjustoutsidethelitterboxdoortoprovidethesamething.Pigletimmediatelyunderstoodtheprocessandfindsitquitecomfortable.Welikethefactthatthelitterboxisoutofthewaybutwehaveeasyaccessforcleaningit.

“Perfectionisachieved,notwhenthereisnothingmoretoadd,butwhenthereisnothinglefttotakeaway.”–AntoinedeSaint-Exupe

93.WINDOWTREATMENTS

Windowtreatmentsinyourtinyhousemaydependontheareainwhichyou’vebuiltorparkedyourhome.Ourhomeisinthemiddleofthewoodssoweareunconcernedwithwindowtreatmentsofanysort.However,thereareseveraloptionsyoucanconsider.

PulldownshadesMiniblindsCurtainsShuttersRomanshades

94.ClosetStorage

Thetinyhousethatwechosetobuild,theTumbleweedTinyHouseCompany“Tarleton”design,includedtwosmallclosetsoneithersideofthefrontdoor.Inourconfiguration,obviously,MattgetsoneandIgettheother.Mattbuiltatwotieredshelfsystemforbothclosets.ThemiddleshelfisforshoesandthetopshelvesholdstackableorganizersfromtheContainerStore.Wechosea4tiersystemforeachclosetandwehavemorethanenoughstoragespaceforallofourclothes.

95.CURTAINSASCLOSETDOORS

Whenwewerethinkingabouthowtobuildclosetdoorsforourtinyhousewe

decidedthatcurtainswerethebestavailableoption.Becauseourhouseisdesignedtohaveafrontdoorinthecenterandtwosmallclosetsoneithersideclosetdoorsseemednotonlydifficulttobuildbutdifficulttouse.Therewouldbetimeswhenwebothneededtobeinourclosetswiththedoorsopen.Theclosetdoorswerealsolikelytoblockthefrontdoor.Byinstallingaheaderonthetopoftheclosetareawewereabletohideasmalltensionrodtohangthecurtain.Wechosecanvasstylecurtains.Thisisanattractiveandeasywaytosolvetheproblemoftheclosetdoors.

96.USINGCOLORINYOURTINYSPACE

Yourtinyhouseisareflectionofyourpersonality.Decorateinawaythatmakesyouhappen.Colorisagreatwaytodothat.MattandIoptedforpinesidinginsidethehouseandweaccenteditwithleafgreenandmountaingrayaccents.Thereissomuchyoucandotocustomizeyourtinyhousetofityourpersonalstyle.

Imagineatinyhouseinfallcolorswithdarkerbrownwood,redsandoranges.Somepeoplesuggestnotusingdarkcolors,butitdependsonwhatyoulike.Itmightmaketheroomlooksmaller,butitwillalsomakeitlookwarmer.

Decorateyourtinyhouseinallwhitewithafewsplashesofredorbluetoaccent.Thesesurpriseswilldrawyoureyestothem.TheTennesseeTinyHomesCompanyusesthistechniqueintheircustombuildings.

Goshabbychicwitharainbowofbeautifulreclaimedpieces.Someolderfurniturewasbuiltonasmallerscaleandcanfitintoatinyhousewithoutanymodification.Takeapaintbrushtoanythingthatneedsalittlecleaningup.

97.CEILINGTREATMENTSSomepeoplechoosethesametreatmentfortheirceilingastheirwalls,butthisisn’tnecessary.Herearesomeotherideas.

DecorativeTinTiles.Thesetilescanoftenbefoundinjunkshopsorsalvageyards.Theycanbepaintedorfinishedorsimplyepoxiedtokeeptheagedpatinatheywilllikelyhavewhenyoufindthem.Youcanalsobuynewonesinmanystylesatyourlocalhomeimprovementstore.

Fabric.Youcankeeptheraftersofthetinyhouseexposedanddrapetheareawithdecorativefabrictogivethehouseagypsywagoneffect.

Salvagematerial.Salvageyardsandthriftstoresaregreatplacestofindceilingcoverings.Insuchatinyspaceitisworthbeingcreative.Youcanuseanything

frombarnwoodtooldwindows.

98.ADDINGFABRICSTOYOURDESIGN

Usingfabricsinyourtinyhomecanaddatouchofcomfortandclass.Ibrieflymentionedfabricsforceilingtreatments,buttherearemanyplacesyoucanusetheminyourhome.Whenthinkingaboutwhatfabricsmakethemostsenseyouwillneedtoconsiderhowtheywillbeused.Delicatefabricsmakelittlesenseonseatingthatwillbeuseddailyandharshwoolmightnotmakethebestblanket.Thinkabouttheseapplications.

UpholsteryWindowTreatments

BeddingAdditionalaccentssuchaspillowsandthrows

Consideryourcolorschemeandwhatyouwanttoaccent.Wedecidedourcolorschemewouldbegreenandgraysoweselectedatinygraysofaandaccenteditwithbrightgreenpillowsandblanketswhichmatchthestainweofourcountertops.

Otheroptionsforfantasticfabricsinclude

TiedyeToilepatternsVelvetCorduroyanddenimPlaids

99.ADDINGRUGS

Manypeoplechoosesometypeofwoodflooringfortheirtinyhome.Dependingonhowyouhaveconstructedyourhomeyoumayfindthatthebarefloorsarechillyonyourtoesinthecoldmornings.Herearetwosuggestionsforrugsinyourtinyhome.

ThrowRugs

Rugslikethisareubiquitouswhenyouthinkofsupplementalfloorcoverings.Matchingathrowrugtoyourdécoriseasyandyoucanplacetherugnearyourentryway,inyourlivingspace,orinyourkitchen.Theyareeasytomovewhenthefloorneedstobecleanedandaretypicallymachinewashable.

FLOR

FLORisacarpettilewitharubberizedbackingthatmakesiteasytoinstallanyspace.Wechosetousethisinbothofourloftsandmatchedittothecolorgreenthatweusedthroughout.Wealsocoveredtherungsinourladderandthetwocatplatformsbecauseitssurfaceisexcellentforourcattoscratch.

100.LIGHTINGINTHETINYHOUSE

Itisimportanttohavetherightlightinginyourtinyhousebutitdoesn’ttakenearlyasmanyfixturesasaconventionallysizedhome.Thetypicaltypesoflightingyouwantinahomearetasklightingandoverheadlighting.Decorativelightingisnotnecessaryinsuchatinyspaceunlessyoureallywantit.

Iwouldsuggestthattablelampsarenotthebestuseofspace.Afloorlampmightworkdependingonwhereyouplaceitinyourlayout.Oneoverheadlight,areadinglight,adiningtablelight,akitchenlight,andabathroomlightshouldbeallyouneed.Ifyoudon’twanttowirethoseintoyourtinyhomehanging

lampsthatpluginwouldalsowork.

Ikeahasagreatselectionoflightingfixturesthatwillfitcomfortablyintoatinyhouse.Thestylewilldependonyouroveralldesign.Sleekmodernfixturesorrusticcabinfixtureswouldcomplementmanytinyhousestyles.

Mayhealth,peace,andsweetcontentbeyours.–WilliamShakespeare101.DEALINGWITHRAIN

Thereisnothingmorerelaxingthanlyinginthelofthearingthegentlespringrainsfallsoftlyonthemetalroof.Ourceilingiswellinsulatedsowedon’thave

thathardwater-on-metalsoundthatpeopleassociatewithtinroofs,althoughIfindthatsoundsoothingaswell.However,noteveryrainstormisgentle.Itcanbealittlenerve-wrackingtobeinatinyspacewhenastormisragingaroundyou.Andwhenthatstormhits,thereisn’tmuchyoucandoaboutit.Itisworsewhenyouneedtogetdownthemountaintoyourcarandrealizedyourumbrellasareinthatverycaryou’reheadingtoward.Thatiswhenyouimprovise.Plastictrashbagsmakeforexcellentponchos–thoughyouwilllooklikeadork.

Stayingsafeisimportantsomakesureyouhaveasafetyplanthatfitsyourtinyhousesituation.Sofarwehaven’tneededtotakeanydrasticmeasures.Thebiggestproblemwe’veeverhadwasdealingwiththemudintheaftermath.

102.MUD!

Mudinyourtinyhouseisnofunbutwhenyouliveremotelylikewedoitisinevitable.Ifyoucan,takeyourwetcoatandshoesoffontheporchandleavethemthere.Thisisn’talwaysgoingtoworkiftherainisstillblowingsideways.Haveasmallruginsidethedoortosetyourmuddyshoesonwhenyouremovethem.Constantsweepingwillkeepthedirtatbayonthefloor,buttheonlyrealsolutiontothemudistocleanthefloorsonyourhandsandknees.SureyoucaninvestinamoporoneofthoseSwifferfloorcleanersbutinatinyspacetheremaynotbeaconvenientspacetostorethem.Cleaningtheflooronyourhandsandkneesisn’tsobadwhenthespaceissosmall.Theonlywaytoavoiditistoneverwearmuddyshoesinside.

Ialsorecommendinvestinginagoodbootscraperforyourtinyporchorsteps.Thisway,evenwhenitisn’training,youcancleanoffyourshoesbeforesteppinginsidetotakethemoff.Wehaveatwo-stepapproach.Weusethebootscraperfirsttoremovetheworstofthedirtfromourshoes.Thenwewipeourshoesasecondtimeonthewelcomematbeforesteppingintothehouse.

103.CLEANINGUPAFTERYOURSELF

Thereisasimplefactoflifewhenyouliveinatinyhouseinthewoods;wehavetosweepalot.Becausethehouseissosmallitisquickandeasytosweep.Oneoftheprimaryadvantagesofdownsizinginsuchanextremewayisthatcleaningnevertakesverylong.Nomatterhowdirtyitgetscleaningourkitchentakesabouttenminutes.Cleaningthebathroomisevenquicker.WehaveasmallvacuumbutonlyuseittovacuumtheFLORintheloftorthestraylitterthat

Piglettracksoutofherbox.Cleaningthetinyhouseisreallysimpleandcanevenberelaxing.

104.DOYOURCHORES

Dependingonhowyou’vebuiltyourtinyhouseorwhetherornotyouareoffthegrid,youwillhavevariouschoresthroughouttheday.Ihaveneverbeenachoredrivenperson.Idon’tenjoythatkindofthingandreally;whodoes?Butlivinginthetinyhousechangedmyperspectiveonsomethings.Ofcourse,sincewegatherourwaterfromaspringandweliveoffthegridourchoresarequitedifferentfromothertinyhousebuilders,buthereisasnapshotofwhatIdoonatypicalday.

Fillthewaterfilter.OurBerkeywaterfilterislargeandcumbersomesoIhadtofigureoutthebestwaytofillit.Isaveda1gallonwaterjugandmarkeditwiththewords“BerkeyWater.”IfillthatupwithspringwaterandbringitintothehouseandpourintotheBerkey.TheBerkeyholdsalittlemorethantwogallonsatatimesosomedaysIonlyhavetofillitupwithonegallonandsomedaysImaketwotrips.

Emptythegraywater.Weonlyhaveonedraininourentirehouseandit’sintheshower.Underneaththehouseweputtwoscrewsonafloorjoistnexttothedraintoactashooksfora5gallonbucket.EverydayItakethatbucketdownandwalkoverthegraywaterreclamationsystemwebuilttoemptyit.ThenIreplacethebucket.Itrytodothiseverydaysothebucketdoesn’tgettoofullandtooheavytocarry.

Regularhouseholdtasks.Waterrelatedchoresarecertainlyspecifictome,butthereareotherthingsthatjustaboutanytinyhouseownerneedstotakecareof.Itisalwaysagoodideatodothesethingsrightawaysostuffdoesn’tgetpiledup.Doallofthedishesaftereverymeal.Sweeptheflooreverytimeyouseethatitneedsit.Andmakesuretoscoopthatlitterboxdaily.

105.LAUNDRY

Peopleaskusallthetimeabouthowwedolaundryinthetinyhousesincewedon’thaverunningwater.Wedoknowtinyhousebuildersthatincludedsmallstackablewasheranddryerunitsintheirhomes,butwechosenottodothissincewedidn'twanttoplumbthehousetraditionally.WeknewallalongthatweplannedtouseaLaundromattowashourclothes.

Whatwecouldn’thaveimaginedwashowluckywewouldbeinthisarenajustbecausewechosetolivenearAsheville,NC.Aftermovingtothearea,westarteddoinglaundryatasmallLaundromatthatwasreasonablyclosetoourtinyhouse.Ifoundthischorestunninglyboring.WhenwelivedinconventionalhomesandapartmentsIhatedlaundry.Itendedtoliveoutofmylaundrybasketbecauseoncesomethingwaswashedanddried,Ihadnodesiretofoldandputaway.TheLaundromatforcedmetodothisstepjusttotransportthecleanclothestothetinyhouse,butIstillhatedit.

ThenweheardaboutBarofSoap–aLaundromatbarinNorthAsheville.Whatanamazingconcept!Suddenlywereallyenjoyedlaundry.Achorethatseemedtotakeinfinitetimenowseemstowizby.Weareabletostartourwashingmachines,orderourfirstbeerandenjoyitwhiletalkingtofolksatthebar.Whenthefirstbeerisdone,wecanputourclothesinthedryerandenjoyasecondbeer.Whenthebeerisdonesoisourlaundry.Thenwefoldupourclothesandheadbacktothemountain.Ilookforwardtolaundryeveryweeknowbecauseithasbecomeastrangelysocialactivity.

PhotobyJeffPriskorn

Ofcourse,oncewearebackinthetinyhousetheclothesgetputawayimmediatelysotheydon’tcreateclutter.106.ATINYTOUCH

Ilovefunlittlesurprisesinthetinyhouse.Whilemostofwhatweownispracticalthereareafewlittlepieceshereandtherethatarejustplacedforfun.

TinyElement.MyHondaElementistheunsungheroinourbuildingjourney.Ihavealittlematchboxcartomatchit.Thissitsinasmallrecessatthetopofthewall.

TinyBeerGlasses.BeerFestivalsareafavoritepastimeofours.Fromeacheventwehaveacquiredasingle4ouncebeertaster.Wehave5thatwe’vekeptandtheyaresittingonashelfinthetinyhouse.Plus,theyareoccasionallyfunctionalsinceweusethemforwineglasses.

Gnomes.WehaveChomskyoutside,butinsidewehaveapairofgnomesthatweregiventousasagiftwhenwemovedin.

DecorativePlaque.AnotherfriendgaveusasmalltilewithaShakespearequote.Wehungthisonthedoorinsidethetinyhouse.

Decoratingwithafewtinyitemsbringsreallymakesthetinyhousefeellikeourhome.

107.REALLIFESTORAGEIDEAS

Itseemslikesomanyoftheideasinthisbookareaboutstorageofonesortoranother.Fortinyhouselivingtobesuccessfuleverythinginthehouseneedsaproperplace.Therearemanytypesofstorageyoucanhaveinyourtinyhouseandmostpeopleuseacombinationofthings.

DrawersBuiltInshelvesStorageBoxesCabinetsClosetorganizers

Wedecidednottousebuiltindrawersforanythinginourtinyhousebutmanyothertinyhousebuildershavedonethissuccessfully.Insteadweputtogethertwocommerciallyavailabledrawerunitstofitinsidethesmallerofourkitchencabinets.Inthesedrawerswestoreallofourkitchenutensilsaswellasourcoffeeandhotcocoaneeds.Wealsobuiltshelvesintotheinteriorwallstudstostoresomeadditionalsmallitems.Ourstoragelofthasacombinationofdecorativestorageboxesforadditionalitems.

108.STAIRCASESVS.LADDER:THEDEBATEOVERLOFTS

Therehasbeenmuchdebatewithinthetinyhousecommunityoverwhichisbetter:loftsorfirstfloorbedrooms.Youcanreadabouttheoptionsonsomanyofthetinyhousecommunityblogs.Therearechoiceseverytinyhomeownerneedstomake.Doyoupreferasturdystaircaseoveraladder?Doyouhaveroomforabedonthefirstlevel?EachhasitsprosandconswhichIwanttoexploreinalittlemoredetailinthefollowingideas.

109.STAIRCASES

Ifyouhaveaslightlylargertinyhouseyoumaywanttoconsiderstairs.Severalcompaniesaremakingstairsthathavealternatingstepswhichkeepthestaircasenarrowertofitinasmallerspace.Additionallyyoucanusestairsthathavedrawersbuiltintothestepswhichwillnotonlysolvethestaircaseissuebutalsomaximizeyourstoragespace.Therearealsosomeinnovativecornerstaircasedesignsthatmightworkintherightspace.Ifyouhavetheadditionalspaceyoumaywanttoconsiderasmallspiralstaircase.

110.LADDER

Ifyouhaveatinyhousewithasleepingloft,youwilllikelyneedaladderto

accessit.Therearemanywaystomakeyourownladderoryoucouldbuysomethingcommerciallymadethatwillworkwell.Ourladderwassimpleconstructionfrom2X4sandeachrungwascoveredintheFLORcarpettilesthatweusedinbothlofts.Evenourcathaslearnedtonavigatetheladders.Itisalsomovablesowecanaccessboththesleepingloftandthestorageloft.WeputJhooksonthefrontofeachoftheloftsandeyehooksontheladdersoitcouldbemovedbackandfortheasily.

Otheroptionsforyourtinyladdersinclude:Metalladder

LibraryladderwithwheelstomoveoutofthewayofyourlivingspaceFoldingladderlikethekindyoumightuseforanatticLadderbuiltintoabookshelf

111.THELOFT

Whenyoubuildatinyhomeyouwillneedtoconsiderhowyouwanttodesign

yoursleepingloft.Therewereseveralthingsthatwentintoourdecision.Weusedasquareawningstylewindowintheloftgable.Wechosetouseafutonmattresswhichfitperfectlyinthespace.WealsochosetocarpetthespaceusingaproductcalledFLOR.Thisiswhatmakesourtinyloftverycozyandhomey.

Weranelectricalwiringtooutletsoneithersideofthebedaswellasathreewayswitchsowecouldturnthemainoverheadlightofffromthereorthemainfloor.

Youwillspendalotoftimeinyourloftandyouwanttomakesurethatyourexperienceupthereiscomfortable.Surroundyourselfwithwarmcomfortersandsoftpillows.Nextthingyouknow,youandyourcatwilldozethereforhours.

112.THEFIRSTFLOORBEDROOM

Whenalotofpeoplelookintotinyhousestheybecomeconcernedabouthavingtoaccesslofts,especiallyastheygetolder.Othersarelookingforbetteraccessibilityduetoadisability.Manymorepeoplemightchoosetinylivingiftheycouldhaveafirstfloorbed.Whilethemostpopularstyleoftinyhousedoesfeaturealofttherearemanywaystodesignsmallspaceswithfirstflooraccess.

Tinyhomesbasedontrailerdesignscanbeeasilymadetohaveadownstairsbedroom.TumbleweedTinyHouseCompanyhasaseveralofstylesofsmallandtinyhomesandcottageswithfirstfloorbedrooms.

Youmayalsowishtoconsiderworkingwithadesignertoseewhatwouldbeagoodfitforyouandthespaceyouwanttoultimatelybuild.

Asimplesolutionwouldalsobetouseconvertiblefurnituresuchasafutoninyourprimarylivingspace.“Agoodtravelerhasnofixedplans,andisnotintentonarriving.”-LaoTzu113.TINYWINTERTIME

Peoplearesurprisedtohearthatwedon’tliveinourtinyhouseoverthewinter.Wespecificallychosethatpathsinceournewliveswereasmuchaboutlocationindependenceastheyareaboutlivinginatinyspace.Livinginatinyhousereducedourexpensesenormouslyandgaveustheflexibilitytobewherewewantwhenwewant.Becauseofthis,wehavetheopportunitytospendquiteabitoftimewithfamilyovertheholidaysanddoalotoftraveling.

However,tinyhousescanandshouldbebuilttosustainthewinters.

Afteryou’veinsulatedandheatedthetinyhomeproperly,buyyourselfacozycomforter,plentyofflannelpajamasandwarmsocks,andyou’llbejustfine.Imaginesittinginyourtinyspacewithacupofhotcocoawatchingthesnowdrifttotheground.

114.HOWTOHEATYOURTINYHOUSE

Heatingthetinyhouseisacauseforgreatdebateamongbuilders.Therearesomanypotentialsolutionsthattherereallyisn’tonebestwaytodoit.Wechose

nottoinstallaconventionalheatsourcedirectlyintoourhome.Ourhomeisinthesouthandourwintersaremildandshort.Ratherthaninstallingapermanentheater,weuseaportableventlesspropaneheaterthatisdesignedforcamping.Becauseourhouseiswellinsulated,andtiny,itworkswelltoheatthespace.Wehaveplentyofsafetymeasuresinplaceincludingacarbonmonoxidedetectorandoxygensensor.Wealwayskeepacoupleofwindowscrackedtoensureadequateventilation.

However,mosttinyhousebuilderschosetousesomeformofbuiltinheating.Tinyhomesuseverylittleenergytoheatbecauseoftheirsizeandiftheyareinsulatedwelltheywilltraptheheatforalongtime.Safetyisimportantforallheatingoptionssobesuretodoyourhomeworkbeforeyouinstallanything.Someoptionsforheatersinclude:

Woodstove.Thisisagreatsourceofheatforasmallspacebecauseyouwon’tusemuchwood.Ifyourtinyhouseisinanaturalsettinglikeoursyoumayhaveanunlimitedsupply.Thereareverytinywoodstovesavailablethatcaneasilyfitwithinasmallspace.

Propanestove.TheTumbleweedTinyHouseCompanysuggestsaproductcalledtheNewportPropaneFireplacedesignedspecificallyforboatsandsmallhomes.Itisacozylookinglittledevicethatputsoutquiteabitofheatandgivesyouafireplace-likeambiance.

ElectricSpaceHeaters.Thereareseveraltypesofheatersthatwouldworkifyouhaveaccesstotheelectricalgrid.Keepinmind,however,thatwhensolarpowerconvertsanythingtoheatitusesmuchmoreenergyandbecomeslessefficient.

InfraredHeater.Thisisanothertypeofelectricpoweredheaterthatisveryefficientcomparedtotheirradiantcounterparts.Severalmodelsareconsidered“Eco”forupto500squarefeet.

115.INSULATINGTHETINYSPACE

Itisimportanttoinsulateyourtinyhousewell.Regardlessofwhereintheworldyou’vebuiltitwillneedtostaycoolinthesummerandwarminthewinter.Therightinsulationcanmakeallthedifference.Thereareseveraloptions.

ExtrudedfoamboardExpandedfoamboardFiberglassinsulation

DenimorcottoninsulationBlowninsulation

Determinewhatworksbestforyourtinyhomeandbesuretoinstallitproperly.116.HAPPYHOLIDAYS

MattandIlovetodecoratefortheholidays.Beforemovingintothetinyhousewedecoratedeveryroomofourconventionalhouse.WewouldstartonthefirstofOctoberandkeeptheHalloweendecorationsupuntilwecouldreplacethemwithThanksgivingdecorations.AssoonasThanksgivingwasover,thetraditionalwinterholidaydecorationscameout.Sincemovingintothetinyhousewe’vehadtoscalebackbutwearen’twilling

togiveupthetradition.

HalloweenisourfavoritesowehaveamassedalargecollectionofHalloweendecorationsovertheyears.Thoseweresomeofthe

hardestthingstogetridofwhenwebegantodownsize.Forthetinyhouseinthewoodswelikeamorerusticlook.WedecorateourFolkN’Alewithbalesofhay,scarecrowsandpumpkins.Spookylightsaddacreepytouchtotheseason.

Forthewinterholidays,wehaveatinytinseltreedecoratedwithbeautifulhandblownglassornaments.EachornamentrepresentsadifferentaspectofancientGreekmythology–somethingthatwearebothveryinterestedin.Itfitsuponthestorageloftandthewhitelightspracticallyilluminatetheentirehouse.

117.JERKSHRIMPANDNOODLES

Fortinylivingandoutdoorcookingitisgreattohavesimplerecipeswithtwoorthreeingredients.Forthismealallyouneedareshrimp,aJamaicanjerkmarinade,andangelhairpasta.

Istartedbymarinatingtheshrimpinthejerksauceforprobablyabout`10minutesorsowhileIboiledtheangelhair.Oncetheangelhairwasdone,Idraineditandsetitaside.Ithrewtheshrimpinaskillet.Ichosefrozencookedshrimpbutyoucoulduseeithercookedorraw-justmakesuretheshrimpisniceandpinkandyou'llknowitisdone.

AfterIwashappywiththeshrimp,Ithrewthepastainthepantocookinthesauce,tossingitwithtongstogetitcoated.Ifyouwantalittleextrakick,whichIdosometimes,youcanaddsomecrushedredpepperflakesaswell.

Itwon'ttakelongforthepastatobecoatedwiththesauceandoncethatisdone,thedishisready.Itissuperquickandreallyeasytoprepare,eveninaverytinyoffthegridkitchen.

118.TRAVELING

Thebeautyoftinylivingissimplifyingyourlifeenoughtohaveallthetoolsyouneedtoenjoyitonyourownterms.Oneofthebenefitsoftinylivingforusis

theabilitytotravel.

Ifyouhaveahouseonafoundationlikeoursyoucan’ttakeitwithyou.Insteadweliveourlivesinalocationindependentway.ByhavingaflexiblefreelancejobthatIcandofromanywhereintheworldIamabletogowhereverIwantwheneverIwantandI’mstillabletogenerateanincome.Inthesummerwespentthreeweekstraveling,includingaweekatacampingfestival.AndwespenttimewithfamilyandfriendsinMichiganfortwomonthsovertheholidays.

Ifyourtinyhouseisonatraileritcanjoinyouonyouradventures.Manycampgroundsallowtinyhousesbutsomedonot.Doyourresearchaheadoftimetomakesurethatyouarewelcome.Ifyouhavefriendsorfamilyalloverthecountryyoumaybeabletotakeyourtinyhousewithyouasyouvisit.Keepinmindthatatinyhouseisn’tdesignedthesamewayasatraveltrailersotinyhousebuildersdon’trecommenddrivingwithitfrequently.Ifyoudowanttomoveyourtinyhouseonaregularbasisyoumayneedtodosomeadditionalworktokeepitroadworthy.

119.SIMPLELIVING

Simplelivingisn’tjustaboutlivinginatinyspace.Thisissomethingthateveryonecandowherevertheyare.Manyofthetipswe’vecoveredalreadyareagreatwaytochangethewayyouinteractwithyourlivingspacerightnow.

ManyaspectsofsimplelivingbecamemoreimportantonceImovedintothetinyhouse.Theyinclude:

LocationIndependence.AsImentioned,thisistheabilitytoearnalivingfromanywhereintheworld.Simpleeating.Farmer’smarketsandotherchangesinourfoodbuyinghabitsmadeourentireeatingexperienceverydifferent.Thismeansthatweshopmoreoftenbuteatmorehealthyfoods.Lessstuff.ThefewerthingsIhavetoworryaboutthelessstressedIam.Theformulaissimple.Thisdoesn’tmeanIwanttodiscardeverything.Infact,somedevicesmakethetinylifemucheasier.Butoverallwehaveaonein,oneoutpolicymeaningwehavetodiscardanythingwearenolongerusingassoonaswehavetheurgetoreplaceit.

120.TINYHOUSECOMMUNITY

Oneofmydreamsforthefutureoftinyhomesistoseemorepeoplecreatetinyhousecommunities.Therearemanywaystomakethispossible.

Imaginegettingtogetherwithsomeofyourbestfriendsormembersofyourfamily.Poolyourresourcestobuyseveralacresoflandandbuildindividualtinyhomes.Dependingonthedynamicsofyourgroupyoumaywishtosharesomespacessuchaskitchen,dining,andrecreationalareas.

Anotheroptionistobuildatinyhouserentalcommunity.Manycitiesarestartingtoallowpocketneighborhoods.Theseinfilldevelopmentscouldbeananswertourbandensityissuesthroughoutthecountry.

Whataboutanintentional

community?Backinthe60smanypeoplewouldhavecalledthisacommune,buttheconcepthaschanged.Developacommunitybasedonsharedvaluesandcenteredaroundcooperation.Thiskindofcommunityspaceiswhereyoucanreallygettoknowyourneighbors.Maybeyoucanstartasmallcommunitygardenwhereeveryonecanpitchinandtakesomeoftheharvest.Maybeitisagreatwaytohaveanartistcommunity.Thepossibilitiesareendless.

Wewereborntounitewithourfellowmen,andtojoinincommunitywiththehumanrace.--Cicero

120IDEASANDBEYOND

MostoftheideasinthisbookwerepulledfrommyownexperiencebutthereisaflourishingTinyHousecommunityallovertheUnitedStatesandthroughouttheworld.Manyofthesepeoplesharetheirownuniquestoriesinbooks,videos,andwebsites.

FormoreinspirationherearesomeothertinyhouseblogsthatIrecommend.

Tinyr(E)volution:www.tinyrevolution.usTheTinyLife:www.thetinylife.comTinyHouseTalk:www.tinyhousetalk.comTinyHouseListings:www.tinyhouselistings.comRowdyKittens:www.rowdyskittens.comSmalltopia:www.loganblairsmith.comTinyHouseNews:www.tinyhousenews.infoTinyHouseOntario:www.tinyhouseontario.comTinyHouseSwoon:www.tinyhouseswoon.comRelaxShacks:www.relaxshacks.blogspot.comTumbleweedTinyHouseCompany:

www.tumbleweedtinyhouses.comFourLightsTinyHouseCompany:www.fourlightstinyhouses.comMiniMotives:www.minimotives.comTreadingTiny:www.treadingtiny.comTryingonTiny:www.tryingontiny.comTinyTackHouse:www.chrisandmalissa.comThelistaboveisfilledwithgreatstories,advice,tips,andtricks.Still,thereisonlysomuchreadingyoucando.Eventuallyyoujusthavetobuild.Themostimportantsteptoanyofthisistostart.HereiswhereItellyoutoputdownthisbookandgoliveyourdream,whateveritlookslike.

IwouldratherregretthethingsthatIhavedonethanthethingsthatIhavenot.--LucilleBall

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

LauraM.LaVoieisafreelancewriterandbloggerlivingina120SquareFootCabinwithherpartner,Matt,andtheirSphynxcat,Piglet.LauraandMattbuiltthetinyhousewiththeirownhandsafterresearchingseveraltypesofalternativebuildingtechniquesincludingCordwoodMasonryandEarthships.TheydecidedonasmallhousebecausetheTinyHouseMovementmatchedtheirvaluesandlifestyleperfectly.TheybeganbuildingthehouseinthemountainsofNorthCarolinain2009andconstructiontookthreeyearsastheylivedandworkedinAtlantaandwouldtravelandbuildonweekends.NowLaura,Matt,andPigletliveandworkinthetinyhousefulltime.FollowtheirblogLifein120SquareFeetatwww.120squarefeet.comformoreabouttheirtinylifestyle.

Thetinyhousehas

beenfeaturedinHuffingtonPost,CNNiReport,TheLaurelofAshevilleandanumberoftinyhousecommunitywebsitesincludingtheTumbleweedTinyHousewebsite.

Whennotbuildingorlivinginatinyhouse,LauraenjoysbrewinganddrinkingcraftbeerandspendingtimeindowntownAsheville,NC.