We’ve all been led to believe that bigger is better with oversized gold jewelry, mansions and serviced apartments with thousands of square footage, and even monster trucks bigger than military vehicles. But what if you only had 300 square feet of space to live in? More importantly, where would you put all your stuff?
As a handful of brave, ingenuitive designers are finding out, “tiny house” living is a lot bigger fun than it seems. Tiny houses, which come in all shapes, sizes and forms, focus on a simplified way of life. Whereas the average American home is around 2,600 square feet, tiny houses are generally smaller than 400.
Here are 3 of my favorites and the stories behind them:
A group of talented interior designers in LA recently got together and put their “microliving” knowledge to work for the Upward Bound Family Shelter, an emergency shelter for families in the LA area with children. The space served as a sort of motel for families in crisis, providing secure, safe accommodations for each family, along with case management, counseling, and stabilization services. Each designer adopted a room for a year, donating their time and skills and soliciting material donations. Each room accommodates a family with space for eating, living, sleeping, homework and storage. Since all materials were donated, many of the pieces were repurposed, refinished and often sustainable. This is by far the most creative and humbling use of “tiny living” I have ever seen!
When a New York City design firm JPDA was challenged to transform a sixth floor small home office studio apartment in the East Village, the brilliant design they created is not only ridiculously functional and organized, but also completely mesmerizing and aesthetically pleasing. Every square inch of the apartment was cleverly utilized, creating an atmosphere that feels much bigger than it is and surprisingly airy. The apartment is broken into “zones” using beautiful built-in wooden structures that double as workspaces and storage. My favorite part? The steps leading to the lofted bed pull out into drawers! The neutral colors and minimalist furniture keep things light and airy. Who wouldn’t love to crawl into that cozy lofted bed to escape the craziness of NYC at night?
When French photographer Jeremie Buchholtz was in the market for a new home in downtown Bourdeaux, he quickly realized that finding something that suited his modern style and was within budget would prove to be nearly impossible. When he found an old garage for sale, he didn’t hesitate buying it and later consulting an architecture firm to transform it into a livable space. The result? A magnificent example of tiny living. The 441-square foot home features an entrance from the patio and sliding glass doors, which lead into small kitchen and living area. The main feature is a 12’ x 12’ x 10’ wooden cube in the center of the home, which contains a hidden bathroom and laundry area. The staircase leads up to a lofted sleeping area with storage and a bookshelf. The sides of the cube hold Buchholtz’s workspace desk and a built-in sofa bed that converts into an overnight bed for guests.
These tiny houses are quite a bit different than your average home, but the ideas and design that went into them are outstanding. Keep some of these design principles in mind when decorating for a minimalistic look and feel.
Andrea enjoys writing about home ownership and the positives and negatives that come along with it. She encourages you to visit the New Braunfels House Painter website for some home improvement tips and tricks.