I by no means pictured myself residing in a tiny house, however now I am unable to think about my life with out it.
In 2018, my marriage of 18 years ended. I had been residing in a four-bedroom, three-bathroom, 3,000-square-foot home close to Boulder, Colorado with my now ex-husband, our two children and canine.
I used to be prepared for a change of surroundings. However the homes on the market in my space have been out of my price range, so I needed to get inventive. Once I noticed a pattern of tiny homes on social media, I used to be instantly intrigued and determined to go for it.
Right this moment, I dwell in a 520-square-foot home with a contemporary farmhouse inside, and I’ve a group of 160,000 followers on Instagram, the place I share suggestions concerning the tiny house lifestyle.
How I constructed my tiny house on wheels
In 2019, I purchased a tiny home shell from an area builder for $45,000. I paid $3,000 for a floorplan that he might work off of.
He gave me a worth quote (that ended up being very unrealistic) and advised me all the things can be carried out inside six to eight months. However eight months later, there was no progress. I knew it was time to maneuver on.
So I reached out to a unique builder, MitchCraft Tiny Homes, to take over the venture in June 2020. Their estimate was just a little greater than my price range, however they appeared educated and reliable.
Me in entrance of my tiny house on move-in day!
Photograph: Jen Gressett
Because of the pandemic, there have been provide chain delays and elevated value of supplies. And the shell wanted quite a lot of exterior restore work earlier than the builders might end the within.
However in January 2021, it was lastly prepared for me to maneuver into.
Pure gentle and area for artwork add concord and stability.
Photograph: Jen Gressett
I spent nearly double what I had deliberate, however it was nonetheless considerably lower than the normal homes that I initially checked out.
General, it value me round $175,000 to construct the house, which included the prefabricated shell construction, labor and materials prices.
To pay for all the things, I used the $85,000 I acquired from the sale of my house (my husband and I cut up the income) and a $90,000 mortgage from an in depth pal.
I pay $725 a month in housing prices, which covers a parking area (within the yard of somebody’s house, which I discovered by means of an area Fb group), web, water and electrical energy.
A glance inside my luxurious tiny house
That is the smallest place I’ve ever lived in. Fortunately, I had an excellent architect who helped maximize cupboard space.
The wooden ceilings and flooring give the house continuity and definition.
Photograph: Jen Gressett
We put in pull-out cupboards within the kitchen and added a number of hidden compartments within the loft stairs.
Every huge dresser can match a number of containers that may simply be stacked and moved round.
Photograph: Jen Gressett
To be environment friendly with area, I’ve a rule the place I do not purchase something until I do know precisely the place I’ll put it.
I put most of my garments within the built-in dresser within the lavatory, and grasp my sweaters and coats within the storage stairs.
The soaker tub is certainly one of my favourite components of this tiny house.
Photograph: Jen Gressett
The toilet, which has a soaker tub and washer-dryer, is the crown jewel of my tiny house. The pure gentle and white finishes make the area really feel big.
I’ve a waterless composting rest room, which makes it simple to discover a parking spot as a result of it would not require a sewer or septic line.
I do not purchase something until I do know precisely the place it’s going to dwell in the home.
I like to prepare dinner and entertain, so it was necessary that my kitchen be the centerpiece of my house. It options quartz counter tops and a mixture of open shelving and glass entrance cupboards.Â
You probably have smaller home equipment like blenders, mixers or espresso makers, take into account downsizing. But when they’re must-haves, I recommend measuring every one and determining precisely the place it will sit.
Photograph: Jen Gressett
My kitchen counter extends right into a spherical, built-in eating desk, the place I additionally do my work as a contract designer. There’s even a pull-out shelf underneath the cupboards for my printer.
I’ve a rounded peninsula desk in my kitchen. From a security standpoint, it eliminates the sharp edges you would possibly hit as you cross by means of the area.
Photograph: Jen Gressett
The sleeping loft is sort of a little cocoon, particularly within the wintertime. My Casper king-sized mattress, jersey knit sheets and double cover inserts make it fairly dreamy.
Making the mattress takes lower than a minute. I simply sit up, straighten the pillows, and fluff up the comforter.
Photograph: Jen Gressett
My daughter is a university freshman and is commuting for her first yr. She lives with me a part of the time, and sleeps within the second loft. She’ll be shifting in with a roommate this fall, so I will be a real empty nester then, however she will not be far.
Including home windows up excessive permits me to let daylight in with out sacrificing privateness or invaluable wall area.
Photograph: Jen Gressett
Your tiny area might be no matter you need it to be. My greatest recommendation is to begin by asking your self the place you spend most of your time, and specializing in that first.
I by no means pictured myself residing in a tiny house, however now I am unable to think about my life with out it.
Photograph: Jen Gressett
I might truthfully dwell right here perpetually. It has given me the inexpensive housing choice I wanted, plus the luxurious I all the time wished â a hearth, soaker tub, quartz countertops and an enormous mattress.
Extra importantly, I’ve the choice to maneuver my house wherever and at any time when I need. My children continually inform me, “Mother, you are happier than we have ever seen you.”
It is by no means too late to begin a brand new chapter in your life. I am unable to wait to see the place mine takes me subsequent.
Jen Gressett is a Colorado-based graphic designer, copywriter, picture stylist and content material creator. Throughout her free time, she enjoys path working, mountain climbing, and coaching for races. You will discover her on Instagram, the place she shares her tiny house living expertise.
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