In this week’s episode of “Living Big in a Tiny House,” you will meet an inspiring couple who have designed an incredible tiny home for their young family. The house features a large living room, kitchen, and a playroom for the kids, all designed with easy family living and child safety in mind. The home is completely off-the-grid and nestled in a stunning rural section, emphasizing the couple’s belief that a young family can thrive in a tiny house with good design and a great philosophy. Viewers are encouraged to subscribe for more videos on tiny houses, architecture, DIY, design, and sustainable, off-grid living.

If you dream of living in a tiny house and having a family, this episode is a must-watch. The couple’s self-designed family tiny house is a work of art, with a focus on light, open spaces and a soothing beachy vibe. The home features custom-designed staircase connecting two loft spaces, a spacious kitchen, and a thoughtfully designed bathroom. The family has incorporated Montessori principles into their parenting and design choices, resulting in a minimalist and organized living space. Despite being off-the-grid, they have ensured ample power and water supply, making their tiny house a perfect haven for their family of four.

Table of Contents

Designing the Tiny Home

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Family-designed Exterior

The family behind this beautiful tiny home took on the task of designing the exterior themselves. They wanted to ensure that it was not only visually appealing, but also functional and safe for their young children. They worked with a professional builder to bring their design to life, ensuring that all the necessary construction elements were properly executed. The result is a stunning exterior that blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings.

Professionally-built Interior

While the family designed the exterior, they enlisted the help of professionals to build the interior of their tiny home. This decision allowed them to ensure that the construction was done to the highest quality and met all safety standards. They completed the electrical work themselves, with the help of a builder for the more complex aspects, such as the staircase. This collaboration between the family and professionals resulted in a well-built and functional interior space.

Dimensions of the Tiny House

The tiny house measures approximately 11 meters in length, 2.4 meters in width, and 4.3 meters in height. These dimensions were carefully chosen to maximize the available space and create a comfortable living environment for the family. By designing a compact and efficient layout, they were able to fit all of their essential living spaces into this small footprint. The clever use of space demonstrates that tiny homes can provide all the necessary amenities without sacrificing functionality.

Off-the-Grid and Sustainable Living

Energy and Power Supply

One of the key features of this tiny home is its off-the-grid capabilities. The family has installed 13 kilowatt-hours of lithium batteries and 4.5 kilowatts of solar panels to provide their power supply. This setup allows them to generate and store their own electricity, reducing their reliance on traditional power sources. By harnessing solar energy, they can power their home and enjoy a sustainable and environmentally-friendly lifestyle.

Water Storage

In addition to their energy independence, the family has also implemented a water storage system. They have access to portable ball water and have installed approximately 7,000 liters of water storage. This setup ensures that they have a reliable water supply, even in more remote locations. By taking advantage of rainwater collection and storage, they can further reduce their environmental impact and live in a more self-sufficient manner.

Location of the Tiny House

The tiny house is situated in a stunning rural section, surrounded by farmland. The family chose this location to embrace a quieter and simpler lifestyle, away from the hustle and bustle of urban areas. The peaceful surroundings create a serene environment for them to raise their family and enjoy the beauty of nature. Living off-the-grid in a rural area allows them to fully embrace sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

Light, Bright, and Spacious Design

Focus on Open Spaces

When designing their tiny home, the family wanted to create a sense of openness and spaciousness. They achieved this by incorporating large bifold doors that open up the front wall of the home, allowing for an uninterrupted flow from the interior to the exterior. This design feature not only increases the available living space but also maximizes natural light and ventilation.

Beachy Vibe

To create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere, the family opted for a beachy vibe in their tiny home. They combined timber and white elements throughout the interior to achieve a light and natural aesthetic. This choice of materials not only brightens the space but also adds a touch of coastal charm. The beachy vibe contributes to the overall sense of tranquility and complements the surrounding rural landscape.

Custom Staircase Design

A standout feature of the tiny home is the custom-designed staircase. The family wanted to ensure the safety of their young children, so they created a staircase that connected both loft spaces. This eliminated the need for a ladder, making it easier and safer for the children to access their sleeping areas. The staircase also offers additional storage space, optimizing the functionality of the tiny home.

Incorporating Montessori Principles

Minimalist and Organized Living Space

The family has embraced Montessori principles when designing their living space. They have adopted a minimalist approach, keeping the space uncluttered and organized. This intentional design choice not only creates a calming environment but also encourages independence and freedom of movement for their children. By incorporating Montessori principles, the family has created a home that supports their parenting style and promotes a sense of autonomy for their young ones.

Parenting and Design Choices

The family’s design choices are strongly influenced by their parenting philosophy. They believe in fostering independence and self-sufficiency in their children. By incorporating open spaces and providing easy access to their loft sleeping areas, they empower their children to navigate the tiny home with confidence. Every aspect of the design, from the staircase to the organization of the space, aligns with their parenting goals and values.

Functional and Well-Equipped Kitchen

Spacious Layout

Despite the limited square footage, the kitchen in this tiny home offers a surprising amount of space. The family prioritized functionality and incorporated ample countertop space for food preparation. They also installed a large oven and a dishwasher, ensuring that they have all the necessary appliances to meet their cooking needs. The thoughtful layout of the kitchen maximizes efficiency and convenience.

Appliances and Storage Options

In addition to the spacious layout, the kitchen is equipped with a range of appliances and storage options. The family has carefully chosen appliances that accommodate their cooking preferences and lifestyle. They have also incorporated clever storage solutions, such as hidden cabinets and drawers, to make the most of the available space. The combination of well-chosen appliances and efficient storage enhances the functionality of the kitchen and contributes to the overall livability of the tiny home.

Bathroom Features

Spacious Shower

The bathroom in this tiny home boasts a spacious shower, allowing for a comfortable bathing experience. The family carefully planned the bathroom layout to ensure that it accommodated their needs while still fitting within the limited space. The generously sized shower demonstrates that a tiny home can provide all the comforts of a larger dwelling, without compromising on convenience.

Composting Toilet

To further embrace sustainable and eco-friendly living, the family has installed a composting toilet. This type of toilet system converts waste into compost, eliminating the need for traditional sewage disposal. Composting toilets are an environmentally conscious choice that reduces water usage and waste production. By incorporating this feature into their tiny home, the family further demonstrates their commitment to off-the-grid and sustainable living.

Convenient Bath Tap

To simplify the bathing process, the family has installed a convenient bath tap in their bathroom. This tap allows for easy filling of the bathtub, eliminating the need to manually fill it with a showerhead. The thoughtfulness of this design feature ensures that even daily tasks, such as bathing, are made more efficient and enjoyable.

Children’s Sleeping Lofts

Designed for Children

The sleeping lofts in this tiny home are specifically designed for the family’s children. The loft spaces are easily accessible via the custom staircase, allowing the children to have their own designated sleeping areas. The design ensures that the children have a sense of privacy and ownership within the tiny home. The sleeping lofts are also equipped with safety features to give the parents peace of mind.

Bookshelves and Toy Storage

To encourage a love for reading and provide ample storage for toys, the family has included bookshelves and toy storage in the children’s sleeping lofts. These dedicated spaces allow the children to keep their belongings organized and easily accessible. By incorporating storage solutions into the design of the sleeping lofts, the family has created functional and personalized spaces for their children.

Family’s Experience Living in the Tiny Home

Suitability for Family Life

After living in their tiny home for 18 months, the family can confidently say that it is well-suited for family life. The design choices they made, such as the open spaces and child-friendly features, have allowed them to create a comfortable and functional living environment for their young family. The tiny home has become a place where their children can grow and thrive, all while embracing a simpler and more sustainable lifestyle.

18 Months of Living in the Tiny House

The family’s experience of living in the tiny house for 18 months has been overwhelmingly positive. They have found that the small size of the home fosters a sense of togetherness and encourages quality family time. The open and bright design creates a welcoming atmosphere, and the off-the-grid capabilities provide a unique and sustainable living experience. Overall, the family has embraced the tiny house lifestyle and found it to be a fulfilling and rewarding way of life.

Cost of Building the Tiny House

Includes Solar Panels and Deck

The total cost of building the tiny house, including the installation of solar panels and the deck, was approximately 160,000 USD. This cost reflects the high-quality construction and attention to detail that went into the project. By investing in sustainable and off-the-grid features, the family has ensured that their tiny home is not only environmentally friendly but also economically viable in the long run.

Future Plans and Expansion

Buying Own Property

While the family currently parks their tiny home on a rural section, their future plans include purchasing their own property. This step would provide them with a permanent location for their tiny home and allow them to further customize their living environment. Owning their own property would also give them more autonomy and flexibility in terms of design and expansion.

Potential for Another Tiny House

As their children grow older, the family envisions the possibility of expanding their tiny living arrangements. They have expressed interest in potentially building another tiny house on their property to accommodate their changing needs. This future expansion reflects their commitment to the advantages and lifestyle provided by tiny homes. By embracing the tiny house movement, the family has discovered a way of living that aligns with their values and aspirations.

Living in a tiny home may seem like a challenge, especially for a young family. However, as demonstrated by this inspiring couple and their beautifully designed tiny home, it is possible to create a comfortable and functional living space with careful planning and thoughtful design choices. The family’s commitment to off-the-grid and sustainable living, incorporation of Montessori principles, and emphasis on functionality have all contributed to the success of their tiny home. Their experience serves as a reminder that good design and a great philosophy can lead to a thriving family life in a tiny house.

In this week’s episode, you’ll meet an inspiring couple who have designed an incredible tiny home for their young family.

There’s plenty of space, with a large living room and kitchen, as well as a playroom for the kids. Every aspect of the home has been carefully designed with easy family living in mind, with added safety features to give you peace of mind as parents.

Mitch and Taj have created a beautiful home for their family here. This home demonstrates that with good design and some great philosophy, it’s possible for a young family to thrive in a tiny house.

The home is completely off-the-grid and situated on a stunning rural section, making it a dream place for you to raise your beautiful family.

You can follow this family’s tiny house adventures on Instagram: link

We hope you enjoy the tour of this lovely family tiny house.

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Find out more about this tiny house and others on our website: link

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Presented and Produced by: Bryce Langston

Camera: Rasa Pescud & Bryce Langston

Editing: Sarah Binder & Rasa Pescud

Title music in this video by Bryce Langston: /brycelangston