Design principles that matter
Designing a tiny house is fundamentally different from designing a regular home. Every inch matters, and the decisions you make about layout, storage, and flow will define your daily experience for years.
We spent months on our design before construction started. It was the best investment of time we made in the entire process.
What we prioritized
- Natural light -- windows on every wall, including skylights. A small space feels dramatically bigger with good light.
- Full-size kitchen -- we cook every day. A real kitchen with real counter space was non-negotiable.
- Walk-in closet -- yes, in 300 square feet. Storage is everything in a tiny house, and a real closet makes the rest of the space feel less cluttered.
- Separate sleeping area -- not a loft you climb a ladder to reach. We wanted a bedroom that felt like a bedroom.
- Multi-functional spaces -- our dining table doubled as a workspace. The couch had storage underneath.
What we'd do differently
More built-in storage. You can never have enough. And we'd invest in better sound insulation between areas -- in a small space, noise carries.
We'd also think more carefully about outdoor living space from the start. A good deck or patio effectively doubles your livable square footage.