Photos of Tiny Houses

10 Tiny Homes That Prove Small Is Beautiful

March 16, 2011

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There's a lot to be said for living in a small house. Our home, at around 1,000 square feet, is just about manageable as far as maintenance, household cleaning, and upkeep is concerned. And while I consider our home to be pretty compact and efficient, it's pretty impressive to see homes that are much, much smaller — sometimes 120 square feet or less. Can you imagine living in a home that small? Whether you're looking to significantly downsize, or simply to build onto your property with a tiny home that could serve as an office or guest space, I've found plenty of options. Here are some of my current favorites.

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by Elka Karl 4

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4 Comments

2 years 8 weeks

I bought 5 acres in Wisconsin about 10 years ago. On the property was a tidy little 130 square foot cabin. It had a kitchen, closets, and a loft to sleep in. The previous owner was living there year round. It had a nice view of the river, and we thought it was perfect to use for a few years until we were ready to build something bigger. We only visited there a few days per month. The county we lived in, shortly after we took ownership of the property demanded we tear it down, or enlarge it to at least 800 square feet. I dragged it out as long as I could, and eventually ended up buying a $40,000 park model trailer and installing a septic system, to shut them up. So check your codes carefully before assuming that these dwellings are legal, even for overnight stays. By the way, I still have it, and use it for guests, and in the dead of winter when I don't want to heat the inefficient trailer. --tim

anonymous4321 2 years 8 weeks

a couple of those shown do not have "facilities." I know of one woman, frequently featured for her "tiny house" has no water and parks her "house" in a friend's yard. She works for the state of Washington and takes her showers at work--nice of the taxpayers to pay for her showers, huh? I don't quite understand the uber-tiny concept. Downsize yes.

Elka Karl 2 years 8 weeks

Actually, all of these houses have bathroom and kitchen facilities — or the potential to have them installed for extra money. That said, if you take a look, the majority of the homes I featured in this slideshow do have kitchen and bathroom facilities.

2 years 8 weeks

Sorry, but calling these detached rooms 'houses' completely ignores the needs and uses within a house. The complete lack of any facilities to cook, go to the bathroom, or clean yourself fails the modern definition of house. Are we to believe the inhabitants order in evey meal? Have an outhouse? Go to the gym to shower? I think the idea of reducing your footprint is fantastic. Making it so you can't exist there without constant use of other facilities does not meet the minimum criteria of a house.