There’s a new craze that’s sweeping the nation. Tiny houses. Many of them even smaller than this converted bus. Instead of living in a big, energy-consuming, resource-using McMansion, some people have chosen to live in small houses of about 100 square feet. It might sound crazy, but after looking at pictures and video of them, a tiny house doesn’t sound too bad.
Martin House-To-Go has finished their 2008 tiny house model, and they call it Fresh Start. At $29,900, it only costs as much as a nice car, but offers all the modern comforts of home. Their tiny house includes these following features:
- 11′ high ceilings!
- solid bamboo floors!
- no toxic, gas-emitting materials used in construction
Anyhoo, it’s worth taking a look at their galleries. Marvelous, they are.
Moving on, we find Jay Shafer of Tumbleweed. He’s been building (and living in) tiny homes since 1997. Most of his tiny houses are about 100 square feet. He claims that the reason he started living in small houses is because he hates sweeping and vacuuming big houses. Also, since they use less natural resources (both in construction and in upkeep). Without further ado, I present Jay Shafer’s guided tour of his tiny house:
One day I might have to take the plunge and live in a mini-house. They look cool, are cheap, and are environmentally responsible. What more could ye ask for?Thanks to Tiff for telling me about this here thing.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:05 am
[...] can live in his net, why can’t a crafter live in her (or his) stash? You could even put your tiny house on wheels for taking to craft [...]
May 15th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Being a bit of a claustrophobic, I’m not sure if I could acclimatize myself to a tiny house; however, I am in agreement that sweeping and vacuuming larger digs get old, though.
August 1st, 2008 at 3:49 am
Wow, looks very nice. It would make a wonderful tree house for my 9 year old.
August 11th, 2008 at 12:55 am
this is the worlds smallest house too much money
August 11th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
hey that’s where my friend Kenny lives. he’s poor.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
and poor people suck.
August 16th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
thats my perfect house. it’d be like living in your own fort except with water and electricity.
August 20th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
that is something i would love to live in. i love small areas and hav always wanted something like that
September 25th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Small is the operative theme here, but small does not have to mean snug like a bug in a rug. The roof should be barn yard rounded to make the loft into a real loft shape, with a real fire exit window for safety, the floors still have to be swept, and there is barely enough room to keep 2 house cats, it would not be a problem to make a pop out screen room that rolls up for travel and/or a pop out sitting / reading nook here and there. I have seen actual aluminum (yuk) trailers that have more features to show off than this. small can be fun, and creative, and nice, but too small, is just too small. Not very green when it is pulled by a gas or diesel run truck, again, yuk.
September 26th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Good point meezers, a rounded ceiling would give a wee bit more space. But you don’t have to move it with trucks, you don’t even have to move it at all. I think it’s mainly just a cool illustration that most houses are a lot bigger than is needed, and use a lot more resources than they really have to (I’m looking at you, Al “Manbearpig” Gore).
September 27th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Yes, I am sure you are right about that. Good thing this is America, still, and we all get to choose, which is right for us, large, mediums or small. Safety is still an issue, no matter what size. Stay safe and live well. Always good to mention safety plans, etc. in no matter what size house.
October 16th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
How much do these small houses cost?
October 17th, 2008 at 9:22 am
“Martin House-To-Go has finished their 2008 tiny house model, and they call it Fresh Start. At $29,900, it only costs as much as a nice car…”
October 20th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
There is one called Lodge on Wheels for 37,900 or so. No dimensions seem to be given. Find this @ MartinHouses.com. I am watching their progress. Wood is nice, but it is one of the resources…. good for people who need to go through a life transition… if they can swing it in this economy.
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:18 pm
It seems the bigger the house, the less the owners are at home (they are always on travel elsewhere). So why folks are compelled to buy huge expensive high maintenance homes … has always been a mystery to me.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Where do you store the water for the shower and what about septic and all that fun stuff?
November 9th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Karen, that is a great question that I don’t know the answer to.
January 15th, 2009 at 6:02 am
There is a lot of info on Tumbleweed websight, including prices, sizes and where to store water, septic, etc.
January 19th, 2009 at 5:38 am
check us out-the prices for our small portable buildings start at $2000.00
January 27th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
we like the design of your tiny house.But I have a Question, from Where the electricity and If you Had a generator it is not noisy?When you move the house from place to another place the things inside not fall. Thank you and hoping for your response soon.
January 27th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
I’m not sure where the electricity comes from… I would guess a battery for traveling, and maybe a cord to plug in when you’re stopped.
February 8th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
A house that small can be run on Marine batteries (the kind you use on a boat) and a very small solar panel array.
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:36 pm
sooo cute !!
April 30th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
I saw this guy on 'Daily Planet' on the discovery channel. The water for the shower is stored in a jug up stairs and it's a composting toilet. not sure where the run off from the shower goes but I do know that much.
May 9th, 2009 at 2:54 am
I love the tiny houses…I hope I can have one someday VERY soon! Visit my blog! Thanks!
June 19th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
lol…do u live in keansburg ms. d
June 30th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
i was wondering about the furnace in the tiny house video…who makes it ? what model ? ,where can i get one …and how many btu of output…
August 28th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Jotul makes a sweet wood stove 11"w by 19" deep and a couple of feet tall.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:22 am
Easily, the post is in reality the freshest on this worthy topic. I harmonise with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your incoming updates. Saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the phenomenal clarity in your writing. I will directly grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. Admirable work and much success in your business endeavors!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
I just found two great products that I can offer to people who build tiny, small, or wee houses. A european styled composting toilet that requires no water, no septic, has no odor outside or inside, looks like a real toilet, easy to install, empties about 6 times a year, eco friendly, and a rain water harvesting system that you can use in the bath, small laundry units, outside uses, etc. Sets up in minutes, portable too. You can see these products and get more info. at my website or email me. Also we have ideas on disposing of greywater, etc. We also sell portable cabins. http://www.showcasesheds.vpweb.com or showcasesheds@yahoo.com
February 12th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Thanks, those look jawsome.
March 9th, 2010 at 11:43 am
Call me crazy or not!!! I like jay’s idea I’m going broke because way things cost in mi, that’s crazy,living small is an awesome idea have more money,to enjoy life why have huge houses unless ur a super star go for it then.,I’m 29 going on 30 I like to enjoy life as well.
March 9th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Forilla… may as well have a tiny house and keep the money to go out and do stuff, instead of just buying a bunch of crap.
March 11th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Is there any body know of any small tiny home clubs in milford mi.my zip is 48380 I’m a new fan of little house’s, I think there. Cool ideas cheaper to build I like mine to be about 430 size. Of my little home or 400!! Any body give me ideas an how much money mine to build let me know thank you all….