Decorating
Cool Ideas to Borrow From Tiny Houses
We can learn a lot from tiny houses. Here are 14 of the best take aways
A lot of innovative, space-saving design solutions have been born out of the tiny house movement, and there’s no reason you can’t use these ideas even if you’re not living in one. They’re applicable if you’re living in a small space such as a studio apartment, and/or want to use one area for more than one purpose (such as a work and dining area in one).
The first thing to take into consideration is how you will be using the space – will it be used primarily just to crash at night? Or will you be using it a lot during the day, maybe as a space to work from home? Once you have thought about the space’s purpose, then you can incorporate design ideas from tiny houses into your own home. Here are some of the best features of tiny house living to take away.
The first thing to take into consideration is how you will be using the space – will it be used primarily just to crash at night? Or will you be using it a lot during the day, maybe as a space to work from home? Once you have thought about the space’s purpose, then you can incorporate design ideas from tiny houses into your own home. Here are some of the best features of tiny house living to take away.
2. Fold-down standing desk
If you won’t be working from home all that often, but want to give yourself the option, a fold-down standing desk could work well. Here, a panel folds down from the wall to make the pictured standing desk. When it’s not in use, it allows for full use of the couch below.
Simplicity in a tiny house on wheels
If you won’t be working from home all that often, but want to give yourself the option, a fold-down standing desk could work well. Here, a panel folds down from the wall to make the pictured standing desk. When it’s not in use, it allows for full use of the couch below.
Simplicity in a tiny house on wheels
3. Retractable bed
If you have limited floor space, but relatively high ceilings, a retractable bed can be a smart solution. In this clever tiny, the bed is raised and lowered remotely so the space below can be used for other purposes during the day. This option may be chosen if a ladder is impractical due to mobility issues, or if you just don’t like ladders.
While retractable beds aren’t the cheapest option, they do add significant comfort and practicality to small spaces. When this bed is needed, the remote-controlled hoist and track system that’s built into a full-height storage wall lowers the bed down to rest, turning the lounge room into a bedroom. There’s no folding or packing away involved either.
If you have limited floor space, but relatively high ceilings, a retractable bed can be a smart solution. In this clever tiny, the bed is raised and lowered remotely so the space below can be used for other purposes during the day. This option may be chosen if a ladder is impractical due to mobility issues, or if you just don’t like ladders.
While retractable beds aren’t the cheapest option, they do add significant comfort and practicality to small spaces. When this bed is needed, the remote-controlled hoist and track system that’s built into a full-height storage wall lowers the bed down to rest, turning the lounge room into a bedroom. There’s no folding or packing away involved either.
4. Storage walls
This storage wall, which acts as a wardrobe in the same house, can be accessed when the retractable bed is hoisted up. When the doors are closed, you would barely know the wall is being used as a wardrobe. While it may be more handy to have your clothes in the bedroom, there’s nothing stopping you from using other walls to house them.
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This storage wall, which acts as a wardrobe in the same house, can be accessed when the retractable bed is hoisted up. When the doors are closed, you would barely know the wall is being used as a wardrobe. While it may be more handy to have your clothes in the bedroom, there’s nothing stopping you from using other walls to house them.
See more of this tiny house
5. Loft bed
If you’re not a fan of a retractable bed, or want a cheaper option, a loft bed is another great way to make use of vertical space. Loft beds are great for providing a real sense of separation between different areas of the house. Plus, who doesn’t want to feel like they’re in their very own fort?
If you’re not a fan of a retractable bed, or want a cheaper option, a loft bed is another great way to make use of vertical space. Loft beds are great for providing a real sense of separation between different areas of the house. Plus, who doesn’t want to feel like they’re in their very own fort?
6. Space-efficient stairs
If you don’t like the idea of climbing up a ladder to your loft bed, perhaps try space-saving stairs. In general, staircases can take up a lot of space, so smart designs like the one pictured can be a genius idea. Or if you don’t want to put your bed up high, you could consider storing possessions you don’t frequently need to access up in a loft or mezzanine area instead.
If you don’t like the idea of climbing up a ladder to your loft bed, perhaps try space-saving stairs. In general, staircases can take up a lot of space, so smart designs like the one pictured can be a genius idea. Or if you don’t want to put your bed up high, you could consider storing possessions you don’t frequently need to access up in a loft or mezzanine area instead.
7. Stairs with storage
If you do want the comfort of a full set of stairs, you can use the staircase for extra storage. Storage doesn’t need to be limited to built-ins or cupboards. Make use of the hidden empty space in less obvious places, such as through shelving under stairs or under-stair cupboards or drawers.
If you do want the comfort of a full set of stairs, you can use the staircase for extra storage. Storage doesn’t need to be limited to built-ins or cupboards. Make use of the hidden empty space in less obvious places, such as through shelving under stairs or under-stair cupboards or drawers.
8. Coffee table storage
Another space-saving solution for the living room is a modular storage unit that functions as a coffee table or even extra lounge seating if required. Best used if you’re not planning on keeping many decorative items on top of your coffee table.
Another space-saving solution for the living room is a modular storage unit that functions as a coffee table or even extra lounge seating if required. Best used if you’re not planning on keeping many decorative items on top of your coffee table.
9. Extra kitchen prep space
The pictured kitchen sink holds a double basin, but laminated wood and ply boards that fit over the sinks create extra prep space when the sinks aren’t in use. Use the extra space when you’re cooking, and then pull the boards back out when you want to wash up. An ideal setup.
More ideas from this tiny house
The pictured kitchen sink holds a double basin, but laminated wood and ply boards that fit over the sinks create extra prep space when the sinks aren’t in use. Use the extra space when you’re cooking, and then pull the boards back out when you want to wash up. An ideal setup.
More ideas from this tiny house
10. Pull-out dining area
The kitchen can double as a dining area with a pull-out dining table. Store it under a kitchen bench, and then pull it out for a dining table for everyday dinners or entertaining. This particular table also functions as a kitchen bench for preparing meals. The double-sided set of pull-out drawers can hold kitchen essentials in the front three drawers.
The kitchen can double as a dining area with a pull-out dining table. Store it under a kitchen bench, and then pull it out for a dining table for everyday dinners or entertaining. This particular table also functions as a kitchen bench for preparing meals. The double-sided set of pull-out drawers can hold kitchen essentials in the front three drawers.
11. Barrel shower
This shower is an old oak wine barrel that’s been sawn in half. Not only does it look cool, it’s incredibly space-efficient. After each shower, the owners rinse it out with fresh water and remove any extra water with a sponge to keep the unsealed wood in good condition.
This shower is an old oak wine barrel that’s been sawn in half. Not only does it look cool, it’s incredibly space-efficient. After each shower, the owners rinse it out with fresh water and remove any extra water with a sponge to keep the unsealed wood in good condition.
12. Fold-down table bar
Want a fold-down table to use for drinks or food when you’re entertaining? Or even as an alternative standing desk? But not quite willing to sacrifice the space for a permanent structure?
Want a fold-down table to use for drinks or food when you’re entertaining? Or even as an alternative standing desk? But not quite willing to sacrifice the space for a permanent structure?
This table-bar in the living area of a custom-built tiny house is easily folded down when not in use.
13. Tiny ofuro bath
If you have a tiny bathroom, but don’t want to miss out on a bath, this Japanese-style soaking tub could do the trick. A shower head above allows the bath to double as a shower.
See more Japanese bathtubs
If you have a tiny bathroom, but don’t want to miss out on a bath, this Japanese-style soaking tub could do the trick. A shower head above allows the bath to double as a shower.
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TELL US
Which of these ideas do you like best, or do you think would be useful in your home? Let us know in the Comments.
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See more compact homes
Which of these ideas do you like best, or do you think would be useful in your home? Let us know in the Comments.
MORE
See more compact homes
There’s no reason why you wouldn’t make use of a built-in couch for additional storage. It makes the perfect hideaway for items you won’t be using every day, such as files or mementos. There are a number of ways to add storage to your sofa, such as through removable seats with storage space inside, side drawers, pull-out baskets and shelves.