Posts Tagged → stairs

Simple Stairs For The Tiny House

When we were building our tiny house I remember several sets of makeshift stairs. In fact, they were so makeshift I would hardly call them stairs (or steps). In fact, the first version was just some old cinderblocks stacked on top of each other. The first fall I took not only hurt my pride but also my shins as I stumbled and caught myself only by my shin skin. The second version involved an old set of mobile home steps that had no real cross-bracing and seemed like a state fair fun house if you didn’t walk up them at a very slow speed and in a straight line. Our travel trailer has proved no different.

Steps

The metal steps on this rig are literally suspended by four bolts. They are not at all designed for the wear and tear of a full time nomadic family. In fact, if I go outside before my wife and daughter wake up my subtle shaking will surely alert them of my absence. It is awful. That is why I decided to cobble together a set of steps that were affordable, easy to break down, and reliable.

I invite you to spend the next 3 minutes watching this short video on how to make a simple set of tiny house steps. Just click on the standard YouTube play button to view.

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By Andrew M. Odom for the [Tiny House Blog]

2012 Design Challenge

Jeff H. sent me this email about a challenge for the designers and builders in the tiny house world to consider. Here is what Jeff had to say:

I have a favor/challenge/request for this year for you and the builders of these tiny houses. I have my own ideas that I want to incorporate in my tiny house design and here is the reason. I have a neurological disorder and do not handle stairs very well, and require a hand rail to climb stairs. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it is a huge deal for me.

I rarely see any houses on this site with a hand railing at the entry let alone a Murphy bed type sleeping arrangement or a bed that is a dual purpose design. Climbing up into a loft is do-able, but I would never design anything like that at all for me. Climbing down to use the rest room at night would never appeal to me even if I was as strong as a bull.

So if you agree with me I think it would make for a good discussion and maybe get a few builders thinking a little more about design and dual purpose possibilities. I think a whole new range of people would be interested in the tiny house movement.

I have mentioned this to a couple of builders I know and they think it is a good idea. One or two even have such a design in the works and I’m hoping many more of you will step up too. If you already have such a design please list it in the comment section below and share a link if you have one. If you have other ideas and suggestions please also bring them up in the comment section.

Let’s help people like Jeff and others have the ability to have a tiny home that they can enjoy just like everyone else. If you have a website with your design please list it in the comment section below. If not please email photos and/or floor plans to tinyhouseblog (at) gmail.com and I will pull together a post with your designs so that everyone can see.

Hornby Island Caravans bed

Ajustable Modular Stairs

Alice discovered these neat stairs that are great for small tight spaces. Called the Mini Plus, the structure is completely modular, this allows easy assembly of the components and makes it easy to adjust for the steepness of the climb. For added rigidity some special lateral supports attach it to the wall.

Made of solid European beech wood with a thickness of 1.5 inches with beveled round edges. It is both attractive and very stable. Steel tubing makes the railing sturdy and it is accented with solid beech wood. A very attractive solution for a small space. No price was listed and more research should be done if you consider using these. Here is the Stairs by Design website. Thanks Alice for sharing this great find with us.