Di has been responding with a lot of comments on the Tiny House Blog and I thought she had some great ideas of things to think about when looking into downsizing or designing a tiny house. I asked Di to do a guest post and following are her suggestions and ideas.
DIMENSION:
- Think of the present and future. Try a one-story building.
- Adjust the height, width and length of a building. An 8′ ceiling may be sufficient.
- Measure and rearrange interior items. It’s easy to edit a floor plan in MS Paint.
- A twin bed is 3′ x 6.25′. A double bed is 4′ x 6.25′.
- Most under-counter appliances are 2′ x 2′.
- Some stoves/fridges are more narrow.
- Some fridges/dishwashers are small enough to fit under a kitchen sink.
- Rather than a porch/deck, store a portable screenhouse and lawn chair in the trunk of your car.
Photo Credits: ProtoHaus
LIGHTING:
- Rather than rely on lighting, provide adequate daylight.
- Try windows east, west, north and south.
- For longer-lasting daylight, try skylights.
- Use windows/skylights where needed, such as over the bathroom, kitchen counter, bed/couch.
- For spaciousness, try recessed lighting and deep window sills.
- Rather than drapes, try a small curtain at the top of a window.
- For curtains, recycle your favorite fabrics – they’re easy to make, clean and change.
- Mini blinds are more versatile than shades.
COMBINATION BEDROOM / LIVING ROOM:
- Try a slightly elevated daybed or futon couch.
- To eliminate closets and shelving, use underbed pull-out storage boxes/baskets.
- Store extra blankets in decorative pillowcases on the bed/couch.
- To limit wardrobe, recombine and layer several two-piece outfits.
- Rather than use a hanger, iron your outfit and wear it.
- Store one pair of boots, shoes and sneakers.
- Acquire a new wardrobe as needed.
- Use a hooded jacket rather than a hat or umbrella.
- Add a coat hook near the entry door.
- Use a computer notebook for all media. Eliminate a tv, stereo, books, etc.
KITCHEN EXAMPLES:
- With under-counter appliances, add windows/skylights across the entire counter area.
- Try a tall fridge on an inside wall, then a carousel cabinet in a lower corner, then an under-counter combination washer/dryer, single-bowl kitchen sink, dishwasher and stove.
- A double-layered, corner carousel cupboard may be all that is needed – to stack a set of dishes, pans and dry goods.
- Store a set of decorative dishes and glasses vertically on narrow wall shelves. Add mug hooks beneath the lowest shelf.
- A portable stovetop can be stored when not in use. Try one-pot recipes.
- One pot, a bowl, mug, spoon, fork and large knife may be all that is needed.
- Use a pot as a mixing bowl, spoon or mug to measure, fork to whisk, mug as a ladle.
- Rather than cupboard doors, try a set of small curtains. Use a small, spring-loaded curtain rod supported by mug hooks.
- To limit food storage, try a simple diet. Plain oatmeal for breakfast. Peanut butter sandwich for lunch. Grains, legumes and vegetables for supper. Drink only water.
- Rather than a dining room set, eat/entertain with your plate in your lap.
- Rather than a dish rack, dry dishes on a towel.
- Dry dish towels on hooks under the kitchen sink.
- Recycle a jar to store utensils, wildflowers or food as needed.
ADDITIONAL COUNTER SPACE:
- Try a pull-out cutting board or a large cutting board over the entire sink/stove.
- Rather than a counter top, try a large cutting board over any under-counter appliance.
- Use a cutting board as a lapdesk, to dine/serve or as an ironing board.
BATHROOM:
- With a wetbath, waterproof the lower half of the walls and use a shower curtain.
- Try a small 12-inch-depth corner sink.
- Rather than a vanity or medicine chest, try open shelving over the toilet – to store towels/cosmetics.
- Store small items in decorative boxes/baskets/jars on the shelving.
- Rather than a towel rack, use towel/clothing hooks.
- Try a full-length mirror on the back of the bathroom door – usually, they’re less expensive.