Guest Post by Joe Chipman
Since 2009 I have been designing and building two tiny houses for my own use. The Bunkhouse and the Hermit DeLuxe as seen in past posts on tinyhouseblog.com. http://tinyhouseblog.com/tag/the-hermit-deluxe/ and http://tinyhouseblog.com/stick-built/the-little-bunkhouse-in-the-woods-plans/ The Bunkhouse is complete with two twin beds, a 4 ft wide 2 ft deep closet and a 4 ft wide writing desk with a view out a window all in 64 sq ft.
Based on the Bunkhouse design, I am building and very near complete the Hermit DeLuxe a 160 sq ft tiny home on wheels. The Hermit DeLuxe sleeping arrangements has two bunks above the workbench and bathroom with a ladder access to three foot tall loft and a twin bed loft arrangement with a desk below on the other end of the Hermit DeLuxe.
Because I am nearing 50 years old and overweight I can forsee problems with these sleeping arrangements. In light of these problems I am planing to build a 24 ft – 30 ft caravan style tiny house on wheels in the future with readily accessible sleeping compartment based on my past designs.
These drawings are just the last 64 sq ft of a unfinished design called the Captain’s Getaway. I favor designs based on built-in furniture and using every inch of space like in wooden sailboats.
The Captain’s Bunk features a readily accessible full size twin bed with amble storage above and below. A 3 ft wide 2 ft deep closet and a 3 ft wide writing desk with window. A design very similar to the Bunkhouse with storage above instead of the upper bunk. The drawings are based on a seven foot finished height in the center and 64 sq ft (8ft x 8ft).
So many builders/designers seem to choose this option “I favor designs based on built-in furniture and using every inch of space like in wooden sailboats.”.
I chose instead to have 49 sft of open space, only three pieces of flexible, multi-purpose furniture and much less stuff – all in 119 sft.
Great with small houses that make it possible for people to do what works best for them.
Thank you for your comment ET. That is the beauty of the build it yourself tiny house, you can have it the way you want and affordable to boot.
I find that keeping lines of sight as open as possible is the key for my small space. If a lot of cupboards and other built-ins surround my sleeping space it’s fine as long as what I see when I’m lying there doesn’t feel closed in. If I look back at the sleeping space and it looks closed in from there it’s less important as long as wherever I am, at the kitchen counter, table or whatever also has that open feeling. There also has to be as much open space in the central volume as possible, enhanced by windows or sliding doors or whatever so that the outdoor space is part of what your eyes take in. In my Boler there are large windows at either end which help a lot but the window in the door is what you mainly see when lying in bed at that end. A larger window there would be much better and is on my list. While sitting at the table you can look out either large window and a reasonable sized one directly across so it doesn’t feel as closed in. I have tons of built-in shelving and storage all around that space but as long as my eyes get that distance view it doesn’t feel closed in. It also makes a huge difference if I have a lot of separate loose items hanging on the closet door instead of tucked away inside so that all you see is the smooth door surface. Again, it’s how your eyes slide over a space or get caught up in a lot of visual clutter. I’m no minimalist, I have tools and hobby supplies all over the place but they are tucked away neatly in containers and under seats and bed. The only open area with a lot of separate things visible is the bookshelf and there is enough uniformity in those separate items for it not to snag your eyes enough to matter (especially when you already know what the books are!).The kitchen counter has a few loose items on it but they aren’t usually in my main line of sight unless I’m using them and I try to keep it as neat as possible in there.
I’m working up some designs for a 24′ long tiny house with storage lofts and a dedicated sewing space which will involve pegboards on either side of a window above the sewing desk that I can pull curtains over when not in use so they’ll look like part of the window volume rather than a visible pile of “stuff”. There will also be a dropleaf prep cart/sewing table that tucks under the sewing machine desk and can be used in the kitchen area as well without having to move anything from the stationary surface above. The fewer steps to convert from one use to another the less frustration.
Wow sounds like some really goods ideas! Do you have any drawings or pictures? The drop-leaf prep cart/sewing table that tucks under the sewing machine desk sounds like a real good idea, multi-use furniture is always a plus in a tiny house. Thank you for your comments and great ideas.
A friend sent a link to a sewing table the other day, mine is a similar version that I’ll build once the desk is in. I’m not really crazy about the leg setup on this one, was thinking of using some fancy dropleaf hardware instead, though the legs do make it more stable.
http://ana-white.com/print/391 I have a bunch of preliminary drawings, still very much at the pencil stage though I’ve been drawing variations on this for years. I have some cardboard models worked up of old designs, going to make one for this soon. A lot of the window and door placement depends on the trailer I end up with but the basic design is fairly set as far as bathroom, kitchen, sewing area and bed placement.
Oh yeah, another thing I find really useful is keeping an inventory of items and where they are. Makes it quicker to find lesser used items. The pantry inventory shows dated items too so you can use stuff before it goes bad rather than have it languish at the back of a cupboard. With things packed away like a jigsaw puzzle it keeps frustation levels a lot lower.
I love your idea of the window curtain covering up storage behind it. I never thought of that Alice. Great thinking!
I’ve thought of a similar bed set-up, although I’m honestly having difficulty visualizing the diagrams in this post.
These wooden bed frames offer slats throughout the bottom of the bed and often include an attached footboard, or headboard. Well, there are several things, which can increase the elegance of your house. They are sturdy and durable assuring you of its life time use. These are mostly made of cherry veneers and solid birch. I also use a plastic bead as a buffer between my hook and sinker: this also makes a clinking noise when the sinker clashes up against it, it’s just another way to catch the fishes attention. ..
Please do find out about our favorite blog page
<,http://www.caramoantourpackage.com