The ethos of doing-it-yourself in a resourceful, space-saving way is at the root of the tiny house movement. That said, one of the most amazing things about the tiny house world is observing the immense creative variety within the constraints of these small spaces, all attempting to answer the perennial question, "How can one make the most of a couple hundred square feet?"
These space-maximizing strategies are relevant to many of us, so it's always enjoyable to come across new ideas, such as the ones implemented by in this elegant small dwelling by Alaskan self-taught carpenter, blogger, mom and free-DIY-plans extraordinaire Ana White. Together with her husband Jacob, Ana created this surprisingly spacious 24-foot-long tiny house for a client that is jam-packed with clever, transforming furniture ideas and an affordable DIY "elevator bed". Watch the detailed tour:
© Ana White
© Ana White
One of the first impressions upon entering is how spacious the interior is, thanks to the large windows and to the pared-down layout at the centre of the home, resulting in about 100 square feet of open space right in the middle. Ana calls the home "an open concept rustic modern beauty that looks simple, but does all sorts of things."
© Ana White
Probably the most ingenious part is the DIY retracting bed that can be raised above the sitting area's sectional sofa, which also doubles as storage and as a guest bed. Using garage hardware, cables and pins to lock the bed's position in place, the bed can lift up and down with the push of a button -- all done for around $500, and eliminating the need for space-consuming stairs. With the addition of a wall-mounted television, this area is also the entertainment centre -- whether one is watching in bed, or from the sofa. In addition, the coffee table storage cubes can be used as portable steps for getting into bed, or their lids used as laptop cushions.
© Ana White
© Ana White
© Ana White
At the middle of the home, only the slim profile of a built-in console occupies the space over the wheel well. However, this is no ordinary console, as the sliding doors on the pipe rail can not only hide clutter, but can also transform into two desks, or one long table, either running along the console or as a full-sized dining table for entertaining guests.
© Ana White
© Ana White
© Ana White
Ana White/Video screen capture
Closer to the kitchen, there is a wall full of organizational modules, as well as a DIY pipe coat rack. There is a shoe bench that can also be moved over to form the last piece of the guest bed, as well as drawers on wheels under the kitchen platform that serve as storage.
© Ana White
Ana White/Video screen capture
In the kitchen, there is a sliding pantry, as well as built-in wall shelving for foodstuffs. The countertop is faux-marble, built as a cheaper, greener and more lightweight alternative. Another great idea: one chunk of the counter actually rolls out, revealing a hidden spot for the combination washer/dryer machine -- an interesting alternative to putting it under the stairs or in the bathroom as seen in other tinys.
© Ana White
© Ana White
© Ana White
The bathroom is equally interesting, with a sliding, ceiling-mounted mini-closet that usually resides in the shower when not in use, and can be moved over to the composting toilet side when the shower is needed. (We assume the client didn't need much closet space.) Not sure if a moist environment is ideal for clothing, but it's certainly unconventional to say in the least.
© Ana White
It's an impressive house full of brilliant, space-saving furniture designs -- all built entirely out of materials found in hardware stores, due to Ana's remote location in rural Alaska. In all, this lovely tiny house cost the client around USD $60,000 -- split evenly between materials and labour. To make building things more accessible determined do-it-yourselfers, Ana will soon be offering free DIY plans on how to build the different pieces of furniture, including the whole house and the automatic bed. For more information and plans, check out Ana White's website.
[Via: Tiny House Talk]
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