There is definitely an interest even a fascination for smaller homes. You only have to look at this YouTube video with over 9 million view at the date of this article.
Whether this is can be called a demand is uncertain. There has always been an appeal for the design of small interesting accommodation, just look at the clever use of space in boats and mobile homes.
The ingenious and creative design of furniture, now affordable to us all with the buying power and vision of retailers like Ikea, has also followed this trend. Just take a look at the imaginative small room layouts as you walk round and follow the yellow brick road around your local Ikea.
In the video Andrew Morrison of tinyhousebuild.com show us some really cleaver and effect use of space. The sloping roof of the design allows two upstairs areas in a building that is 28 feet long and 8ft 6in wide offering 221 square feet of ground floor space and 128 square feet in what Andrew calls “loft space”
The exterior us elegant and well finished with the flue for the fire by the front door. The only ugly parts are the towing bar and the wheels, which maintain the mobile status of the building.
The windows, glass door and high ceilings make the main room feel big and flooded with natural daylight. The main storage area in in a large cabinet frames the living area. They also have a small office and a neat approach to scanning information into his computer.
The use of white walls, dark cabinets and rich wood flooring does really give the feel of open space.
They have fitted a full size kitchen in the space with a four burner gas rang cooker and freestanding fridge freezer. There is a proper sink with two recycling bins underneath.
The ceiling height in the kitchen is acceptable with the main sleeping area above it. There are proper stairs to the upstairs sleeping area with really useful under stairs storage, it will even take a built in washer dryer.
The use of a double height step at the top of the stairs is a really clever design idea. The ceiling in the loft sleeping area slopes up above the bed so it does not seem cramped or closed in. Yes … I think I spotted a double Ikea draw unit in the bedroom.
There is a ladder to the second loft area that Andrew calls his tiny house lounge with a wall mounted television. This area is above the bathroom and can double up as guest accommodation.
Again three windows around this area does let plenty of light into the building and give great views from the upstairs.
The gas fire fits neatly into the corner of the main room and is designed to heat the whole house. It is set up on a thermostat so in winter it will cut in when the temperature drops. I think this is a sensible alternative to a wood burning fire.
They don’t seem to have skimped on the size of the bathroom, it is not cramped. But I am not sure about the self-contained composting toilet, looks a bit of a beast. There is also a normal size bathroom sink and shower with some nice design touches.
I think the use of a shower and room curtain in the bathroom is the only thing I would want to change in the building.
Finally one of the key messages that comes from the video is that if you are downsizing to a smaller home then orgainisation and de-clutter are a must.
Roy Horton writes for Leicester Conveyancing Solicitors BHW Residential
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