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02/01/13, 01:29 PM
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Singletree Moderator
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 8,848
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AngieM2
citybound. I like your bath house idea. I'm thinking galvanized watering trough for a tub. I HATE fiberglass tubs that will not warm up and hold water warm not worth running the water in.
I am liking the idea of a room, where the whole place is the shower - or a shower that drains as a hospital bath, with no threshold to go over. I'm seeing what Mom and Dad go through and adjusting my thinking.
Also sorta neat thought to just hose down the bathroom area after soaping it up for cleaning.
And even in smaller houses, or my current mobile home, I'd love to incorporate many more of the space saving, storage ideas, so some stuff could be around, but not as noticeable.
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Many RVs have toilets in the shower so you can sit while you shower but they are a little claustrophobic 
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"I didn't have time to slay the dragon. It's on my To Do list!"
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02/01/13, 02:42 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: N.W. PA
Posts: 2,835
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I've lived in small and very small spaces for most of the last fifteen years and like it better and better. By nature I am neat and organized and either limit my possessions or declutter frequently.
I've entertained guests overnight and for as long as a month. You make it work because you to defer to your guest out of love and honor. (I will be honest and tell you I have not had children as overnight guests and can't speak from experience on how this small space would work.)
I'm picky about the furniture; it has to be functional and proportional to the area. I.E., no coffee tables. They simply invite clutter and take up precious space.
"Small" says warm, cozy, inviting and friendly to me. It's okay if you like bigger spaces, I'm just sharing what speaks to me. (:
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02/01/13, 04:22 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,495
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One appeal about the tiny house is that in some areas you pay no tax on a house under a certain size. And of course the smaller the house the less it costs to build.
I like small houses but most of the designs lack practical storage. If you have to keep your shoes in box on your tiny front porch then this is not practical or complete.
A tiny house is practical for one person but too small for two or more. This does not mean that you cannot be comfortable in a small house. Just not one that is 100 sq feet.
Many cities - including New York are accepting small designs (300sq ft) especially for apartments. Vancouver was built on a design using back alleys. The city now allows home owners to build extra houses on their property fronting on these alleys. They can be no bigger than 400 sq feet but in some areas two storey buildings are allowed.(two 400 sq foot units).
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02/01/13, 04:28 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Southeastern VA
Posts: 1,050
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AngieM2
I'm one that loves the tiny houses, but actually would probably have to go small house.
And the better known named tiny houses are way expensive. BUT, in most cases they are built with craftmanship that is not currently the norm.
And for me, I want a house, and not a mobile home as I have now. I want something that has character. I want something that I can live in small, but I would have a storage shed for the stuff that I want to keep , but not need every moment of everyday. This would allow the living area to be kept with less electricity or even solar to stay comfortably warm, and much less to have to keep clean.
Less bills, so less need to go out and work. Less need for up coming retirement funds to still be able to enjoy life.
And I am looking at storage sheds that have or can be converted and still be less cost than a usual mass built house.
And the tiny houses are somewhat the idea of the "Little House on the Prarie" or a Cabin in the woods effect. The anti-MacMansion.
An answer to being able to find a small plot of land with a home to call our own.
And tiny houses are not so much smaller than some of the mass housing in large cities (such as closet sized apt in Manhatten or Japan).
So, I love them.
My absolute favorite takes apart old houses and reuses so much of them into the most outstanding small houses.
TinyTexasHouse tinytexashouses.com
Now when I talk about storage sheds.
this is 12 x 30 or so, and could be turned into a cute cabin.
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Angie, what was the price that this shed?
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02/01/13, 05:32 PM
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Born in the wrong Century
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,067
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well Rvs need to be registered here, to register you need to have it insured, then you still need to have a place to keep it, campgrounds and parks require fees and you will still be paying tax on private property and many place it would be considered camping and prohibited. add in mechanical maintenance and I'm good with a tiny house. I think 12 by 16 would be perfect.
not going to pay a arm and leg either.
Less money in structure more money in land ?
of coarse a large pole barn would be nice, outdoor kitchen would be nice also.
a small home could easily be designed for solar gain.
a small home would also carry less tax liability as would multiple small out buildings or the pole barn.
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02/01/13, 07:43 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hondo, TX
Posts: 1,458
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I drive by Tiny Texas Houses 2-3 times a week . I like the concept, but there is no way we could live in one, even if it was just Karla and myself.
We could and actually plan to build and live in a house of about 900 sq feet when I retire. But there will be an asterisk, I will also have a shop for my woodworking equipment along with a freezer and probably the washer and dryer.
I think a lot of the attraction is for the go green folks and its small foot print. And Im not knocking that, it just wont work for us, at least right now.
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" Do or do not, there is no try. " - Yoda
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02/01/13, 07:44 PM
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Big Front Porch advocate
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 44,425
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sdnapier
Angie, what was the price that this shed?
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I've seen the 16 x 16 that looks like that as a shed is about $9,000 I'm going from memory - I think one about this size may be more like about $11,000 to start with then you'd have to finish it out.
I'll have to try to find the brochure to get you actual web address to check it out.
ETA: found a brochure - here's the web page: http://www.lawn-master.com/
That doesn't seem to have what I'm really looking for.
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"Live your life, and forget your age." Norman Vincent Peale
Last edited by AngieM2; 02/01/13 at 07:47 PM.
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02/01/13, 07:54 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 994
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I like some room myself. I've never lived in a large house. Largest was a new house built in the 80's, at around 1800 sq'. Now I live in an 1100' house built in 1909. If I live long enough, I am planning to turn this old L shaped house into a C shaped one.
I like a big pantry, and room to store stuff inside. I also like plenty a room in the kitchen. I think a 16x30 kitchen is a nice size, and a pantry bout half that...at least.
I hate built in cabinets...I just about have to crawl in the bottom cabinets to find anything. I like room for a rocker by the old wood range too!
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02/01/13, 08:07 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 307
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As the kids got older I tried to convince my wife to live on a sailboat with me someday. She likes her garden, though and her yellow lab. So I came to realize what I really liked about the boat was the cozy space. I like natural surfaces of wood and stone. I love wood stove heat. Big windows with lots of sun coming in. I like it cozy.
I've been looking at tinygreenhomes.com, but I think a small cabin would be best for us. We need a little breathing room. But huge boxy houses are certainly not my thing. So for the future we want cabin with a big shop for messy projects!
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02/01/13, 08:13 PM
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Wanna-be Farmer
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Georgia USA
Posts: 66
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In my quest to minimize my life, the idea of a tiny house is interesting. However, this person's idea of one is ~NOT~ mine!
My idea is the approach of basing a home on a freight container, similar to, but not as fancy as, this:
As you can see, as with any thing else, people can go overboard with the concept:
I'm actually meeting with two companies that sell containers. My hope is to get one that is slightly modified (windows, doors) and finish off the interior myself. A basic unit is about 8.5x20 feet, or 170 sqft. My idea is to get two: one for living space only, the other dedicated to work office and storage space.
I won't go off grid, as I would die without power and Internet. May get treated water as well, if easily available. I'm single, no children, no life, so my needs are very basic. I truly hope to make this happen.
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02/01/13, 08:36 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hondo, TX
Posts: 1,458
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YamahaRick
In my quest to minimize my life, the idea of a tiny house is interesting. However, this person's idea of one is ~NOT~ mine!
My idea is the approach of basing a home on a freight container, similar to, but not as fancy as, this:
As you can see, as with any thing else, people can go overboard with the concept:
I'm actually meeting with two companies that sell containers. My hope is to get one that is slightly modified (windows, doors) and finish off the interior myself. A basic unit is about 8.5x20 feet, or 170 sqft. My idea is to get two: one for living space only, the other dedicated to work office and storage space.
I won't go off grid, as I would die without power and Internet. May get treated water as well, if easily available. I'm single, no children, no life, so my needs are very basic. I truly hope to make this happen. |
The containers in that high rise are 40 footers. Just saying. It does look cool.
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" Do or do not, there is no try. " - Yoda
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02/01/13, 08:52 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Upper Eastern Shore
Posts: 883
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I once lived in a very-well laid out 970-sq.ft. apartment and had plenty of room. But, I work from home now, I do a lot of canning, and have a much better supply laid in. I think that size would be really crowded now, but a house that size with a full, dry basement and maybe some upstairs storage would be easily doable.
Those ultra-tiny houses aren't practical, not to mention insanely priced. Try moving through one with crutches after an accident, or when you're older and have mobility issues.
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02/01/13, 09:16 PM
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Big Front Porch advocate
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 44,425
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I stopped and talked to one of the owners of this little house and he said he and his wife love living there. They use to have all the 'stuff' and larger house. They do have a shed about the same size near/next to it for the "stuff" they need.
Also, their closet is outside and so is the washing machine and drier. This was a site that had had a small mobile home on it earlier.
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"Live your life, and forget your age." Norman Vincent Peale
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02/01/13, 09:36 PM
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AFKA ZealYouthGuy
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NW Pa./NY Border.
Posts: 11,453
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AngieM2
I've seen the 16 x 16 that looks like that as a shed is about $9,000 I'm going from memory - I think one about this size may be more like about $11,000 to start with then you'd have to finish it out.
I'll have to try to find the brochure to get you actual web address to check it out.
ETA: found a brochure - here's the web page: http://www.lawn-master.com/
That doesn't seem to have what I'm really looking for. |
Angie... go check this site out:
16x24 barn style built on your land with upstairs for about 10K.
http://www.backyardbuildings.com/con...06db06d7b9c06#
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02/01/13, 09:51 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oxford, Ark
Posts: 4,478
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Meh.
The tiny house movement needs to move me into a bigger one and they can HAVE mine.
12x32 or 36 (I'd have to measure, but trust me, it's not enough to make a difference as it is partly hallway of all things) ~ two adults, a 12 yo and a 3 year old.
I'm afraid the twitch in my left eye is becoming permanent.
On the bright side, anything even resembling a real house would feel like a mansion to me. Oh to have closets AND a dresser!
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A ship in the harbor may be safe, but that's not what ships are built for
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02/01/13, 10:07 PM
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Wanna-be Farmer
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Georgia USA
Posts: 66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Otter
On the bright side, anything even resembling a real house would feel like a mansion to me. Oh to have closets AND a dresser!
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I'm sorry, but some AR architecture has its roots in, um, you know ... ;-)
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02/01/13, 10:20 PM
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Big Front Porch advocate
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 44,425
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seedspreader
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Looks about right what I signs I have seen before.
I know about 2007 that 16 x 16 was about $5800, and then you start adding stuff or making larger and it went more - but still not too bad (and I know if you can build like that you can probably make it for less).
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"Live your life, and forget your age." Norman Vincent Peale
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02/02/13, 12:10 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: wisconsin
Posts: 4,293
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Dh and I started in a 16x24 cabin. Our house for our 8 kids and us is 1,200 square feet. We say lots of love grows in little houses. We just talked a while today about a wonderful retirement in a small cabin again. With a wood Stove off grid. No neighbors. We love that idea. Well give the child who needs a big house, the big house.
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I'm so done here.
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02/02/13, 12:11 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: wisconsin
Posts: 4,293
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http://www.buildingsbyalpha.com/building_designs
This guy makes great buildings. We have one. We have liked him from the start of his company.
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I'm so done here.
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02/02/13, 01:44 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Sequim WA
Posts: 6,352
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Our garden cabin could be converted into a micro-home! I'd have to check with DH, but believe we spent under $1,200 as we got the double-paned windows, exterior rough hewn siding, door, framing lumber, and most materials salvaged or free. The main cost was the metal roofing, extra lumber for the porch, and two small diamond windows (under each eve).
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