*UPDATE!*
Hi There! Thanks for stopping by! The following pictures in this post were taken before we really-truly moved in. We’ve been living in our Tiny House for nearly TWO YEARS now and still completely love it! To see updated pictures of a Lived-In Tiny House for a Family of Four click onto (and follow!) on Intagram!!! and here to see the most recent blog posts from BlessThisTinyHouse.com!
instagram.com/BlessThisTinyHouse
TaDA!
Isn’t it the prettiest little house you’ve ever seeeeeen!
ILOVEIT! Tell me you love it! 😉
It’s my fairytale.
It’s the kids’ treehouse.
Ryan says, “It’s Freedom! …from stuff, new opportunities, haven’t we been over this?”
Lol, yes we have.
I love sharing this with you! Wanna see some more?
Spacious, right?
That cozy spot is across from this lovely reading nook:
Look at that! So many books! Storage, extra space, art, photos, creativity and learning!
Oh, don’t just walk by that closet space! Haha. Well, that could use a little work. 🙂 About 100 more hooks, organization for shoes, probably a shelf on top.
Just wait. Before and After pics will *hopefully* be amazing.
Don’t be fooled. This corner is MULTIFUNCTIONAL!
Nook, dresser, bulletin board, DINNER TABLE! 🙂
*Ach! I’m pictureless! I’ll throw one in soon! For now, can you guess where that dinner table might be? ;)*
Welcome! To my prettypretty bathroom.
The sink is teeny-tiny.
The toilet is a throne.
What’s that! A bathtub in a tiny house. And it’s a wine barrel. Perfection!
Isn’t it strangely magical? This kitchen sink brings me so much delight!
It is enormous, so functional, and it glows.
Thank you, Tiny House Nation, for not giving me a bowl-sized, one-basin sink!
*The first day in the Tiny House the water in the bathtub didn’t work (it was quickly fixed) so the kids took baths in the sink. …I did too. 🙂
Let’s go upstairs.
The Master Loft.
Cozy and pretty! What a comfy bedroom. Making a bed in a loft is a challenge that this goal driven woman is not going to achieve anymore! A casual, fluffy, tousle of pillows and quilts is beautiful anyway. 🙂
We’re starting a little loft railing garden. 🙂
If you can read this, you’re in my backyard!
There’s the bumper sticker! I wrote that slogan.
Thus, I won the blueprints to the Tumbleweed Cypress 20. That’s not this house plan, but it played an important part in our being selected for the show. (The blueprints and the truck were evidence that we weren’t kidding around with this Tiny House thing.)
Now, seriously, the world is our backyard. We’ll be at the campground we hoped for during our first year (great news, right!?) while Ryan does his student/educator/career thing and we pray for guidance on where we’ll head to next!
We don’t have a clue as to where that will be but God seems to have some Master Plan or something going on so we’ll just trust Him and roll with it.
72 Comments
I absolutely love this! Fun, creative, beautiful. I admire you — kudos! Have fun and best wishes. — Jo Scott
Ah! I’m glad you love it, Jo! Thank you for your kind words! <3
I love this tiny house, very tasteful. I remember both Kim and Ryan when both were my students in 7th grade at the Minnesota Center, a tiny school. Congratulations to Kim and Ryan and Sully and Story for achieving your dream.(Brenda Oslund)
Yes, a tiny school for sure; great memories! Thank you so much, Brenda! So fun to connect here! 🙂
This is my dream home!! I have been looking at tiny houses for some time and yours is the first I have seen that looks super kid AND homeschooling friendly!! Great job!
Yes, isn’t that cool for the kids!? They really love it! Dream home for sure, I coudn’t have dreamed this up on my own! 🙂 Thanks Amy!
My husband and I have been wondering if a tiny house would work for us. We also have two kids and were worried about space for them as they grow. Thank you for proving it can be done! Your home is beautiful and I loved the comments! 🙂
It certain does work, pretty crazy! We’re really glad to be a family of four, exploring the possibilities! A really important part about the transition for us has been to speak about in a celebratory way. So when we grow, we’ll have to find a way to celebrate that as well. 🙂 Thank you for your kindness!
This is exactly the look and type of flowing layout I’ve been searching for. I love that it is so family friendly. Is this a private design or available for others to build?
Hi NonoShaney!
Our tiny house began as a Tumbleweed Elm 24 Equator: http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/products/elm/ and was modified. Our contractor, my Uncle Pat, made customizations to fit our needs. I hope this helps! Best Wishes!
This is so amazing and beautiful! I can’t believe how much space you’ve carved out and perfect for a family!! I looooove it. Happy trails!!
I looooooove it, too, Kaylin!
Thank you for your sweet comment!
Best!
You are living in my family’s dream house. 🙂 My husband and I’m planning to build a tiny house. We were watching the shows and decided that the design of your house is perfect for us. We also have two little ones, 4 yr and 1yr. Would you mind giving me some tips of this design, like, cons/pros? I’m worried my little ones are going to drop toys to my head.
I love your plan, Angela! Pro: the kids love it! It feels like a tree house to them! Pro: Safety – 1 ladder minimizes some of the crazy for sure. Con: With a 1 year old I think you should spend a lot of time considering ease of movement on the stairs, ours pose a few challenges and we plan to put more hand rails all around the stairs, especially since the get used a lot! (up-down-up-down-up-down!)
We have a rule about throwing things down (and up!) and it’s really easy to enforce when they alternative is to use that rope and basket dealio. We’re planning to make that easier with a pully system, as well.
I wish you happiness on your family’s journey!
Congratulations on your beautiful home! What is the square footage or length of the trailer? It appears longer than some. Also, what do you use for heat? I do not recall seeing anything. Thank you for sharing your home! It is an inspiration.
Best to you and your family!
Hi Jengie!
Our square footage is 207sqft. And our trailer length is 24 feet.
It doesn’t have heat -yet! We’re in the process and it’s promising to be amazing!
Once the plans are completely set I’ll share all about it, I’m so excited!
Come back soon for the details!
Thanks Jengie!
This is great! I ‘re-posted it on my blog. Hope you don’t mind. I LOVE tiny houses, and yours is wonderful! God bless!
Well that sounds just wonderful, Betty! I’ll check out your blog!
Thank so much! <3
Oh, I am just GREEEEN with envy! I cannot imagine living life in such a tiny space with our four (two boys, 5 and 7) but would LOVE to sell everything and give it a whirl. Who needs all the stuff we have anyways! We home school, so I’m not sure how that would pan out in such a tiny space…
But beautiful simplicity and you did such a lovely job!
Thank you AW! Fun, Boys! My first goal on land with be to have some great space outdoors for the kids to play. An awesome playhouse! We homeschool, too. So far, so good!
Thank you for your encouragement! I bet you could Do It! 🙂
AWESOME home!!!
<3 Thank you Msfullroller ceraisis!
I love this so much! The sink and full size fridge are fabulous! The design of the roof gives enough headroom in the lofts. The flow is incredible. I love the “kitty walk”.
The only real change I would make for myself would be to work out storage stairs. I’m too unsteady for a ladder.
Thanks for sharing your lovely home! I hope you post floor plans!
Thanks Robin! The sink is from Ikea and the head room is a result of dormers (the style of raising the roof, we love it). Someday we might do something different with the stairs… we’re working out a few ideas. 🙂
The floor plans are the Tumbleweed Elm 24! Modified a bit.
Thank you Robin! <3
Hi Kim!!
I would be so, so interested in paying for plans on how to build this exact home. I have been looking for plans that have the entire upstairs dormered, and have not found any! If I could buy plans from you I would do it in a heartbeat!! Interested??
I have two boys, and me. I feel like the little train that could…
April
Hi April!
The plans are the Tumbleweed Elm 24! I think the cost is around $800 on Tumbleweed’s site. Our contractor ran the dormer all the way across, lengthened the second loft to match the first, and put in the kittycat walk!
So maybe your contractor (or You!) could do the same! Or… if you’d like my contractor’s info, let me know!
You ARE the little train that could! 🙂 Blessings!
I’m curious to know what’s being used under the house as the “basement.” It really helps make it look more like a house and less like a trailer. I haven’t seen anything quite like it, and it’s a really clever idea!
This is cement skirting from DuraSkirt. I think it’s intention is for mobile homes? Not great if you’re moving the house from place to place so we’re saving it for a more permanent place and hopefully it’ll work out ok to use a second time for us.
Works pretty swell for storing bins outside toys, bikes, and some gardening things over the winter!
http://www.duraskirt.com/
🙂
Amazing! My husband and I are just about to start designing a 24 foot tiny house for us and our two young daughters! I’m glad to have discovered your blog just now! I (of course) have a few questions right off the bat:
Our builders swear that we need a triple axle trailer for a 24 foot house. Can you speak to that at all? I see yours is a double.
*Where* did you get a wine barrel and *how* did you mod it out to be a shower/tub? It’s brilliant!
The kitty-walk is awesome. I am wondering, though, how you plan to find privacy for, er… bedroom activities (hope you don’t mind my asking).
Thanks!
Hi Anna! my reply might be way to late for you, sorry! I think you’d have to refer to our trailer company, http://www.tinyhomebuilders.com/tiny-house-trailers#.VMbAXMZwMfo, I’m pretty sure the axles are extra strong or something? (I nervously had the same question… but the show crew people said it was okay? Who knows!)
I think you can get a wine barrel at most wineries? You could call one near you and check! i think it cost $140. They just cut it in half! I only know this because they touched on it during the episode! …And I just wrote about the privacy thing! It’s not so challenging. Or, actually, privacy can be challenging for any parent in any house, right!? 🙂 Depends on how you look at it!
http://matthew1525.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-answer-to-big-question-youve-all.html
Blessings on your Tiny Journey, Anna!
I just saw this Tiny House on Tiny House nation. It was so great because my daughter is very interested in building one but was wondering what to do about future children. (Way in the future as she’s only 14!)
Hi Camille!
Well, we are looking at all kinds of options! We might (likely) build another Tiny House! Especially as they get to High School age, we’d like to together- build each of the kids their own so they can start a life of mortgage freedom. Prior to that we’ll likely build a garage or pole barn for cars, garden tools and such and include a loft for some extra living space. Ultimately, it’s all about options and moving forward in a debt free style and living well within our means.
Happy Tiny Journeys to your daughter! I love that’s she’s passionate about this!
I love you house style, design. Where did you get yours plans ?.
Hi Susie!
Thank you! It’s the Tumbleweed Elm 24, modified to fit our family’s needs. 🙂
This is absolutely gorgeous! Seriously! We have 4 boys and want so badly to do this but don’t think that it’s possible, but you’ve shown us otherwise! Thank you for the great detailed pics!
Of course! Thank You! for your kindness! Goodness, four little Men! Just make sure they have space outside for a little running around freedom and you could totally do it! Sully and Story love it – they play outside A LOT, which I really love.
…I think I need to update the pics soon, it’s a little more lived-in looking now. 🙂
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This is perfect!!! Did you use plans to build this? How much did it cost? if I may ask that. We have been looking at 5th wheels but this looks so much more homey and I like that. We are also a family of 4 so I love the set up and the space for home school books.
Thank you Rebeka! Yes, it’s the Tumbleweed Elm 24. It’s hard to break down the budget because it was build on the Tiny House Nation show. Soooo, we put $30,000 into it but much more was spent. My Unlce Pat (who built it) thinks it could be done for about $17,000 (I think you’d have to add the trailer and appliances to that.) I should get some more specifics! I’ll post a budget breakdown soon.
The kids LOVE their loft! It’s a great space for four!
Happiest wishes on your Tiny Journey, Rebeka!
My wife & I would really love to speak with you all on learning how you did this and if you would sell the plans. We are very serious about building a home for our little family. Please email us directly if possible to kentfamily921@gmail.com
Thanks Kent Family!
I can’t sell the plans because they’re not mine! 🙂 Look up the Tumbleweed Elm 24, that’s it!
It’s perfect for a little family!
🙂
Hi Kim, as a fellow home schooling family, thank you for showing us it is possible! I have been in contact with Tumbleweeds regarding the plans for the “Elm”. My question is similar to the one above. Could you please contact me at jack.charleen@yahoo.com. Kind Regards
Hi Char!
Yes! It works for homeschooling just great for us! Tumbleweed people are wonderful! 🙂
I’d love to chat! 🙂
<3
Hi, Kim… I’m just down the road from you in Burnsville. Caught you on tinyhousetalk.com and at YES! Magazine, and now at your blog. What a great tiny home you have! And I’m SO glad you are home schooling. Government schools are failing us. Love your tiny house!
Hi Peter! 🙂 Very cool. Thank you, thank you!
I’m just so excited to have the kids’ individual needs met, teach them to be researchers, and let them follow their own personal passions!
Thank you for the encouragement!
Hi Kim! I work as a Casting Producer for HGTV’s Tiny House Hunters. You’re tiny house is an inspiration! Stumbled upon your blog and was curious if had any more projects up your sleeve, or if you would help out in spreading the word about our casting to interested parties. If you are interested, please shoot me a quick e-mail and I will send you over a casting flyer with more details. justin_pease@pietown.tv THANKS!
Hi Kim, I’ve just seen your wonderful house and I wanted to just say well done. My husband and I have also decided to build ourselves a tiny house in order to simplify our lives so as to have more time to focus on our ministry. We are at the planning stage and wondering if we can really live in such a confined space without wanting to kill each other (only kidding….I hope). Apart from all the obvious things, was there anything that once you had shifted in, you wished you had thought of before?
Warm love
Linda
Yes! Choose a thin mattress! We have a thick one, so many inches lost! And it’s stuck in there. We have to remove the railing to get it out. The kid’s loft feels very spacious because of their thin foam mattresses and I’m envious! 🙂
Choose a BIG sink (assuming you plan to be dishwasher free) and we love or Kimberly Stove. That’s what’s off the top of my head! 🙂 Best wishes and blessings on your Tiny Journey, Linda!
Hi – love this idea. Your boy and girl share, right? What plans do you have for when they are teens/too old to share a room? Do you believe they can’t share past a certain age? I’m curious, relating this to my own experience.
Hi Moiaussi!
Yes, they share. We’re can’t say right now what that age will be but surly they can’t share for so very long! We’re taking it step by step. Right now we’re on the hunt for land. There we’ll be able to expand and stretch out a bit, make plans for the next steps. 🙂
Hi Kim,
Love your tiny house and thanks for sharing your life/building project with us on Tiny House Nation. What is the name of your uncle’s construction company? My daughter is interested in building a “stationary” tiny house in MSP but it must be 500 square feet according to MSP building/zoning codes. Would he consider working on a project of this size? Thanks so much for the information!
Dawn
Yes! Pat Mattson is my uncle and Nicholas Construction in Stanchfield, MN is his business. I bet he’d be excited about your daughter’s build!
This is gorgeous! My husband and I have been talking a bit about building a tiny house once the kids are out of the house, but they are still young (6 & 3). This has inspired me! Thank you. Now, please excuse me while I browse the rest of your blog and marvel at how awesome this is!
🙂 Kids lovvvvve Tiny Houses! 😉
♡
Love it inside out!!!! Such a cute tiny little space. The house design could have been a bit spacy but still its near to perfect! Great work and especially the upstairs, beyond words.
I love this house! We are a family of 4 and have been looking into building a tiny/small house for a while now. Are the plans for this house available to purchase?
Yes! Pretty much. It’s a Tumbled Elm 24. Customized. Dormers, both lofts are the same size. 🙂
Yes that answered it, awesome!
Do you know about how many feet are between the two lofts? (or length of catwalk) I would like a lot of natural light to shine down to the common area.
Im also thinking about the front and rear doormer but with a gabrel roof for more head space on the lofts.
Thank you so much for your response!
Yep, I think it’s about 7 feet? The measuring tape is in my husband’s car, sorry! I can check on that later. Our dormers run the full length. The rounded roofs? So beautiful! Line the lofts with windows and you’ll have tons of light! We could use another window or two upstairs in the middle. But so many windows downstairs and we are light-filled for sure. Sounds like it’ll be lovely!
Looks like maybe 7? (Measuring tape in husband’s car, I’ll check later!) Yep, we dormered the full length. Those rounded roofs are beautiful! Line the lofts in windows! We could use another window in the middle of our lofts but would lose the space for the heat pump/a/c on one side. So just along the catwalk I think. But we have tons of light downstairs!
Are you still currently living and enjoying your tiny house? I have seen so many post where people have enjoyed there tiny house bit then in a years time they choose to sell it.
Gasp! Sell it! Never ever. We still, surely, will always, love it. Even if/when we grow out of it (the kids will inevitably need more space by the time they’re teens) we’ll use it and eventually grow back into it! Through the Tiny House we’ve experienced so much good, so much freedom. We truly love it, Brandy. 🙂
Excellent job with this model. Do you have basic floor plan and measurement available.
Our Tiny House is a customized Tumbleweed Elm 24. The plans are available on Tumbleweed’s site! 🙂
I was more interested in the measurement/blueprints with the two lofts. I also have 2 children. Would love to work with your concept.
Ah,yes! Okay, well is the Elm 24 *customized* 🙂 So! They took the measurements of the master loft ands just mimicked it on the other side instead of using the measurements of the storage loft/space that would have been there. Joined them with the catwalk. The bathroom got pushed to the back and the kitchen is galley style along the wall. Pretty sure Tumbleweed will work with you to customize this if you or your contractor aren’t comfortable changing it up yourself. Pat, my uncle/contractor made those changes himself. 🙂 Does that answer your question better? ?? 🙂
Hey Kim, just found your website today from some offshoot MSN news article. I wish I could remember which one, but alas I’m old, and it’s gone! HA!~ I’ve been playing around with idea of going Tiny Living as well. My daughter, (the last of 3 kids at home) will be graduating next year and then sometime in the next few years I see myself living alone, and building one of these Tiny Houses. I have found the older I get the less I need, and the easier it is to cull down the I “wants”. God bless you and your family in your adventurous Tiny Home life. I love the floorplan, and the happiness I’ve read in your posts,pics,blogs, etc. Can’t wait to join the minimalist movement and read more of all of your future adventures!
Take care and God bless,
Teri Jackson – future Tiny House Owner 😉
I love that, Teri! Very cool. A blessed Tiny Journey to you!
Kim, Your tiny house is darling. I’ve been looking at them for awhile now and I believe it would be best opportunity for me. I am a middle age woman disabled with a very rare disease and my income is just to much that I am not eligible for any help or assistance but not enough to support myself. I’m having to pay a fortune in medical expenses because my insurance don’t cover it. I am living in a toxic situation at the moment and very possible could become homeless do you know of any groups or organizations to help with these tiny homes?
I love the lay out of your tiny house I was wondering if you ever wished you had stairs rather then just the ladder to go up in the lofts? Has it been difficult having small kids and the ladder? Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home and experience with us.
Hi Renae! Thank you for your kind comment! I don’t know in particular of any Tiny Homes to help people but I do know they’re sprouting up around the country. Our stairs aren’t exactly a ladder, that would be really rough. They’re kind of like really steep stairs. I put a bunch of handles all around and intend to put up a few more. I think the kids are the perfect age and size for the stairs. Younger kids would have a more challenging time. Sully and Story are 7 and 5. I’ll be praying for your situation and health, Renae! Love to you! ♡
Great house! This blog post is a bit old, so I’m wonder if you have an update on how it’s going with growing kids. We’re seriously considering moving our family of four (boys ages 2 and 5) into a tiny house. We’ve looked at a number of designs including the Tumbleweed houses. I really like some of the modifications you made. Are there tweaks you’ve made since that have helped? Where do you eat? Family meals are important to us and I don’t want to miss eating together when the weather is bad. Also, what washer/dryer did you end up with? Thanks!
I love it. God is good and you are very blessed i want to get one as well. My husband is a little unsure but i believe its the best of both worlds. You own your home but your home can move with you if need be. I wish you all many blessings in your perfect home.