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Do you like the idea of small-space, affordable living, but worried you’ll have to compromise on style? Then think again. The trend towards living in smaller, energy-efficient and eco-friendly spaces is embracing new technology and innovative ideas to ensure compact homes are packed full of personality, creative solutions and the latest looks.
Tiny house design is a key theme of this year’s line-up of Home Shows Australia – a series of events throughout the year in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne – which aims to showcase the latest innovative exhibitors and look at how their products are making a positive impact on the environment.
Tiny house design is a key theme of this year’s line-up of Home Shows Australia – a series of events throughout the year in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne – which aims to showcase the latest innovative exhibitors and look at how their products are making a positive impact on the environment.
The Tiny House Movement
With more of us aware of our impact on the environment and energy consumption, some house hunters have been bucking the trend for big homes in favour of small-space living, in order to tread more lightly on the earth.
Tiny houses come in all shapes and sizes, from bespoke cabins to converted shipping containers. However, they all have one thing in common, they offer a more sustainable and affordable way of living. Forget huge building costs, energy bills and those constant DIY jobs, tiny homes are easier to maintain and offer a simpler life all round that’s in harmony with nature.
Of course, the downside to a small home is less space for living and entertaining, but if you can handle not having so much stuff and becoming creative with the ways in which you entertain friends and family, then a tiny house might be for you.
Ask an expert at the show. On hand at the your local Home Show you’ll find builders, kitchen and bathroom experts waiting to offer expert advice for your building or renovation project. Make sure to bring your plans, photos and plenty of questions.
With more of us aware of our impact on the environment and energy consumption, some house hunters have been bucking the trend for big homes in favour of small-space living, in order to tread more lightly on the earth.
Tiny houses come in all shapes and sizes, from bespoke cabins to converted shipping containers. However, they all have one thing in common, they offer a more sustainable and affordable way of living. Forget huge building costs, energy bills and those constant DIY jobs, tiny homes are easier to maintain and offer a simpler life all round that’s in harmony with nature.
Of course, the downside to a small home is less space for living and entertaining, but if you can handle not having so much stuff and becoming creative with the ways in which you entertain friends and family, then a tiny house might be for you.
Ask an expert at the show. On hand at the your local Home Show you’ll find builders, kitchen and bathroom experts waiting to offer expert advice for your building or renovation project. Make sure to bring your plans, photos and plenty of questions.
Measuring just 18 square metres, and small enough to fit on a trailer bed, this innovative home in Brisbane, Queensland, was made from recycled local timbers and features a low environmental footprint, as well as handfuls of clever storage ideas and an incredibly nifty layout.
At one end of the narrow dwelling, a retractable bed that’s built into a full-height storage wall, is lowered by a remote-controlled hoist and track system, turning the lounge room into a bedroom. On the opposite side of the house, close to the ceiling, is a cosy loft space just big enough to fit a bed for two and accessed by a sturdy removable ladder.
See more from this project
At one end of the narrow dwelling, a retractable bed that’s built into a full-height storage wall, is lowered by a remote-controlled hoist and track system, turning the lounge room into a bedroom. On the opposite side of the house, close to the ceiling, is a cosy loft space just big enough to fit a bed for two and accessed by a sturdy removable ladder.
See more from this project
Key Questions to Ask
Before you start any small-living renovation or building project, ask yourself these key questions to avoid any rookie mistakes from the very beginning.
Before you start any small-living renovation or building project, ask yourself these key questions to avoid any rookie mistakes from the very beginning.
- What’s my budget? Don’t forget to include a contingency fund for unforeseen costs or mistakes that need to be rectified, as well as enough to cover any expenses for living elsewhere during the build work.
- Layout and size? Consider how the house will be used, and who will be the main dwellers. Think about squeezing in extra beds in the loft space, or creating more entertaining areas on an outdoor deck, while nifty hidden storage can be incorporated under seats, flooring and beds.
- Where will it go? With a small footprint, a tiny house doesn’t need a whole lot of land, and there’s also the possibility of creating a mobile design that can be moved about on a trailer.
- Financing and insurance. It may be tricky to take out a standard mortgage as banks may not consider a tiny house to have enough value to make good collateral, so consider other ways of financing the project, such as loans from family or friends. Obtaining insurance for a home on wheels or without a permanent foundation may also prove problematic. Talk to an insurance provider before buying or building your tiny home, so you don’t end up with an uninsurable property.
This DIY-built, tiny moveable home in Victoria measures just eight square metres and costs $7,000 to build, using mostly thrifty building materials.
The main goals for the design were to include various concepts, such as mobility, living off the grid, building with salvaged materials and fashioning a toxin-free interior. Throughout the process, the owner discovered how much electricity and technology impacted his life.
See more from this project
The main goals for the design were to include various concepts, such as mobility, living off the grid, building with salvaged materials and fashioning a toxin-free interior. Throughout the process, the owner discovered how much electricity and technology impacted his life.
See more from this project
Utilise Resources
For any passionate homeowner and keen renovator, gathering inspiration from interior magazines and online design sites, such as Houzz, is probably a regularly pastime, but now it’s time to hone your ideas. If you want to start your research on tiny house design from the comfort of your laptop, check out some more of our Small Home stories and discover a wealth of ideas and inspiration.
Then make a plan to head to a Home Show near you and tap into the incredible expertise and knowledge available at your fingertips. The Expert Area at each show will be packed with builders and designers available for one-to-one consultations, while free design and renovate seminars throughout the day will offer tons of ideas and innovative solutions.
Before you go, plan your day and book in consultations as soon as you arrive, so you can make the most of your time there.
For any passionate homeowner and keen renovator, gathering inspiration from interior magazines and online design sites, such as Houzz, is probably a regularly pastime, but now it’s time to hone your ideas. If you want to start your research on tiny house design from the comfort of your laptop, check out some more of our Small Home stories and discover a wealth of ideas and inspiration.
Then make a plan to head to a Home Show near you and tap into the incredible expertise and knowledge available at your fingertips. The Expert Area at each show will be packed with builders and designers available for one-to-one consultations, while free design and renovate seminars throughout the day will offer tons of ideas and innovative solutions.
Before you go, plan your day and book in consultations as soon as you arrive, so you can make the most of your time there.
Living the simple life was this family’s motto, when it came to designing their tiny house on wheels. When the family of three were told they had to move out of their house, they were determined not to enter back into the rental market, so they built a house on wheels that offered them affordability and movability.
Measuring just 9.9 square metres, the open-plan home includes a living room/kitchen, a bathroom, study nook, a bedroom mezzanine and another bedroom above the bathroom. Plus, the whole home can be moved to a different site with relative ease.
See more from this project.
Looking for more expert advice on tiny home design? Visit your nearest Home Show for live presentations from industry experts, where you can probe them with your questions. Plus book a one-on-one consultation with a professional where you can share your ideas and get your key questions answered. Click here to find your nearest show and see a calendar of dates.
Your turn: Are you planning to downsize? Tell us in the comments.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Measuring just 9.9 square metres, the open-plan home includes a living room/kitchen, a bathroom, study nook, a bedroom mezzanine and another bedroom above the bathroom. Plus, the whole home can be moved to a different site with relative ease.
See more from this project.
Looking for more expert advice on tiny home design? Visit your nearest Home Show for live presentations from industry experts, where you can probe them with your questions. Plus book a one-on-one consultation with a professional where you can share your ideas and get your key questions answered. Click here to find your nearest show and see a calendar of dates.
Your turn: Are you planning to downsize? Tell us in the comments.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
You’ll love Australia's largest Home Shows! They're gigantic, packed with the best products and new releases from... Read More
You’ll love Australia's largest Home Shows! They're gigantic, packed with the best products and new releases from... Read More
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