With any tiny home build you need to get it right the first time…not sit down when it’s finished and say to yourself ‘Oh I wished I had done this or designed that differently’. It’s easy to look at the obvious things like the size and style of furniture you’d like to see, but have you thought about the small details and hidden things you normally don’t think about? Well let’s take a look at some of those gems that will make your house a home.
1. Light Switches
You need to think about how many fixtures and switches you will need and where you need them to be for ultimate comfort and ease. Think also about three-way switches that help when you have a loft as you can turn the light on at either end, then turn it off at the other end. So with a loft, you can see the stairs and turn the light off at the top if you want – unless you have snazzy led lights running up the stairs that go on and off with a simple clap.
2. Power Outlets
You don’t want extension cables running the length of your tiny home, so work out where the ‘hot spots’ are – where you can plug in your laptop or mobile phone easily while using them, your kitchen appliances, hairdryer and shavers. It’s better to have too many than not enough, and if you’re clever enough, you can design a way to hide them behind a pop out wall socket or pop up from a build in side table.
3. Skylights
There are two basic types of skylight – static ones that don’t open, and ones that do. They are a great idea for letting in natural light. You should consider however how much heat will penetrate into your tiny home via the skylight. A static skylight means the heat that rises inside your tiny home will stay inside with no outlet, whereas having one that opens allows for the heat to escape when it’s either a hot day, or you cook a turkey for three hours!
4. Mini Split Heating Systems
Combining the comfort for hot or cold weather, this ‘rolled into one’ unit is really energy efficient, and you can place them wherever is convenient for maximum benefit. You can even paint them to blend in with your décor.
5. Multi-Purpose Furniture
Space is essential when organising furniture, so items that have more than one function are a great asset. These include sofa-beds, dining tables that also act as desktops for work, or walls that fold down into decks for entertaining or bringing the outdoors in.
6. Appliance Necessities Versus Wants
Think really hard about what appliances are crucial and what are luxuries or items you don’t use much. Could you cope without a dishwasher or clothes dryer? Do you really need that popcorn machine or bread-maker? All these appliances take up valuable space when you could be utilising it for other things.
7. Attached Storage
There are some things you don’t want cluttering up your indoor space like gas bottles, solar batteries, or even bicycles (unless they are a wall feature). So you need to work out how to store them and access these from the outside. Perhaps you have a pull out compartment for the batteries, a hidden space for any gas bottles, tools (including garden), and a slide in bicycle rack. Check out more ideas online.
8. Colours & Patterns
Think about the colours you use in your tiny home. This will determine how light and spacious the feel will be, or how cosy and snug a dark palette will bring to your personal character. Patterns will also determine how busy or simple you want the room. Get ideas from Pinterest or other interior design sites.
9. Pets
Think of your pets and how they will fit into their new home. Do you need a wide window sill to sit or a cleverly designed walking ledge around the home for your kitty cat? Or a pull-out dog bed for Fido to rest his weary head? I have seen slotted pet bowls that pull out from a bottom drawer in the kitchen which acts as a table for the pets to eat from – then clean the bowls and put them back and push back in – easy. And don’t forget pet doors incorporated into the front door so puss can go and do his or her business and come back in.
10. Under-Floor Storage
Have you thought about how much space there is under the floor? Great for storing seasonal clothes you aren’t using for 6 months, blankets, tools, hobby or craft supplies, perhaps even a pop-up stereo?
There are so many different design solutions to think about, but these essential ten will get you on your way.