Tiny home packs storage stairs, 2 lofts, tub in 136 sq ft

Julie Olson needed a traveling home for her mobile dog training business. With no architecture training, she drew up plans for exactly what she needed and sent them to Jason Dietz of Molecule Tiny Homes.
Over a couple of months he built her home to her specifications: a fold-out porch, storage stairs, 2 lofts (1 for sleeping, 1 for storage or 2 sleeping quarters), a slim closet, and a bathroom with tub, composting toilet, tiny sink and escape window/door for viewing nature.
The 136-square-foot home can run completely off-grid with rooftop photovoltaic panels, solar batteries, a propane tank, and a tankless water heater. Total cost was $45,000, but Dietz says you could bring that down by about half if you built it yourself.
Part of the reason small homes on wheels cost more per square foot is because they require structural support to survive on the road. The home was built in Santa Cruz, California and it made its first trip over 3,000 miles to Maine where Olson moved in with her cats and dog to travel and study.
Molecule Tiny Homes: moleculetinyhomes.blogspot.com
Original story: faircompanies.com/videos/view/...

[@michellecastaneda307]

This design has been my favorite out of the hundreds I have seen I have even traveled to see tiny homes. I am going to design my own and will be using your stairs. Thank you.

[@ellenmcintyre1247]

Just sayin', (since I'm no expert) I would not have a lip on the understair compartments... I would like things in spring-loaded drawers, especially the bottom ones for senior people, OR even plastic bins to simply slide in/out on the shelves. The drawer/cabinet fronts can have strong magnets to keep them closed while traveling. I do like the hatch @the back of the tub- clever!

[@phatvibez2049]

Michelle Castañeda have you desinged your home make videos we would love to see

[@williamburge5589]

I'm starting to build tiny homes for the homeless. Set up a tiny home park and they can stay for free. Give them a new start in life. Best reward is giving to the needy. All for free.

[@aliciabarnett4337]

William Burge just curious how the building is going for the homeless?

[@kristophercrane]

probably bullshit.

[@panickedjerzeegrl7622]

Where at? Must be done or much progress.....if you went ahead with it, would be nice to see your progress.........

[@adamnorzagaray2657]

You're a good egg, William.

[@gerrywilson6579]

William Burge Bless you!

[@badapple65]

This has got to be about the best designed tiny house I've seen. The dog trainer that will own and designed it always has small home design to fall back on if dog training doesn't pan-out :)

[@JustinRiedyk]

Finally, a tiny house with a fire exit. One thing that has always worried me about these awesome little houses is the lack of extra exits.

[@nadie0595]

She was super smart there, and through the shower no less, I would never have thought of that. Makes sense, what else do you use it for but keeping water in??

[@murraymadness4674]

They are too small to need more than one exit! Unless the sleeping space is isolated, and in this case, the sleeping space has no exit! If it caught on fire (look at all the flammable wood!) the person upstairs would be dead..from smoke.

[@Whitney_Sews]

One of my favorite tiny house designs! Thanks for sharing. :)

[@BC-xt3yo]

hi

[@ameliamarek7560]

Whitney Sews I also like this design aim physically challenged. Stairs are very hard for me. If anyone had seen a handicapped tiny home please reach out to me I would appreciate your help.Our home was handicapped accessable , very nice.

[@farkguugle8780]

pinterest has many designs for handicapped accessible tiny houses.

[@BelieveNoGod]

This must be one of the best Micro houses I've seen.

[@Phoenix-uy7nm]

this is definitely one of my favorite tiny houses!

[@laurenkellyvinette924]

The woman who designed that house was incredibly smart. If she was running a dog business with it, she probably wants that "fire escape" in the bathroom so that she can bring the dogs in and out of the tub to groom them without running them through the home.

[@AlwaysLisaLisa]

The Dutch door! also smart for business on the go!

[@22wolfsong]

This is one of the best ones I have seen him build. Julie did a great job designing it!

[@MonkeyVineAdventures]

These floor plans would be great inspiration for an urban apartment building with small yet financially/eco efficient and comfortable settings for young couples, college students, struggling actors etc.

[@TheHoodedBuddies]

Ok... this is by far the best mobile house... It has that modern feel and everything is being used!

[@MafiaCatNyoshi]

This is the most comfortable looking tiny mobile home I've seen so far. This woman did a nice job designing it

[@stattoo32]

The govt hates these because they cannot tax the ass off of you!!

[@Buff82yrOldMan]

the more popular it gets, they will find a way to tax us

[@stattoo32]

Buff82yrOldMan Too true indeed!!

[@stattoo32]

namedcreekrocks I agree, it is not so much the taxing but the frivolous use of the money that I oppose!!

[@stattoo32]

seven2heaven No permanent structure or amenities.

[@TheAndroia]

seven2heaven I've seen tiny houses with tags on them just as on motor vehicles. So.. yeah, they are taxed.

[@boulsuk7]

Kirsten your videos have changed my life perspective and liberated me giving me a sense of freedom. Thank you so much for your work.

[@ddAdmire]

Impressive. The only thing I could see being an issue would be the water hook ups in cold weather but that could easily be fixed depending on the climate. I think I could live in this somewhere in the mountains away from the rest of the world.

[@SpamOfCan]

Dito, as long as I can get a decent internet hookup :D

[@ddAdmire]

good point.

[@RetreatfarmFarmvilleVirginia]

Next time i would suggest building your stairs against the wall and incorporating your storage compartments behind each stair tread and relocating a smaller window above the steps. You can then hide your water heater and other utilities under the stair section or make a pantry for the kitchen. I've built over 80 of these tiny homes and learned by my mistakes. Space is a premium. Other than that i think it looks fine and am glad to see you did not waste valuable square footage on a built in porch and created a drop down platform. Smart thinking and good usage of valuable space.

[@crazyfoxx78]

this is awesome! how much would it cost to make one of these things? do You build them and sell them.

[@RetreatfarmFarmvilleVirginia]

I'm getting ready to build a small 8x16 model this summer for $29,000 with new appliances and solar backup power.

[@funyun]

Tom Cook hi Tom, i subscribed to your channel, maybe in the future I can acquire your services? I too want to own a tiny house. enjoyed your greenhouse videos

[@blazen8630]

Incredible tiny homes check them out. They beat all pricing with a custom quality build.

[@kirstendirksen]

The video plays on mobile devices, but is audio only on the web so I think it's a youtube error. I am looking into it. Thanks for your patience.

[@CarpeDiem-lg1rn]

You did a amazing job on this mobile house. It's Wonderful !!!

[@Gabriel1o1]

what's the make of your camera. i am interested in doing some amateur documentary and yours seems to give a lot of flexibility.

[@lindarcarlsen]

hello kirsten, been watching u 3 years, marvelous, inspiring!! im from sf, ex doc films, pr etc..moving back to spain,(3rd time), a beach in baleares i raised my son, now muscician in berlin , in bcn, i think we should meet sometime! xxlinda

[@blue13813]

Linda Carlsen who cares??

[@glokpez]

[@RubyOpheliaQuinn]

This is probably one of the best designs I've seen. I like that you have enough room at the front to put a little couch and table and maybe a couple of small chairs. My biggest complaint about tiny homes is that they often look really uncomfortable because they have no comfortable seating or anywhere to stretch out.

[@genewileyopa]

Finally, Some stairs that look nice and don't take up a lot of room. Perfect for people with knee problems, or just older people. Cool I like it.

[@kirafan68]

I like this design: real stairs, and a tub!

[@VieraXXII]

I am VERY impressed with how they made that tub come along. I almost NEVER see a tub in a tiny home, especially a successful one. Something I would do different is instead of a large and deep closet. I would have a "full" sized fridge and the washer/dryer combo unit where the baby fridge was. then have all my storage in the storage under the stairs and on the opposite mini loft (if one is built). Great house though!

[@froqqer103]

NegraMonroe Go to the search bar here on YT and type in ''Tiny Home'' and check out the 2nd or 3rd video from the top. It's a couple who build one for aprox. 24k and it's got a full size kitchen and fridge etc and it's what I plan to model my future tiny house after. Hope you enjoy it! =)

[@VieraXXII]

SimplyGeneric hey, thanks! :) sounds good!

[@giacamberos5666]

+NegraMonroe macha

[@californication751]

Thought your comment about the tub was interesting; you should also check out the "Sakura" House by Minimaliste, here on youtube. Definitely one I enjoyed, though definitely a larger home than this one, by comparison (380 sq feet).

[@TheStavros1001]

Tub? Measure a tub in a regular house, it's bigger that 40 inches. I'd call that a basin.

[@oola54]

what i love about this home is no ladder to climb to the loft..

[@hopeinparis]

That is a charming, well-designed and well-built tiny house. Jason Dietz did an excellent presentation job. Please pay no attention to commenters who don't believe in the toxicity of conventional building materials. Thank you (and thank you also, Jason, for the refreshing and blessed lack of uptalk!!)

[@latriceroyale8033]

This is my favourite tiny house yet!

[@philiq18]

This is the first small house I've seen with stairs. That's pretty cool :)

[@UrielsJunkDrawer]

This is one of the best Tiny house designed I have seen. Thanks for posting!

[@emeraldferrer1667]

Even how small is,important it is completes anything you need,like kitchen,bed, toilet and have water and electricity. That's perfect place. love it.

[@jdsk8er98]

I would totally buy one of these just to go camping in it lol

[@hollyk435]

Gypsy shack on wheels ...Love it

[@ikscdmdegi6954]

damn ! this is the best small house i've seen so far !

[@HHS1500]

Ikscdm Degi agreed

[@linneabeckman6543]

agree...

[@frankantonio4394]

I am addicted to these videos. When I go to grad school, I am for sure going to buy/build one of these to limit my costs for my first few years!

[@ChickenHootdog]

this is one of the best mobile homes i ever saw! so small but very nice and theres alot of space. the woman who design this is genius! ahahaha i love it.

[@solobackpacking]

The plywood pine exterior will warp in the first few months exposed to rain and moisture. From experience...

[@IamPaucisVerbis]

If you put hinges on the bottom two steps, you could fold them up on themselves and it would be an awesome babygate!

[@rebekahlynne9326]

Despite it being the smallest design, I find it the most agreeable. Beautifully done.

[@TheASTrader]

Those are the slickest tony house stairs I've seen so far. And finally someone who doesn't take up valuable trailer space for a porch! Well designed.

[@ehtarsinkha8]

i like the steps, unlike the common ones that is detachable, the top box under stairs is good to keep, meds and first aid kit

[@terretulsiak]

I have been trying to get someone to do this at my house for years- space under stairs is mostly wasted. You could pull out long drawers from either side.But even though you occas. see it in design magazines, noone around Tampa really does anything innovative until the rest of the world has started doing it!

[@cminmd0041]

terre tulsiak Or make your nephew sleep in there! (Sorry- can't help myself!) We opened the area under our stairs for a closet like back up pantry/liter box area. Only regret is I didn't run separate electrical. Would have liked a light!

[@judyhobday5334]

my husband and I had fifteen plus acres, mostly fir trees with cleared land around the house. Behind the barn we had a park model home brought in for a relative of his. The problem was the non legal use of a second place to live on the land. She lived in that little house for ten plus years and I was always afraid we would get turned in. When she built a fire in her wood stove smoke would drift up above the trees and that added to my fear. Just hate that people are homeless when there are plenty of people who have a place for a little house of some kind, but not legal.

[@helenjay8937]

Like the design and use of stair space yet that could also be one or 2 hinged openings That would be larger under the stairs. And as mentioned the button that took wall space. I would love it if in my area a few people could get together on builds. Example Like 3 or 4 who get together and each assist on each others and share our gifts. Our tiny habitat with humanity in mind. It's easier building with partners.

[@Karaunicorn]

judy hobday aww that was so nice of you!

[@heartlandranchtv4943]

judy hobday The reason why many of these restrictions exist is because people don't want their neighborhoods turning into trailer parks.

[@atchanih]

I know this is old comment, but are you saying you can't build second home on your own property?

[@julieclearythefeistyrebelg5660]

@@heartlandranchtv4943 I think that it's more to do with the electric and gas companies not wanting anyone to live off grid!!!

[@jaker5555]

Oh man, three cheers for this guy and his team. Geez, talk about having a go. It doesn't get better than this. It's fabulous. Congratulations. From Australia.

[@trinitywerning7061]

That is the #1 best tiny houses I've seen! My grandparents would be so in love with that. They be moving in now!

[@kirstendirksen]

It should be working now. I assume it was a youtube processing error since it just started working fine with no change on my end. Am hoping all is fine now.

[@DavidElzeitsinfill]

Kristen. Where did you find the video "Fully-customized, modular solar house is 3D printed prefab" I'd like to contact the designer. He's got a great idea.

[@automaticnostatic2148]

toxic environment? Were you planning on eating the cabinets in a 5th wheel?

[@automaticnostatic2148]

screaminglegs Again. Were they planning on eating the cabinets? Fuckin' hippies.

[@yayasorensen4351]

Automatic No Static Oh oh I can do this too.... Uneducated Neanderthal. :)

[@stevemazz3121]

screaminglegs You know when they build those little homes they use glues and other materials to put things together, they even state they use products purchased from RV suppliers. Also Modern RV's are more Home like with more space and a 1/3rd of the weight of most little homes I have had the pleasure to see. A 27 foot little home in the video weighed in at over 10,000 pounds... look up what a 27 foot, winterized 5th wheel weighs in at.... wow. Appears somewhere between F,ing Hippies and Uneducated Neanderthal may fit here.

[@mclxo120]

That looks really nice and cozy to me. :) I wish I was living in a tiny home.

[@sadaenajaf6522]

Nice think

[@curliefro]

Makes me want to take one and live off the grid! Love the craftsmanship!

[@MichelleLandroche_1971]

It looks so much bigger on the inside, than the out. Like the tent that Potter and the Weasley's had at the Quidditch World Cup.

[@Blackinterceptor999]

You can make tiny home apartments for people that really want or need a small affordable space, don't necessarily need a "house" on a trailer. make them so they could live mostly off grid to keep the monthly spending to a minimum.

[@JulieAdriannaOlsen]

after selling this house I started working on a short bus. I'm currently in Portland around a lot of tiny house companies I hope to start getting some hands-on experience and learning how to build homes. As for now I am still just tinkering around with designing. I am told working for the local Habitat for Humanity is a great way to learn about how homes are built

[@sheridanfox5733]

do you still happen to have the plans for this tiny home??

[@selenabeaulieu2361]

Julie is this your tiny home..??

[@JulieAdriannaOlsen]

Yeah it was..... I loved it. 8 sold it after a year though. Being single and driving it was a bit of a hassle...... you Need a spotter when driving. It was my place of solace. I now have a converted 19 ft (front to back) short city bus that I converted. Easier to haul.... less gas. I miss the house ,,,,,b UT I will design another one day

[@femhon]

It is really generous of him to mention that anybody with knowhow can build this tiny house for $10,000.00 to $18,000.00. This is not a fly by night builder. The house is packed with details. I like the skylight beside the solar panel for easy cleaning.

[@veelalynne]

I would kill for that house!!! It has EVERYTHING I want!!! If I could only get my family to go along with my dreams....

[@organicbeauty54]

he has a nice calming voice

[@andujo211]

This is a great idea. Its super cool but as soon as you find out what the price is it just kills it.

[@treeoftears]

Beautiful tiny home. One of the best I've seen. If I were left enough to live in such a home, I'd want to keep furniture to a minimum too.

[@LaDayna04]

This is my favorite tiny house. I am floored at how efficient it is.

[@reachforacreech]

they frown upon people being able to live without being slave dependence on rent money and the daily monotony of work...........

[@dianerota]

"Tiny houses are a form of civil disobedience." Jay Shafer

[@mjp5429]

reachforacreech You are catching on.....

[@misssincere5762]

Yes

[@mjp5429]

@@anninriverside755 Not really. You can pretty easily stick build a house AND hire labor for around $75-$100/sqft. So 1,000sqft comes out to $75k-$100k. These tiny houses are usually 500sqft or less. The easily portable arguement doesn't hold water in actual practice as most require a one ton ( or larger) to pull them ( legally anyway) which means once parked most will never move again unless sold.

[@peggywebb1449]

House

[@goldsilverandiamonds]

That's a pretty well thought out floor plan she did a great job thinking it out. The workmanship was very nice it really was a quality job. I wonder if there is anyone building these trailer style mini homes out of mostly reclaimed items to bring the cost down. There are so many homes that you can buy in the U.S. for 25k to 95k so to spend that much seems wasteful when other living arrangements could be found much cheaper. Granted these are moveable unlike a traditional home. I would love to see someone build one that was 5k or less with salvaged, reclaimed or donated items. Maybe I should try it.

[@SurfergirlKH]

The escape hatch is excellent! Also for letting the moist air out!

[@CopperLontra]

thanks for the video. I learned a lot about what not to do when building a tiny house.

[@invisibletenants]

I saw an craigslist ad for 7 12'x4'x4' shipping crates with latching doors. I could've purchased them for around $500 all together and made a decent place to live out of them. 4 of them would have made a a decent little 8x8x12 house with three crates to spare for additional space or to make it a nearly 2.5 story structure. Unfortunately I have neither land nor the $$ to buy them, let alone make a house out of them.

[@nadie0595]

You can use shipping containers that are 40x8x8 too and pay less than 5k to get them set up bare bones (yourself). Add whatever inside that makes you happy for however much more. Stack them, add a 20 footer on top in a cross pattern and you could manage to place them hillside. The possibilities are endless there. And you purchase the next one as you can afford it.

[@deenibeeni3938]

"Be-kinda-comes." That was fantastic. Like "A-whole-nother." I bet there is some linguist out there who is studying those.

[@Optim40]

You're getting a 7 year later "Smh" ..What you've never been out talking to people before ?

[@johnadams4905]

Wow. First time that i actually wanted a tiny house. That tiny house, despite being so small, is spacious for my needs

[@sergedelval5373]

Nice design, simple and clever ... thank's for sharing this video ... God bless you

[@nickscustoms269]

That folding deck will also provide excellent zombie protection.

[@brandonbartlett5667]

Nicks Customs lol

[@rmbarnes672]

Yes, but all those windows won't.

[@cece354]

Takes too long to fasten the folding deck up against the door.

[@suzieparis6821]

Turn off that tv...lol

[@MOONbotJuju]

Bro it’s 2020 now and you said that 4 years ago

[@fondren001]

So you're telling me for less than 100k I could not only be a homeowner but have a pretty good retirement plan thanks to the money I would be saving? Can't wait to have one built!

[@janeadelaidelennox7193]

+Nathan Fondren Yeah but make sure you build in the right place - people who want all that money invent BS codes that claim this is unsafe -_-

[@80srockedguitar]

+Nathan Fondren No doubt the government and bankers are putting a stop to this.

[@hapiestar7164]

+Ascension5dEarth Neither care. Hell governments like these because it gives homeless and poor people housing. It's the real estate people who are getting their jimmies rustled. They'll try and keep the 'old system' which is a bit of a pain in some areas to work around. Eventually though building codes and classification will need to be updated. Microhomes just make too much sense in a world where most people spend their lives outside or on their computer. Those into real estate who are willing to hop on the trend will happily convert smaller, less desirable areas into micro homes and shops. I saw someone who converted an abandoned mall into micro homes, shops, a market, and restaurants. I don't think I've ever seen some place so great to live.

[@khione8044]

+Hapie “Real Name” Star You're kidding, right? Government doesn't like these kind of things, because it makes people less dependent on them. That's what they want. The more dependent you are, the more they have control over you. Governments can say all they want, that they are doing what they can to care for the Homeless, with Shelters and Soup Kitchens. But those places often have limits to how long you can stay, and none of them "Help" the Homeless in getting off the Streets. There are even places where people are being sued by their cities for Gardening on their own Property! Why? Because you are growing "Free Food" and you are not being dependent on paying them for Food...

[@hapiestar7164]

Phoenix Fire Governments don't give a fuck to be honest. It's the meddling, obnoxious cunts at the local level that cause problems. And of course lobbyists seeking profits. Congress couldn't give a flying fuck if you had your house on wheels or built your foundation two feet or three feet from the property line. Powertripping neighbors on the other hand... Most people don't do shit in their local governemnt. So all that's left are the people who are bored, too toxic to do charity work or anything of the sort, generally unskilled, and want a powertrip. It's no wonder that cities and towns tend to be authoritarian when the only members of the public who willingly participate are the worthless purpose-seeking asses. Shelters, soup kitchens, etc. are often charity run... Usually by churches or have a church at least somewhat involved. That's the church just being a dick and wanting to keep its followers down. Absolutely nothing new here. As for government owned ones, there could be better facilities and help if it weren't for assholes going "ohmergad welfare is hitler" and "social Darwinism is the best policy" corrupting any efforts. Just look at the fight for healthcare. lobbyists and the media fought tooth and nail to make sure the U.S. wouldn't get free healthcare. Who does this benefit, no one but a handful of insurance fuckers. But the media managed to convince the public that it was unconstitutional, "gateway to communism", degrading, going to put the country in debt (but lets buy a few more F-35s while were at it), etc.. That last bit is lobbyists. Government doesn't make food. That would be farming corporations, super-market companies, etc. all with vested interest in keeping you dependent on them. Not government, companies. If citizens would stop being so apathetic and ridiculous about their government at local, state, and federal levels we could actually get something done. People need to stop voting for people who flip flop on issues depending on who bought a pony for their daughter's birthday. They also need to stop only participating whenever an issue arises. Reactionary governments are terrible governments. But, alas, we live in a world where a sizeable portion of the population would vote for a man who thinks Mexico will build a wall with the U.S. and vote for a woman who literally is a politician for hire.

[@Smittz]

This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen. Such craftsmanship...

[@across4045]

One of the best plans yet. A masterpiece.

[@mixflip]

Off grid very nice looking well planned out tiny house for $25k to $90k...I am very intrigued. Im thinking about buying an acre or 2 up in the hills and putting something like tis on it. Pay cash and bank my salary every year til retirement. I just have to get my wife on board with the idea of a tiny house.

[@webstercat]

My vision to extend space for a tiny home, a U Shaped Porch that you pull/park your tiny home into. Porch surrounds home on three sides and has a roof over it. In the best weather you would have lots more space.

[@TariAkpodiete]

@@anninriverside755 > folds up.

[@jessiebaillargeon4191]

I love this floor plan. It was one of the first floor plans I really fell in love with and with the tiny house

[@Norprey]

I am impressed, one of the better tiny homes I have seen.

[@debbiehoward4957]

Kirsten, do you know where we could access a tiny house with this floor plan? Thanks so much. Your filming is excellent.....very professional.

[@kirstendirksen]

Debbie Howard Try contacting Jason at Molecule Tiny Homes [e-mail] Best of luck.

[@KlunkerRider]

0:54 that is a SERIOUS building code violation in most places, having the heater exhaust vent directly BELOW an operable window, toxic fumes from the heater can be drawn into the unit through the open window.

[@Ihaveausernametoo]

True. Good observation. They should lengthen the chimney of the heater.

[@thismine1]

i love this design and the other designs. I feel that with people who are homeless and need homes this would be ideal. It could help people who need homes and people who are retired or widowed as well. GREAT JOB

[@CarlsCustomCreations]

I will be ready for one in a few years. Right now I stay in my bedroom all day and its 11'x 13' not counting the bath room ( w/o tub) the bathroom is 4'x 11'. I have a full size microwave and a coffee pot in here, two full size desks with desktop computer, 27"TV, printer, surround sound, VCR, DVD player all on the desks. All I need in here now is a little fridge, but that's just outside my door. I forgot to mention the twin bed, dresser and 2 bookshelves. Its packed in here. So I could down size a we bit more with no trouble. I will build my own though. These folks are charging about 7 grand more than cost and labor.

[@whitebranch]

There doesn't seem to be a stove for cooking, and no vent from the kitchen. I've seen camper vans that installed a stove designed for a boat - that might be a solution for a lot of tiny houses - boats figured out the compact shape a long time ago. Also, no neighbor would want a building beside them that basically has an outhouse for a toilet. He doesn't really describe how the compost toilet is emptied, or how the exterior mounted water system is protected from freezing.

[@paulapowell9989]

Gorgeous small home but would rather have an rv that can be driven and parked any/everywhere!!! too many restrictions with a tow small home!!! Love them for a parked/perm small house at a specific location !!~~ Beautiful home overall!!!

[@TheRhonda77]

yea, that's how I feel too. If I had the money to burn and really wanted to live like this my tiny home would be a permanent structure.

[@rockstarofredondo]

I really love this particular design.

[@piano1803]

My Favorite layout. Makes my day when you put up a new video Kirsten. Thanks again.

[@dudewithopinion]

Those exposed pipes may work in Cali but in Maine they are going to freeze.

[@ellenmcintyre1247]

No lie! I've lived in an 8x32' trailer. Wintertime, under freezing temps, you let the faucet (I only had one) drip @ night, even w/insulation wrapped around the exposed pipes. And, eventually, we installed an easy access shut off valve for minus digit temps. The wind chill in KS is pretty bad.

[@muffinlover9728]

well I live in Wisconsin so I would need it to be better insulated on the outside but other than that that was a beautiful home

[@humblewarrior6585]

That is ONE AWESOME TINY HOME. I just love the way y'all utilized the space and incorperated EVERYTHING in it. I Love everything about it, especially the staircase and the kitchen and bathroom with emergency exit. About the only change Id make would be to have a gambrel roof for the loft, to have even more head room...Bravo, Bravo, Well Done !!!

[@TinaICXCNIKA]

LUV, LUV, LUV all those windows, especially in the sleeping area!

[@qristv1912]

I think a smart car would go good with a tiny home=]

[@wheredidileavemycell]

soooo an rv is toxic because of the resins but wood treated with cc arsenic is ok? almost ALL building materials leach chemicals from the formaldehyde in the plywood glues to the preservatives in exterior lumber...

[@Vanyel_K]

That is my only problem with this guy. He is a bit of a hippie, along with that Derek Deek dude (can't remember the name), they are obsessed with wood = natural and everything else is 'unnatural' which, is funny because I'm pretty sure a dead wood/stick built home on a metal trailer isn't natural either.

[@mysticforestfairy4681]

+VanyelK why is that a problem

[@quix66hiya22]

There are probably greener/low VOC alternatives by now. I hope!

[@HablaCarnage63]

This is my favorite tiny house.

[@WashfromCali]

This is one of the best homes I have ever seen. I have already seen a lot of them. Very very nice.

[@hzuiel]

I dig the simplistic lifestyle stuff but can we cut the hippie "toxic" talk? Paints, stains, etc after they dry only continue releasing vocs for a few days or weeks and then they're done for good. He said resins with a tone like it was a dirty word. Resin: 1. a sticky flammable organic substance, insoluble in water, exuded by some trees and other plants (notably fir and pine). Particle board is toxic? It's saw dust and glue, and just like paint or stain, after they dry and air out for a few days or weeks, glues stop releasing vocs too, and how do you think they got that wood building so sturdy? Glue. The wood paneling looks nicer and I like it, but lets not confuse issues, you don't build with solid wood to avoid the toxic aura of particle board. You use solid wood, or true plywood so that it lasts longer and is stronger, and it gives you the look and feel you want for your home. Fiberglass is toxic? Get out of here, people build coral reef aquariums out of plywood and fiberglass the inside. If there was anything toxic about it, sensitive sea life would not thrive in it. Build a cool little house because it feels like home and you like it, not because of some ridiculous hippie ideas that are not based on common sense or science.

[@Trenny2323]

I feel the same way about this. I like the coziness and the savings on utilities, etc, but the "green" aspect is a snooze for me. I frankly don't believe all of the doomsday prophets going on about how toxic this or that is for the that or this.

[@hzuiel]

Trenny Hering Yeah seriously, just the cost savings of living a simpler life is reason enough, no need to invent bs reasons to do something. It looks good, feels homey, and probably smells good too. No other justification needed.

[@scottl5785]

There really isn't much green about a house like this if in any climate requiring moderate heating or cooling loads. It's not insulated well. There is no thermal break from the exposed steel frame to floor? Rigid insulation needs to be on the outside of the frame to be effective. There are two types of skylights. Those that have not leaked yet and those that have. Sure, it may not use a lot of energy because it's small but it should use next to nothing. These complaints aren't just with this house. I've yet to see a house on a trailer that is insulated properly. The greenest tiny house is one that is packed next to 100 others in a single structure with only half or a 3rd of the exterior square footage exposed to the elements.

[@hzuiel]

Scott Legendre If they are using a solar system for heat and ac, then it doesn't really matter too terribly much, but the most efficient house you can build is an earthship style house, underground on 3 sides, insulated roof, stone floor with south facing sloped windows on the exterior side of the house.

[@scottl5785]

hzuiel Kind of takes away from mobility if it's underground. :) I doubt one solar panel is going to supply enough electricity to heat or air condition the space. You bring up a common problem seen with efficiency gains. When we find solutions like LED bulbs that drastically reduce energy use, we end up installing 5 times as many of them, for no actual efficiency gains. If we build with no insulation and install 20 PV panels to supply enough electricity to make the system work, are we really improving anything? The key is to building tight with high R-values. Then we don't need much energy regardless of what we use and systems can be minimized.

[@PureTazr]

Cool setup but that button is wasting so much space put that in a corner out of the way and build some shelves.

[@Europa1749]

I like the design of this tiny home. The staircase is perfect. I don't like when there is just a ladder up to the loft. I think the railing in the sleeping loft is a great idea also.

[@bealtainecottage]

Another wonderful and inspiring video about a great way of living on this beautiful Earth...blessings Kirsten X

[@coasgaming3860]

wouldnt you want to keep the solar equipment in a more secure place... very expensive stuff could be stolen very easily.

[@kitsilanocat]

CoaS Gaming I honestly don't think that many common thieves see the value of dollar panels

[@Acecool]

You guys are making some insane margin charging those prices! The small one shouldn't be more than $8,000-$10,000 if you did it yourself.

[@LeeCzere]

You'll find 20,000 to be a bit closer to a diy effort.

[@SpamOfCan]

If you only get to build 4-5 of these a year, you have to bump the margins if you want a salary to speak of.

[@Automedon2]

People aren't in business to give their work away. Doing it yourself for 10,000 is materials alone. I'm sure the people who do the work would like a paycheck too.

[@ebfabulous]

Did you not listen to they guy??? He said you can build something like that for $18K in materials. I know those heavy duty car trailers that are used are $4K alone. Solar packages are around $4K. So thats $8K. And giant windows are expensive and that house was covered in windows...,So thats about another $3K at least...That takes you to around $11K before you buy one stick of wood or piece of wire or plumbing. Are you just not good at math?? People can do it for $8-$10 but you have to find used pieces and parts and it can take a VERY long time to find these things off Craigslist and at dumps. ,

[@Automedon2]

Elizabeth Barrett Exactly. It's odd that this generation is very concerned with the fairness of their paychecks, but are outraged that anyone else dare charge for their work. Being in business requires a huge investment in equipment and a long list of expenses. I doubt the builder of this made more than a few grand for his work.

[@dezza2001]

My favourite one so far. The stairs is my ideal mainly because of arthritis in my knees.

[@HuskyMama1009]

Tiny but cute! Sounds like will serve her purpose well.

[@NNJAZ]

Rhett and Link got me interested.

[@N2HeroProductions]

They defiantly could've did a better selection of videos. But it was interesting seeing them talk about tiny homes.

[@TheSkeetergirl]

I like this. I don't know what the tiny house movement has against flush toilets, but the bathrooms are usually a turn off.

[@TomWalterTX]

Flush toilets are great... if you have a septic tank system. This means the county gets involved, then questions about "minimum house size". Being self contained, less regulation like septic, minimum house size, grid hook up. Incinolet electric toilet is an alternative, but need lots of electricity. I plan to retire someday, but ideal is enough space to allow two or three tiny homes to park. Enough income ($200/mo) from parking space to offset my annual taxes (sigh, my current place is 1.5 acres -- but $8000 a year in tax is a retirement killed on limited income. Austin TX).

[@TheSkeetergirl]

Tom Walter I hadn't thought about the county thing. We a have motorhome, which we park at Lake Texoma year round. I like the full hookups, plus they have a dump station for the folks who were not able to get a full hook up slot. I just think that the compost toilet is gross. I've heard that the incinerator toilets are smelly. My husband and I would like to live on Texoma in the winters, and we want to either have a tiny house or a park model. The bathroom situation is the only thing that keeps me from jumping on board with the tiny house right now. Now that we are retired, locking up this 3,300 sq ft monster and not heating and cooling it for long stretches at a time is very attractive to us.

[@TomWalterTX]

Fully agree on compost toilets. Incinolets do need to be vented. Minimum open window, sealed bathroom door. Hmm fresh veggy's from the garden, and fresh fish for diner would be perfect.

[@TheSkeetergirl]

Tom Walter Sooo perfect! All that is holding us back is us! /:o)

[@andromeda1903]

the problem is that these tiny houses are "illegal" as houses - they are treated as RVs... therefore, they are not set up to use the city water supply.

[@ViewerTim]

I always fall in love with these tiny homes.

[@mark1983peace]

These tiny houses are definitely getting better. Pity the good ones are so expensive.

[@ASMRProblems]

I would still want a full fridge

[@FinnMcRiangabra]

The exterior looks like mostly untreated wood. That's fine when new, but how long does it last? Also, the exterior electronics don't look very well protected.

[@Ihaveausernametoo]

Hmm, he mentions sealing the inside with mineral oil. I wonder it that goes for the outside as well? It's a preference thing, since you can easily do whatever you like. Some plywoods/OSB's are also graded to withstand the elements as they come, but I doubt that's what's used here, as it seems he wants to avoid all possible toxins.

[@lisabaltzer3163]

Mark M I live on the Canadian border where it snows heavily. This house wouldn’t last one winter here.

[@MoM-km3gy]

Im such a fan of a staircase in a tiny house! Want 1 so bad! Love them

[@leskay7694]

Wow, this is one of the coolest ones of I've seen. Props to Julie Olson for designing this, fantastic job.