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200 Sq. Ft. Zen in Law Tiny House with Murphy Bed in the Loft


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If you haven’t seen the 200 sq. ft. Zen in Law tiny house yet I think you’ll be glad you did today.

It’s a 10′ x 20′ studio was designed and built for a local author near downtown Boise, Idaho.

He wanted to have space for writing, doing workshops and hosting the occasional guest.

But if it were mine I’d like to live in it full-time because it’s AWESOME…

You’d just have to be willing to use the kind of scary ladder to the loft.

But besides that, I think you’ll agree that it could make a great full-time tiny house.

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zen in law tiny house

Images © Kaybird Photography via GravitasLC(Link Expired, Original Source: gravitaslc.com/Blog/2010/11/little-contemporary-writing-studio-completion)

It was designed by Gravitas LC and is actually available as a vacation rental on AirBNB by the owners.

One thing that’s different about it is that it has a murphy bed in the loft.

I encourage you to take the full tour below:

Work Area

The modern studio has a great writing space as you can see above. And I absolutely love the dutch doors. To me, that’s always a great feature to have and I don’t know why it’s so rare to see them these days.

Couch next to the entrance

Kitchen and Stairs to Loft

Kitchen and Stairs to Loft

We’ll get up to the loft in a minute, first let me show you the kitchen details:

Kitchen Kitchen Sink Another View of The Kitchen

The door in the back leads you to the bathroom.

Kitchen and Bathroom View

After the bathroom, we’ll get up to the loft (I promise).

Bathroom

Bathroom Bathroom Sink

Tiny House Sleeping Loft with Murphy Bed

Tiny House Sleeping Loft with Murphy Bed

Did you notice that the bookcase behind the ladder goes all the way up here?

I think that’s so cool because one thing I really enjoy collecting is books.

And I hate getting rid of them because I write and highlight all over my books so they become very personal.

So what I’m saying is, bookshelves are important to me and I’m glad there’s some here.

Stairs to The Loft

I also like the medieval look of the loft access door.

Loft Hatch

I’m a big balcony fan. Even if it’s just an indoor balcony, they make me happy. And this tiny house has one so that just rocks.

Loft View

Ok, finally I get to show you the murphy bed up in the sleeping loft.

Murphy Bed in the Upstairs Sleeping Loft of this Tiny Home

Murphy Bed Loft View

So when you’re not sleeping you can use the space for yoga, stretching, meditation, or whatever else you might be into. 😀

Loft View of Hatch

I think this idea is genius.

Loft

And the owners look happy about it too!

Owner on Bed

Thanks for reading and looking and I hope you enjoyed this little studio as much as I did!

Outside View of The House

Images © Kaybird Photography via GravitasLC

Read the original article over at Gravitas LC.

If you’re interested in booking a stay for a vacation head on over to the listing on AirBNB.

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 33 comments… add one }
  • MotherLodeBeth
    December 21, 2013, 2:11 pm

    Really really like this home. Am so happy to see refrigerator/freezer drawers being used than a traditional refrigerator. Love everything, with a slight desire that as I get older I would have an alternative to climbing a ladder to get to bed.

  • Dominick Bundy
    December 21, 2013, 2:43 pm

    I like it a lot, but don’t see any closets at all for storage or hanging cloths.

    • Dick
      December 12, 2016, 3:12 am

      Remember that this was built as a studio built for a local author who uses it for writing. So I doubt there’s a real need for clothes storage.

      But I like this one! Especially the desk and the writing area. But like others, I’d want to avoid the ladder (hey, I’m 65, getting too old to climb). The Murphy bed in the loft and the whole balcony idea are great.

      • Natalie
        December 12, 2016, 11:33 am

        Good thing to point out Dick! And I love Murphy beds. — Tiny House Talk Team

  • Edna
    December 21, 2013, 3:20 pm

    Does she have the architectual designs/plans for this house available?

    • Edna
      December 23, 2013, 3:56 pm

      Please send me the plans to this house?

      • Derek Hurd
        July 28, 2014, 12:39 pm

        Edna,
        I designed this tiny house, I can work with you on the design of yours as well.
        Derek.

  • LDD
    December 21, 2013, 3:20 pm

    The loft has a nice design and plenty of room. The use of natural and high quality materials is refreshing compared to some of the more basic models. I see a couple of potential issues: The ladder rungs look a bit too close to the shelves, where’s the toe room? The hatch, while looking great, probably weighs a lot, and there doesn’t appear to be any limiting closure mechanism to slow an accidental closure. The porch is a big plus!

  • Patrick
    December 21, 2013, 4:23 pm

    Any way we can get the make and model number of that fridge? Top-opening — as opposed to conventional front-door — refrigerators are much more energy efficient. They’re just hard to find. Chest-style units take-up valuable floor space, and usually prevent continuation of the kitchen counter top. But this unique, drawer model seems to have solved the riddle! Sure would like to know where to obtain it!

    • kristina nadreau
      October 26, 2015, 12:02 pm

      Fisher Pykel an austrailan company manufactures these and other high end kitchen appliances. DW and Refer/freezer drawers.

      • Dick
        May 21, 2019, 1:07 am

        Spelling correction, Kristin. It’s Fisher & Paykel (just because they pronounce it Pykel…lol). The only issue I have with their products is finding someone to work on them when something goes wrong. We had a F&P washer and dryer for ten years, but nobody around here services them–even Lowe’s, where we bought them! If you’re in a big city, you’re OK, but not in a rural/small town area like ours.

        I still recommend the brand, though.

  • Ralph Sly
    December 21, 2013, 4:49 pm

    Nice pick Alex. Merry Christmas.

  • Danna Brown
    December 22, 2013, 3:35 am

    Send me all your Tiny house flooplans. I also have back issues, and I believe your market will be geared toward the babyboomers. So we need another option other than a ladder.

  • AL
    December 24, 2013, 12:28 am

    I like the design of it except the ladder ..rather have a sprial wood 2 feet wide probably would do and have little cabinet access under each steps for storage not necessary all atleast half way depends on the designed!

  • Maureen
    February 17, 2015, 3:38 pm

    I love this little house, it’s so roomy. I am claustrophobic and I could live in this WINNER very easy.

  • Shirlok
    February 17, 2015, 4:25 pm

    I love looking at Tiny Houses. So creative. I was just imagining myself, currently needing 2 knee repacements, going up the ladder and never coming down! lol When I was first married in 1976, we lived in guest house behind a larger house. It was about 300 sq ft. I loved that place and wish I had it now, except one of my 3 dogs weighs 100 pounds and has a hard time making U-turns.

  • Bonnie Lynch
    February 17, 2015, 4:40 pm

    LOVE the idea of a Murphy bed in the loft. We want our tiny home to have a bedroom for us and a loft we can sleep in when we have guests (we’ll give them our bedroom for privacy and comfort, and in case they are not up for climbing ladders). Because most of the time, we don’t have guests, that space would be wasted if not for the Murphy bed. We’d use it for meditation and yoga. Brilliant!

  • Karen R
    February 17, 2015, 4:54 pm

    Lovely personalized home! LOVE the bookcase!

  • Trish D.
    February 17, 2015, 6:32 pm

    I really like the design of this tiny house. It has a nice shower with seat, enough kitchen counter space, and a desk with a window to look out of. The loft is a great design with the murphy bed and hatch access, but I agree with others that the ladder isn’t the best. Thanks for sharing it.

  • Lynda
    February 17, 2015, 6:58 pm

    Usually I love these,but this one looks like the ladder to the loft would kill your in laws!!

  • W.Cherry
    February 17, 2015, 10:03 pm

    need closets and outside storage…. a place to sleep on the ground floor.
    No inlaws…as they age should climb stairs or ladders. Those lofts are for youngsters.

  • Sue
    February 18, 2015, 1:24 am

    Murphy bed brilliant! Allows space to be multi-functional. I am going to assume this isn’t being done in all mobile Tiny House because of the height requirements when driving?

  • Scott
    February 18, 2015, 10:42 am

    I love these articles, they’re very inspiring. It would be really helpful if building costs could be added in the future.

  • Diana
    February 18, 2015, 11:23 am

    Beautiful tiny house! I also have drawer refrigerators in my design…but I’ve been having a hard time finding them for sale. Where did you get yours? Thanks so much.

  • Craig Archambault
    February 18, 2015, 7:22 pm

    Whoa! The roofline/ceiling is slanted for end to end, as well as from side to side – never seen that before….
    Would take some thought framing the walls, I think.

  • Anne Selinsky
    February 18, 2015, 10:34 pm

    Absolutely one of my favourite tiny houses and I’ve looked at hundreds !
    I can see myself living happily ever after in one like this ‼️‼️

  • Beth DeRoos
    February 19, 2015, 2:50 pm

    Refrigerator drawers have become so popular in the tiny houses I have personally encountered and I LOVE them. Like a chest freezer they hold the cold better than an upright refrigerator or freezer.

    The Murphy bed is wonderful because unlike the typical Murphy bed it lays horizontal not vertical. Had a Murphy bed in the small studio we rented when first married decades ago, and lowering it was hard and heavy.

    The clear glass shower and bathroom set up also is great because it gives a more open airy feel to an otherwise small space.

  • Sandi B
    March 2, 2015, 12:49 am

    This is a great tiny house. As others have said, the murphy bed in the loft is a great idea — I also have questions about height requirements if on the road — however, I think the murphy bed idea could be used, especially for single folks as they could make it a twin size and it would not need as much room as a full size or Queen.

    Drawer refrigerators have been around for a while and I would think most RV outfitters could order them for you — you can also get a drawer dishwasher.

    I also agree about the apparent lack of closet/storage — however this was not built as a full time live-in tiny house.

    Too, one could have the ladder up and install a “fire pole” for the decent — just have pads around the landing at night, faster to get to the bathroom as well. LOL

    Thanks for the share — always good ideas can be found.

  • Janp
    October 26, 2015, 9:43 am

    Very nice use of space. I would need a Murphy bed also,but this is nice

  • Olivia
    October 26, 2015, 9:50 am

    I remember seeing a design some time back where the stairs had bookshelves incorporated into them. Think it may have been on a boat. The 10 foot width makes quite a difference feel wise over 7.5 to 8 foot interiors.

  • Mike
    October 27, 2015, 3:10 am

    Very neat original little place. Great Job!

  • Dean Phillips
    August 4, 2017, 10:16 pm

    The Link was missing.
    Here’s the original link on the Zen Tiny Home:
    http://www.gravitaslc.com/projects/zen-in-law/

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