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260 Sq. Ft. No Loft Tiny House Design


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This is a 260 Sq. Ft. No Loft Tiny House Design by Ellie Epp who designed a 26′ long and 10′ wide tiny house and is now looking for someone to help build it. It started out as a house truck design but since 26′ length was needed she decided that it wouldn’t be easy to drive a truck at this length so the design evolved into a tiny home. Please enjoy and re-share below. 🙂

I like to live with a lot of light and a constant relation to the outdoors so there can never be too many windows. am a filmmaker so the desk has to take up a lot of space, and also like to work on my bed, which rules out a ladder. – so it’s a very personal design, but maybe there are others (other women?) who share these likings?

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Ellie’s 26′ x 10′ No Loft Tiny House Design

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Images © Ellie Epp

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Images © Ellie Epp

Our big thanks to Ellie Epp for sharing this beautiful design! Submit yours here.

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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!
{ 53 comments… add one }
  • Maria
    November 23, 2014, 9:35 am

    I love it, too! It’s different from other tiny houses, love the roof!

    • Alex
      November 23, 2014, 3:56 pm

      I’m glad you enjoyed it Maria, thanks!

  • Dominick Bundy
    November 23, 2014, 9:39 am

    Love all the windows and lay out. as well as the looks. that makes this one absolutely delightful

    • Alex
      November 23, 2014, 3:57 pm

      Thanks Dominick, I like the layout and windows too.

  • November 23, 2014, 9:54 am

    I really love this design with all the windows. I could easily live in this. Great job.

    • Alex
      November 23, 2014, 3:57 pm

      Thanks Brad!

  • Cherrie Richardson
    November 23, 2014, 9:56 am

    This is perfect. All to my liking. Love light!! It has it all and still spacious with built ins. I personally think only a shower is a great idea. I really like the no loft design. And that roof- is so cool. Gives a more open area & more light! Yea. It’s perfect. Wonderful design.

    • Alex
      November 23, 2014, 3:58 pm

      Wow, thanks Cherrie! Ellie did a wonderful job. I’m really glad she shared it with us.

  • Dale Barnhart
    November 23, 2014, 11:34 am

    Ellie,

    Superb creation. When can we buy your plans? Only addition I can see, would be to incorporate a sofa Murphy bed concept and to have use of SIP’s for its construction. Bravo & thanks for sharing. Wonder if flexible solar panels placed on the roof would work for off-grid solar power for the house? Thanks for a brilliant design!

    • Alex
      November 23, 2014, 3:58 pm

      Thanks, Dale!

    • Paul
      November 23, 2014, 11:10 pm

      What? They make flexible solar panels for photo-voltaics? Well, that is certainly news to me… and good to hear if that’s the case.

  • Marsha Cowan
    November 23, 2014, 12:03 pm

    Very nice, Ellie! Reat design! You shouldn’t have any trouble finding someone to help you build this as it is simple layout. Where are you going to get the arches, or did I miss that in the article? Spend a lot of time online so you will know all your options before hiring oneone to build. Good luck! Please let us see the finished result. Thanks!

    • Alex
      November 23, 2014, 3:59 pm

      Thanks Marsha!

    • Paul
      November 23, 2014, 11:23 pm

      Arches for the roof could be either laminated curved beams, but would be expensive, or several sheets of marine grade ply laminated and cut to the shape needed. Then marine ply could be affixed to the beams and covered with a waterproof membrane then a roofing material of her choosing.

      • Theo
        November 22, 2015, 6:18 pm

        Marine plywood is not required, and would add a LOT to the expense. I would just laminate beams from decent quality sheathing plywood, wouldn’t need to be wide either. Then sheathing plywood on them, just like they do with site built stick homes. Roofing paper over that, then shingles, or whatever.

        However, that size, I’d just get an older travel trailer similar size, they’re inexpensive, gut it, and remodel it as I pleased. Save a ton of money that way, and could even sleep in it if need be.

  • rusty
    November 23, 2014, 12:31 pm

    Sweet design I’m not a woman but I really like your plan. So much light great for working and reading .I even like the European style cabinets . An arched roof woe sweet.that is all!

    • Alex
      November 23, 2014, 3:59 pm

      Thanks Rusty!

  • alice h
    November 23, 2014, 12:45 pm

    Love the 10′ width and all the windows. I’m inclined to go with that myself, also the curved roof and no loft. Would very much like to see updates, especially on roof details.

    • Alex
      November 23, 2014, 4:00 pm

      I like the 10′ width too. Her layout is great. Thanks Alice.

  • gale
    November 23, 2014, 12:57 pm

    Outstanding. Would like seperate shower but overall beautiful and liveable.

    • Alex
      November 23, 2014, 4:00 pm

      A separate shower/bathhouse would definitely be interesting and useful. Either that, or separate the office area. This is an especially useful idea if you’re sharing the home. Thanks Gale.

  • paul w. huzina, sr
    November 23, 2014, 2:49 pm

    it would be nice if those that design stuff would tell us what software they used and where we could get it.

    • Alex
      November 24, 2014, 10:58 am

      Pretty sure it’s almost always Google SketchUp which is free but takes time to learn.

    • Ellie Epp
      November 24, 2014, 4:16 pm

      Yes I design in Sketchup, free to download from Google. There are good Youtube instruction videos.

      • Alex
        November 25, 2014, 10:59 am

        Thanks Ellie 🙂

  • Joe
    November 23, 2014, 3:54 pm

    I like your design even the sofa bed would work if I could figure out a moveable headboard. I think the shower needs to be a suppurate unit and to get such a roof curve you will probably need to go to copper or a rubber membrane for a flat roof torched into place. I would rethink the cook top and have induction burners from walmart to free up counter space they could be stored in a drawer or cuboard. It would be a fun build,Thanks for sharing such a great plan.

    • Alex
      November 23, 2014, 4:01 pm

      Thanks Joe!

  • CathyAnn
    November 23, 2014, 5:44 pm

    This is one of the best tiny house designs I’ve ever seen. No loft! However, I too would like the shower separated from the toilet somehow… a shower curtain to separate the space??

    I could easily live in this space.

  • Brian
    November 23, 2014, 6:06 pm

    Thanks for sharing your excellent design. You obviously put a lot of thought into it. From my perspective, a shower on its own is all I would require.
    Cheers from Australia

  • Karen
    November 23, 2014, 8:06 pm

    Lil’ Lodges might be able to help if you check the out. They also offer a hinged roof now for those who DO like lofts (that are great for storage and guests – celestial Windows for light). Nice home!!!! (A tweak will make a separate shower).

  • Danielle Felice
    November 23, 2014, 9:51 pm

    this is the perfect tiny house design for me. just what i have been looking for.

  • Paul
    November 23, 2014, 11:27 pm

    Ellie

    Would you be able to upload the actual floorplan?

    Looks good, and I am assuming that at 10 feet wide you are not planning on moving on any sort of regular basis. As I understand it, 8 feet wide is the limit without a permit in the USA.

    On the whole, this is a good concept plan. Now all you have to do is turn it into reality and I wish you lots of luck and fun doing just that.

  • Wendy
    November 23, 2014, 11:38 pm

    This would make a great tiny floating home. It reminds me of the old ’round top’ style of houseboats.

  • Paula
    November 24, 2014, 12:57 am

    What material do you plan for the roof? We have one outbuilding with a curved roof, made of salvaged, curved, metal roofing. It came from a grain silo that was being torn down. It’s kind of heavy, but nicely fireproof.

  • Mavis
    November 24, 2014, 8:40 am

    Ellie Epp you have captured my overall idea and I wonder if we could get a deal having two made at once?

    I have parrots and they will need a space that can be made private/dark/quiet for their sleeping requirements. probably need to modify either the front porch or add on a few extra feet! you captured my kitchen plan as well, I plan to use stainless steel restaurant prep tables(with sliding door access to the shelving under) as cabinets they will need to be custom ordered or modified from used to fit in the TH. I concur with the above idea of using SIPs as they are insulated, and cut down on wood needed (I live in Florida and wood is not suitable because of bugs and moisture) Please contact me ! Mavis

  • Martin Unversaw
    November 24, 2014, 3:09 pm

    Hey Ron Hertwig,
    This could be built anywhere and shipped to you.
    Or ship the parts. EZ

  • Nancy Mock
    November 29, 2014, 2:04 pm

    Live the design. Cannot tolerate a loft! I wouldn’t need quite as large a desk, though it would make some of my craft projects a little easier, I suppose. A circular shower curtain would solve the problem for those want the shower more separated, I would think. That is probably what I would do so the whole bathroom didn’t end up soaked, and so I wouldn’t have to leave my towel and clothes elsewhere while I showered!

  • Hunter
    December 5, 2014, 5:48 pm

    Ellie, Love your concept design very much. So much so i may build this very house with a few modifications for myself.
    Has anyone thought of using the old fashioned idea of a cistern for rain run off? I don’t know much about them like, how to keep clean etc. I remember the old cement or stone ones under ground. Are people using those big plastic stock tanks or anything like that? Any help would be appreciated by everyone. thanks, Hunter

  • Russ Prior
    December 23, 2014, 2:22 pm

    I know how to make the roof structure. I did it for my gypsy wagon. Ellie, e-mail me for pictures. I’m new to this site and don’t know how to submit my photos. My gypsy wagon still needs cabinet work done on the inside but the outside is complete.

    • Virgil
      January 9, 2015, 4:43 pm

      Read ur comment on knowing how to build round roofs on tiny homes. I also want info on how to make it curved if u would be so kind to e-mail me that info also?

      • Russ Prior
        January 9, 2015, 6:30 pm

        Hi Virgil: Rahter than reply individually, I will post photos of my gypsy wagon. The interior photos show how the roof structure is built. Not sure when I’ll get to it but it should be within a week or so.

  • wendy
    January 2, 2015, 6:29 pm

    As I am getting older I would love to have one of these lovely homes on my daughters property. Can you tell me how to find out the legalities of building one on an existing property in Pleasant Hill, Ca ?

  • Dale
    February 2, 2015, 4:37 pm

    Wonderful Ellie – Bravo!! When can we obtain a set of plans? Perhaps the only change I would make is to have installed a extra long twin sofa over bed and loose only 2 of your vertical windows close to the desk. Being 10′ wide, & when bed is upright, you still have a loveseat size sofa for daytime lounging/guests to use. Extended front closed in glass porch with side door entry would also double as your Southern front Winter greenhouse as well as allowing Nature’s own heat to daytime warm interior. Also, there are on the market already, flexible solar panels designed for RV’s which would fit onto this amazing curved & pleated/crimped barrel roof line too. Let me know when your plans are ready. Thanks for such an innovative design!

  • Marsha Cowan
    November 22, 2015, 11:37 am

    Well, looks like you are still looking for a builder? Since I last commented on this post, I have gotten my CDL license with P and S endorsements so I can drive a 45′ long school bus. I turn that sucker around 24 times a day, and cross railroad tracks 16 times a day, on 4 separate routes per day filled with screaming kids from kindergarten to high school. By now, driving it as comfortable as driving a car. I say that to say this– you might want to consider getting a 26 foot bus and building your design inside it. It already has windows along both sides which you can make double pane, and is already on wheels. Driving something that length is not as hard as one might think. A fairly new bus, say from the 90s, already has 2″ of insulation in the ceiling, and you can actually add insulation to the outside top and build a cover over it much easier that’s tearing down the inside to add insulation, and the floor already has rubber over treated wood, a very good insulation against cold and moisture, so it has it’s perks, not the least being that the entire exterior is already done and all you have to do is add what you want to the interior. I have lived in a tiny shot bus renovation now for about a year and a half, and I did not add insulation anywhere, but have been very happy with it.

  • Shirley
    November 22, 2015, 2:21 pm

    Favorite design so far! This is perfect. I cannot use a loft due to disability. Could not tell exactly how much storage space, but since would not need the huge desk, could probably make a few minor changes to that area. But I do love the roofine and windows. I wonder what the cost might be?

  • Rita
    November 22, 2015, 11:01 pm

    Awesome job. I could live here?

  • Maria
    November 23, 2015, 7:49 am

    Nice design. Good job. But I would make a few changes. First remove the sink as you come into the house. I would put closet there. Next remove closet from across the sink and make bathroom bigger. I would remove desk. Too many window for me. On the wall where kitchen and couch are I would remove 4 windows and have wall space. Where fire place is I would remove the two windows in back of fire place and one that is next to where the oven wall is. But that is just what I would like. Great Job Ellie.

  • Nancy L
    November 24, 2015, 2:51 pm

    Where is the bathroom located in this plan?

  • Lillian Beaudoin
    January 7, 2016, 4:47 am

    AWESOME design. Perfect. Cannot do loft bedroom. But like loft storage option with peek roof. Love your design as it solves my problem. Beautiful. Spacious. Bright. Wonderful! Would like to purchase plans?

  • April 30, 2016, 12:04 pm

    Oh yes, favorite so far, but how much does a model like this one go for?

  • Barbara
    April 30, 2016, 2:18 pm

    Very nice! I like it a lot!

  • Lou
    May 1, 2016, 8:49 pm

    Just a factor to consider. Pulling out your bed every night gets old really fast. I lived in the cutest tiny houseboat and having the shower almost over the toilet, very little storage and bending to get anything out of the fridge was nothing compared to how much I hated having to deal with the bed. Just a thought. Best wishes!!

  • September 13, 2023, 1:54 am

    Perfect roof type. This size would only need the window bay on the end opposite the bath to create a separate bedroom. I have always loved Vardos and this is why.

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