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Tiny House Plans: Turtle Tiny Home by Humble Homes


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My friend Niall over at Humble Homes has released another set of tiny house plans.

This one is called the Turtle House. It’s a little home on wheels with:

  • Downstairs bedroom/desk
  • Two large floor to ceiling closets
  • Upstairs sleeping/storage loft
  • Full service kitchenette
  • Bathroom with full sized shower

Turtle Tiny House Plans: Humble Homes

This home is 230 square feet so it’s a little larger than many that are out there. It’s 7’8″ by 24′.

This is perfect if you’re a couple considering going tiny or someone who just needs a little more space.

Our friend Karen Batchelor of Living Large with Less helped design this home with Niall of Humble Homes with the goal of creating a tiny house solution for baby boomers.

Turtle Tiny House Photos

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When you walk through the front door you’re greeted by the living room and large windows.

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The kitchen has a combo washer dryer and everything else you’d need in a kitchen. I really like the large sink idea. That’s useful when you have to do dishes by hand!

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Later I’ll show you where that door leads. Which is to the bathroom.

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Plenty of natural lighting with the skylights.

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Okay so when you walk in, if you looked to the right and opened the door there you’ll walk right into a bedroom/office with a floor to ceiling closet.

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Below you can see it in office/desk mode.

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Then you can see it with the bed pulled down. Very nice!

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Here’s the bathroom with a normal flush toilet installed:

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Full sized stand up shower.

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There’s still an upstairs loft that you can use for storage or sleeping that’s located above the bedroom/office area.

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The ladder so you can get up there is conveniently stored directly above so you can just pull it out to use it and get up there.

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Finally here’s a view of the loft with skylight:

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Video Tour of the Turtle Tiny Home

Play the video tour of the house below:

How to Get the Plans

Want to get the plans for this house so you can build it yourself or have a contractor do it for you? It’s easy..

With Humble Homes (aff) you can download the plans instantly right after you order because everything is delivered electronically.

Click here to learn/order. (aff)

30 Day Guarantee

The great part about buying tiny house plans with Humble Homes is that if you’re not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you can get a full refund within 30 days as long as you don’t use the plans.

Order risk free over at Humble Homes. (aff)

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If you enjoyed this post please “Like” and share using the buttons below to help us spread the word. Then, if you want, tell us what like best about the Turtle Tiny House in the comments. Thanks!

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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!
{ 34 comments… add one }
  • Val
    February 27, 2013, 5:45 am

    It’s really very nice and incorporates many of the elements that I’ve been gathering for a tiny house but have not seen put together in a single one. I was looking for a design that fit a murphy bed and your office bed works perfectly. Also, I always thought that the pocket ladder would be great but have only seen that once in the hundreds of designs I’ve reviewed. It would be nice if you could put dormers on the loft for just a bit of room. It looks a little tight up there and there would be windows for view, light, and heat from the sun. Great job.!

    • Alex
      February 27, 2013, 9:45 am

      Hi Val, dormers would be a way to make it even better, I agree. Anyone else think the same thing?

    • March 3, 2013, 12:14 pm

      Thanks Val! And I have to agree, adding dormers would be a great way to increase the space in the loft – a possible future modification!

  • alice h
    February 27, 2013, 4:22 pm

    I love those longer designs but the trailer prices seem to go up exponentially after 18′ to 20′.

    • RJ Hickey
      February 28, 2013, 2:57 pm

      Some of the Tiny House building videos I’ve seen start with removing brackets, rails, tie-downs and in some cases, some or all of the deck boards. All of these discarded components contribute to the price of the trailer. It occurred to me that a custom trailer may be a better way to go so I got a price from High Prairie Welding in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Mike could build a 20 foot rolling trailer frame for about the same price as a standard quality 16 foot car trailer. I’ve known Mike for several years and find him to be pleasant, honest & talented. He can be reached at 505-454-8532. Tell him Richard sent you.

      • peggy
        March 2, 2013, 3:37 pm

        Thanks for this info Richard.

  • Val
    February 28, 2013, 10:55 am

    Val agrees with Val. Yes, dormers. Close to perfect with them. As well could sliding doors be incorporated for the bathroom and bedroom/office doors? Great design, let me know

    Yes, increased cost of the 22 or 24 foot trailer, over $5000, new here in Canada. I would enjoy the extra space though.

    Val

    • March 3, 2013, 12:19 pm

      Hey Val,

      You could install sliding pocket doors rather easily – it would just require some adjustment to the framing of the interior partitions!

  • Matt
    February 28, 2013, 11:30 am

    Nice to see some designs getting better, but these trailers are getting huge. I find people seem to be cramming everything in and when it doesn’t fit they just make the trailer bigger. I also find vertical space seems very underdelevoped in most plans.
    I think a major problem is people aren’t able to visualize in 3D very well, thank goodness for BIM programs like Revit and SketchUp. Even then it takes years of practice and some architects don’t eften get very good at it.
    Personally, this design misses the mark for me and I liked the Popomo better.
    In the end though a hightop, extended chevy van hit the spot for me and I built a custom RV instead.

    • Amy Parks
      February 28, 2013, 1:31 pm

      I agree Matt, LOL kind of defeats the purpose of a tiny home hugh? đŸ™‚ I’m a single 45 year old female and am researching for the XS! It’s only 65 square but that is all I want!

      • Carol
        March 6, 2013, 1:42 pm

        Amy, I think that whether or not having a larger tiny home defeats the purpose of a tiny home depends on what the owner’s reason for going tiny is. For instance, I am an artist, adjunct professor, and museum professional. As a teacher and museum professional, I sometimes have to move to where the jobs are. That is the main reason I want a tiny house. I am tired of packing things up, and I am tired of hunting for places to live. I want a home that goes where I go. But as an artist, I also need a studio. 64 sq. feet is enough to live in, but it is not enough to live in and also serve as my studio. So for me, a “large” tiny house does not defeat the purpose of having a tiny house.

  • ARK
    February 28, 2013, 11:30 am

    I really like this larger version of a Tiny Home. Been researching/following the Tiny Home movement since the beginning and am happy about it’s growth among teen and college age people. But I don’t see much written by seniors like myself on how they are enjoying small living. I also would like to see how single, senior women are doing this and what states are friendly towards tiny homes.
    Again the layout of this one is well done.
    ARK

    • signalfire
      February 28, 2013, 11:48 am

      Ark, the designs I’ve seen that call to me most as an ‘almost’ senior woman are those from ‘Little House on a Trailer’ based out of Petaluma, California. He’s having a LOT of success with the code enforcement folks getting accessory buildings okayed for backyard installations, too. The best designs aren’t trailer-based but feature large bedrooms, and lovely kitchens and bathrooms with plenty of light. Just enough architectural details to have that ‘home’ feel to them, also.

    • March 3, 2013, 12:24 pm

      Thanks Ark! đŸ™‚

      Karen Batchelor of http://www.LivingLargewithLess.com has been documenting her transition to living in a tiny house, she’s hoping to start construction this summer – I’m sure it’ll be an interesting story!

  • Callie
    February 28, 2013, 11:32 am

    Can I have the plans for that convertible bed/desk? LOVE IT.

  • signalfire
    February 28, 2013, 11:41 am

    Well done; a few changes *I’d* make đŸ™‚

    1. I would never use that desk/chair setup. It would be uncomfortable to sit there for more than a few minutes and I’m on my laptop for hours every day. Mostly I just sit on the sofa or propped up in bed reading/typing/watching a movie, so for me the desk and the space it’s taking up would be extraneous.

    2. The pocket ladder is genius but at 5 foot tall, I doubt I could reach it to pull it down. What’s the height of that?

    3. The sink near the door seems elbow-crowded. Could it be switched out with the counterspace? Perhaps put the washer there instead? And while lovely looking, ceramic sinks are horrifically noisy and tend to chip. Stainless is quieter and less likely to break glasses that are dropped.

    4. Lastly, how does anyone keep those glass shower doors looking spiffy? Personally, I’d prefer just a short water enclosure to step over and a fabric shower curtain that can be washed once in a while and swapped out for new when it’s time. They also absorb noise rather than reflect it like the glass would.

    Sorry for the ‘complaints’; nice job really! đŸ™‚

    • Jerry
      February 28, 2013, 1:12 pm

      1- Sounds like you don’t have a need for a small office, a small moveable table sounds like it would suit you fine, so you could use that space for other needs.
      2-If the pocket ladder is too high, you can use a tie strap and counter-weight. The tie strap will hang down letting you grab the ladder when it’s put away, and a counter-weight will make it easy to push it back, sliding in the last couple of feet on it’s own.
      3- I think sink materials are a personal preference. I don’t like the look of stainless in my house, having worked in the restaurant industry for so many years it sort of brings work home.
      4- Interesting point about shower doors reflecting sound, definitely something to consider. I’ve also considered using drapes to cover closet doors, as a weight and cost saving factor, as well as a way to decorate the room with something other than just wall covering materials and wood doors.

  • Carol
    February 28, 2013, 11:42 am

    I have been searching for just this kind of plan, because I would like to have a tiny retirement home for the long term. Can the house accommodate a composting toilet?

    • Alex
      February 28, 2013, 3:05 pm

      Hi Carol, sure it can accomodate a composting toilet. đŸ™‚

  • Joe3
    February 28, 2013, 6:21 pm

    Very interesting plan, I’ll have to study it, because there’s a dual axle 8 x 24 trailer sitting unused in my backyard.

  • Joyce Henderson
    February 28, 2013, 6:27 pm

    What can one say! I thought you had already arrived at the best idea and here you go with a new one and I love it! The kitchen area is great, well designed . Perhaps built in in the living room area as that’s where one would spend the most time. Keep up the good work; perhaps soon I can downsize into a Tiny House.

    • March 3, 2013, 12:27 pm

      Thanks Joyce, it’s always encouraging to get positive feedback!

  • Tanya Bazzle
    February 28, 2013, 8:00 pm

    I’m pleased to see alternatives to the loft sleeping. I have feeling when I am ready to build my tiny house in the next few years it will be perfected.

  • kim
    February 28, 2013, 11:27 pm

    Finally a house I think I would be able to live in. I love the desk/murphy bed idea. I have always wondered why someone didn’t put a murphy bed into the design for us “experienced” adults.

  • Teri
    March 1, 2013, 12:24 am

    What is that framed wood panel above the bathroom door? Any useful function?

    • March 3, 2013, 12:29 pm

      Hey Teri,

      The wood panel doors you’re referring to open up to a storage space above the bathroom, which is used for the storage of plumbing equipment in this case.

  • Victoria
    March 1, 2013, 2:12 am

    My trailer is 8×24 and it only cost $2700.
    I am building my tiny house right now, actually the last wall went up today.

    It will have a side entrance door, into the living space with large Windows, then turn to the right you’ll see the kitchen with the sink on the right side, stove and fridge on the left, proceed through a pocket door, composting toilet on the left, shower on the right, proceed through another pocket door to the bedroom. There will be a loft above the bath and bedroom for company.

    I am single, disabled, female with two small dogs. My home will have lots of light, lots of good windows, have a white interior so I can change the look with accessory colors and be as healthy a building as I can afford to build.

    • DJ Spell
      March 1, 2013, 9:34 am

      I would love to see drawings/pictures of your design. I have vertigo, so I have disability accommodations I must consider in my tiny house design, also. I think a lot of tiny house designers don’t consider designs to accommodate those of us with limited mobility, especially when it comes to climbing ladders and the sort. I used to work in construction until an aneurysm took away my ability to balance well on ladders, so feel free to be technical with me.

    • Barbara
      March 2, 2013, 10:48 pm

      I am considering a tiny house for retirement. I am 50 and sometimes arthritis aches and pains really get me down. I would love to see pictures of your home when you finish. I don’t have any building experience but watched my ex-husband build stuff. I would like to do some of the work myself. Are you physically building your house?

      • Victoria
        March 4, 2013, 4:12 pm

        My Son-in-law is building it for me, I’m still paying him for his labor, but at a drastically reduced price than he would normally charge.
        You can both email me your emails and I will send you some photos when it is complete.
        [email protected]

        The best thing I can think of is to design your home to fit your needs, people like us cannot live in a cookie cut house. I also couldn’t afford to pay a lot for a design, luckily my SIL sat down with me and we drew up what worked for me.

        Good luck on your homes. đŸ™‚

  • DJ Spell
    March 1, 2013, 9:19 am

    I love the concept of this design. I can see this being a very good layout for someone with limited mobility, which I’m sure the designer had in mind. I love the concept of tiny homes, but since I suffer with vertigo, climbing a ladder to get to bed is just a risk I don’t want to take in everyday life. I do agree that the size is a bit over the top, and the design would function better with sliding doors on the bedroom and bathroom areas.
    Personally, if I were designing a tiny home for someone with mobility issues, like myself, I would use a lower pitch roof and eliminate the loft, but raise the wall height, utilizing fold-down shelves and closet rods for more vertical storage. I also think that I would shorten this design and increase the width of the home. 7’8″ is good, but I prefer the maximum 8’6″ width. Those ten inches equate to much more floor space, enough to allow good mobility for people with a wider frame. When you’re a guy with a 48″ chest and 22″ biceps, 2 foot doors are pushing it, but 28″ is the minimum walkway space you need to keep from having your shoulders rub against the walls.
    Kudos again on this design, though. It is well thought-out and the finishes are truly top-notch. I think that it will be a popular design for those who fear cutting down their space too much.

  • Peggy
    March 2, 2013, 3:35 pm

    Really like this one. Great options. I see it meeting the needs of a retirement home, a work room and comfortable/sharable living. This design just went to the top of my list!

  • Kathy
    March 3, 2013, 11:58 pm

    This the best design yet for tiny homes under 300 sq ft! I love it. I am currently considering something a bit bigger than the ones under 200 sq ft, and that don’t require my 5’2 65 yr old body to climb ladders or pull out beds from under the raised kitchen floor! If I DARE, no criticism intended, I do have a few additional amenities and changes that could be easily added I think. 1) BED/DESK: I agree that drapes or nothing at all would be better on the desk/bed area. Could not make out the size of the bed that this would hold. It needs to be at least a 3/4 full bed, if at all possible. Maybe need to add 12″ to the length. Or maybe just an optional bed level bump out. Could the center section of the desk pull out on legs with rollers to make for a table in front of the chairs for sit down eating for more than one person?
    2) LOFT: A dormer with an openable window for air circulation in the loft. 3) KITCHEN: I agree that exchanging the sink for the counter space makes good sense. What size fridge is recommended? I would want at least a 4-5 cubic footer. Extend the upper cabinet over the fridge to the edges of the fridge. Is there an oven? Storage under a stove top would be nice, but many of us would rather be able to bake cookies! Is there no allowance for an exhaust fan? it could serve both the stove top and the steam from the shower. Remove the window over cooktop in favor of open shelves. 4) BATH: An all shower “wet” bath with toilet would make good sense here. Or at least a shower curtain. Glass is nice but in a small small area it’s going to be trouble on elbows when turning around, and without glass a pull down drying rack or a waterproof pull down storage space could be used. Is there an on demand water heater in that space above the bathroom? Can the space above the bathroom for “plumbing” be extended over the kitchen? Add a small ceiling fan. Last one – where is that second floor to ceiling closet? I do love this design and size. I guess I just have to have a few tweaks! Maybe they will be useful to your design. Thanks.

  • Dale
    March 11, 2013, 10:29 pm

    I would like to view a full length fold up deck on the door entry side which would simply fold down upon set up at its location. Secondly, why not simply add radiant floor heating strips instead of the large amount of wall space needed for the Dickinson propain heater – by doing so, not only do you have a warm floor which radiates the heat, but you also free up entire wall across from the sofa/chair location, for a large flat screen tv or bookcase wall/art gallery. I personally do not see the need of having an eliptical window above the entry door; this would be better placed in attic/loft end and eliminate excessive dormer build-out costs. On thing that really amuses me is that small house designers never realize the importance of having a steel or aluminium underbelly to protect from all rodent/mice damage either nesting or eating away at the exposed under floor – further, by having the radiant heat within both the steel underbelly and floor joists to just under the finished wood floor there remains no cold floors ever! Like most other viewers here on the comments section… pocket doors are mandatory to save space. One final issue is the desk chair, where is it stored when the sturdy desk bed is lowered? Why not just use a executive desk/office chair for this purpose & when not in use at desk – it becomes a spare chair for the living room. I would also like to see another set of doors over the openning of the loft area as like on other end of this house therefor by also having that elipitical window ( vented one from Gen Weld or similar ), there is no need for a skylight in this area. Obviously, this region would be used for storage more so than as a separate bedroom loft. Over all, this is the best plan yet. Hope these small ideas help others out further. Thanks for listenning and hopefully implimenting these ideas into the future plans.

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