Chris and Cathy chose early retirement in this 400-square-foot park model built by IdeaBox in Oregon. The clean, modern design features an open floor plan with large windows throughout, a full bathroom with flush toilet, and outdoor living space including a separate “bunkie” guest room. The couple splits time between this Southern California home and a property in the Yukon, using the reduced living expenses of tiny living to fund their lifestyle of painting, walking, and cycling.
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Modern Park Model Exterior
Images via Tiny Home Tours/YouTube
Outdoor Living with Bunkie Guest Room
Images via Tiny Home Tours/YouTube
Covered Porch and Patio
Images via Tiny Home Tours/YouTube
Open Kitchen and Living Area
Images via Tiny Home Tours/YouTube
Living Room with Large Windows
Images via Tiny Home Tours/YouTube
Full Bathroom with Flush Toilet
Images via Tiny Home Tours/YouTube
Video Tour: IdeaBox Park Model
Design Details
- Builder: IdeaBox (Oregon)
- Type: Park model tiny home
- Interior Area: 400 square feet
- Location: Southern California
- Style: Clean, modern design
- Layout: Open floor plan
- Windows: Large, plentiful throughout
- Bedroom: Queen-sized bed
- Wardrobe: 16-inch depth (space-saving)
- Bathroom: Full-sized with flush toilet
- Kitchen: No dishwasher (by choice)
- Outdoor Space: Large covered porch and patio
- Guest Accommodation: Exterior “bunkie” guest room
- Construction: Efficient materials
- Use: Primary retirement residence
Lessons from This Home
- Reduced Expenses Enable Early Retirement: Lower housing costs, utilities, and maintenance in a 400-square-foot home freed up funds that allowed this couple to retire years earlier than conventional homeowners
- Separate Guest Structures Preserve Privacy: Adding a “bunkie” guest room as a separate exterior structure lets owners host visitors without sacrificing personal space in the main home
- Abundant Windows Offset Small Footprints: Large windows throughout the home create visual connections to the outdoors that make 400 square feet feel more spacious than the numbers suggest
- Intentional Omissions Save Space: Choosing not to include a dishwasher freed up cabinet space for other storage, demonstrating that fewer appliances can mean more functional room
- Shallow Closets Still Function: A 16-inch-deep wardrobe provides adequate clothing storage while consuming less floor space than standard closet depths
Learn More
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Alex
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This is awesome. I think it’s one of the best I have seen!
So glad you loved it!
This pic perked me up for sure. Love this. How much does this cost? I am still bugging my hubby. Trying to corrupt him. 🙂
Oh this is perfect and I just love it. Where is this area and how much is the cost of this tiny house? I am retried and want something like this. Just for my dog and me!
Your house is absolutely beautiful! So much of what you said really resonates, bringing the outdoors indoors. I love the idea that you were able to buy your space instead of renting and I wondered if you might share a little more information about this as I’m also nearing retirement thinking of these things as I’m also in CA. Thank you for sharing your home!
Fabulous! One of the best kitchens I have seen in a small house! I wish more communities would allow for the purchase of the small lot needed for this size home instead of renting the plot like in a mobile home park. They are coming around but it is slow.
Ya it’s tricky. I think it’s beyond the communities and more the municipalities. They won’t sub-divide lots that small, making it impossible to buy them like that.
Beautifully Done! Lovely home. . .
This is one of the best tiny houses I’ve ever seen. It truly was well thought out. I’m especially in love with the storage. As a crafter, I’d need lots of storage for my supplies. That bedroom storage would be perfect as I’d only need one closet for clothes. Nicely done.
Yes! I also need plenty of craft storage.
OMG!!!! I love the bedroom and the storage in the closets. The storage in the kitchen is way more than I would need since I don’t cook. LOL But no worries I can use up the rest with art supplies. The windows are fantastic.
This home was so thoughtfully put together and love the design as well as the furnishings to make it modern comfy. Owners were very informative in video! LOVE IT!!
Is there a washer and dryer in this home?
Thank you for sharing your experience. My husband and I recently sold our family home, downsized, and are exploring options to place an ADU on private property. We are also located in Southern California (San Diego County). Ideabox is the front contender for the ADU. I love their product and their philosophy! Would you be open to sharing the name of your contractor? Were there any major hiccups that occurred at any point in the process of your engagement with Ideabox, or the transfer and placement of your tiny home at its destination, that should be considered? Anything you would have done differently? Hoping to become the next Southern CA Ideaboxer.