That’s right, “couple builds tiny home to live in their Portland backyard while they rent out their main house for income.”
Mike and Laura were recently featured in the Sustainable Business Oregon by the Portland Business Journal.
They’re a couple who have built a 160 square feet tiny house on a utility trailer to avoid zoning restrictions on tiny housing.
According to the article they use the micro home to supplement their income. But here’s the twist.
They’re moving into the tiny house and renting out there big house to live simply.
RELATED: 224 Sq. Ft. Cider Box Tiny House on Wheels by ShelterWise
One Path to Freedom: Tiny House Living in your Backyard
RELATED: Couple Design & Build Mortgage-free Micro House
All the Comforts of Home in 160 Sq. Ft.
Inside you’ll find a kitchen with full size range, sink, storage, and even a washer/dryer and full size refrigerator.
So you won’t miss any of the comforts of home. It’s all there, just in a smaller package.
RELATED: Tiny House Couple Living Mortgage-free and car-free
Laura – Your Tiny House Design is Amazing!
If you’re interested in Laura’s tiny house design and plans let us know in the comments below. I honestly think she’s designed one of my favorite micro housing designs I’ve seen yet. (See more photos of the house here to see what I mean).
15 Minutes to Clean a Tiny Home
It’s said that most micro homes take only 10-15 minutes to clean completely. Can you imagine that?
$13 per Month Utility Bills
In addition, most utility related bills for homes 200 sq. ft. or less are in the $12-$23 per month range.
RELATED: Another Couple Living Simply in a DIY Tiny Home: Meet Shaye & Tom
The Perfect House For Busy People?
And for busy people who spend a lot of time outside of home, it’s a great housing solution with incredible benefits.
Sets You Up for Better Future (Or Simple Retirement)
Especially financially so it’s a great way for someone to get ahead for a while until the time is right for them to upsize again later on if they wanted.
But they’re also a great option for anyone who might want to live very simply during their retirement years.
See more photos of their house over at Sustainable Business Oregon.
Read the entire original article (and interview with Mike and Laura).
RELATED: 224 Sq. Ft. Cider Box Tiny House on Wheels by ShelterWise
If you enjoyed this discussion on tiny housing and vacation rentals you’ll love our free daily tiny house newsletter with much more!
Alex
Latest posts by Alex (see all)
- Flamenco Tiny House by Baluchon - February 4, 2023
- 2008 Ford E-450 4×4 Timberline Box Van Conversion - February 3, 2023
- Custom Tumbleweed Tiny House with a Bidet - February 3, 2023
I would love to get plans for this house! My wife and I have been considering building our own. We have a 3yo daughter and would need a small second loft. Think it would work?
I think they’d be great plans too David. I’ll see what I can find and let you know.
Just my thoughts David but personally and from seeing others experiences if I were in your shoes I’d look for something slightly larger (in the 600-800 sf+ range) just because it would be better long term (moving is costly and stressful) and I’m afraid you guys would probably want more space as she grows or if you have another one.
Or even to look for a small home with land where you might be able to build tiny in the backyard and supplement your income that way, etc.
What a gorgeous house! This is a new favorite for me.
Glad you like Erica!
I love the wood used inside and out!!! Please tell me what wood is used outside, on the floors inside, on the walls inside, and for the cabinets, couch, etc. Thanks!!
Thanks Megan, just the question I would like answered too. A lot of the great appearance of the interior is down to the timber used. Would love to know more about this.
Cute house and good for them with the role reversal of switching out the homes to earn an income.
I had to have a good laugh at this comment: “15 Minutes to Clean a Tiny Home! It’s said that most micro homes take only 10-15 minutes to clean completely. Can you imagine that?”
I think more than ANY other commonality of Tiny House owners is their abhorrence of “cleaning”! What IS it with you folks? Bhahahahhahaaaa!!!! I love to clean my home; it’s a very relaxing and fulfilling activity to do that keeps me in touch with my roots and ancestors. I never find it a chore and neither do any of my other friends who have similar homes as we do. It’s like the guy who likes to tinker about on his car: doing the oil change, washing and waxing the bugger until it gleams. Or the person who likes to make pizza or pasta from scratch; we all find some things vexing and other things fulfilling. Apparently, “cleaning” is NOT fulfilling to tiny home owners. ~snort~
To each their own, I guess. 😉
What’s with the ‘snort’? No, some people don’t like cleaning. I have an aunt who is obsessive-compulsive about cleaning. She can’t relax if she sees even a speck of dust on things. Too bad she never gets around to reading a book or just enjoying the backyard, because it’s ‘too dirty’.
@CAHOW—
Any time you feel the need to clean call me I would be GLAD to have you drop on by!!!!!
Minded cleaning before I became handicapped and between never much liking it and now not being ABLE to do things—this is a HUGE problem. And one you don’t think about until it IS your problem!
I have a friend who had a one room cabin at the start of her marriage and she is of the same opinion. She says she misses the days when she could basically stand in the middle of the cabin and chuck whatever was out of place into it’s place! They expanded as their small family and their home based artisan business’ grew and now she has to actually clean. Maybe she will pass the place on–built on family land—to her daughter and build a new one roomer!
Definitely one of the most beautiful tiny homes I’ve seen. Love the big glass doors – I’m surprised having doors like this isn’t more common. Would love to see a video tour of this home!
I hope that I am beating the old dead horse as they say but the deck on this house the deck needs a railing. Code in Omaha is 42″ high.
David,
This is true if they exceed 30″ from grade. This one looks well under that threshold.
Though I would still install one at the steps. Some of us are getting on and need a little pull!
Ya, the getting on seems like when I stoop down it is getting longer getting up right and needing extra assistance. No fun growing older! If I do decide to build a TH with how many times I have to do a certain business in the night I could not do a loft bedroom. I would like to see a floor plan with full size appliances for a TH built in football helmet. Full bath, laundry, and kitchen.
This is by far one of the best designs I’ve seen. Any idea on getting a hold of the plans??
love this design! would love to know if plans are available!
I really like the design! Could I be notified when/if the plans become available?
Thanks!
I’ve been in this Tiny and it is absolutely magnificent! I met this wonderful couple when I went to purchase a vintage filing cabinet from them and they gave me the tour. It is really very elegant and seems much larger. The reclaimed wood is warm, beautiful, substantial!
I think these houses are great, but most cities across the USA ban them. I know of a person in my neighborhood who built one in their backyard and moved in a relative. The city zoning/ordnance officials shut them down.
I myself and preparing to go to college, my idea was to build a tiny house in an area close to a good 4 year public university. However as I learn more about the laws, I can now tell this dream can’t come true living in a city. My plan was to buy a house near a school, then live in my tiny house (or rv) in the backyard, while in college and renting out the house.
Its such irony the country that claims to be free, has more hidden restrictions than other countries. Does anybody here have any insight or solutions to zoning laws, or know of a city that allows it ?
Hey Leon, great questions, here are some links to help you out:
How To Get Zoning Passed for Tiny Houses In Your Area:
https://tinyhousetalk.com/how-do-i-get-zoning-passed-for-tiny-houses-in-my-area/
Legally Living Tiny:
https://tinyhousetalk.com/legally-living-in-tiny-houses/
How To Get Around Building Codes/Zoning for Tiny Living:
https://tinyhousetalk.com/building-codes-and-zoning-for-tiny-house-living/
Hope this helps get you started! A lot of info out there but a lot of challenges too.
Wow great links, I shall check them out now. I sure hope they allow a Tiny house near a great college, ill be all set !
This is a very nice and elegant design. Great job! I’m wondering what size trailer was used and how was the plumbing handled, primarily sewer. Any ideas?
I’d really like to see the inside of this tiny house. It’s exactly what I’m looking for. Unfortunately the links are broken. Thank you!
Sorry Katrina! This is a post from 2015 and it looks like the news source we got the pictures from took the post down 🙁