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Sean and Kristi Hensley built their custom retirement tiny house after a lifetime in construction and several smaller-scale projects, including converting a cargo trailer for cross-country travel. When they decided to downsize, they brought decades of building experience to their own home.
Measuring 440 square feet (40′ x 11′), this home showcases clever features and luxury design elements throughout. The extra-wide 11-foot width makes a significant difference in how spacious the interior feels, allowing for features that wouldn’t fit in a standard 8.5-foot-wide tiny house.
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Custom Retirement Tiny Home Exterior
The exterior reflects the quality construction that comes from a lifetime of building experience. Sean and Kristi now help others achieve their tiny house dreams through their building business.
Images via Hensley Homes
Modern Flat-Face Cabinetry Throughout
The flat-faced cabinetry gives the space a clean, modern aesthetic. This style choice makes the kitchen feel contemporary while maximizing storage in every available space.
Images via Hensley Homes
Spacious Bedroom with Hand-Built Reclaimed Wood Bed
The 11-foot width makes a significant difference in the bedroom, allowing for a spacious feel that narrower tiny houses can’t achieve. The bed was hand-built using reclaimed materials, adding character and sustainability to the design.
Images via Hensley Homes
Innovative Movable Bathtub in Luxury Bathroom
One of the home’s most innovative features is a bathtub that can move out of the shower area, maximizing flexibility in the bathroom space. This kind of creative engineering solves the challenge of fitting full-sized amenities into compact spaces.
Images via Hensley Homes
Video Tour
Watch the full tour to see all the clever features including the slider entry, induction cooktop, movable kitchen island, retractable TV, and heated floors:
Design Details
- Size: 440 sq ft (40′ x 11′)
- Width: 11 feet (wider than standard 8.5′ tiny houses)
- Builders: Sean and Kristi Hensley
- Purpose: Retirement home
- Kitchen Features: Slider entry, induction cooktop, movable island, flat-face cabinetry
- Bathroom Features: Movable bathtub, luxury finishes
- Bedroom: Hand-built bed from reclaimed materials
- Comfort Features: Heated floors, retractable TV, inlaid LED ceiling lights
- Storage: Deep under-stair storage, walk-in closet with under-floor storage
Lessons from This Custom Retirement Build
Sean and Kristi’s home offers valuable insights for anyone planning a retirement tiny house:
- 11-foot width transforms the living experience — The extra 2.5 feet over standard width creates dramatically more spacious interiors
- Construction experience pays dividends — A lifetime of building knowledge enabled innovative solutions like the movable bathtub
- Heated floors add comfort for aging in place — Radiant floor heating provides even warmth without taking up space
- Movable elements maximize flexibility — The rolling bathtub and movable kitchen island allow spaces to serve multiple functions
- Reclaimed materials add character — The hand-built bed from reclaimed wood provides uniqueness while being sustainable
- Deep storage under stairs is often overlooked — These spaces can hold substantial items when properly designed
- Flat-face cabinetry creates modern aesthetics — Clean lines make small spaces feel larger and more contemporary
- Building for yourself first proves your concept — Sean and Kristi now help others build tiny houses based on their proven design
Learn More
Related Stories
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- Couple’s Incredible Retirement Van Life in their Luxury Conversion
- Off-Grid Retirement in his Self-Built Tumbleweed Tiny House
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Alex
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