Katy and Michael transformed a storage shed on some family property into their adorable 280-square-foot farmhouse! The couple have two girls, and together they just finished their second week of tiny living.
Their main goal in going tiny was to save money so they can eventually build their own spot. After years of renting, they wanted a home that really looked like “theirs” while being able to save. They spent just $15,000 on this amazing build, which includes a downstairs bedroom, bathroom, and an open-concept living and kitchen space.
They’re located in Round Top, Texas, and shared their story with us below! Enjoy!
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Shed-Turned-Farmhouse: A Family Tiny Home
Images via @katykrebs.tinyliving/Instagram
It even has an adorable covered porch!
Images via @katykrebs.tinyliving/Instagram
They’re looking for a pull-out couch to act as a bed for the kids.
Images via @katykrebs.tinyliving/Instagram
Oh wow, those ceilings are perfect!
Images via @katykrebs.tinyliving/Instagram
Butcher block, floating shelves, full-sized oven. Amazing.
Images via @katykrebs.tinyliving/Instagram
I definitely agree with that sentiment.
Images via @katykrebs.tinyliving/Instagram
Here’s the Master Bedroom (no loft!!!)
Images via @katykrebs.tinyliving/Instagram
The home has a mini-split for heating and cooling.
Images via @katykrebs.tinyliving/Instagram
The subway tile in the bathroom looks amazing.
Images via @katykrebs.tinyliving/Instagram
Love the rustic door and welcome sign.
Images via @katykrebs.tinyliving/Instagram
Interview with Katy & Michael
What are your name(s)?
Katy and Michael
Where are you from?
Round Top, Texas
How did you first become seriously interested in tiny homes?
I used to love watching tiny home shows on tv, and I would always tell my hubby that I wanted to live in a tiny house one day. In 2020 we had the opportunity to turn a storage shed on some family property into a tiny house. Turning a dream into reality has been the best thing we’ve ever done!
What type of tiny house do you have or are you working on?
We have a 280 SQ ft tiny farmhouse. It’s a stationary house with a built on front porch!
Why did you go tiny? What are you hoping to get out of it for yourself?
There is many reasons on why we went tiny, but the main reason is to save money. We lived in a rent house for 7 years and it was time to finally call something, ours. We also plan to live in the tiny house until our forever home is being build/remodeled. Then we plan to put the tiny house on Airbnb!
How long did it take you to finish your tiny house?
We started in September of 2020 and finished May 2021! It’s been the best experience and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!
Did you do it yourself? Who helped? How much did it end up costing you to build it?
Michael and I did most of it ourselves but we had some amazing help along the way. We had a local construction team come in and build our porch and put up shiplap all around the house. We also had family come help us during the weekends! Our budget was around $10,000 and we finished around $15,000.
How did you figure out where to put it? Do you keep it in one place or do you move around?
Our tiny house is stationary, so it’s in one place on our property!
What’s been the most challenging part about your tiny house so far?
The most challenging part so far has been not being able to finish our landscaping because it’s been raining almost everyday. So the mud has been awful all around the porch area, but it’s finally drying off!
What benefits are you experiencing from it so far?
Saving money. I can’t stress it enough. I wish more people would invest in tiny homes because it’s honestly the best thing for your wallet and for yourself. Also, spending more quality time with your family. I’m closer to my kids than ever before. We are outside a lot and not in front of a TV all the time!
What helpful piece of advice would you give to others who are interested in going tiny? What mistakes could you help them avoid?
Research tiny homes you like before you start building your tiny home. That way you know exactly what you want and how you want it. If you can, try and build an attic space or something you can store seasonal decorations that’s one mistake we wish we could of avoided.
Learn more:
Related stories:
- How They Turned Their Shed Into A Tiny Farmhouse Cottage (Construction)
- $15k Barn Shed Tiny House
- Barn/Shed Tiny House Conversion For Sale, Under-$20k
- Debt-free With A Shed Turned Tiny House
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Natalie C. McKee
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Great house — beautiful details. I agree about the ceiling. Stunning.
This is so cute and practical! Very well done.
How neat is this tiny house — with clever ideas, Good taste and a touch of humour as well! Love it!!
Absolutely! It’s so precious.
Love the size of the kitchen! Did I miss something? They said they are looking for a pull-out couch for the girls. Where do they sleep in the meantime?
Thank you! Our oldest sleeps on the couch right now, and the youngest sleeps with us. Can’t wait to find a pull out couch soon!
Ikea has several daybeds that pull out into double beds. they would be perfect for the kids.
Maybe it is just me, but the children need that bedroom and the parents should sleep on the couch. Parents rarely (?) use a bedroom during the day but kids need a place of their own for their toys. They would use the bedroom all during the day.
We have so many plans for the girls so they can have room for their toys and other things. We also have a shop 50 feet away with so many toys! We also just moved in so we’re still working things out to make it liveable for everyone!
Could you tell us the dimensions of the ”shed?” And also the porch, and whether it’s included on the given dimensions or not? Kitchen is just beautiful! This is really nicely done!
The building is 280 SQ ft with an added porch. The porch gives it another 100 sq ft so all together 380 SQ ft! Thank you for your nice words!!
Outstanding! But of course, everything in Texas is…..
thats why they get wet… ha ha ha
Where/how did you live before? Did you own this property already? Looks sparse but we well done
We lived in a rent house for 6 years about 10 mins away from our current property. My husband inherited this property and this shed was on it. We have a shop and and remodeling a bigger house on the property as well.
This is really nice! Beautiful floors and ceiling. The bathroom is gorgeous, and I love the huge porch that could even be turned into more living space later on while still retaining a small porch. It’s a job well done. Enjoy!
Oh yes, great idea. Even just screening it in could extend it’s usability.
Maybe they could get a futon couch that makes into a bed. Super easy to make each day and more comfy than a pull out couch and takes less space. Get a nice futon mattress maybe with some latex topper…would be great for the kids! Nice job and adorable family!
Oh and there are some that have drawers underneath too for more storage options…
Oh that’s a great idea! She was saying she is having a tough time finding a pull out couch. We slept on a futon for a couple years and it was plenty comfortable with a memory foam topper.
Technically those are not floating shelves. Floating shelves have no “visible” means of support… those shelves have very visible metal support….
I totally want to build one like this but don’t even know where to start! It’s perfect!
I LOVE THIS PLACE THIS IS THE ULTIMATE TINY HOUSE IN MY OPINION I HAVE A 550 SQ FT BUT I LIKE YOURS MORE PERFECT FOR YOUR FAMILY
I can’t imagine building a home, tiny or otherwise, without FIRST considering where the children would sleep. The parents have a nice bedroom but the kids have no designated place for them? They’re looking for a hide-a-bed for them? First of all hide-a-beds are NOT difficult to find or buy. Those children’s needs are dismissed and the parents are horribly selfish. Shame on you.
I forgot to mention that instead of taking care of the children’s needs, a large porch is more important than a bed. I don’t care how awesome that home is. The actions of the “parents” are deplorable.
No, sorry but your comment is just misplaced. The children were never neglected. The youngest even still slept with the parents at the time and so that was her bed too.
While it was never intended to be a permanent arrangement but just hold them over until they could build their forever home, which they started immediately after finishing the shed conversion.
All of that just takes a ton of work and resources, which couldn’t all be just for the shed, they had to put aside to get the forever home done but with the forever home the girls now have their own rooms and bathroom, which is a far better outcome than a hide-a-bed in a tiny space they needed for other uses too that would have limited what the kids could do during the day.
Besides, they did finish the porch later and the girls did make it a play area, among other things they did to the shed before they were done with it.
This the problem with being so quick to judge others with so little information, you’re bound to jump to false conclusions and slander people you don’t even know!