≡ Menu

The Light-Filled Hikari Box Tiny House on Wheels!


This post contains affiliate links.

Looking for a spacious, modern tiny house layout with a relatively simple construction process? Then check out the new Hikari Box Tiny House Plans from designer/builder Shelter Wise! Shelter Wise took their experience custom-designing numerous tiny homes on wheels for clients over the last few years and combined all their favorite ideas into this design.

At 24 feet long, the Hikari Box is 184 square feet on the ground floor, with one 79 square foot loft for a queen bed and another 23 square foot loft for storage or a twin bed. It features 14 windows to let the light pour in (“Hikari” is Japanese for “light-filled”), and tons of storage in the kitchen, and in the Japanese tansu chest-inspired stairway to the main loft.

Don’t miss other interesting stories like this – join our FREE Tiny House Newsletter!

The Light-Filled Hikari Box Tiny House on Wheels!

Hikari Box Tiny House Modern Exterior Shelter Wise PAD Tiny Houses

Hikari Box Tiny House Interior From Guest Loft from Shelter Wise and PAD Tiny Houses Hikari Box Tiny House Kitchen Seating and Storage from Shelter Wise and PAD Tiny Houses Hikari Box Tiny House Kitchen from Shelter Wise and PAD Tiny Houses Hikari Box Tiny House Bathroom Sink Hikari Box Tiny House Living Area and Guest Loft from Shelter Wise and PAD Tiny Houses

Shelter Wise considers this the easiest tiny house they’ve ever built. It should be easy for professional builders, and DIYers will benefit from some of the simplified construction details. The metal shed roof cuts out many construction details common with gable and curved roofs, and all the plumbing is located in one corner so you don’t have to run plumbing pipes all over the house.

Here’s Derin from Shelter Wise introducing the inspiration by the house and describing the features.

Video: Hikari Box from ShelterWise

Having been in this house, I can tell you that I love it. It feels light, bright and open, there are numerous separate spaces so you don’t feel like you’re sitting in one room all the time, and the minimal design is the perfect backdrop to customize, decorate, and really make the interior feel like it’s just for you.

To learn more about the Hikari Box, visit PADtinyhouses.com, who sells all of Shelter Wise’s tiny house plan sets. PAD recently announced even lower prices on their tiny house plan sets like the super-flexible Cider Box, the ultra-modern Miter Box, the homey Sweet Pea and the compact Salsa Box. Check them out!

You can share this tiny house story with your friends and family for free using the e-mail and social media re-share buttons below. Thanks.

If you enjoyed this tiny house story you’ll absolutely LOVE our Free Daily Tiny House Newsletter with even more! Thank you!

More Like This: Explore our Tiny House Plans Section

See The Latest: Go Back Home to See Our Latest Tiny Houses

This post contains affiliate links.

The following two tabs change content below.

Billy Ulmer

Writer at PAD Tiny Houses
Billy Ulmer is the author of the Life in a Tiny House Ebook, a collection of photos and in-depth interviews with people who designed and built their own tiny homes. He is a co-owner of PADTinyHouses.com.
{ 33 comments… add one }
  • Marce
    March 14, 2016, 11:05 am

    Wow! Pure simplicity! And to the point and and and.. Just wow!!
    Gonna Gallup over to website after work anddddd seeeeeee!

  • Taylor
    March 14, 2016, 1:35 pm

    This is it! This is the tiny house I’ve been looking for. I’d only want to extend the counter all the way to the door, and maybe add an all in one washer/dryer in the closet next to the fridge (if there isn’t one already). I love it!

  • Comet
    March 14, 2016, 2:00 pm

    Love how some one felt the need to make a comment about how these people dare to have a GARBAGE CAN–in their HOUSE! As if living in a small place means no bathroom or other trash. Like those people who cannot see a nice bathroom for the fact that the toilet seat might have been photo’ed in the upright position!

    And of course you can CHANGE the furnishings–what this is showing you is ONE WAY that some one other than you set the thing up. If you want a couch then you can put in a couch. For THIS person one chair might be all they need; or this could have been set up for tours where you NEED more room at any given time. Sheesh people! You are on this site because you think you have the vision to build a Tiny House–but some cannot seem to have the vision to see different–furniture?

    That said-==this is a very nice design; needs a stair rail in my opinion but then again—it does not belong to me!

    • Doug
      March 14, 2016, 9:16 pm

      Finally someone that thinks like I do!!
      Really some of the frankly ridiculous comments made in reference to some of the Ths shown, show nothing but single-minded childish, put downs! Why? Simply a great many are just “perfect” when are the users here who insist on such comments like the one a few weeks back about two colour scheme!! Geeez ain’t they heard of a paintbrush an spot of paint to their liking!! Or the one that wanted a carpet not a wooden floor, again ain’t they heard of a carpet fitter etc etc there are getting so many of these stupid comments that it often puts me off reading them!! I can’t surely be the only one that thinks this way can I?
      These “examples” are exactly that examples, to show basically what can be achieved that’s all, you DONT go to look at a show house or car showroom and refuse pointblank to buy based on just points like that I truly hope, as like the car, showhouse or TH they are ALL infinitely and in many, many ways often changeable to suit “your” needs so before the builders, readers and viewers are put of to the point they don’t return is it possible to file such stupidity in the aforementioned bin where they belong, and think outside the damn box, using these as merely thought provoking ideals from which to customise to your personal requirement surely that won’t be to hard will it? Allowing the more astute amongst us to not have to sift through such tripe each time to obtain the actual data we require in order to make an informed decision.
      Many thanks Doug

      • jake
        April 2, 2016, 5:47 pm

        Believe “garbage can” comment was a complement on livable practicality.

  • Elizabeth Rubio
    March 14, 2016, 2:47 pm

    Simply constructed and full of light equals perfect to me. As to the garbage bin, it seemed to me that Ms. Susort was expressing her delight that there is actually room for one. And, like Ms. Martin, I always look for a place to hang a broom and mop in THOWs. Perhaps someone who lives in one could tell us how they have solved this problem in micro-space. I really enjoy the exchange of opinions and ideas on this site.

    • Sondra
      March 14, 2016, 5:37 pm

      I see a BIG double door cabinet next to the frig, maybe they keep the mop, vacuum and broom there ?

      • Elizabeth Rubio
        March 14, 2016, 7:30 pm

        Yes, Sondra, thanks! It’s perfectly possible, but in smaller THOW’s there is less space for storage. Maybe some people manage with a hand-held vacuum? Loved your response.

        • Sondra
          March 14, 2016, 7:39 pm

          Good answer !! I do not have a tiny house as of now, but I still use the handheld Swiffer vacuum with the wet mop attached to it, works awesome and hangs on the wall, takes no space !

        • Elizabeth Rubio
          March 14, 2016, 7:45 pm

          Sondra: thanks for the great tip! As out-of-the-loop as I am, I was completely unaware of the Swiffer equipment you mention.

    • Anonymous
      May 11, 2017, 11:19 pm

      Get a “dry” mop… Microfiber pad attached with velcro to a swiveling plastic base. Don Aslett describes it in some of his books and sells them at his store. Use it once and you will never want to use anything else. Also eliminates most use of brooms.

      • Natalie C. McKee
        May 12, 2017, 9:31 am

        My mother swears by them!

  • Kathleen
    March 14, 2016, 6:07 pm

    Lots to like in this model – particularly the shed roof. I’m wondering why the stairs are on the short side of the slanted roof. Wouldn’t the stairs be more practical on the higher side of the roof? I would make a few changes on the inside to suit personal preferences, but on the whole, this is the design I have bookmarked to be the basis for my tiny house.

    • Deb
      August 23, 2016, 2:05 am

      Love the uncluttered look. No matter which side the stairs go(I prefer stairs over a ladder) I would have utilized the storage area that’s available under the steps IF they haven’t already used the area under each step

  • gale
    March 14, 2016, 6:08 pm

    This is my favorite style of tiny home. This design seems to lend itself to more options for furniture placement and storage ideas. Lovely.

  • Michael Crawford
    March 14, 2016, 10:01 pm

    A big clean bright and simple design leaves a lot of flexibility.

    This one brings to mind I thought I’d forgotten, but here goes; wouldn’t this be an optimal setup for hammocks? They take up no space and all you’d need is a pair of hooks per hammock. You could sleep two more people in that big open space in the middle… Part of the fun.

  • Cheryl
    March 15, 2016, 1:34 am

    I have been looking at tiny homes for about 3 years. I know that I want a shed style roof, lots of natural light, roomy head space in loft with skylight. The Hikari Box is a perfect fit for me. The plan cost is so reasonable, I just need a builder who is willing to let me help build to save $$. When you purchase the plans do you get a list of materials for the build? I’m so ready to do this!!

    • March 15, 2016, 11:08 pm

      Cheryl, the Hikari Box plan set does not currently have a materials list, but we hope to add one soon. We are updating most of the plans to include a materials list for the shell/siding/roofing, as far as interior we leave that up to the customer to figure out. Shelter Wise will soon have the ability to produce shells of our designs if that interests you.

      Thanks,

      Derin Williams

      • Alex
        March 16, 2016, 8:14 am

        Thanks, Derin!

  • Marce
    March 15, 2016, 10:48 am

    Hear ! Hear! To Cahow, Comet and the others who speak up about the negitive remarks!! Thank you!! I am such a wall flower!
    Alex? Andrea? Natalie? And the others who tirelessly and with great glee ( am suspecting) scouring the web to find these awesome gems for the rest if us to ooh and ahh over!! Thank you!! ( and don’t go changing it anymore!! ) This gives me an non drawer of anything ideas to dream and hope for future.. And that my boys are actually following in steps of reducing their stuff as if we are already going to be tiny house living and just enjoy the stuff we do.

  • Marisa
    March 18, 2016, 8:56 pm

    Oven?

  • suzanne steffen
    March 21, 2016, 6:48 pm

    Love your design! What brand refrigerator is that? Thanks!

  • Paul Larsen
    April 2, 2016, 7:12 pm

    Finally!! a Loft design I actually like! Love the stairs to it ! a lot easier than a ladder , and easier to use for those midnight bathroom runs that those of us around 60 seen to do . Well done! Makers of cute little homes!

  • Michael L
    April 2, 2016, 8:27 pm

    The thing that people seem to miss is that in going tiny, you simplify your life. That means you have to change your thought process. If you are trying to fit a full size tub, a washer and dryer, full size frig, lots of seating and storage… you’re probably aren’t ready to think about living tiny!

  • John McFadden
    April 2, 2016, 9:58 pm

    I like the stairs to the loft. However, can someone please explain to me why in every sloped roof loft I’ve seen in a tiny house (so far) the stairs always seems to come up into the lowest side of the loft? Wouldn’t it make sense to have it come up into the highest side? Or am I missing something?

  • Betty
    April 3, 2016, 6:29 pm

    I like this design. Would fit me perfectly.

  • Brian
    April 3, 2016, 7:11 pm

    Just a suggestion, currently people leave a comment and write in their suggestions for improvements. Some people do it in a tactful way, while others in a more aggressive manner, and then comment ensues commenting on the comments. You might put in a field or two like “Things I love about this TH” and “Things I might change” If you have these field headings show up on the webpage people might be less likely to be offended.
    Instead of this:
    The roof is right – simple, no leaks.
    It seems designed to fail… fail at living in this beautiful space.
    It would look like this:

    What I love About This Tiny House
    The roof is right – simple, no leaks.

    Things I might change
    I would install more seating space

    any way, just a suggestion. Keep up the great work!

  • Bryan
    April 13, 2016, 1:21 pm

    If anyone knowledgeable is reading, can you please kindly answer the question that has been asked twice in the comments above, but not answered? That is, why are the stairs on the LOWER side of the loft instead of on the HIGHER side?

    When looking at the sample Hikari floor plan diagram on Pad Tiny Houses’ website, it would seem that someone who purchased these plans could simply modify them to switch the staircase to the other side (swapping with the dining/office table). This also seems like it would create more storage space below the stairs, between them and the refrigerator. This is why it’s so confusing to me why the choice was made to place them where they are. I’m not a builder, though, so maybe I’m missing something. Am I off base here or can anyone confirm?

    Otherwise, this is a fantastic, functional, and beautiful dwelling.

    • April 14, 2016, 11:53 am

      What’s up Bryan! Sorry for the delay but can’t keep track of all the posts and reposts of the Hikari box, in the future you can contact The designer/ builder (me) through PAD’s inquires page.

      So the stairs are on that side for a few reasons al of which could be switched to the other side-

      -Original owner wanted it that way, that’s kind of a big reason
      -There is a window on the left side that could be adjusted but would then effect exterior layout/aesthetics
      -main electrical box is right there and we typically like to hide it as best we can, it could go under the other side but then running electrical becomes more expensive
      – the way the queen size bed lays out in this particular loft its nice to enter from the foot side and it head size.

      The plans are killer deal compared to other plan sets out there. $99 and you get more information about how a tiny house is built then in most workshops.

      Thanks!

  • john petty
    July 2, 2016, 7:29 pm

    Why is the stair under the lower side of the shed roof?
    Imagine sitting up in bed, to read for example, under the
    lowest side of the shed roof.

    • July 3, 2016, 3:12 pm

      John Petty, the head of the bed is on the high side. Read the comments section to learn why the stairs are on the lower side. This tiny house was built to be site specific and this is what the clients wanted, plus there are a few other reasons.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.