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The Lovebug: A Tiny House Design for Couples


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I’ve been having so much fun creating my own tiny house designs lately.

Last week I showed you my current apartment where I work/live. Before that, I created and shared the WorkHaus. Today I wanted to share a design idea I had for couples who might want to live tiny.

A Tiny House Design for Couples

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Shower for Two and a Separate Toilet

Check out the entire design and watch the video below:

I thought it would be cool to get to both shower together in this house.

Lovebug Tiny House Floor Plan: First Floor

lovebug2-tiny-house-couples-floor-plan-2

The first floor alone is approximately 182-square-feet. Again that doesn’t include the area in the sleeping loft or the front porch.

I also decided to separate the showers from the toilet so that one person can be showering while the other uses the sink, brushes teeth, or uses the toilet.

Even though you would spend more money on plumbing and it would complicate the design I figured a feature like that would be worth it for couples.

Large Closets

Everyone always complains that there is no closet space in most tiny home designs. And they’re right!

lovebug32-loft

So I added a really good sized closet here. In the sleeping loft, there’s even more space for clothing storage too.

Sleeping Loft Location

On my rough drafts 1 and 2 of the design, I placed the loft above the kitchen. After you guys gave me some super helpful feedback on our Facebook Page I decided to agree with you all that it’s probably better if we put it on the other side.

lovebug2-tiny-house-couples-floor-plan

You get more space this way and the house is just going to feel so much better inside because you’d get to have cathedral ceilings from the living room all the way to the kitchen.

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Glass Sliding Door on the Side

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Built-in Covered Front Porch

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If I re-did this design, as I told you earlier, I’d move the sleeping loft to the front of the house because you’d have a much larger bedroom on this side thanks to the porch overhang. But here’s my original 3D rendering  you can see anyway (and I hope you can imagine swapping the loft to the other side!)

lovebug2-loftv2

3D Tiny House Floor Plan

lovebug8  lovebug2-loft lovebug-tiny-house-floor-plan lovebug-

Video Tour of the Ladybug 3D Tiny House Design

This plan is simply a “rough draft” sketch that I wanted to create and share as I work on my design skills and share my ideas on tiny house layouts.

To get more updates like this in your email, join our Free Tiny House Newsletter!

Do you have any tiny house design ideas that you’d like to see me create in 3D? Share your sketches and design ideas in the comments below. Thanks!

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 43 comments… add one }
  • Tia
    April 8, 2013, 7:50 pm

    I actually thought it might be better to have the shower where the sofa is .. that way you have a huge area that is open and it would feel a lot more open space was available instead of that long hallway.

    • Alex
      April 9, 2013, 2:15 pm

      That’s a great idea for a version 2. Thanks Tia!

  • Hunter
    April 8, 2013, 7:58 pm

    Hey Alex, i think you are a frustrated architect 🙂 the best plans i’ve seen over the years are from travel trailers, campers, RV’s what ever you want to call them. these people have been designing ” homes” for scad’s of years. since i was 4-5 years old, yes many, many, eons ago. stop on their web site for any of the trailers, coach man, featherlight, etc and you can down load their plans etc. then adapting the floor plans to what anyone would want and BAM ! instant plans.

    • Cahow
      April 8, 2013, 10:17 pm

      Hunter nailed it: Get Thee To a Trailer Website!

      Genius designs, very economical but comfortable and super space efficient. That’s how I learned to design my private fantasy tiny houses for my own enjoyment.

      LOVE the patio doors by the dining room, Alex. I know you’re having fun and we’re having it right along with you. THANKS for sharing; you know I’m a fan. 🙂

    • Ann Seeton
      April 13, 2013, 2:19 pm

      I was thinking the same thing, about that bathroom– if the doors swing to close the hall off you would then be able to use the whole width in the bathroom. Just tile the full width.

      Another feature I have wondered about would be the side hall– where the hallway is not centered, allowing for the larger bath all on one side and the narrow hallway along one wall.

      I’m still waiting for a really great use of a murphy bed to enable a couple to have a single floor, no loft, or the lofts at each end, for the kids….

      • Bill Burgess
        October 18, 2013, 10:40 am

        I have used both side hallway and walk thru. I too think side hallway works better and for seniors it works very well. Being a seven year full time RV’er I can relate to having a variety of floor plans, however there is always the non house feel of an RV that can not be overcome without going the Tiny House or Park Model route. And Park Models need some major design revision in my opinion incorporating some Ideas off the 4Fathoms Designs pages and other design sites.

    • jerryd
      April 13, 2013, 7:12 pm

      The problem with most trailer and boat designs is most are designed for 4-8 people!! For long term living you need to drop it to 2.

      Also many trailers just are not comfortable with badly designed built in furniture.

      Though a great place to get ideas and just leave out the multitude of beds.

    • January 21, 2014, 7:56 pm

      I like the interior design of many trailers as well. I would love to see a tiny house trailer with SLIDEOUTS for that extra wide feel. I am sure many contractor would say ‘no way due to weight’ if you use heavy wood. Even buses that are RV style have incorporated slides and lifts to use. I saw one e-mailed photo that had a sports car stored in the undercarriage.

  • April 13, 2013, 3:50 pm

    I think that getting rid of the window where the toilet is might work out not sure about using a composting toilet and instead have a skylight. Plus seriously not sure I really want folks to see me do my business unless the window was tinted in some way.
    I still like the sleeping loft above the kitchen area for extra added warmth especially if you cook at home a lot but, either way works well. Thanks for the rough draft.

  • jerryd
    April 13, 2013, 6:07 pm

    10.5” walls are a little thick isn’t it? They take up 21” of the width of the space!! No reason for that. They should use SIP’s for better insulation, lighter weight at 50% of the thickness adding about 8% more space.

    I’d do the closets in the bedroom. I’d also open it up as too cut up trying to get too much in. Also storage above the dining and sofa instead of one of the closets.

  • Dale
    April 13, 2013, 11:16 pm

    Alex,
    Great desigh; love the sleek California contemporary concept! How about a South Western stucco polymer finish over the S.I.P. exterior? Would like to see this model used for park model design – 11.5 wide x 32′ long. Agree with most viewers here, S.I.P. wall construction including roof & floor designs are superior to standard lumber concept construction, bar none! Additional details greatly benefitting this design would entail a fold down trex decking off the signular French patio door for the deck door – say 3’wide x 6′ tall. Regarding roof – why not a slight incline gable with 6″ overhang eves mounted with piano hinges for fold down for transport or perhaps a totally flat roof of EPDM rubber membrane over the S.I.P. roof? Also, instead of the long sofa… never underestimate this company: http://www.studybed.uk.com , who offer a combo fold up bed – ready-made-up and the ability to have a 6′ long desk for dining and office as well. This allows sleeping on first flor for all those comprimised by joint/stair/knee disabilities. With regard to the table/chairs for dining – why even bother with all that loose furniture at all? Would it not be simpler to simply have a built-in breakfast nook for (2 people & like RV’s ) system on 1/2 of the designed patio slider area? Replace that slider with one 6’high x 3′ wide singular french door system to the lowered deck beyond. Remember that under the seating of that breakfast nook system, would be storage under the 2 adult seats and the table could still be lowered for small children staying over if needed? Over all this is a magnificent design and kudos to the wonderful sleek S.W. design appeal – bravo!!

  • jeff braden
    April 14, 2013, 5:19 pm

    I love the design Alex, but for a differnet reason. To my mind it says 40 ft. storage container. Especially if you eliminate the kitchen counter on the endwall, and make it into a galley kitchen instead (I’ll explain why in a second). The bedroom would go on the other end of the house (next to the closets). If the storage container had doors on both ends of it, then you could put doors/sliding doors into those openings, and have covered porches built off of both ends. Great plan. Can’t wait to see more!

  • Jerry
    April 14, 2013, 11:51 pm

    This is just my opinion, and please don’t take it as harsh criticism. I don’t believe you should ever have objects on both sides of a tiny house, it makes it look/feel as if you are living in a hallway. It may be fine at one end or the other, but taking the majority of the length of the house and designing closets, bathroom, etc on both sides leaves you with a 2-3′ wide hallway your are living in.

    • jerryd
      April 15, 2013, 8:58 am

      Hi Jerry. I think that is a great idea for you and many others. Most prebuilt TH’s I think should come with Kit/Bath on one end and open for the rest so owners can put in exactly what they want.

      It’s also why for those who don’t travel in their TH’s to build then at least 10′ wide and even better, 12′ wide gives so many more options for the same sq’. 8′ wide is very constricting and your solution is one to it.

      But leads to a larger than needed place. I solve it in 8′ by as you say putting the bath/kitchen at one end and keeping eye height open wall to wall with windows. But I use above 5.5′ as storage lofts though they could be sleeping ones over a sleeping couch of your choice, opposite each other. Most of the time one couch becomes the TV/ET center so you get the full seeing width but when need the TV can be folded away and have room to sit 6-8 people in only 8 ‘ with great storage and 2 double beds if wanted.

      Personally my new one, a boat/trailer, is the same but 6’ wide and set up where when lounging your feet are on the other couch as a foot rest. They also will recline into a super king bed. I like cozy with less space to heat, cool, clean and still have room to have a party ;^P.

  • Sharon
    April 27, 2013, 12:46 pm

    This is a good design. Here are the things that would make me live in a tiny house in a heartbeat. 1. sleeping area on the main floor OR staircase (not ladder) to the loft. 2. On-demand water heater 3. office/desk area 4. laundry (a combo washer/dryer the size of a regular washer that is also energy efficient) 5. solar power

  • JT
    May 8, 2013, 11:10 pm

    Great job, Alex! Appreciate all your work with the tiny house movement. It’s great seeing your creativity in action. I was trying to imagine walking into the house…one suggestion I might have that would open up the space when you reach the central living area is to remove the partial wall next to the sofa and also lower the cabinet with the stove to counter height…in essence opening up the space (with the cathedral ceilings you mentioned) all the way to the back wall. There it might be a better use of space to do cabinetry higher up the wall.
    Keep up the good work!
    JT

    • Alex
      May 9, 2013, 8:41 am

      Thanks JT I love those ideas! Glad you liked it and thanks for checking it out and leaving your thoughts 🙂

  • Bob Engel
    May 13, 2013, 8:00 pm

    You got me hooked on designing all kinds of small houses!
    You have created a world wide think tank to rethink man’s home.
    Keep up the good work.

    I love your latest design. I saw a drain in both bathrooms…why not morph the two rooms into one, by adding the shower head over the sink, and put a fold down shower seat on top of the toilet seat, and eliminate the traditional toilet water reservoir by putting a cold water pipe out of the wall into the toilet for the flushing water. Just an idea, but it would make the first tiny full bathroom with toilet/sink/shower in a 2 1/2 x 5′ room?
    Another idea I saw was make a 3/4” sheet of plywood for a bed foundation the width of the bedroom. It is lifted up to the ceiling by day and held by two metal beams that hook into slots like a semi-trailer. The mattress is the foam cushions on the couches below it which fold down into the bed supports at night. The couches are actually two storage boxes with the back supports folded down for the night. Voila…a queen sized bed at night/ a living room with two rather close couches during the day/ (and in the morning a full breakfast table).
    (if you hinge the 3/4 ” bed frame and screw legs on it, you would have a large table 1 1/2″ thick, with two large benches with cushions)

    • Alex
      May 14, 2013, 9:34 am

      Awesome ideas Bob thank you so much! I’ll keep these in mind for future designs. Am working on one today actually 🙂

  • carrie adams
    July 22, 2013, 9:50 pm

    Knees weak……….heart pounding……….here comes the drool!!!!

    • Michael
      August 20, 2013, 10:13 pm

      It has been stated before, the long hallway is eating up plenty of space, bathroom should be at the end which allows more size and put the cloth lockers on both sides of the bathroom door and your living area is growing.
      I would put the entrance from the side with a folding porch and would enclose the existing porch to make a storage and utility room.

  • Sander Tel
    August 21, 2013, 6:25 am

    Hi Alex,

    I really like the design of this long house.

    Maybe an idea for future designs: In general I miss the green touch in tiny houses. All to often I see dishwashers, washigmachines, dryers and other large energy consumers. I would like to see things incorporated like: insulated cabinet for slow cooking, solar food dryer, wood (rocket) stove, handwashingmachine, solar clothing dryer (even a build-in kind), solar/passive heating, rainwater harvesting and alike.
    I think too many tiny houses are “just” miniture versions of there large cousins and very few express the different/greener/cheaper(if you feel that is a main enought a reason) way of living.

    Tiny houses all good and well but in my opinion only if the house can not just downsize on footprint but also reduce a lot on energy/carbon footprint.

    your thoughts please.

    Best regards, Sander

  • Jane
    October 17, 2013, 10:16 pm

    This is great. I don’t need a lot of space as I’m a short person. I have two questions, where is the washing machine and why don’t 90% of the tiny house plans I see online have them?

  • Maria
    April 9, 2014, 8:30 am

    Alex your on the right track,but there are a few things you could change. Put a door where the big window is in the kitchen. Take out the sliding glass door and make the wall like the side where the couch is,with the long window above. Take the wall out between kitchen and livingroom. Also remove the oven and frig and cabinets and just have L shape kitchen. Incorporating everything in the L shape. this way you can put a table in kitchen. This would give the house more flow and you would not feel boxed in. Just a thought Alex.

  • Jeff
    April 9, 2014, 2:58 pm

    What design program did you use to create this?

  • Tiny Skyscraper
    January 28, 2015, 4:39 pm

    So awesome!! Nice work, Alex. So cool to see you getting in there and designing. And you have a whole community for live feedback!!

  • scott
    January 28, 2015, 4:46 pm

    Remember it is possible to hinge the outside overhangs at the top edge of
    the siding so that when on the road, the total width does not exceed 8’6″
    Just fold the overhangs up on top of the roof when on the road… Or make
    them removable entirely with some hooks or special hangars etc.
    Please share with us the computer drawing program you are using.
    My guess is also that you will need a dedicated small space or room for
    utilities, hot water, heating/cooling system, electrical etc. Sometimes with
    trailers these can be situated under the trailer.

  • Mike
    January 28, 2015, 8:52 pm

    “The Lovebug”

    But!,,, it’s not shaped like a bug???

  • January 28, 2015, 9:11 pm

    I think way too much space has been devoted to those closets in front which make the space feel too narrow. I would cut those way down and make more open space for living. Tiny house people have to get rid of stuff. Also, that wall between the living and kitchen on both sides needs to go, or be opened up somehow. Otherwise, it’s like living in a 3 foot wide space.

  • cheryl lowery
    January 29, 2015, 7:52 am

    One could actually make the bathroom where the toilet is what is sat on in the shower (I don’t know if you’ve seen that before), and this could make the hallway more open, or even create the possibilty for that extra space to be something else, like a desk, tv area, closet, or shelf.

  • ashley
    January 29, 2015, 10:58 am

    Does it split in two and become two mini tiny houses in case of seperation? Now that would be a good idea for designing with couples in mind 😉

  • Lyle
    January 29, 2015, 11:03 am

    Some of the ideas are nice, but this plan devotes way too much floor space to what are essentially hallways – unusable for anything other than moving from micro space to micro space.

  • kid cardona
    January 29, 2015, 2:54 pm

    Jeff… you can download a free design software called Sketchup. It is great for doing 2D and 3D designs with out a lot of pre expierance in using CAD software.

  • DEE
    January 29, 2015, 3:25 pm

    Quite a good plan – except for the loft. I’d swap that 6’10” sofa for a Murphy bed over sofa, put shower and facilities together next to kitchen to keep water/sewer lines together (use an enclosed shower stall), separate stove and fridge, and install a really deep kitchen sink. Also, instead of dining table and chairs, how about a fold-down table and 2 upholstered chairs for extra sitting space. Right now it has TOO MANY walls – open would be less claustrophobic.
    I detest lofts, they seem to be an accident waiting to happen, especially if you are a bit older, or stiff-jointed.

  • Denise
    February 9, 2015, 1:12 am

    Alex, thank you for this from 2013, especially since I just joined. OMG, of course, there are sooo many ways to change this design as everybody has pointed out (so many other good designers out there). But in keeping with your design for those that would want those beautiful, big closets and that big shower (I’m alone and I want that big shower!) and the beauty, as you pointed out, that one could be showering while another is using the toilet, and your idea of putting the loft on the other side, thereby opening up to the ceiling in the living area and kitchen – this design is perfect! Then the only tweak I would make, as somebody else also pointed out, is to take the wall away between the couch and kitchen – that would complete the openess! Oh, and I love the porch too! Just saying, great design!

    • Alex
      February 9, 2015, 11:17 am

      Wow, thanks Denise!

  • Sam
    July 19, 2015, 12:40 am

    I love this design, it has given me inspiration into what I might want out of a tiny home – I have yet to convince my partner, but this amount of storage might sway him! I would turn one of the downstairs closets into a utility room with drying space, move the main loft above the floor door side (like you suggested) with two more closets either side of the entrance to the sleeping area, then create a second smaller loft as a reading/study area, I would have a TV on a bracket in the smaller loft which position could be used to watch when sitting downstairs. I love the shape of the kitchen and the sliding double doors. Thank you!

  • Mr. Lonnie
    February 14, 2017, 5:50 pm

    alleluia! finally!
    “I also decided to separate the showers from the toilet so that one person can be showering while the other uses the sink, brushes teeth, or uses the toilet.”

    • Natalie C. McKee
      February 15, 2017, 6:28 am

      Such a great idea! Had this in a home growing up and it was awesome 🙂

  • ZACHARY E MOHRMANN
    February 14, 2017, 8:04 pm

    Hard to get a real feel for it , but then again I need better glasses….

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