Right now I’m excited to show you an expandable 226 sq. ft. modern prefab tiny cabin.

It’s a tiny housing design concept created in Chile called Refugio by FabriHome.

Additional modules can be added to increase the space if you wanted to.

According to Small House Bliss, the Refugio starts at about $20,600 in USD.

226 Sq. Ft. Refugio Modern Prefab Tiny Cabin

Images © FabriHome via SmallHouseBliss

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Shawn Dehner over at The Small House Catalog released this 440 sq. ft. backyard cottage design (and plans). It’s called The Forest-Rose Cottage. And framing plans are available if you’re interested.

So I wanted to be sure to share that with you right now. You can see the sketch and overall design below. And the link to download the full plans are also below. It’s a 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom house with two floors. The first floor is 240 sq. ft. and the upstairs has 200 sq. ft. The overall dimensions of the structure is 12′ x 20′.

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

440 Sq. Ft. Tiny Backyard Cottage Plans

Images © The Small House Catalog

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Tiny House Construction Tip #2 With Curt Lyons: Removing and Re-Using Your Trailer Lumber

One of the biggest differences between a tiny house and a trailer or RV, other than the fact that tiny houses can be beautiful in a way a trailer never will, is that tiny houses aren’t so tiny in the weight category. Before you even start to build, the trailer alone starts out over 2000lbs, which is already more weight than many cars can tow.  When I started my building process, I was determined to see where I could cut weight. In typical house construction, when in doubt, you take the caveman approach and overbuild it, but when weight matters, you don’t have that luxury.

Purchasing your trailer is an exciting moment and a big reality check. It’s when the whole process becomes very real feeling. You’re anxious to start to framing the walls, because you want it to start looking like a house, but you need to take a breath and be patient, since there is some not so glamorous prep work that has to go into the trailer first. However this is also a great opportunity to save some weight. I’m talking hundreds of pounds, when everything adds up.

Unless you bought a trailer specifically custom made for a tiny house, one of the first things that needs attention is the decking wood. Most tiny house trailers are actually designed for hauling cars and have a pressure treated deck made of 2”x10” lumber. Pressure treated means this lumber has been infused with chemicals, under pressure, that make the wood highly resistant to being eaten by either insects or micro-organisms, but it also makes it very heavy.

Related: Tiny House Construction Tip #1 with Curt Lyons

Curt’s Tiny House Building Tip #2: Removing & Re-Using Your Tiny House Trailer Lumber

Images © Curt Lyons

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Right now I’m taking you to a 570 sq. ft. tiny cottage.

It’s located in the forest of rural Sweden.

This little house was originally built in 1970 and later renovated in 2012.

Inside you’ll find hardwood floors, partial concrete floors, tiles, bricks, and plenty of windows throughout. Please enjoy and re-share below. Thank you.

570 Sq. Ft. Tiny Cottage in Rural Sweden

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About a year ago I introduced you to Shaye and Tom thanks to the people over at Living Big in a Tiny House. I love this story because this couple decided to ‘just go for it’ and take advantage of the benefits of tiny house living early in their life. They’re now enjoying more freedom and are building a life on their own terms.

Right now I’m here to give you an update on them since a lot has changed for them after living in their tiny house for one year. They now have a newborn daughter named Hazel. Their tiny house has a new porch and it’s fully decorated inside. And if you really like their house you can even buy the plans to build one just like it yourself.

Don’t miss other interesting tiny homes like this – join our FREE Tiny House Newsletter for more! 

Young Family Designs and Builds Debt-free Tiny Home on Wheels with a Porch

Images © DIY House Buiding

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Heijmans ONE are prefab tiny houses designed for cities like Amsterdam.

Heijmans is a Dutch construction company. They partnered with Mood Builders (architects).

Together they came up with this prefab concept that can be moved from site to site if needed. Please enjoy and re-share below if you want to. Thank you!

Heijmans ONE Prefab Tiny Houses

Images © Heijmans

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This is an inspiring story of how a grandmother named Monica turned her backyard shed into a tiny home.

Why did she do it? Because her daughter, Anna, was in a desperation situation. And she has five kids. When Monica found out they were having difficulties she started turning the shed into a lovely tiny cottage for herself. This way her daughter and family can move into her two bedroom home.

If you agree that Monica is an awesome grandmother please enjoy her shed converted tiny home tour and re-share this inspiring story below. Thank you!

Grandma Turns Backyard Shed into Tiny Home

Images © Anna Wallace

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This Grain Silo Tiny House is available as a vacation rental at Gruene Homestead Inn.

It’s located in New Braunfels, Texas and you can select the Silo House as a room to book. A wonderful covered front porch was added to the reclaimed grain silo to make it a perfect little cottage. What do you think? Could you see yourself in a grain silo tiny home like this?

When you enter you’ll see a living area, kitchen, bathroom, and staircase that leads you to the upstairs loft bedroom at the top of the silo. Check it out!

Explore more amazing tiny homes like this –  join our Tiny House Newsletter.

Grain Silo Tiny House in Texas

Images © Gruene Homestead Inn

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