This 400 sq. ft. solar off-grid small house design was submitted as part of LaMar’s off grid tiny house design contest where you can win up to $500 for submitting your own design.
But this 16′ x 25′ small home is designed to be a spacious, space saving, creative tiny home that’s fun to live in and share with others if you wanted to.
There will be solar roof mounted hot water heater, a unique upstairs deck/balcony, large kitchen, solar panels, and so much more.
400 Sq. Ft. 16×25 Off Grid Small House

See the rest of it and learn more below:







See the original post over at Simple Solar Homesteading. And if you enjoyed this design help us share it with others using the buttons way down below. Thanks!
More Designs In This Contest
- 200 Sq. Ft. Quixote Cabin
- 280 Sq. Ft. Solar Off Grid Tiny Cabin
- Jayne’s 192 Sq. Ft. Cottage
- Stealthy DIY 5th Wheel Cargo Trailer Off Grid Home
- Dennis’ 192 SF Off Grid Cabin
Win Cash Prizes and More w/ LaMar’s Tiny House Contest
I’ve explained it all in this post before but you can head on over to LaMar’s site for more details on how you can get involved and how to win.
LaMar is accepting your designs that are:
- 200 sq. ft. or less,
- 201-400 sq. ft.,
- Tiny Homes on Wheels,
- House boats,
- Caravans,
- Van Conversions,
- or Campers
There’s almost no limit to what you can create for your very own customized and personalized tiny home.
Learn more and get involved here.
Related: Interview with Lamar and his Tiny Off Grid Solar Cabin and Micro Homestead
If you liked this 400 sq. ft. solar off grid small house design you’ll absolutely LOVE our free daily tiny house newsletter with even more!
Alex
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Very nice with a really useful loft with headroom for a change!!
And the deck is very cool literally with the breeze and great view. Not sure why more roof are not used like it, at least where snowloads are not bad.
I also like Lamar’s requirement that they have their own power, water supply as that is the near future on power at least. Thankfully well done lean power, especially completely off grid cost so much less that utility power.
Well done clean power costs under $.06/kwhr and gives a 20-50% return on investment for 20+ yrs. hard to get returns like that in any other investment, that is other than a well done TH.
One of the best TH designs I’ve seen.
Time for the curmudgeon to check in. Pros: Livable footprint compared to most THs, and a kitchen you could screen off. Interesting circa 1960s exterior. Cons: Once again, no “official” downstairs bedroom for those who can’t climb stairs. No porches or sufficient overhangs necessary for southern living (were those against LaMar’s rules?). JerryD, per your question, the heat from that deck would cook the bedroom during the day. Upper story decks incorporated into the house structure like that also eventually leak (usually sooner than later).
The main thing this plan had going for it, and failed to utilize, was the possibility for a second bedroom or office upstairs. Forget the deck, which is aesthetic but a disaster waiting to happen, and continue the roofline across the entire house and create a second upstairs room. Then add the deck, creating a carport or much-needed shade, without being structurally integrated into the house. The house roof-line wouldn’t have the “chopped in half” look, and the house would really work for people with a child, or some of the crafters who would relish an extra room. You could still have the walk-out deck, without the problems. Would love to see some porches on those doors, too 🙂
Really good points!
I really like the design and the incorporation of the off-grid solar. The upper level with full head room and stairs (I can’t do ladders) makes it much more liveable. I have to disagree with Sally in that if the home is maintained properly there shouldn’t be an issue of impending disaster to the upper level porch. This is a very well done plan and I would absolutely live in this one!!
I love this house design, but would like to know cost estimates. I think all should incorporate solar and run off or re-cycling of water. Great Job!
Yes definitely would be helpful to include cost estimates for building including the cost of all the equipment needed to make it off-the-grid.
Very doable design, easy to move about inside. Love the rainwater retention system (smart design) and the connection to the outdoors through the open patio.
Love this house, lots of space and the footprint is well within what I can build ( I want a secondary home on my property for me as I am aging and the big house can go to the kid and family) But, height is an issue where I need to build and that is very seldom included in a design.
need a handicap small home …no stairs