Diana and her husband had a dilapidated cinder block garage in their Oakland, California backyard, but instead of seeing it as an eyesore, they saw it as an opportunity! They turned the space into a lovely guest house called the Rockridge Casita for both family & friends and to rent out on Airbnb. In just four years the tiny house has paid for itself, meaning anything else they get from now on is profit that goes to support the couple and their two kids.
Inside there’s a lovely studio-style space with a queen bed and kitchenette, as well as an ensuite bathroom complete with a large walk-in shower and flush toilet.
When their kids are older, they plan to use the guest house as a homework/hangout space for them, but who knows what the future will bring. Huge thanks to Allison at Tiny Home Tours for the great video tour of this spot you can watch below.
After newlyweds, Scott and Tania, traveled to Asia for their honeymoon they returned to Vancouver, Canada to build their ‘pint-sized’ house. This 485 sq. ft. cottage is their home that was built in Tania’s parents backyard.
The rules in that particular area allow for small houses to be built in the alley way. Usually as guest houses or home offices, etc. This home has a very open living and dining room combined together with the kitchen right along side too. I love the upstairs bedroom with the exposed ceiling beams, sky lights and the balcony patio.
Nestled deep within nature and surrounded by a lush man-made pond this totem style cabin is a guest house oasis. Henry Yorke Mann, architect, designed this small cabin for clients who wanted to give their guests an experience they would not forget among the 10-acre property in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia.
Once inside you will notice there is a skylight that runs the length of the home at the peak of the roof. This feature gives so much sunlight inside the wooded cabin.
There is a fireplace that divides the home from the living and dining area in the front half and the kitchen and bathroom in the back corners. With the sleeping loft above.
The owners decided to stay in the cabin a few times and soon discovered they were ready to downsize from their 5,000 sq. ft. home to the 400 sq. ft. Totem cabin.
Check out the inside of this cabin in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia.
400 Sq. Ft. Cabin in Mountains of British Columbia
This 250 sq. ft. tiny guest house in Oakland, California is a guest post by John Olmsted of New Avenue Homes
Travis and Kelly approached New Avenue back in February 2013 to discuss adding an accessory dwelling to the backyard of their Oakland, CA home. This 250 square foot casita is intended as a guesthouse and office.
Construction took about 5 to 6 months and began at the end of 2013. Some challenges to this project included poor access to the backyard, a very sloped lot, and older utilities which lead to a replaced water line. Just as the work came to completion in June 2014, Travis and Kelly adopted a baby. Now they take turns working from home two days a week in their backyard office so they can spend quality time with the newest member of their family.
When family and friends are in town to see the new baby or if Travis and Kelly are entertaining and hosting a get-together, they offer their casita as a small home away from home for overnight guests. It has a fully functioning bathroom and working washer dryer. When the family is away, it serves as a residence for their dog-sitter.
250 Sq. Ft. Tiny House in Oakland, CA Backyard (Guest House)
Villa BiG is a guest post by Gary Huffman, a retired army general who built his own 438 sq. ft. tiny cabin as an office and get-away
One theme that is common among military people of all services is that one collects a great deal of memorabilia along the way, either intentionally or unintentionally. These memorabilia may be on display in your workspace, or your den, or packed away in the attic or garage. After thirty-one years I had items scatted among all those places!
I was serving in Iraq in 2005 when I began to consider retirement, however upon my return to the United States circumstances changed. I was selected for a new position in a different city; I was accepted to attend the United States Army War College; and I was promoted to Colonel. All of these were good things and I continued to collect “stuff” along the way.
Villa BiG: Army General’s Tiny Cabin Getaway and Office
