TINY: The Documentary That Helped Launch the Tiny House Movement

Reset A− A+ TINY: A Story About Living Small is a documentary that followed Christopher Smith as he built a tiny house from scratch in the mountains of Colorado — with no prior building experience. The film also explored the lives of other families across America who had downsized into homes under 400 square feet, asking the question: “What really makes a house feel like a home?”

Created by filmmakers Christopher Smith and Merete Mueller, TINY became one of the early catalysts of the tiny house movement, showing audiences that building your own small home was not only possible but deeply rewarding. The documentary resonated with people who were rethinking what “home” really means.

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Christopher’s DIY Tiny House in Colorado

Christopher’s tiny house is a classic example of what’s possible when you commit to learning as you go. With no construction background, he took on the entire build himself in the Colorado mountains. The process — including the mistakes, breakthroughs, and everything in between — became the heart of the documentary.

Building the Frame and Rafters

Here we see the house after Christopher finished the rafter framing for the roof. For first-time builders, the framing stage is one of the most rewarding milestones — it’s when the structure starts to look like an actual house. The rafters define the roofline and give you a real sense of the interior volume you’ll have to work with.

Inside During Construction

Merete and Christopher inside the house after applying house wrap — a critical step for weatherproofing. House wrap creates a moisture barrier that protects the wall framing from rain and condensation while still allowing water vapor to escape from inside. It’s one of those steps that doesn’t look dramatic but makes a huge difference in the longevity of a build.

Roof Installation Complete

With the roof completed, the house is “dried in” — meaning it’s protected from the elements. This is a major milestone in any build because it means you can work on the interior regardless of weather. For a DIY builder in the Colorado mountains, where weather can be unpredictable, getting the roof on is especially important.

Watch the TINY Documentary Trailer

Watch the trailer for TINY: A Story About Living Small and see the journey that inspired thousands to rethink how they live:

Highlights of the TINY Documentary

• Title: TINY: A Story About Living Small
• Filmmakers: Christopher Smith and Merete Mueller
• Subject: Christopher’s DIY tiny house build in Colorado
• Builder Experience: First-time, no prior construction background
• Location: Colorado mountains
• Scope: Also profiles other families living in homes under 400 sq ft across America
• Central Question: “What really makes a house feel like a home?”
• Impact: Helped spark mainstream interest in the tiny house movement

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Tiny House Builders

• You don’t need experience to start: Christopher had zero building experience and still built a complete tiny house — his journey proves that willingness to learn matters more than prior skills
• Document your build: The construction photos and film footage became a resource that inspired thousands of others to start their own projects
• Community matters: The documentary showed that the tiny house movement is about more than just small buildings — it’s about a community of people rethinking how they live
• The question is personal: “What makes a house feel like a home?” has a different answer for everyone, and that’s the point
• Start with the frame: These construction photos show the natural progression of a build: framing → rafters → house wrap → roof — each step builds on the last

Related Stories

• Jack’s $22K DIY Tiny House in Colorado
• Paraglider’s Incredible DIY Tiny House
• Tim’s $42K DIY Off-Grid Tiny House on a Gooseneck Trailer in Colorado

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Alex

Alex Pino is the founder of Tiny House Talk, a leading resource on tiny homes and simple living since 2009. He helps readers discover unique homes, connect with builders, and explore alternative living.

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