One of the latest trends amongst urbanite homeowners was to compete to have the world’s tiniest house. While many used traditional materials, some took a unique approach and built their houses out of storage crates. Even though it's undetermined whether or not the tiny house movement will continue to be a trend in 2017, let's take a look at some of the most popular tiny houses. Interested in challenging yourself by making a tiny shelter? You can find further inspiration by  searching 'shelter' on CADdetails.com.

Storage Crates

In recent years the use of storage crates to create or modify homes has gained popularity. While a lot of people are using them as a way to expand their house, others are using one single storage container to construct their primary home.

The largest shipping container measures at approximately 40 feet long, 8 feet wide and almost 8 feet high. Though the dimensions may seem rather small, individuals are able to convert this space to include a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Some homeowners include a living room within their crate while others make the outdoors become their living room.

One of the main advantages that individuals are finding with their storage crate homes is the mobility. When viewing it with mobility in mind, you should consider how a storage crate is not that different from a trailer. The main difference is that the storage crate allows the homeowner to show off their personality more with all of the potential for customization.  

DublDom

A DublDom is similar to the size of a storage crate but doesn’t require additional construction or cause you to configure a floor design on your own. Instead of having to design your living quarters on your own, the company works with you to create your oasis. When purchasing a DublDom home you can currently choose the furniture, paint colours, and flooring you’d like in your home. The company has suggested that in the future they’d like to only have a few options of built houses available to customers so that the delivery and production of these homes goes smoother. Currently these modular homes are built at a factory within 10 days. Upon delivery, they take only one day to assemble and they include the ability to be hooked up to electricity, water and sewage.

Curious about a DublDom house? Learn more here.

Micro House

The micro house built by designer Elizabeth Herrmann is designed so eloquently that despite it’s size of 430 square ft, it seems quite large. The house features a functioning bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, laundry room (in the basement), ample storage, and a space that can serve as a guest bed.

You’re probably wondering - how did the house manage all this inside without seeming cramped? In order to give the illusion of the house being larger and divided without using walls, the architect chose to carefully place windows. Of course it also helps that the house has a spectacular view. Another way to avoid over crowding was by using multipurpose items. For example, the tenants dining table is also acting as a desk. The house also features a basement which is where the laundry is able to hide and the tenant is able to store more.  

While this type of home doesn’t offer the mobility like some of the other mini home projects listed, it proves to be ideal if you had a space that had a spectacular view. Without a view the house may not be able to give the illusion that it is bigger but as the trend continues more houses may prove this wrong.  

Learn more about the Micro House here.

Pod-idladla

The POD house is unlike the other options for a mini house on the market. Each POD is only 17.2 meters and can be purchased as a shell or fully customized. To help the homeowner recognize the potential layouts for the house, the company offers various layouts on their website that range in size with the smallest at 17.2 square meters (one POD) and the largest at 68 square meters (4 PODs put together).

After the customer has picked and customized their house, the company constructs the home at their warehouse. The house is then delivered completed to the tenant. The set up for the home is easy since everything is already in place. The only task the homeowner has to do is fold down the one wall of their home to make the deck. Due to the nature of the home folding out to leave one wall exposed to the outdoors, it is not ideal for cooler climate areas. So though the house is easily mobile, it is limited by it’s design

Learn more about the POD-iDladla here.

Nomad Home

Similar to the POD, the Nomad home is a pre-assembled option for homeowners. Known for its sustainability, this Canadian company from British Columbia recognized the need for homeowners to have affordable housing. Each home features a living area, bedroom area, kitchen and bathroom.  The company offers two optional sizes - the micro (10 x 10) or the cube (12 x12) and is proud to advertise the low cost of their homes.

All of the homes feature a main floor and a loft. On the main floor there is the kitchen, bathroom, and living room, while the loft contains the sleeping corridors. In addition to demonstrating layouts for their popular sizes, the company also has various layouts for combined units to make a larger home.

To learn more about the Nomad Home, click here.

Tiny House RV

While the other options for tiny houses mention mobility, this house is truly mobile as it is built on a foundation with wheels. If you already have a design for a tiny house in mind, this company offers the opportunity to buy the foundation on wheels. You can also choose to buy a house framed and sheathed on the foundation so that you only have to consider designing the interior and finishes on the exterior. Unlike other companies that offer the homeowner an opportunity to customize the house and have it delivered completed, for many of the models it is up to the client to finish the house. To help you finish your house, the company offers floor plans and guidance.

Interested in a Tiny House RV? Learn more here.

Think you could make your own tiny home? Search 'shelter' on CADdetails.com to see all the potential shelter's you could convert into your very own tiny home.

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