As tiny homes continue to grow in popularity, designers and builders are beginning to add more and more features that make these homes seem larger than what they really are. While the 100 square foot tiny home that looks more like a backyard shed than a livable structure might be appealing to some folks, a slightly larger structure that incorporates outdoor living spaces will most likely feel more “livable”, especially for couples or families looking to discover the advantages that come with tiny home living.
The Elsa, a beautiful house designed by Olive Nest Tiny Homes, is one example of a tiny home that integrates several features that make the home feel larger than it is, including a full-sized front deck that leads to an attached greenhouse. Rise recently sat down to talk with Mary Susan, the co-owner of Olive Nest Tiny Homes who built the Elsa and spent several months living in the home which is now listed for sale.
Basic Home Features of the Elsa
The Elsa tiny home was built on a 28 foot by 8.5 foot trailer, including three 7,000 pound axels. Since tiny homes on wheels don’t have a separate foundation, investing in a heavy-duty trailer bed foundation is essential to make sure that the home is well anchored. Originally, the Elsa came out to be 323 square feet, though Mary is currently in the process of redesigning the floor plan of the house to include a separate back bedroom, which will increase the overall square footage.
Even with the original floor plan, however, the 323 square feet home includes a full-sized kitchen with a stovetop and oven. A pivoting bar allows for extra flexibility, depending on the number of occupants inside the home. When shifted next to the wall, the bar offers enough space for two people to comfortably eat. When guests are over, however, the bar can be pivoted out to allow for two extra people to share the table.
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While many people might think tiny homes means living with thrift and austerity, the Elsa tiny homes also includes several luxury features. Mary says that “some of the luxury items found in the Elsa are quartz countertops, a full-size refrigerator, a four burner gas range/oven, original art pieces, live edge reclaimed wood, a Lutron lighting system, a washer dryer combo, and the home is fully decorated in Scandinavian style. There are also many more handcrafted details including stair treads made from cherry wood.”
While many tiny homes only include a two burner stove top, the Elsa was specifically designed to make sure that a full sized kitchen was given its necessary space. “My favorite part of the Elsa is the kitchen,” Mary relates. “It has beautiful surfaces and a lot of storage. As a person who loves to cook, we made sure this kitchen was very usable and beautiful.” The kitchen also includes a stainless steel sink with a sleek modern faucet.
The living room comes with a pull out sofa bed that can accommodate guests. Like most tiny homes, the Elsa also incorporates dozens of unique and creative storage options, including storage areas underneath the stairs that lead to the lofted sleeping area. “We included innovative storage solutions in the Elsa,”
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