Take a Tour of Some Tiny House Design Trends

Whether you're going mod, funky or cottage, there's a tiny home style for you.

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By: Michel Smith Boyd

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Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

A Multifaceted Tiny Space

This tiny house by Movable Roots is big on style! We enter into the kitchen and are immediately struck by the simple yet bold palette of cobalt blue, crisp white, and gray. Its contemporary vibe is grounded by the use of classic rustic elements. The brass details (current design trend), chunky shelves, cantilevered tables and the tufted sofa help to create an undeniably elevated look in this tiny home. I especially admire the restraint practiced by matching the white sink to the white counter to the white walls. It seems simple but it creates visual space, which is always valuable in a tiny home.

The Urban Tiny House

This tiny house from Movable Roots owner Michael Cheatham would certainly appeal to a homeowner with contemporary tastes. The combination of corrugated metal sheets with cedar wood planks provide an urban industrial facade. Though modest in its appearance, this house proves that good things do come in small packages.

The Cobalt Laundry + Lav

This is an incredibly well designed bathroom and laundry room from Movable Roots! The placement of the mirror creates an optical illusion that doubles the depth of the space. It’s hard to believe that all this function fits into one tiny house. All necessities are accounted for and cleverly surrounded by a host of white finishes that echo the clean and fresh space.

The Private Master Bedroom

Tiny homes are rarely designed with private bedrooms but this home from Movable Roots truly has it all. With a full-size bed, a vaulted ceiling, and its own patio entrance this master bedroom is tiny house luxury. The white shiplap and brass lighting details are carried into the space to create design continuity. Lastly, the strategically placed cabinets provide storage and also act as bedside tables.

The Guest Loft

With great window views and a little extra head space, any guest is sure to enjoy this lofted bedroom. The reclaimed wood floors add elements of pattern and texture opposite the white shiplap ceiling mimicking the floor’s pattern. Having a second option for a private space in one tiny home is a huge asset for families.

The Tiny Thatched Roof Cottage

This tiny house is undeniably packed full of personality and character. The thatched roof, arched door, and flower box details make this home designed by Randy Jones at Incredible Tiny Homes look like a fairytale cottage. Despite its whimsical aesthetic this tiny house is as durable as a traditional home yet, still has the option to move with the family.

Cozy Living Quarters

This quaint living room boasts all the comforts of a traditional home. With elements including exposed wood beams, vaulted ceilings, and shiplap walls my personal favorite detail is the stained wood trim around the windows. True to tiny home form, this space is also multifunctional. The TV wall conceals a full-size Murphy bed that can accommodate guest overflow.

Unexpected Surprises

Just after the entry but before we get to the living space, is the heart of the home, our kitchen. No compromises were made in this surprisingly expansive kitchen designed by Randy Jones of Incredible Tiny Homes whose motto is "Choose Tiny, Live Free." Not only is there a stained planked wood ceiling, it also houses a full-size refrigerator, range and farmhouse sink. I’m especially drawn to the way the gray upper cabinets compliment the blue lower cabinets against the wood butcher block counters. Last but not least, the ladder takes us to the tiny home master.

The Woodsy Master Lodge

Ever wondered what it’s like to live in a tree house? Resting just above the kitchen, this loft style master bedroom designed by Tennessee-based Incredible Tiny Homes references the exterior’s aesthetic with its evergreen details such as the tree branch railing, natural wood floors, and the continuation of the reclaimed wood beams. The botanicals and muted amethyst pillows provide accents of color; making the space cozy and conducive to peaceful slumber.

Rustic Entry With Storage

Not one inch is wasted in this tiny home designed by Incredible Tiny Homes. The coat closet was thoughtfully designed for hanging front to back therefore requiring very little of the entry’s space; paired with the storage trunk below, the two components allow the entry to function like a mudroom. The pale blue barn door is a great rustic detail that provides privacy for the bathroom without obstructing any space. Dual in its purpose, the bathroom doubles as the laundry room. The combination of the hardwood floors and natural materials create an immediate sense of warmth upon entering the tiny home.

The Graffiti Tiny House

Designed by plumber and craftsperson extraordinaire Robin Hayes of BuildTiny.com, this tiny house is full of innovative construction and creativity. The exterior features four individual murals created by a graffiti artist and a rooftop deck. Additionally, with solar panels to provide electricity this tiny house is completely self-sufficient.

The Plumber's Kitchen

This former plumber’s ingenuity is on display in her kitchen. The exposed copper pipes and plumbing fixtures are a cool personal touch and a fun example of upcycling at its best. Designer and builder Robin Hayes left no pipe “unfitted.” Everything from the cup hooks to the temperature gauge is a clever nod to her former profession.

Convertible Desk

One of the key characteristics of designing a tiny house is smart space planning and this desk does not disappoint. With simple levers and pulleys this cantilevered desk was custom designed by the tiny home's owner Robin Hayes of Build Tiny to convert into a bed. Hayes took a minimalist approach to the interior. The simple white walls and natural wood are a direct reflection of the principals that embody tiny house living.

From Work to Rest

What was once a work space has now been transformed into the bedroom in this Build Tiny home. This tiny house was clearly designed with a primary focus on efficiency. With an intent to control the interior temperature this tiny home's owner made sure this structure was well insulated. So much so that only a single ceiling fan is necessary to cool the entire home.