Building your home can be a real journey, but it’s also an opportunity to gain valuable life skills along the way. That’s precisely what a couple named Claire and Tim discovered when they built their very own tiny house on wheels in New Zealand.
Claire and Tim moved around a lot at one time, until they were both attracted to the idea to build a home.
The couple had never built before so it was a learning process to build their DIY home. They relied heavily on YouTube videos and sought out help from builders friends. One of Claire’s friends helped them with the foundations for the deck, while another came to help them with the roof.
Claire and Tim’s parking spot provides spectacular views of the ocean and the forest.
Tim’s parents went looking for a property six years ago, and a real estate agent brought them there. They walked into the platform and decided that this was the place for them.
Claire and Tim now have the chance to be its lucky occupants.
Both are interested in sustainability, permaculture and reforestation. The couple made the most of their land by planting beautiful gardens.
“I think it’s just in my blood. My parents were really keen conservationists,” Claire explained. “I think you just can’t really help but love it and just be involved.”
The 23.7×9.6ft home is made of steel frames. The exterior was painted in black and green to keep it subtle and blend seamlessly into the landscape.
There are some outdoor fixtures in the house, including a hot tub and shower, as well as a composting toilet. They’ve also got a track going down to the sea. On the way up, they’ve installed a shower to rinse off.
Claire and Tim also included plenty of storage space on the trailer’s front. This is where they keep their hot water tank, washing machine, tools, and other items.
The warmth of the home will be instantly evoked by the greenery and wood.
Their cabinetry is made from recycled timber from tabletops used in Tim’s family’s café.
The lounge area can accommodate three people and is large enough for a small home. The couch can convert into a double-sized bed. They just need to pull down the projector to enjoy a relaxing movie evening.
The table in your living room can serve multiple purposes. It can be used as a bed or a table.
Each cushion can be removed to reveal storage space beneath.
Upstairs is the guest loft, which means Claire and Tim don’t have to lose their lounge space to accommodate visitors. They also use the space, which has a library, as a private place to read.
The stairs lead to the sleeping loft with a full-sized bed, storage and clothes storage. The ocean is seen through a rectangular window.
The kitchen has a counter made out of hardwood timber, an oven, and a full-sized sink and fridge. Claire and Tim left the beams along the wall at the end exposed so that they could store their spices and mugs.
The bathroom features a normal-sized shower and composting toilet.
It took two years to build the house, and Claire & Tim have lived in it for about a year and half. So far, they’re enjoying every moment.
“I love it. It’s so easy. It’s a really easy space to live in,” said Claire.
“Lower electricity bill, less cleaning, less heating. In terms of a footprint for living, it’s small,” Tim added.
Building the home cost them around NZD 65,000 (USD 41,100), and as you’ll see below, every buck was worth it!
Take a tour of Claire and Tim’s tiny house in the video below.
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