Today we’re going to give you a ‘sneak-peak’ of our first tiny house to feature a bedroom! This model is 21′ in length by 7′-8″ in width, and as can be seen below, there are two interior layout options – the BRV1 and the BRV2.
The BRV1: The left end bay of the home is a dedicated bedroom, with an adjacent living area. The loft floor above the kitchen has also been opened up to increase the spaciousness of the home, and also to allow light from the skylight to penetrate into the kitchen area.
The BRV2: The left end bay of the home is used as a snug/living area, and the adjacent bay is used as a dining area. The loft above the kitchen is enclosed and used as the main sleeping area.
This home is another attempt to address the issues surrounding tiny houses and accessibility – but how well have we done? Are you disabled, or getting older, making the lofted bedroom a ‘no-go’? We’d like to hear your opinions on this design and whether or not this home is a feasible option for you.
We’ll have some images in the following weeks, and if all goes well we’ll also develop the plans!
UPDATE: Both BRV models are now available for purchase and you can find out by clicking either of the following links: Check out the BRV1 | Check out the BRV2
Love the new designs with bed on lower floor, and agree that loft for bed not practical for all people. I’d put the bed on the edge with the trailer hitch & have a bump out wall/window/side table for bedroom.
2nd bed upstairs for guest ok though! or area to sit, read, work on computer, store stuff.
patio doors fold back flat on outside wall with clips?
I hope to win one of your free plans!
Cheers,
G.
Garnet – a bump-out window sounds like a great idea! The patio doors can indeed be folded flush with the exterior wall.
Good luck with the giveaway!
It is good to see someone considering accessibility in the design of a smaller house. This plan with the bed alcove is a great attempt. If it is to be accessible for a wheelchair bound person the following modifications would be required: 1) reposition the partition between the bathroom and living space at 5′ (clear) from the end wall. 2) Remove the shower stall and replace with a wall hung sink (hgt adjustable). 3) make the interior of the bathroom waterproof so that the whole room becomes a shower with hand-held shower, drain etc. 4) Add handicap rails at the toilet(or provision for their support later on). All doors must be 3′ wide and all interior spaces should accommodate a 5′ diam turning radius. This might prevent use of a “recliner”. The slope of an exterior ramp should not be greater than 1/12. It is not likely that 2 persons would reside in such a space but a live-in assistant or other able-bodied person could use the loft for sleeping. To gain a bit more “living” room, consider making the bed alcove a single bed that could double as a sofa. Hope this helps. best regards, Rich
Rich – excellent recommendations. Incorporating them into a design sounds like a challenge! In future designs we’ll attempt to create a home that is more effective in meeting the needs of wheelchair users.
Thank you for your comments, they were very helpful!
Resaerch the American Disabilities Act (ADA) for all the architectural dimension requirements if you’re intent is for wheelchair bound occupants. They’ll require the most room for operating a chair. Folks with walkers require less. Cruches and cains…. Very thoughtfull research has gone into it. I like some of the bathroom dimensioning and detailing for the ease and simplicity of shows and baths which can be easily incorperated into the bathrooms, as Rich mentioned. Tiny House design are a lot like small boat design – efficient usage of space through functional usages and furnishing. One thing that struck me about Plan A’s bedroom configuration is that while the enclosed bed alcove has a warm and secure nesting feel, it’s a bit of a pain in the ars to change the bedding. A smaller bed that you can walk around is much easier to deal with. Maybe orient the bed with the head at the end wall and the foot towards the living area. It would change the length dimensions of the spaces, but hense the challenges of design. This design will work nicely so long as the occupant is still ambulatory to a certain degree.
Gary – we hope to make our larger homes accessible to wheelchair users, and will be using the ADA guidelines to help produce an effective design!
I agree that it would be a ‘pain in the arse’ to tidy the bed in such a snug space, and like you said there would be a trade-off in space if we orientate it the other way around. In the end it’s probably going to be down to personal preference – do you want to make the bed or have some additional floor space? In my case it’s an easy one to answer because I’m not all that fussed on making my bed, haha.
HI, as a soon to be retired person i have been researching small homes so i can have a garden — somewhere — and i think climbing a ladder to go to bed sounds okay right now, i would use the lower sleeping area for computer/office/sewing space myself, and put a wrap around porch on the house for outdoor living….looking for a design that the roof covers the porch.
Jacke – seeing as you’re not weary of ladders, using the lower space as a ‘hobby room’ sounds like a great idea.
I think a wrap around porch would be an amazing addition to the home, and like our other plans we may well produce several versions of these plans (including porches!).
Love the bed on the 1st floor. In my own case, due to severe arthritus, it’s a no go on loft sleeping. I agree with the wider door space in bathroom, ramp info listed in other post. How about a Murphy bed to increase floor space on 1st level?
Cheryl – the smaller Murphy beds can be incorporated into the bedroom without any modification to the plans. The home should be able to accommodate the Styleline Double, Short Queen, and possible even the Queen-size bed.
Murphy beds are a great way to improve the efficiency of the space… Thanks for brining it up!
I’m dreaming about a tiny house, too. The loft is okay for now but I will not always be so spry. I like the idea of a downstairs bed but wouldn’t devote that much floor space to it, 24/7. Murphy bed? Day bed to provide some seating and place for a single person to sleep at night?
Also, I can’t stop the floor plans from scrolling from one side to the other while I’m reading, so I have to say, I’m just catching glimpses of the plan!
Mary – Murphy bed’s can be incorporated into the home, and are an excellent way to save/double up on space!
There should be a ‘Pause’ button below the pictures that will allow you to scroll through at your own pace?
This is the style I need as I cannot climb stairs
I don’t understand why more people don’t use Murphy beds
I am in my mid 50’s and thinking about selling my 1200 sq ft house and getting a tiny house on wheels so that I could park it on my sisters property in the country (she has a few acres), but as I plan on living out my days in this tiny house, I don’t want a loft bedroom. I wonder if it’s possibe to have over 200 sq ft on wheels so that the bedroom could be on the main floor.
Most of what I see is okay, but what if you and your wife are both in a wheelchair? I think it would be better but still not what we would really need. I have a few ideashat might work but who knows.
I like the Murphy bed idea but I would put it in the middle facing the double doors. I love windows and light which make the space feel bigger. When up it could have a pull down table for eating or working. Small but also extendable with storage on two sides. Storage is a big thing for me. Height is not so important if lofts are not a consideration. Storage in floor with maybe some spring loaded boxes easy to pull up. Or storage in the kitchen all the way to the top that is also spring loaded could be pulled down. They have stuff like that for closets. I like the idea of bump outs for room to move around or a raised bed that extends over the hitch like a fifth wheel with storage drawers and closets underneath. There could be a little lift for those that do not use stairs. I just saw a lift for the whole bed on one site that I would also put in the middle. I know springs and lifts and other technologies can get expensive and are extra weight, but for seniors looking at limited mobili, or strength, or fear of falling these things could be worth it. Many are selling a home and may have the money and like me do not like the alternatives and want the freedom. Some of these things could be features added as needed. I am a mechanical design drafter and am intrigued with the possibilities. I am proficient in Autocad and Solidworks. But I am thinking maybe I need to teach myself Sketchup? In addition to doing it for myself I would love to get involved in tiny house design with seniors in mind and would like to share what I come up with. I think it would be important to look at tiny house design without a loft with a fresher perspective for usage of space above and below. I am new to this and so far just exploring and looking for the right starting point and design tool to work in. I am open to suggestions.
This is exactly what I want…on wheels. Now where do I get one that’s affordable?
Everone has offered great suggestions that have helped this pending retiree fine tune the dream tiny home I’d love to have. I do have disability issues but not wheelchair bound yet. I recommend a 6″ space along the 3 walls around the alcove and the mattress is raised. Currently my bed is this close to 2 walls & I’m able the get a fitted sheet over the 2 hardest corners to cover of the mattress while laying on the bed. I love the basic layouts and individuals can modify the plans to better fit their own needs.
Where do I get more information, some of these comments are from 4 years ago and I get a 404 error when I try to follow any of the links?
Hi Leslie – Sorry about that! I’ve updated the links, they should now be working again.
Hello, I’m both injured and getting older… no snickering, I’m only 50… my lower back doesn’t hold me up anymore, and my knees have all kind of issues. Anyway, I’m looking for a single floor, no loft necessary, dwelling.
At my age, I just want a bed, for sleeping, a closet, wardrobe, bathroom, with walk-in tub, and a kitchen..
I can put a TV in my bedroom, on the wall, if I desire…
I’d like built in shelving, and a sleeper sofa… I’m a minimalist, and don’t like “bells and whistles” let kids worry about “latest and greatest” I prefer tried and true… I love antiques… well, if anyone can build this home.. I live in Longmont Colorado, I don’t own land yet… on SSI, it takes time to acquire what I need.. I use a walker, and this is why I like to keep things to a minimum… Thank you…