I never envisioned myself living in a tiny house, but now I can’t imagine my life without it.
In 2018, my 18-year marriage ended. I lived in a three-bedroom, three-bath, 3,000 square foot home near Boulder, Colorado with my current ex-husband, two children, and our dogs.
I’m ready for a change of scenery. But the homes for sale in my area were out of my budget, so I had to get creative. When I saw the trend of tiny houses on social media, I was immediately intrigued and decided to go for it.
Today, I live in a 520 square foot home with modern farmhouse furniture and I have a community of 160,000 followers on Instagramwhere I share tips about small house lifestyle.
How I built my little house on wheels
In 2019, I bought a small shell house from a local builder for $45,000. I paid $3,000 for a floor plan he was able to do.
He gave me a quote (which turned out to be very unrealistic) and told me everything would be done within six to eight months. But eight months later, there was no progress. I know it’s time to move on.
So I contacted another builder, Tiny house MitchCraftto take over the project in June 2020. Their estimate was a bit above my budget, but they seemed knowledgeable and trustworthy.
Me in front of my tiny house the day I moved in!
Photo: Jen Gressett
Due to the pandemic, there have been delays in the supply chain and increased raw material costs. And the shell needed a lot of repair work on the outside before the builders could finish the inside.
But in January 2021, it was finally ready for me to move in.
Natural light and art space add harmony and balance.
Photo: Jen Gressett
I spent almost twice what I had planned, but it was still significantly less than the traditional homes I initially reviewed.
Overall, it cost me about $175,000 to build the house, including the prefab shell structure, labor and materials costs.
To pay for everything, I used the $85,000 I got from selling the house (my husband and I split the profits) and a $90,000 loan from a close friend.
I pay $725 a month for housing, which includes parking (in someone’s backyard, which I found through a local Facebook group), internet, water, and electricity.
A look inside my chic little house
This is the smallest place I have ever lived. Luckily, I have a great architect who helps maximize storage space.
Wooden ceilings and floors bring continuity and clarity to the home.
Photo: Jen Gressett
We installed drawers in the kitchen and added more hidden drawers in the loft stairs.
Each large closet can hold several containers that can be easily stacked and moved around.
Photo: Jen Gressett
To save space effectively, I have a rule that I don’t buy anything unless I know exactly where I’m going to put it.
I keep most of my clothes in a walk-in closet in the bathroom, and hang sweaters and coats on the stairs.
The soaking tub is one of my favorite parts of this tiny house.
Photo: Jen Gressett
The bathroom, with its soaking tub and washer-dryer, is the jewel in my little house. Natural light and white finish make the space feel large.
I have a compost toilet that doesn’t use water, which makes parking easy because it doesn’t require sewers or septic pipes.
I don’t buy anything unless I know exactly where it will be in the house.
I love to cook and entertain, so it’s important that my kitchen be the centerpiece of my home. It features a quartz countertop and a combination of open shelves and glass front cabinets.
If you have smaller appliances like blenders, mixers, or coffee makers, consider downsizing. But if they are must-haves, I recommend measuring each one and finding out exactly where it is.
Photo: Jen Gressett
My kitchen counter expands into a built-in, circular dining table, where I also do my work as a freelance designer. There’s even a pull-out shelf under the cabinet for my printer.
I have a round peninsula in my kitchen. From a safety point of view, it eliminates sharp edges that you might bump into while traveling through space.
Photo: Jen Gressett
The attic is like a small cocoon, especially in winter. My Casper king bed, jersey knits and double duvets make it pretty dreamy.
Making the bed takes less than a minute. I just sat up, straightened my pillow and tossed the blanket up.
Photo: Jen Gressett
My daughter is a freshman in college and is working her first year. She lives with me part of the time and sleeps in the second loft. She’s moving in with a roommate this fall, so I’ll be a real empty nester by then, but she won’t be far away.
Adding an elevated window allows me to let in sunlight without sacrificing privacy or valuable wall space.
Photo: Jen Gressett
Your tiny space can be anything you want it to be. My best advice is to start by asking yourself where you spend most of your time and focus on that first.
I never envisioned myself living in a tiny house, but now I can’t imagine my life without it.
Photo: Jen Gressett
Honestly, I could live here forever. It gave me the affordable housing option I needed, plus the luxury I’ve always wanted – a fireplace, soaking tub, quartz countertops, and a large bed.
More importantly, I have the option to move my house wherever and whenever I want. My children kept telling me, “Mom, you’re happier than we’ve ever seen you.”
It’s never too late to start a new chapter in your life. I can’t wait to see where I’ll take me next.
Jen Gressett is a Colorado-based graphic designer, copywriter, photo stylist, and content creator. In her spare time, she enjoys trail running, hiking, and training for races. You can find her on Instagramwhere she shares live in a small house experience.
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