Who says that you need to own a McMansion to lead a happy, fulfilling life? To me, the American dream is less about "having it all" and more about achieving happiness, and happiness means a lot different things to different people. For some, it may be a sprawling country estate, while for others, it's a true rural, tiny "home on the range." As for this incredible family of four, they've certainly figured out that you don't need a ton of space or a ton of stuff to have the American dream home.
Interior designer Jessica Helgerson and her husband, architect Yianni Doulis, live in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom, 540-square-foot home on Sauvie Island, OR with their two children. It may not sound like a lot of space for that many people, but they make it work.
"We fell in love with the area after our first hike, but it took a while before we found our home," Jessica said to Houzz. "We saw so much potential in this house despite finding it in a completely run-down state. Its size is definitely out of the ordinary for this area, but since we have to scale things down, we've all become more disciplined when it comes to what we consume and bring into the house."
It's certainly far from run-down now, and the interior looks like something out of Better Homes and Gardens. In fact, it's been owned and rented by a variety of different people, including a shipyard worker, an auto mechanic, and another single family. At one point, their home even served as a goose-checking station for local hunters! Best of all, the roof has been planted with moss and ferns from the surrounding Columbia River, which helps keeps the house efficiently insulated.
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H/T: Houzz
The exterior of this family's one-story home is beautiful and contemporary.
The inside has a cozy, Scandinavian feel with its wide-planked wood floors and minimalist decor. It doesn't hurt to have an interior designer in the family!
There's even a massive, built-in bookshelf in the kitchen/great room, which makes great use of the house's limited space.
The children sleep in bunk beds...
...while Mom and Dad sleep upstairs in the loft!
Even though the square footage is relatively small for four people, the house feels open and bright.
"It's not a perfect way to live," Jessica said. "The toilet gets runny from working hard, and we know that the clock is ticking when it comes to our kids sharing a bedroom. But, despite all of this, we get along pretty well for living in such a small space."
The family recently hosted a birthday party for their son and, because they need all the storage space they have, Mom and Dad asked their guests to skip the presents.
"We got him a lovely bow and arrow, which is what he had wanted, so he wasn't deprived," Jessica said. "One friend cheated and brought him a little box of Mexican jumping beans."
"I'm not about to preach to somebody else when it comes to how to live their lives. But I think most of my clients know that my colleagues and I are pretty thoughtful about what we do. We want each and every one of our remodels to be our last [for that ho
If you thought this house was great, you won't believe the arched houses on the next page!
Arched Cabins are offered in 20 different shades.
They range from 12–19 feet tall.
They can be ordered in a choice of 14–24-foot widths, and cost between $200–$320 per linear foot, but…
…that price only includes the structural ribs, ridge beam, roof paneling, flooring, and R13 insulation.
Essential add-ons like the foundation and end caps are about $3,000.
The company can also put the cabin together for you for an additional charge.
Most realistically, you’ll pay around $7,500–$14,000 for one of these homes, which is still a bargain for a high-quality, versatile home.
They are also durable and come with a 40-year warranty on the panels, and they stand up well to extreme weather and climates.
Not bad for a tiny house!
If you think these houses are phenomenal, you definitely shouldn't miss the house on the next page!
"While living in a such a small house, my space, and in turn each area of my life, will be simpler, less chaotic, and free from all but what is essential," Alek Lisefski wrote in his blog.
The open, sunny interior has been expertly designed to fit all of the essentials, including a combo washer/dryer!
Alex and Anijali make ample use of their small space, using a fold-out table to have dinner.
This tiny stove/oven is usually installed in boats as it serves a dual purpose in a smaller space.
Access to city water helps to simplify the couple's plumbing.
A simple ladder provides access to the cozy lofted bedroom.
It's far more spacious than you might imagine, and even has makeshift closet space!
The couple's bathroom may be small, but it's both sustainable and functional, complete with a homemade composting toilet.
They even have a propane-heated shower!
In exchange for yard work and a small rent fee, Alex and Anijali currently keep their tiny home on a host family's property in California.
But if they ever choose to move, it'll be pretty simple, as their home is portable.
