(New 2018 Update! My husband recently started a Tiny House blog called TinyHouse, BIG Design. Please visit it for more info and also for a copy of our complete floor plan!)
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I have an exciting announcement about a little project our family has been working on behind the scenes for the past year. And by "little," what I really mean is "tiny" - we've built a Tiny House on Wheels (THOW) to use in the mountains! Here in Charlotte, NC it gets hot hot HOT in the summer (I'm talking highs in the mid-nineties with crazy humidity), so we've long dreamed of being able to regularly escape to the nearby mountains. With just a 2 or 3 hour drive you can cool off by about 15 degrees (or even more on a good day) and have a whole new set of activities at your disposal ... and pretty views, too!
Why Tiny?
As I mentioned, we always dreamed of being able to spend more time in the nearby mountains, but buying a cabin or vacation house is just not in our budget. So, after putting loads of thought into our options (and being inspired by our recent RV trip and HGTV, of course!), we decided if we went tiny we could realize this dream sooner rather than later.
One of the things we loved about our time in the RV was just how simple life was. It was such a small space to clean and keep up with and didn't require much in the way of housewares or other "stuff" in general. But, at the same time we are also very much sticklers for things that are well-made and high-quality, so building a tiny house seemed liked the best of both worlds.
Our tiny house is 300-square feet (not counting the sleeping lofts) and, since I am a food blogger and cookbook author, you can probably guess my priority when we were figuring out the design - the kitchen, of course! Many Tiny Houses on Wheels have equally tiny galley kitchens - some even just have a small beverage style fridge and no oven. But, it was super important to me to have a kitchen with plenty of room for cooking and recipe testing. So, here is what we came up with! I honestly love some aspects of this kitchen even more than my kitchen at home!
See our Tiny House Plans
My husband recently started a Tiny House blog called TinyHouse, BIG Design. Please visit it for more info and also for a copy of our complete floor plan (to scale).
Tiny House Video Tour
Only our Most Used Kitchen Tools for our Tiny House Kitchen
We've got all sorts of fun kitchen gadgets at home that only get occasional use - such as our panini grill and waffle cone maker - but of course there's no room for luxuries like that in a tiny house kitchen. So, I thought it would be fun to share the list of our most used kitchen tools and appliances that made the cut for our tiny house. Between inexpensive finds at Ikea, sales at a variety of kitchen stores, and pots and pans that were factory seconds - I've been a busy little bee trying to find the best deal on everything we need.
Kitchen Tools and Appliances in our Tiny House
- Pots and pans: 3 Pots (1 quart, 2 quart, 4 quart) and 3 Pans (8" skillet, 10" skillet, 3 quart saute pan) - all factory seconds!
- Cast iron skillet: Great for homemade tortillas
- Cutting boards: A combo of wood and plastic all from Ikea
- Good set of knives: Most were a gift from a blog sponsor (yay!)
- Kitchen shears
- Colander and small strainer
- Salad spinner: I honestly didn't even own a salad spinner before cutting out processed food, now I use it all the time for lettuce, greens and even fresh herbs!
- Steamer basket
- Set of graduated mixing bowls: I hope the big ones can double as serving bowls
- Baking dishes
- Big and small casserole dishes: Also from Ikea
- Pie plate: It's an extra one from home, but we make quiche enough to warrant having one
- Small baking sheet: A regular sized baking sheet won't fit in our tiny oven, but it came with one that I hope will work
- Cooling rack: Obviously great for baked goods, but we also use ours for oven-cooked bacon!
- Muffin pan
- Loaf pan
- Cooking utensils
- Basic cooking spatulas/spoons
- Rubber spatulas
- Small whisk
- Tongs
- Roux spoon
- Other small kitchen tools
- Box-style cheese grater
- Carrot peeler
- Small zester/microplane
- Silicone brush
- Can opener
- Potato brush
- Stainless steel measuring spoons/cups
- Glass measuring cups: Both 1 cup and 2 cup size, good for liquids
- Lemon juicer
- Apple slicer
- Small ice cream scoop: Great for spooning muffin, cupcake and cookie batter!
- Wine opener: Of course!
- Meat thermometer
- Small rolling pin
- Small Appliances
- Electric hand mixer
- Slow cooker: Cannot live without this one
- Basic toaster
- Hand-held immersion blender
- Waffle maker: This was our one "not really necessary" splurge, but the girls talked me into getting a Belgian waffle maker (ours at home is just a regular waffle maker, not Belgian), and I liked the idea of having something special like this that we only get to have in the mountains!
- Misc. Items
- Handful of jelly jars and lids
- A couple cookie cutters: I use these when making biscuits
- Milk frother: So I can make my Maple Mocha
- Still deciding
- What type of coffee/espresso maker: We tried a French Press and it didn't go well
- Food processor: Not sure if we'll have room for one (big or small) and will go without for now
- Full-sized countertop blender: Hoping the hand immersion style will do for a while and hopefully forever
For direct links to some of my favorite kitchen tools and appliances check out my Kitchen Essentials Page.
Other Kitchen Items
- Simple white dishes: Dinner plates, salad plates, bowls all from Ikea
- Basic set of silverware + serve ware
- Cloth napkins: At home we keep our cloth napkins on our chair so we can reuse them a few times before washing, but since we don't have a table at the tiny house (we hope to mostly eat outside) everyone just has their own designated color
- Glasses: Very durable and also will nest
- Coffee cups: These were a fun splurge to add a little visual interest to our open shelving
- All-purpose wine glasses: Good for red or white, also from Ikea!
- Serving platters: I have the same elongated simple white set from Ikea at home and use them all the time
- Water pitcher: Also from Ikea and can double as a vase for mountain wildflowers!
- Tupperware: I love Lock & Lock brand for being completely 100% leak-proof, which means perfect for picnicking
- Pot holders: These will also have to double as trivets
- Little "nut" bowls - The other anthro splurge, just to add some character other than white dishes to the open shelves
- Insulated thermos cups - great for picnics and hikes without added waste from plastic water bottles!
Whether you live in a small space or need help figuring out what items are most critical when it comes to making real food (or even need ideas for a wedding registry) - this list might be a good place to start!
Also, I've never had open shelving in the kitchen before, but it's obviously great for many reasons in a small space. My plan is to keep glasses upside down and to dust a lot, I guess. Anyone else with open shelving have advice on how to keep things clean?
More Pics
Here are a few more pictures for those who are interested! If you have (or want) a Tiny House on Wheels as well I'd love to hear about it in the comments! :)
Judy Wagner says
This is the loveliest Tiny Home i've EVER seen and I've studied a lot of them (I'm NC Mountain Realtor) and we get lots of requests for small mountain getaway's.
We don't have them.
So we are getting read to build a "small home" community. Your kitchen is inspirational. TOP NOTCH!!!
Love to see the floor plan and a photo of the bath. Thanks so much for sharing.
Judy Wagner
Izzy says
I would love to know how you went about building the tiny house! Did you use a company or pretty much go it on your own? It's a lovely place and we are looking for something similar for the mountains up here. Cheers!
Sylvia says
Where did you get your daughters lap desks? Those look so functional!
Cheri Sigmund says
Love your tiny house! I've been obsessed with then for years now. If you are still looking into a coffee maker you should consider a Euro Press. I have one I use a work and LOVE it especially if you like a really good cup of joe! You can find them at Bed Bath and Beyond and on Amazon (line below). I would like to know if you have enough storage space in your tiny house for your clothes/shoes? That is my biggest concern when thinking about going tiny. Thanks! Cheri
https://www.amazon.com/Aeropress-Coffee-and-Espresso-Maker/dp/B0047BIWSK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503158358&sr=8-1&keywords=euro+press
Mike Cox says
Would like to know who built your tiny home. Thank you!
Rosemarie Timmons says
We live in Fort Mill, just across the boarder. Who was the builder and what was the cost?
Sara says
Where did you find those lapdesks that slide open? They look like a great option for backseat entertainment on roadtrips!
Angie Nixon says
I absolutely LOVE your new THOW! I have lived in a 427 sq. ft. 5th wheel for the past two years, with my husband and two homeschooled children. I would highly recommend a small Cuisinart 3 cup Duet Food Processor & Blender. We use ours all the time, to shred blocks of cheese quickly, to make black bean hummus, smoothies, etc. We also have, use, and love the simple Shark steam mop and a Shark Rocket stick vacuum. Both hide behind a door when not in use.
I've also learned that my crockpot is the best and biggest bowl I have for letting bread dough rise! Enjoy your THOW! Congratulations!
Kirti Yadav says
What a lovely place, love the creativity and complete organization.
Nancy Ford says
Love your tiny house. Will you please share where you got your house and approximate cost? I would love to have a small mountain cabin retreat for a weekend escape from the city. Thank you---
Rose says
I wonder, does she ever answer questions?
Anna says
Would love to know where the plans are from as well. That is the perfect layout for my family.
Janel says
Yes where did you get your plans? This looks like a great size and fit for our family.
Michaela says
Wow! gorgeous!
JoAnn M Lakes says
Sooooooooo CUTE!!!!!!!
Marissa Palmer, says
Love the idea of bunk beds for the kids! I love tiny houses but trying to squeeze the whole family in can be tricky. Love your layout! Now it's got me dreaming how we could do the same. So did you purchase land along with this?
January V. says
I love this so much!! I know your main focus is food but would love to see a blog post or two on how the actual build process was and where/how you guys plan to keep and move it!
Heather sabattis says
This might be in the comments somewhere but could you ever tell me what your countertops are? I love them! Do you have the name of them? Thank you!
Mark says
Hi. Your tiny house is awesome. Great job and all the details. Where did you get the cute lap desk for the girls?
Brianne says
I love the layout of your tiny house! I also love in charlotte and am going through the process of planning my own tiny house. Where did you get your plans?
Krista says
Thank you for sharing your beautiful mountain house. I've spent alot of time in the NC mountains, so I understand your desire to be there!
For your dining situation, have you looked into stacking stools that will fit under the cubby-area where your clear ones are currently? If you can find them to fit, that would give you 2 more seats: one at the end of the counter and one on the kitchen side. Not perfectly ideal, but would still allow for family dinner time if rains should hit.
Thank you again for sharing!
Jeanette says
Please share your plans of the tiny house, or sell them! This is a PERFECT DESIGN!! Help the rest of us live our dream!! Also, who built it and how much?? I am ready to build this!! [email protected]
Jen Levin says
I definitely recommend a Moka pot for making your daily espresso!
Karen Burke says
I second the Moka pot! Best cup of coffee and a very small item!
Erin says
I need the plans for this tiny house! It is my #1 pick!!!
Liz Berman says
Is there a bathroom? If so, what does it look like?
Tiffany says
This is a beautiful home and I can't wait to read about your family's adventures. You will also have extra room when family comes.to visit!
Will you pack away the open shelf items while driving?
Terrie Harris says
Beautiful tiny house. I am trying to talk my husband into one.
Mel says
Awesome house! Would you be making plans at all? This is in my top 3 tiny houses:-)
Angela says
That's the nicest kitchen I've ever seen in a tiny house!
Emily Francis says
Cute house! You might try lining the shelves. That could make them easier to wipe down.
Elizabeth Derks says
I love the couch! Would you mind sharing more info in it?
sjp says
So adorable! Love the cabinets, can you supply source?
Kara says
Where are those barstools from?
Hélène says
I always want to redo RV floorplans too. I need a real kitchen! Lose the fancy schmancy crap n give me cooking capabilities!
I do forsee problems if it rains or is super breezy outside tho with no table space indoors.
Jamie Smith says
Adorable! Where do you store all of your clothing?
Allison Bolet Cafaro says
My husband and I are also in Charlotte and are currently looking for land and a tiny house to plop on it. Can you share more about the process- do you own land that the tiny home stays on? Do you haul it back and forth from Charlotte? What builder did you use? What floor plan or model- or is it a custom build?
Megan says
I would love to know the same - beautiful project all around!
Michelle says
I would love to know as well. I think there is a quick little eBook in your future.
Colleen L Cutty says
Beautiful,BEAUTIFUL tiny house.Being a chef for over 45 yrs.,I too love a big kitchen!! I'm getting ready to retire and just beginning the process of downsizing,researching land options,and toying with the idea of going off grid.I really want to be near a body of water and although the coastline would be ideal,it's probably not in my budget...But I still have time to plan....One thing I would do in "your" kitchen,is install a hanging pot &pan rack on a pulley system.Being able to lower and raise it would free up soooo much space and you definitely have the height for it !!Having a flat top to it would also allow for a multitude of items to be hoisted up and out of the way!! Thanks for the tour of your beautiful tiny house!!!
Sadie says
I really like the design and am interested in blueprints and how much it cost. Please share how you finish the outside as well. Thx!
Bette Bouck says
Please let me know the approx total square footage and total cost. Thanks
Brandi says
Love your place! It's beautiful! Just curious if you are able to share the builder information and possibly the floor plan. We are seriously considering tiny living within a year.
Caitlin Parham says
This is so perfect! My husband and I thought about building tiny before we have kids, but found out about coding where we live. This layout is perfect! Congratulations!
Marsha Herman says
Absolutely perfect! I am also interested in blue prints or builder information. This is exactly what I need.