(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! :)
Karen says
Very beautiful. We are in the process of going Tiny and I was wondering where you got your gold chandelier light figures?
Alisa says
Can you please share what your budget was and if you were able to stay within it?
Judy Burke says
Off topic: I would like to ask that you consider having your new cookbook printed in black instead of grey. Many of us, I'm sure, have trouble reading the light grey print.
Love your recipes, your blog, your new tiny home and much more.
BTW: I'm a friend of your mother-in-law from Naples
Lisa K says
You have the nicest tiny home I've seen. The layout is perfect!!
Michel Becker says
Would also love to know who built or if plans are available. Love it...one of the best I have seen!
jill says
I have never been a fan of tiny houses but yours has certainly peaked my interest! I just love it.
Would love more details on architect and costs.
Thanks
Jami Freeman says
I would love to know more about your tiny home, love it!
I really like the idea of a 10' wide trailer as well as the fantastic layout.
Shawn says
Haven't seen any responses to who you had design and build your tiny house? Are there plans for this house that I could use or purchase?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
More info will be available soon.
Shawn says
Thank you. Really looks mg forward to knowing.
tegma says
Fantastic job! Yes, it would be great to see the work as it progressed. Do you do it all yourselves or have someone else build it? It's really lovely! I like the layout and the more private looking loft! The kitchen is ideal, too! Let us know how it works out for you after being in it awhile! Thanks!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
More information will be available soon.
Kelle says
I wo'uld love to see it all and see from start to finish how you did this and how much did it all cost. Thx great job.
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Details will be available soon.
Crystal says
Hi. I love your design. I am just getting started with my plans to buy a tiny home. Would you mind sharing with me your building plan and cost? Any helpful tips would be truly appreciated.
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
More information is coming soon.
Traci Brumley says
Can't wait for info! I love everything about this tiny house!
Patty says
Hi, I'm interested in your floor plan and the company that built your tiny house. I can't seem to find it here. Thanks
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
More information will be available soon.
Donna says
Perfect. Want to build me one? Please share more
Amanda Berbatiotis says
Stunning kitchen. Wow! Thanks for sharing the gray pics. Is your tiny house 8 or 10 feet wide?
Tara says
Love this tiny house!!!
Amy says
My husband and I are going to build and live in a tiny house. I've looked at so many tiny houses and I love the fact that yours looks so "homey". Please post plans/elevations! We kinda want to copy yours. Thanks!!!
Cindy Reilander says
How much did your Tiny House cost to make? Do you have the plans for it? I love it, my family needs a new direction other than renting...Things are getting so expensive.
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
More details coming soon.
AMS says
I saw more details coming soon re:plans / cost / budget was this posted somewhere?
Kim Prescott says
Love the kitchen layout, would like to see the bathroom & loft(s)
Diane Showalter says
Love your plan, solves issues I've been concerned about. Would love more info cost, plans etc. thanks for sharing!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
More details coming soon.
Shelly says
I have a farm with a beautiful view to the mountains. Love the "picture" windows and the kitchen. Would love to have a tiny house. Will you please share the builder or plans?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
More details coming soon.
Lori says
I watch all the tiny house shows I can find, and I think this is one of the smartest designs ever! I am usually thinking "where are they going to put their clothes, towels, etc" but you have it covered, including the vacuum! Well done! As far as keeping the dishes on the open shelves clean, maybe a few cute dish towels or extra cloth napkins folded & placed on top of the plates & casseroles would help.
Stefanie Ellison says
I just love this tiny house. But need more info. Cost more pictures. Everyone else wants more info but I did not see any answers from you?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
More details coming soon.
cindy moody says
i am interested in the slatted wall. what is the material and where did it come from? i love the hidden tiny closet.
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
More details coming soon.
cindy moody says
i am interested in knowing what the slatted wall material is? i love how the little closet is hidden. where did it come from?
Rebekah Preston says
I have seen MANY tiny homes, and this BY FAR is the nicest one. Loved your thorough tour as well! I would also love detailed info (I see other people asking) ps. I just like to tell where I saw this and it was on Pinterest!
karen says
are there any photos of the bathroom??
who built this for you??
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
More details coming soon.
Anna says
I've been researching tiny houses for a long time. Totally in love and want to go tiny. But the kitchen has been my problem. This solves that!! Would you be willing to share info on builder/plans/etc?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
More details coming soon.
Jean says
Thank you for sharing. I love it! The kitchen is so smart and I love the stairs as well. The overall layout is fantastic.
I would love some additional info, as others already requested, like more details, builder, etc.
Gabriele says
Hello, I've tried reading through the comments, but haven't found any replies regarding cost, plan, paint colors . . . am I missing something?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
More details coming soon.
Judy says
I love the floor plan would like plan on bath & laudary
Susie says
I have looked at ALOT of tiny homes and this is the first one that looks exactly like what I need! Would you mind sharing who your builder is? Thanks!
Kendra says
Hello, I am in love with the layout of your tiny house and also would love be to know if the plans are available to buy and, perhaps, who your builder is. Thanks!
Kathy says
SOLD!
I love it. Plans. Builder. Cost.
We'd be interested in knowing all three.
Thank you.
Devan says
I'm also one of those who want to know more about your tiny house design!!
JuliAnne Berry says
This. This THOW is behind a shadow of doubt my absolute favorite! I love your floor plan! My husband and I have a tiny home less than 270 square feet. It's basically a shed upgraded to a tiny home. We are fixing it up to sell and now I see what I really want. I'm so in love. thank you for sharing!
Ronea Fowler says
Where do you keep staples (flour, sugar, pulses, lentils, beans, canned) and other food items? This space is for a family of 4. I enjoyed the layout but also curious where everyone eats together?
Katie says
I love the paint color of your cabinets! Would you mind sharing the brand and name?
Many thanks!
Kellie says
I was also wondering who you worked with to build the tiny house! It is the best design and layout I've seen in my research. I would love to use this as insipirstipn for when we build our tiny house. Would you mind sharing what builder/company you worked with ? Thank you for sharing the beautiful home with us!
Tamari says
I would love to know this too
Michaela says
Me three
Julie says
Love your design! What fridge and couch do you have in your THOW? Also love your kitchen cabinets - where is the hardware from?
Maggie says
I love the design of your tiny house. My husband and I are planning on moving into a tiny house in the next year. Would you mind sharing who you worked with to build your THOW?