Derek, who is 25 years old, lives in a small but nicely made house in Washington. He moved in after finishing cooking school and wants to go to college for teaching young children. Living in this small house lets him live alone, simply, and without spending too much money.
He got the idea after watching a TV show called Tiny House Nation. Derek thought if he could live comfortably in a bedroom, a small house would feel even better. And he was right! He started looking for people who could build it for him.
He chose a company called Big Freedom Tiny Homes. It’s a small workshop in Bellingham, Washington, run by a person named Shannon Black. Shannon is known for his careful work and for making each house by hand, one at a time. Derek picked a layout that is 28 feet long.
In his house, the living room is under a loft where he stores things. The low ceiling makes it feel cozy, but big windows in the corners make it feel open. The entryway and sitting area have a high ceiling, making it feel spacious. Derek made the living room feel separate by using a big rug.
Derek loves to cook, so he likes having a lot of space in his kitchen. There are shelves next to the sink that are built into the back of the stairs. Normally, tiny house stairs only have storage on the front and sides, so this is a nice feature. Derek can wash, dry, and put away dishes easily.
He also has a laundry room where he can wash, dry, and fold clothes. There are pocket doors that separate this area from the kitchen and bathroom. In there, he has a small washer and dryer on one side and his clothes closet on the other, hidden behind folding doors.
Derek’s tiny house cost $85,000 when he bought it a few years ago. He feels lucky that his family could help him pay for it. He wants to save money to buy land in the future. Eventually, Derek wants to build a bigger house without borrowing money, while still living in his tiny house.
