Sonnenschein Tiny Home Seems To Have Been Built by an Expert on Savvy Storage

New Zealand-based tiny house manufacturer Build Tiny is one of the companies that succeeds in creating satisfying living experiences in less than 400 square feet of space. An excellent example is the Sonnenschein model - a spacious and storage-friendly design that allows its inhabitants to live in utmost comfort and style.

Build Tiny has been in the micro-dwelling business since 2017, and their expert team has crafted numerous thoughtful and functional designs that fit very diverse lifestyles. The Sonnenschein tiny house is as innovative and practical as every other model before it but stands out through the impressive amount of storage space it offers despite the petite size.

Based on a double-axle trailer, this compact home was custom-built for a client who requested increased functionality and comfort. It features a steel frame, and the exterior is finished in blue vinyl siding. For the interior, the owner wanted a natural feel and chose poplar core plywood for the walls and ceilings, complemented by a floor laid with cork tiles. Natural paints and oils were used throughout.

The layout is designed to accommodate a couple or a small family, comprising a living room, a fully-functional kitchen, a bathroom, and two lofts, only one of which functions as a bedroom.

In a compact home like Sonnenschein, which measures just 23.5 feet long (7.2 meters), even the smallest items seem to take up a lot of space. That’s why it's crucial to efficiently use every nook and cranny. By incorporating clever storage solutions, Build Tiny offers homeowners the possibility to keep their living space tidy and organized. And a tidy home also helps highlight the overall aesthetic and design.

Besides the usual cabinets, drawers, and shelves you expect to see in a tiny house, Sonnenschein also has under-the-sofa storage and some overhead storage lockers in the living room, a storage-integrated staircase, and a modern cube storage unit in the bedroom. This means inhabitants of this tiny dwelling don’t have to cut off personal belongings like clothes, equipment, books, and other accessories.

All areas of the house are versatile and highly functional, and you’ll notice this right after you enter through the full-light door. You’re first welcomed into a small but cozy living room that is furnished with a sofa that extends into a double bed. Besides functioning as a second sleeping area when needed, the couch has two large storage drawers where the owner can stow away larger items. There is also a small swivel table attached to the sofa that can be used as work surface, plus the aforementioned overhead lockers.

A compact wood-burning stove next to the entrance door ensures harsh winter days still feel warm and cozy. Above the living room, you’ll find a small loft dedicated to storage that can be accessed by a removable wooded ladder with alternating treads. The builder included two cleats for the ladder, so owners can reach both sides of the loft with ease.

The open-plan main floor also includes the minimalist yet functional kitchen, which is equipped with a gas oven and range with a venting hood, a dishwasher, a sink, and a fridge. Clever space management allowed the builder to integrate a pull-out pantry and the fridge into the staircase. Slide-out drawers offer extra counter space for cooking, and a custom chipping board insert fits perfectly over the sink.

Further into the home, we find the white-tiled bathroom, which offers plenty of room to move around and can also be used as laundry. It includes a full-size shower, a composting toilet, a wash basin, and a washer/dryer combo unit, plus more storage space for your essentials.

Though there are two lofts in this tiny home, only one of them serves as a bedroom. It is longer than most lofts, and the extra length at the foot of the bed is used to fit yet another storage unit that also serves as a partial privacy wall.

The bedroom can be reached via a storage-integrated staircase and includes a comfortable queen bed for two. The walking platform next to the bed allows inhabitants to stand up next to the bed. A small skylight opens up the possibility for stargazing and fills the room with natural light.

With the Sonnenschein design, Build Tiny has managed to cleverly make use of every inch and offer storage galore in a small footprint. Back in 2019, when it was built, this tiny home on wheels cost approximately $136,000 NZD (~$84,000 USD) and was delivered as a turnkey model, so the price also included the appliances.