Sometimes, it must be nice to have everything within reach. It must be even better to have the entire home within reach while knowing that you can simply hook it up to your pickup truck and set off to whatever destination with it in tow.
For those for whom size isn't everything and material possessions mean close to nothing, the tiny house movement must feel like heaven-sent. The "trend" of downsizing is very popular right now, but it got its start in the early 2000s as certain financial and environmental issues took center stage, forcing younger homeowners to seek alternative housing that would be cheaper and more sustainable.
Today, tiny houses and mobile homes are in very high demand for the same reasons, to which we can add the desire to spend more time outdoors. Remote working has helped with that, spanning a new generation of digital nomads who divide their time between work and leisure, seemingly without a clear demarcation between the two.
The bottom line is that tiny houses are having a moment, and it doesn't look like the bubble is ready to burst anytime soon. From the smallest units on single-axle trailers (and even models you can tow by electric bicycle) to oversize park models, tiny houses come in all shapes and sizes for all budgets. If you're considering such a transition, you're truly spoiled for choice.
Photo: Treehab Tiny Houses
Today, we're looking at a tiny that's more in keeping with the original approach to downsizing. Whereas park model tinies are very popular in North America, people living in countries like France, the UK, or Australia seem to prefer smaller units. The Tea Tree tiny is a good example of that.
This is the smallest model from the lineup of Australian builder Treehab Tiny Houses, with the standard unit sitting on a double-axle trailer measuring just 5 meters (16.4 feet) in length. There's the option to add one extra meter (3.2 feet) to the trailer, but even in that case, it's wee small in comparison to most tinies out there.
The Tea Tree home offers 16 square meters (172 square feet) of living surface (or 18.5 square meters/199 square feet in the extended version) in a single-level layout, so there are no lofts, no storage cubbies hidden from sight, and no sleeping spaces under the staircase.
Photo: Treehab Tiny Houses
This means that it's very compact, to the point of constricting, so it's forced to use smart design to make the most of the space.
The number one trick to make this tiny home feel like a proper home is limiting occupancy to a maximum of two people. The Tea Tree is designed to travel everywhere with the owner or owners, so you get no makeshift guest bedroom – or, for that matter, no living room for chilling or entertaining.
All unessential spaces are cut out, from hallways to lounge areas, so you only get a bedroom, a kitchen with an attached dining corner, and a bathroom. When the focus is on spending more time outdoors, it feels rather pointless to create entertaining spaces inside. Just take the party outside and enjoy whatever scenery is around you, right?
This is where expansive glazing also comes in handy. That's the second "trick" used here, with the builder opting for double-glazed picture windows to frame the bed, large windows in the kitchen, and a sliding door that takes up an entire wall. The goal is obvious: whatever window doesn't open to erase the boundaries with the outdoors will let natural night shine in. You shouldn't feel cramped in a brightly-lit, airy space.
Photo: Treehab Tiny Houses
Hopefully, this will also make up for the inconvenience of cooking and eating in your bedroom. The single-block kitchen is located in the middle of the home, and the counter extension that doubles as a dining area actually extends over the bed. You can add a wooden bench here optionally to create a more living room-like space.
As small as it is, the kitchen should be enough for a couple of unpretentious travelers. You get a two-burner gas cooktop, a small fridge, a deep sink, and plenty of storage options. Unless your idea of fun involves cooking three-course meals, it should do just fine.
At the opposite end of the trailer is the bathroom, specced with a small shower, a toilet, and a sink with a floating vanity. It's actually big compared to what we've seen in other tiny houses.
To keep the weight of the tiny on par with its size, Treehab uses a Trucore steel frame. Insulation is "sustainable and recycled," so with a comfy home regardless of temperatures, you also get the nice buzz of knowing that you're helping the planet.
Photo: Treehab Tiny Houses
The Tea Tree tiny house is the closest thing to the original meaning of tiny living: incredibly compact and low maintenance, it puts the focus back on downsizing and a smaller carbon footprint. This is its strongest selling point, but if you're the type used with a certain degree of comfort around the home, it's also its biggest disadvantage. This is the kind of tiny home only passionate travelers could feel comfortable in.
The Tea Tree tiny starts at AUD84,990, which is a hair under US$55,400 at the current exchange rate. The standard spec doesn't include exterior cladding options, the bench, or rigging the home for future off-grid use.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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