One plus one equals two, but two Bohos equals a full-size family home with a very surprising feature in that every unit is self-contained. This is the world's first duplex tiny home, according to builder Escape Tiny Homes.
Escape Tiny Homes is a U.S.-based tiny house builder that's been around for years, even earning the unofficial title of having the "world’s most beautiful tiny home" in their Escape Vista model, a tiny house designed with expansive glazing that warrants the "Vista" name. The Vista Boho, or the Boho for short, is their most popular model: a compact, highly mobile, and minimalist-looking unit designed for tiny living on a budget.
For all the advantages and benefits of downsizing and tiny living, it still requires a considerable initial investment. Tiny houses are cheaper than brick-and-mortar homes (doh), but for the compact footprint they offer, they're still regarded as expensive. This one builder seems to have found the middle way, to offer a wide range of options and prices, which makes its units suitable for all budgets.
On the very crowded market of tiny houses, Escape Tiny Homes has been able to stand out with units like the Boho, which sit on dual-axle trailers and put an emphasis on functionality and affordability. Styling is inspired by Scandinavian minimalism, which made a partnership with Ikea in 2020 a most organic development.
Photo: Escape Tiny Homes
Common sense says that two nice things make for an even nicer whole, and that's probably what Escape is thinking hoping. Their latest model is not a new unit but rather an upgrade to an existing one. It's also an experiment they want to test out in their tiny house development in Tampa Bay, Florida. Called the Boho Duplex, it's a tiny house made up of two Bohos, with an extra foot (0.3 meters) in width to allow for an even more generous interior volume.
The Boho Duplex, shown in detail in the video below, is 42 feet (12.8 meters) in total length and offers sleeping for four people in maximum comfort and on a permanent basis, but could sleep four more people on occasion. It also offers double everything, from kitchen to bathroom, lounge and dining area, and, of course, living space. That's because the Duplex is two units joined together, but without any communication between the units inside.
You'd expect something called a Duplex to be a single unit, but Escape is going against expectations here. The Boho Duplex is made up of two self-contained units, which would work wonderfully in terms of privacy – say, for example, in the case of a family with older children or when living with the in-laws. Such a solution also has considerable advantages when it comes to transport because you'd be towing two compact tinies instead of a single extra-long one that might require special permits.
Photo: Escape Tiny Homes
The layout of each unit is the standard Boho one and can probably be customized like one, including finishes, layout specifics, and appliances. The one-off unit has an exterior with cedar siding and metal paneling over an all-white interior meant to make the space feel airier.
At one end of the trailer is the queen-size bed with integrated storage, while the living and dining area is located in the middle. The famous Escape two-panel flip table is there, ready for double service as a dining table or home office, and to be tucked down and out of sight when not in use. Also here is a small extending couch.
The kitchen is compact but packed with all the necessary appliances for everyday living: a large fridge and freezer unit, a washer and dryer tucked neatly under the induction cooktop, and a microwave on the floating shelf that goes all around the tiny home – another Escape staple element. The kitchen also features a large stainless steel sink and enough countertop and storage space to allow proper meal prep.
Photo: Escape Tiny Homes
The bathroom is also on the smaller side to make room for a full-size wardrobe right at the entrance. Small as it might be, it still offers a one-piece full shower, a flushing toilet, the teeniest-tiniest sink with vanity, and a large wall mirror (in addition to a full-height mirror outside on the door). The wraparound floating shelf extends into the bathroom to make the most of available space and provide storage options.
No word yet on the pricing of the Duplex, but Escape speaks of plans to build more units if there's interest in this experimental one. If there is, we'll get more more details on availability and pricing soon. As a reference point, the standard Boho starts at $49,877 and offers 187 square feet (17.3 square meters) of living space. If you double that area by joining two Bohos together, you're looking at $100K, at the very least.
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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