The Gables Tiny Home Is a Lesson in Japanese Minimalism and Refinement

This 32-foot (9.7-meter) compact dwelling is a custom design crafted by Nomad Tiny Homes, an Austin, Texas-based family-owned business that started its journey into tiny home building in 2016. They focus mainly on tailor-made mini-houses that reflect their owners' personalities and lifestyles. All of their designs stand out through sophisticated aesthetics, high quality, and functionality.

Japanese minimalism has often been described as the art of abstaining from unnecessary things and can teach people who decide to downsize how to adopt a more intentional lifestyle. Embracing tiny living, on the other hand, is synonymous with embracing a simpler lifestyle. Since tiny homes offer limited living space, tiny dwellers will naturally have to declutter and only keep those material possessions that they truly need. That's why these two concepts are a match made in heaven.

Just look at the Gables tiny home. Stepping inside this dwelling gives you an incredible feeling of liberation, partly due to the contemporary open-plan layout and minimalist interior and partly to the oversized windows that make you feel like you are a part of nature.

Built on a double-axle trailer, this home takes its name from the peculiar gable-style roof with dormers that enhance its curb appeal. The sleek exterior is clad in Shou Sugi Ban wood (burned cedar), a low maintenance, exceptionally durable, and sustainable material with an intriguing charred appearance that highlights natural wood veining and creates textural interest. The company also offers the option of stained pine siding for this model.

The interior of the Gables tiny house demonstrates that you don't need to own a log cabin to feel like you're living in one. With all the walls and ceilings clad in horizontally installed tongue and groove cedar planks, this home exudes rustic vibes with a warm and calm atmosphere.

Though dominated by minimalism and clean aesthetics, the interior is highly functional and versatile, with a spacious layout optimized to accommodate a small family. The floorplan is incredibly open, with the only spaces confined behind doors being the bathroom and the storage space beneath the staircase. This gives the home depth and creates a seamless flow between all the functional areas. Even the two sleeping lofts are open to the downstairs area, with minimal railing for protection.

As you enter through the full-light door, you are welcome into a beautiful kitchen that balances simplicity, subtlety, and natural elements. To continue the Japanese design inspiration, the builders created a cooking space that is void of clutter and overt decoration. A few cabinets offer storage space, complemented by a few open shelves for cups and plates. However, the stripped-down design doesn't mean you have to compromise on functionality, as this kitchen is well accoutered with an induction cooktop, an oven, an apron sink, and a full-size fridge.

Surrounded on three sides by windows, the living room occupies the rear end of the house and is a space for relaxation as much as it is for socializing and entertainment. A simple yet comfortable couch and a couple of pillows give the space a quiet, meditative feel, inviting you to wind down and take in the surrounding views.

Between the lounge and the kitchen, there is a versatile dining area with an unusually long breakfast bar placed under a panoramic window. It can comfortably be used by at least two people and can easily double as a workspace.

The sleeping spaces inside this micro-home are your typical crawling lofts, but they stand out through the warm ambiance and open design. Of course, if you don't need the extra bedroom, one of the lofts can be used for storing larger personal belongings.

The staircase leading to the main loft is another ingenious feature of this home. While most storage-integrated staircases have drawers and cabinets, the designers of Gables opted for a walk-in closet under the stairs with a full door at the back offering access inside.

The bathroom is next to the kitchen and is surprisingly stylish. As you would expect from a tiny home, it's compact but beautifully designed and highly functional, with a tiled walk-in shower, a toilet, a large vanity for storage, and a counter-integrated sink. There is also additional storage for towels and toiletries next to the shower stall.

Apart from minimalist decor and furnishings, another way to achieve the Japanese design aesthetic is through the use of natural lighting. As a result, the Gables model includes oodles of windows that allow plenty of sunlight to flood the interior. Another perk of the extensive glazing is that residents can connect with their surroundings regardless of where they are inside the house.

With its peaceful simplicity and unpretentious interior style, the Gables tiny home is perfect for those who want to take a step back, reprioritize, and enjoy the simpler things in life.