Tiny houses are not a new idea but they have been picking up traction, despite deterrents like initial high cost, the issue of where to place them and long-term practicability of living in what is basically a giant RV that’s harder to haul around.
Tiny houses offer more independence than regular, non-movable abodes, and smaller costs. You can plop them anywhere it’s allowed, you can move from location to location if your work demands it, and you can (presumably) enjoy life better if you’re not suffocated among the clutter of a regular house or apartment.
In the UK, The Tiny Housing Co. is selling upscale interpretations of tiny houses, which blend practicability with efficiency and luxury. Their latest design is a good example of that, while also being one of the most beautiful tiny houses to enter the market. Oh, and it’s not really as tiny as you might imagine.
Photo: The Tiny Housing Co.
The first thing that stands out from the renders that accompanied this month’s announcement on the new Natura range is the fact that this thing is surprisingly tall. That’s because, at 3.95 meters (13 feet) high, it has a ground level and a loft that houses the sleeping area. So what you’re basically getting is a 2-level tiny home, which probably makes it harder to tow around but adds a considerable degree of comfort to living there on a daily basis.
The Natura is 7 meters (23 feet) long and offers 16.8 square meters (180 square feet) of total living space. Granted, it’s not a lot by the standards of a regular home, but space is maximized through the use of smart storage, with spaces dedicated to storage hidden under the stairs, under the bed or along the walls.
In this space, you get everything you need to live your life comfortably, with minimal expense and the smallest footprint on the environment: a fully-equipped kitchen, a living room with sofa and book case, TV and coffee table, a moderate-sized bathroom with shower, sink, toilet and vanity, and a bedroom that includes a king-sized bed. The kitchen comes stocked with a fridge and freezer, an oven and a burner and a breakfast bar.
Photo: The Tiny Housing Co.
Everything inside is elegant with a touch of minimalism. The designers promise luxury fittings and furnishes, so it won’t feel you’re compromising on quality when you opt for a smaller space.
You also get plenty of natural light thanks to expansive glazing and a manually-retractable deck (which also serves to expand the outdoor living space), water filtration and solar panels on the roof. The house sits on a triple-axle trailer and is clad in wood paneling and corkboard, which make it eco-friendly and perfect in terms of insulation. Rockwool and extruded polystyrene boards are also used for insulation, while an ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) helps remove excess humidity, filters and circulates the air while keeping the home warm.
“If you hadn’t guessed, we’ve aimed for this to be as natural as possible – using wood paneling on the exterior, a thick corkboard layer on the front to add a defining feature that doubles as a breathable, fire-retardant area by the bedroom,” the designers say. “Inside, we’ve paired the natural aesthetics of the exterior, with luxury fixtures and fittings – tons of light floods the rooms to ensure you feel like you’re practically outside.”
Photo: The Tiny Housing Co.
The standard version of Natura comes with a 1000W solar panel array on the roof, which can be upgraded to a 3,000W one for a charge. Inverter and battery banks are included in the offer. The latter option is part of the Eco Package and allows the owner to go off the grid for longer stretches. Also in this package is the extra option of a wood-burning stove with underfloor heating to further cut down utility bills.
The Tiny Housing Co. is now taking pre-orders on the Natura tiny home, with a £500 ($656) deposit, regardless of whether you opt for the Standard or the Eco Package. Speaking of which, one will set you back £49,999 ($65,624), while the Eco one is more expensive, at £54,999 ($72,187). Deliveries take place within three months after the build is commissioned, but shipping is limited to the UK only, for the time being.
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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