This Compact Tiny House Is Proof That Downsizing Can Be Both Affordable and Stylish

One way to work around that would be to go for the most compact model because, like with traditional housing, the smaller the square footage, the smaller the price. Another way would be to find builders that put the focus on high quality materials and solid workmanship, so that at least you get all the bang for your buck.

Swedish tiny house builder Vagabond Haven meets both these requirements, which probably explains why it's so popular, especially on the Old Continent. Vagabond Haven focuses on sustainable and sustainably-built, compact tiny houses with or without off-grid capabilities, at affordable rates. The trade-off is that customization options are fewer – or none with certain units – and options are limited.

But everything in life is about prioritization and compromising. This is all the more apparent in the case of tiny living, where the new lifestyle has to check so many, apparently contradictory boxes.

Tiny houses have been around for decades, but the boom in popularity is quite recent. Over the past five years or so, we've seen tinies take the spotlight, fueling a genuine cultural trend with their multiple benefits. These range from a lowered carbon footprint and reduced monthly costs to a high degree of mobility, their affordable pricing (compared to traditional housing options, that is), and the fact that they allow for intentional living.

Tiny houses are all these things, but the reality is that, compared to other mobile living options, they're still priced too high.

Smile is closer to the "affordable" descriptor than most tinies out there – and definitely more so than the blown-up park models that are more like mini-mansions on wheels. It's the latest model from Vagabond Haven, and it delivers the same features on which the company has built a reputation: compactness, sustainability, affordability, and high quality.

Smile 431, as it goes by its official name, is a standard single-loft tiny house built on top of a dual-axle custom trailer.

It's built with a steel frame for maximum durability, and it's very compact at 7.2 meters (23.6 feet) long, 3 meters (9.8 feet) wide, and 4 meters (13 feet) high. Its dimensions also make it highly mobile and towable without special permits, which is pretty much the point with a tiny house: it should allow you to relocate whenever you feel like it.

Offering an interior layout of 25 square meters (269 square feet), Smile is compact on the inside, as well. Obviously.

It still offers all the basic features for a comfortable life on the road, from a full kitchen, a full bathroom, a bedroom, and a living room that integrates a dining area. Since we're talking about a tiny house, these are "areas" and not actual rooms, so you should expect them to bear no definite division and to be defined by their functionality only.

Vagabond Haven uses Scandinavian design for all its builds, which means simple, functional, and elegant layouts and finishes that create cozy spaces without adding clutter. Scandinavian styling is more than an approach to interior design; it's the belief that a certain type of nature-inspired minimalism favors intentional living. As such, it's the perfect pairing for tiny living.

In the case of the Smile model, this means the use of spruce for the wall paneling (both inside and out) and the floors, combined with white fixtures and appliances, and white or neutral-colored furniture and cabinetry. The result is a soothing, welcoming space that could serve as a permanent home for a couple – preferably without kids or pets, given all the white around.

The Smile tiny is built for year-round use, with mineral wool for insulation, tempered glass door, two-pane PVC windows, and air-to-air heat pump for those cold days and nights. It comes standard with a two-burner induction cooktop and extractor hood, plenty of storage options in the kitchen, and room for a small fridge. The bathroom features a shower stall, a flushing toilet, and a sink with vanity.

The tiny features LED lights throughout and hooks up to the grid with RV-style connections.

Compared to larger models, the Smile might seem lacking in features and amenities (no washer/dryer and definitely no dishwasher!), but what it lacks in this department, it makes up for in mobility. The builder hopes attractive pricing also helps: this unit, which is available for shipping as of this writing, costs €34,500 (approximately $37,000 at the current exchange rate) before taxes and shipping.

Even when you add taxes and the shipping fee, you still have a tiny house that puts competitors to shame, both in terms of styling and pricing. It's ok if you're not on the market for a new house, tiny or not, because this isn't an ad. The Smile tiny also serves as proof that not all tiny houses are priced shamelessly just because they're popular right now.