Tiny houses have conquered the hearts of many with their cute designs, simplicity, energy efficiency, and eco-friendliness. While most tiny home owners live alone or with their significant other, an increasing number of stunning tiny homes are designed with families and children in mind, which has given rise to a new era of "big” tiny homes.
This is a contemporary spin on the tiny house movement that merges the charm and allure of compact living with the spatial needs of growing families. When it comes to commodious dwellings on wheels that are genuinely comfortable for larger families, nothing beats New Zealand-designed models, and the new Kaka tiny home we're going to explore today is a great example.
Built by prestigious builder Ruru Tiny Homes, the Kaka model is a luxurious two-bedroom home on wheels that maximizes the available square footage and offers a large living space that allows the whole family to enjoy comfort and functionality.
Like most of the designs introduced by the New Zealand-based company, the Kaka is all about uninterrupted flow throughout the spaces, optimum airflow and luminosity, maximum comfort, and a deep connection with the surrounding nature. Designed with the lifestyle of the modern family in mind, the interior floorplan features a ground-floor bedroom, a spacious lofted bedroom, a generous open-plan lounge-kitchen area, and a gorgeous separated bathroom.
Photo: Ruru Tiny Homes
All this spaciousness is provided by the impressive dimensions of this not-so-tiny home, which is available in two sizes - 10x3 meters/32.8x9.8 feet or 12x3 meters/39.3x9.8 feet. It is one of the largest designs offered by the builder and is perfect for family life.
In terms of exterior design, the new Kaka model follows the same aesthetic as the rest of the Ruru's tinies, with superior AlpineClad siding painted with low VOC paint coupled with SIP structural roofing panels and trim finished in iron sand. All the materials are chosen to ensure durability and additional thermal qualities.
Some of the main highlights of New Zealand-designed tiny homes that make them so attractive to many include their minimalist Scandinavian decor, the high level of functionality, and their incredible outdoor-indoor flow that allows inhabitants to feel at one with their natural surroundings. Kaka ticks all these boxes with a cleverly configured floorplan, a slew of modern appliances, and not one but two large glass doors that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor areas and make the interior feel even bigger.
As you enter through the extra-wide glass entrance door, you are greeted by a massive open-plan lounge-kitchen area with a flexible layout. The kitchen location is customizable based on the owner's preference and can be positioned either under the stairs or at the end of the wall. The rest of the space can be fitted with a comfortable sofa, a coffee table, and an entertainment unit to turn it into a cozy social area for the entire family. There is also enough room left for a proper dining setup right in front of the sliding glass door, allowing home dwellers to dine with a view.
Regardless of its location, the kitchen comes equipped with wooden countertops (acacia or bamboo) and modern appliances ranging from a four-burner gas stove and an electric in-built oven to a large sink and a dishwasher. There is also ample space for a full-size refrigerator, but it's not included in the standard pricing.
Photo: Ruru Tiny Homes
An elegant staircase with glass railing that leads to the mezzanine acts as a divider between the open-plan social space and the more private areas on the ground floor - the bathroom and the bedroom, connected via a large hallway.
The downstairs bedroom is a private sanctuary of rest and relaxation and has a separate door for direct access from the outside. Though it's not very big, it easily fits a two-person bed, two side tables, and enough space to walk around. The strategic placement of the bed right in front of the glass door allows inhabitants to take in the beautiful views whenever they sit or lie on the bed.
The residential-size bathroom is stylish and fully equipped with a choice of toilet models, a full-size walk-in shower, a large vanity, and a dedicated space for a washer/dryer unit.
Photo: Ruru Tiny Homes
The loft inside Kaka is one of the largest we've seen in a tiny home and offers great flexibility. It lies above both the bathroom and the downstairs bedroom, occupying a generous 16-foot by 9.8-foot area. Considering its size, this space can be configured in various different ways to cater to the owner's needs. For instance, if you're a family with two kids, this room can be divided into two open-plan bedrooms to provide designated areas for each of them, with the center space acting as the playroom.
Alternatively, it can be configured as a master bedroom with a home office area by adding a desk and a chair. This way, you can create a peaceful space to work from home, away from the distractions you typically find in the main living areas. Another great idea would be to incorporate a dresser to make up for the relative lack of storage in the other areas of the house.
Like all of the models crafted by Ruru Tiny Homes, the Kaka tiny house relies on locally sourced materials, which makes it a sustainable housing solution. With extensive glazing throughout and a unique layout, this home on wheels feels much more spacious and comfortable than what you normally expect from a compact dwelling. Price-wise, the company offers the turnkey-ready version of Kaka for NZD $215,000 (USD $130,000), while a shell-stage option is available for NZD $163,500 (USD $95,300).
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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