Warm Aesthetics and Modern Amenities Turn This Tiny Home Into a Private Haven on Wheels

Tiny houses aren't new, though; people have been living in compact dwellings for decades. But their popularity has skyrocketed in the last ten to fifteen years and shows no sign of abating. The high demand has led to a significant increase in the tiny house market in many parts of the world, and we could say people looking to downsize are now spoiled for choice.

Australia is one of the places where people strive for inexpensive housing and are choosing to simplify their lives, so the tiny movement continues to expand and innovate in this part of the world. Evergreen Homes Australia is one of the latest manufacturers we discovered, and their builds prove tiny homes are the embodiment of eco-conscious and sustainable living.

The Victoria-based small family business specializes in building traditional timber frames and tiny homes that look and feel like miniature versions of conventional homes. What makes them stand out from the crowd is the fact that they only use locally sourced, eco-friendly materials and incorporate renewable energy sources, allowing inhabitants to reach self-sufficiency.

Casuarina is one of the few standard models offered by the company. It is a single-level tiny that incorporates a great, functional design, plenty of charm, and high-end amenities, fixtures, and fittings. Built in conformity with Australian building codes and hand-finished to the highest standards, the Casuarina will help inhabitants to live a more simplified, less frantic life without compromising on comfort and style.

This compact home measures 8.4 meters (27.5 feet) in length and 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) in width, offering a total of 18 square meters (194 square feet) of living space. And though it only has one ground-floor bedroom, it can accommodate up to four people with the addition of a double fold-out couch in the living room.

The compact interior is surprisingly commodious, and the high ceilings, white walls, and the gamut of windows throughout have an almost magnifying effect, creating a sense of openness and spaciousness. Moreover, the open-plan layout allows for increased accessibility and ease of movement, while some of the company's signature features, like live-edge timber finishes and warming wood stoves, create a welcoming ambiance.

For increased comfort and convenience despite the reduced square footage, Evergreen Homes also fitted this home with some luxury amenities, including the aforementioned wood fire, a breakfast bar, a European-style glass shower, a skylight in the bedroom, and modern appliances in the kitchen.

While these modern-day features, combined with the minimalist interior, create a contemporary look, details like discreet timber beams, wood shelves, barn-style doors, and live-edge countertops add a tinge of rustic aesthetic into the mix.

A sliding double glass door leads inside the open-plan kitchen, living, and dining space and ensures enough natural light gets in. A fold-out sofa is strategically placed in front of the entrance door to allow inhabitants to take in the surrounding views while relaxing after a long day, while a cast iron fireplace keeps them warm during colder months.

The stylish kitchen has white under-counter and overhead cabinets that offer oodles of storage space for all your cooking essentials. Various modern appliances, ranging from a four-burner gas cooktop and full-size electric oven to a single-drawer dishwasher and full-size fridge with freezer, ensure it is fully functional.

The bedroom is next to the living area and looks just like those you can find in conventional houses, with full-standing height and enough room for a queen-size bed, nightstand, and built-in wardrobe.

Casuarina's bathroom can be found on the opposite end of the house and surprises with its spaciousness and modern design. Fitted with a glass-enclosed full-size shower cabin, a compost toilet with sub-floor chamber, a large vanity, and a washing machine, this bathroom caters to all your sanitary needs.

The exterior of the house is also modern, clad in a combination of metal siding and local timber weatherboard. Earth wool insulation, black aluminum windows and doors, a 5kW Split System for air conditioning, an electric water heater, and LED lighting further contribute to a high-quality of downsized life.

Casuarina is also wired for solar, which means future owners can easily install a solar array and live off the grid in a more environmentally sustainable way.

Evergreen Homes' tiny house models are high-end, and the company is willing to modify and adapt the Casuarina design to suit the customer's lifestyle. They are also open to working within the client's parameters, which means they can also create designs that cater to budget-conscious homeowners.