RSS FeedSmall Homes
Books:
500 Ideas for Small Spaces
This book is essentially a visual dictionary of small space design ideas organized by subject. All text is written in English, French, and German and it’s pretty apparent the original language was not English. This book is a fun read for the translations alone
A Little House of My Own
This book provides pictures and information on 43 small homes of varying types. Great for inspiration and entertaining reading.
A Place of My Own: The Education of an Amateur Builder
A lyrically written account of a writer, with no building experience, who decides to build his own writing studio.
A Room of One’s Own
I’m a woman and a writer and I’ve frequently wished for my own space with a door from which to create. I don’t care if she drowned herself. It’s going to end up on my list of inspiration. Deal.
A Tiny House to Call Your Own: Living Well in Just Right Houses
Written by people involved with the Tiny House Company. Focuses mainly on the benefits of “small” living.
Decorating Your First Apartment by Karen Fisher
Out of print but probably my all-time favorite book on interior design for small spaces.
How to Live in Small Spaces: Design, Furnishing, Decoration and Detail for the Smaller Home by Terence Conran
While this looks like a coffee table picture book and contains lots of fantastic photography, it also contains a great deal of practical advice on small space living. This is probably one of my favorite books on the subject.
Living Big in Small Apartments by James Grayson Truelove
This is a essentially a picture book of several high-end small spaces. There are some interesting ideas in here and the photography is spectacular. I’d recommend checking this one out at your library.
Little Retreats
Another photo collection of pictorial inspiration.
Little House on a Small Planet: Simple Homes, Cozy Retreats, and Energy Efficient Possibilities
As far as I’m concerned this is THE bible on simple housing. If you can only afford one book on the subject, this is the one I’d recommend. It will be on my keeper shelf for a long time to come. (And thanks to Ms. Salomon, that’s a much smaller shelf.)
Living Small: The Life of Small Houses
Provides an interesting history of the evolution of American architecture. Also has a lot of practical suggestions for designing a small, functional, modern home.
Small Spaces for Modern Living by Caroline Atkins
Contains lots of very practical ideas for small space living, along with wonderful photography. I actually purchased a copy of this book for my “keeper” collection on the subject after checking it out at the library
The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live
While I agree totally with Ms. Susanka’s premise that we should design homes for the way we actually live rather than get stuck in tradition, her designs are still a bit grandiose for the way I, personally, want to live. Her books provide a great deal of food for thought, though, and they are beautifully photographed.
Portable Houses
Another resource on stimulating out-of-the-box thinking on home design.
Put Your Life on a Diet: Lessons Learned from Living in 140 Square Feet
This is a wonderful little book detailing Mr. Johnson’s experiences living in the Mobile Hermitage, the Tumbleweed Tiny Home he built for himself. This book gives a lot of useful food for thought for anyone considering small-space living including chapters on downscaling physical possesions, personal health, ecological health, and greening your home. My copy of this book is filled with notes of things to keep in mind while rebuilding my little space
The Small House Book (vol. 1-3) by Jay Shafer
At roughly 3 x 5″ inches apiece, these are more pamphlets than books. However, they contain some great design information for people considering building a tiny house.
The Tiny Book of Tiny Houses
A small photo collection of tiny homes including George Shaw’s writing hut and Thoreau’s Walden.
The Very Small Home: Japanese Ideas for Living Well in Limited Space
This contains gorgeous photos and lots of blueprint designs.
Tumbleweed Tiny Houses Portfolio of Homes by Jay Shafer
While Mr. Shafer is probably best known for his 120 square feet designs (and under), this book contains designs up to 770 square feet, which might appeal to couples or families.
Walden
Oh, come on! You can’t possibly seriously consider moving into a small home and NOT read Walden. Sheesh.
Online Groups, Blogs, and Websites:
The Not So Big House
The website of Susan Susanka, architect and author of the Not So Big House series.
The Small House Society Online
Provides a very good collection of information for people trying to learn about small home design. The people involved with this site are deluged by requests from the media. Please take the time to read what they’ve made available online before pestering them for info.
Shedworking
A UK small home Blog with lots of great ideas.
The Small House Society Yahoo Group
An active discussion list of people interested in small home design.
The Tiny Houses Yahoo Group
The other list I’ve found of people interested in small home design. This list seems to draw a least a segment of people who are interested in radically small designs (120 square feet and under).
Builders and Design Plans:
Arlington Frame Company
Cusato Cottages
Initially designed as housing Katerina refugees, these are gaining a following amongst fans of small home design. You can actually buy kits now for your very own Cusato Cottage from Lowes.
HabitaFlex
I wouldn’t have believed this one until I saw the video. It’s a foldable, transportable small home.
The Martin House Company, LLC
One of the lesser-known builders of tiny homes. To my eye, these are beautifully crafted. I’m in serious lust with their wooden shower.
The Tiny House Company
Builders of the famous “Little gray cottage” featured frequently in the news. Probably second in press coverage only behind Tumbleweed.
Tiny Texas Houses
These incorporate salvaged historical elements in some beautiful ways.
Tumbleweed Tiny House Company
Perhaps the best-known of the Tiny House builders. Jay Shafer, the owner, has been interviewed extensively and appeared on programs such as Oprah.
Great Examples of Small Architecture:
b0ttleman’s granny house
A 400-square foot garage conversion
Jay Shafer’s Weebee
This is probably my favorite of Mr. Shafer’s small home designs.
Jim Reed’s ShelterOne
A 100 x 100 foot home in San Francisco. The computer area is a little claustrophobic for me but, otherwise, this has some neat features.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.