Step Inside One of the Best Family Tiny Homes, Packed With Smart Solutions

This Kiwi tiny house builder built its impressive reputation on a series of cleverly designed models that became platforms for unique, custom-built homes on wheels. Every dwelling brought to life by Build Tiny is a masterpiece of custom design, incorporating unexpected perks and unusual features. Horton is no exception – designed and built for a family of three, this two-loft model has its quirky secrets that maximize functionality and add character.

The most unusual feature inside the Horton Tiny is the double lounge; when you walk inside the home, what you first see is a classic living room setup with a cozy sofa and coffee tables facing the glass sliding doors. Behind a partial wall, you'll discover a second section with a built-in bench by the window and lots of room for storage underneath. What's cool about Horton is this wasn't a planned idea. In fact, it's the result of a change of plans.

Horton's owners initially wanted a solar system, which is why the house was built with an exterior storage compartment for all the equipment. They changed their minds along the way, which left the lounge with an unusual nook and an exterior cabinet. It all worked out great in the end, as the lockable compartment became a food place to store things outside the home, while the nook was used to provide additional, comfy seating in the lounge.

Other clever design hacks are revealed in the kitchen area. If the countertop seems really tiny, don't worry: what looks like a regular cubby underneath is actually a smart, wheeled storage unit designed to fit perfectly as a countertop extension. It is as if, by magic, you get a bigger cooking surface without actually taking up additional space. And there's one more important benefit: the main idea was to have a mobile storage unit that could be easily removed during travel to keep the home's overall weight to a minimum.

For a tiny house that's only eight meters long (26 feet), Horton packs loads of storage in this compact kitchen area. On one side, you have full-size appliances (including the washing machine that didn't fit inside the bathroom) and traditional drawers; on the other side, you'll find recessed shelves (a clever way to increase storage without requiring more floorspace) and a staircase with lots of hidden drawers and cabinets, including two tiny pull-out pantries.

The staircase leads to the parents' bedroom with a beautiful open-work protection wall that allows light to peak through. Loft bedrooms aren't always comfortable, but this one does a good job of recreating the cozy, functional layout of a traditional bedroom. In addition to the queen-sized bed platform, it boasts generous, versatile storage. You'll find a full-height wardrobe next to large shelves above the bed. This bedroom is easy to reach thanks to the staircase, is private enough due to the protection wall, and is also bathed in natural light, which makes it seem bigger and more open.

The loft mirroring the parents’ room was specifically designed to become a cozy and safe children's room. At the time of the build, Horton's owners had one child, so the room was fitted with one bed, but there was enough space for two. A full-height, custom-made pine wall kept the space contained while still letting the light come through.

Two beautiful big windows also ensured plenty of luminosity during the day. This room came with its own custom storage in the form of bins conveniently tucked behind the barrier. In terms of access, a ladder with alternating treads was added instead of a second staircase in order to free up space for the downstairs lounge.

What makes this custom tiny home even more impressive is that all of these cool features were cleverly integrated despite the space limitations. We're talking about a house that is less than ten meters (32.8 feet) in length and has the standard 2.4-meter (7.8 feet) width. This would typically be enough only for a single owner or a couple. Still, with its ingenious hacks and hidden functionality, the Horton Tiny made it work even for a small family.

Like most Build Tiny creations, Horton added sustainable choices wherever possible (such as the composting toilet) coupled with high-quality ruggedness (although unremarkable aesthetically speaking, this home's vinyl cladding came with a 50-year warranty). As with any house on wheels meant for long-term accommodation, Horton was also fully insulated and fitted with double-glazed windows.

Although it was completed back in 2019, this Kiwi tiny house still boasts one of the most innovative, practical layouts when it comes to family mobile homes. Like most Build Tiny designs, it may look simple on the outside, but it's a treasure trove when it comes to efficiency and functionality.