There are many tiny houses out there that prove you can live large in a small footprint, and the Arbutus is one of them. Although on the smaller side at just 24 feet long, this tiny home on wheels feels a lot bigger thanks to its carefully designed interior and is perfect for a single individual or couple who wants to embrace a lifestyle defined by flexibility, freedom, and adventure.
Designed and built by Artelle Tiny Homes, a Canadian company located on Galiano Island between Vancouver Island and British Columbia's mainland, the Arbutus strikes a perfect balance between style and functionality and proves that a smaller abode doesn't have to mean lower standards of living. It comes with all the conveniences you typically find in contemporary brick-and-mortar homes while also offering all the coveted benefits of mobile living.
Artelle Tiny Homes is a relatively new player in the tiny living industry, and it focuses on crafting sustainable and eco-friendly dwellings that enable a comfortable minimalist lifestyle. The Arbutus model is one of their latest creations and comes with a sturdy construction, a modern exterior, and a cozy and practical interior.
This mobile home sits on a double-axle Transport Canada Certified trailer with leveling jacks on all four corners and is 24 feet (7.3 meters) long, 8 feet 6 inches (2.6 meters) wide, and 13 feet 6 inches (4.11 meters) tall. With its compact footprint and a total weight of 14,000 pounds (6.35 tons), this unit is easy to tow, which means it allows for a truly mobile lifestyle.
Photo: Artelle Tiny Homes
Arbutus's exterior is refined with horizontal Western red cedar siding, coupled with standing seam metal roofing for durable construction, and large windows ensure the interior is bright and airy during the day. Built to allow dwellers to thrive in the Canadian weather, this home on wheels is not only structurally rigid but also tightly insulated and completely waterproof.
The 280 square feet (26 square meters) of available living space is thoughtfully divided between a large living room, a compact yet fully functional kitchen, a separate bathroom, and a sleeping loft. The simple layout of this home is one of its main assets, as it allows for a seamless transition between functional spaces and makes tiny living a hassle-free experience. The main floor boasts an open-plan configuration, with the only separate space being the bathroom, and is entirely used for the daily living space, which makes sense in such a compact footprint.
A full-light door welcomes you in an elegant living room fitted with a comfy pull-out couch and a couple of side tables. A large window floods this space with natural light and invites the beauty of the outdoors inside. It's the perfect setting for both relaxing alone after a long day and hosting friends for a dinner party.
Photo: Artelle Tiny Homes
The kitchen showcases handcrafted cabinetry and a beautiful acacia wood countertop, and though there are no overhead cabinets, there is enough storage space for cooking essentials. When it comes to appliances, you get a modern stainless steel sink, a four-burner gas cooktop, a range hood, and space for a refrigerator.
A nice breakfast bar/dining table and two chairs under a large window make the connection between the kitchen and the lounge. It's certainly built with multi-functionality in mind, as it can also double as a workspace. This type of setup is a favorite of those who work from home, and it also appeals to folks who want to feel more connected to their surroundings.
The bathroom inside Arbutus is spacious enough to include all the basics and boasts a modern design. The builders wanted to make sure that owners would still be able to enjoy all the comforts of a traditional home, so they included a huge tiled shower, a flush or composting toilet, and a cute vanity with live-edge maple top, an elegant oval vessel sink, and a custom medicine cabinet. Rough-ins for a washer/dryer unit and an indoor propane tankless water heater are also part of the design.
Photo: Artelle Tiny Homes
The only bedroom inside this home is a cozy 9-foot-deep lofted space with a half wall for protection. A sleek staircase with box-shaped steps and integrated storage connects the main floor with the loft bedroom. Though it's a typical tiny home loft, this sleeping space offers ample headroom and two windows to ensure it feels bright and airy. It is spacious enough for a queen-size bed, with plenty of room left to also add a couple of nightstands and even some custom storage solutions.
Reflecting the company's commitment to quality and sustainability, the interior boasts luxurious vinyl flooring, tongue and groove wood paneling on the walls, low-VOC paints, and wood detailing inspired by the Pacific West Coast. High-efficiency LED lights are fitted throughout, and a 6-speed ceiling fan and electric wall heaters are also part of the design.
With its focus on practicality and comfort, the Arbutus model by Artelle Tiny Homes is a great housing solution for anyone looking to downsize without giving up on modern creature comforts. Pricing for this new model starts at CAD $109,900 (around US$148,500).
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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