Vintage-Style Tiny House Naivasha Is Full of Charm and Repurposed Items

Naivasha is no longer than six meters (19.6 feet), which puts it in the compact tiny house category. Still, it can accommodate up to three guests, and it was designed from the start to be operated as an Airbnb.

Far from the ultra-clean aesthetics of many contemporary designs and the classic Scandinavian-inspired models, Naivasha takes us back to the charm of cozy wooden cabins in the forest. On the other hand, it's purely contemporary through its consistent use of old, converted pieces of furniture instead of brand-new items. Sustainability and circular economy are important topics right now, as well as major trends when it comes to tiny living.

Vintage enthusiasts are sure to fall in love with this quaint house on wheels built in Tasmania. It immediately catches the eye with its burnt Cedar cladding and pitch roof – both elements of the classic wooden cabin style. Unlike the contemporary-style tiny homes that tend to become indoor/outdoor spaces, Naivasha stays mysterious and private. Still, it boasts an oversized rear window, which is typically found in today's open-style layouts, and it floods the lounge with natural light.

This adorable lounge feels more like a cozy nook. The bench is handmade and decorated with custom-made cushion seat covers. A lovely wood-burning stove – the quintessential rustic feature – fits perfectly into the décor, apart from its basic function. The TV and the LED lights are part of the modern necessities, but the TV box is, in fact, a beautiful antique cupboard.

The main pieces of furniture in the kitchen and bathroom are also repurposed items. Antique cupboards were converted into sturdy cabinets with unique vintage charm. The bathroom sliding door is an old Blackwood door, and the home's main entrance is also an original old door. The fixed ladder leading to the loft bedroom is not vintage but was handmade to fit the décor.

Every single detail was carefully added to match Naivasha's fairytale-like ambiance. The tiny shelves in the kitchen remind us of traditional farmhouses, and they look particularly striking against the all-white walls. In the bedroom, basic bedside tables were replaced with small, old cabinets opening toward the bed. The light fixtures were also specifically chosen to add old-school elegance.

This loft bedroom is actually oversized, which is unusual for a compact, tiny house. The owner wanted future guests to feel as comfortable as possible, even if loft bedrooms have their weak points (including the not-so-comfortable ladder access). For a luminosity boost, the room was also fitted with two large (and non-opening) skylights in addition to the windows.

Naivasha's bathroom doesn't disappoint either when it comes to vintage charm. The modern shower cabin, made entirely of glass, looks great next to the dark, antique cupboard converted into a vanity, but the claw-foot bathtub is the cherry on top. No self-respecting vintage design could miss this beloved feature.

Despite its overall size limitations, this Tasmanian tiny managed to squeeze in both a bathtub and a modern shower cabin in its bathroom. After all, we're talking about a tiny house designed for Airbnb accommodation, which means that high-level comfort comes before storage and a bigger kitchen, for instance. Still, even this small kitchen features an adorable coffee station and enough shelves for basic storage. The station also doubles as a tiny breakfast bar for two – a convenient solution that takes up minimal space.

Naivasha is one of the tiniest homes designed and built by Artisan Tiny Homes. This Tasmania-based company builds homes between six and nine meters, in line with local transport regulations. In terms of costs, the smallest homes start at AUD 134,000 ($89,100), while the largest ones are priced at AUD 159,000 ($105,800). There are no standard designs since each tiny house is built to the exact specifications of its future owners, within the limits of standard sizing.

Homes like Naivasha reflect the importance of customization when it comes to tiny living. Even the smallest dwelling can become a wonderful haven with the right design and styling, in line with the future owner's personality.

Naivasha is more than a cabin-like home on wheels for Airbnb accommodation; it's a cozy oasis in the middle of nature where old, pre-loved items come to life, adding their own charm to the story. This subtle mix of rustic, vintage features and modern amenities is perfect for guests who want to escape the concrete jungle and dive into an entirely different world, even a nostalgic one.