Single Mom Of Four Boys Builds Remarkable Tiny Home For Herself Since Her Children Have Left

Aug 24, 2020 by apost team

The tiny home revolution is steadily growing, with people the world over opting to build tiny houses to free themselves up from mortgages and other residential debt. One such person is Michelle, a single mother of four boys, who lives in New Zealand. Her tiny home is built on her parents' property, allowing her to be closer to them, and lets Michelle live comfortably.

Saying that she wished to escape the rat race, big mortgages, and gain financial freedom, Michelle opted to build herself a tiny home on her parents' property after her sons left home. She even chose the exterior design to fit in with her parents' house so that it looked as if it was meant to be there. This meant going with a cream-colored vinyl cladding, while the roof is fitted with solar panels for energy consumption.

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Upon entering the house, a gorgeous stained glass window acts as a central focal point—an heirloom that Michelle's uncle had made years earlier, but which sat in her garage for nearly two decades. It immediately adds color to the space, which is then accentuated by the blue couch that Michelle had made, and which folds out into a bed. 

Above this area is a lofted storage space, where Michelle keeps family photos and a number of plants that provide decoration. Acting as both a coffee table and a storage chest is a trunk that has a special significance for Michelle, who bought it from her first pay when she was around 16 or 17 years old.

Across the way is a small but well-designed kitchen, which utilizes gas for cooking. This adds extra warmth to the house in winter. Beyond the kitchen is the bathroom, which incorporates a fair amount of storage thanks to pull-out shelving at the entrance. It features a spacious bathroom and shower, while the toilet is an environmentally-friendly composting one. The space is accentuated by a lovely blue glass basin.

Heading upstairs, a set of stairs leads to Michelle's sleeping loft, which has a full-size bed under a skylight. The space even has room for Michelle's many books and allows her to stand upright without having to bend over. 

Michelle named her tiny home "Daisy-Vera," after her grandmother. She's been residing there for four months and is absolutely happy with the experience, stating:

"It's so nice to come home and have my own space to relax and then waking up here and watching it get light."

Cost-wise, the house is certainly much more affordable than a regular home—Michelle paid approximately NZD 160,000, which is roughly USD 105,000. She added that not having a mortgage frees her up to do what she wants in the future since she has more income, while she only has to work four days a week. That definitely sounds like the dream to us.

What do you think of Michelle's tiny home? Could you ever swap a regular-sized house for a tiny one? Let us know your thoughts down below, then pass this on to those you think would benefit from seeing Michelle's story!