Smallest House In The World

Since the launch of the Biggest House In The World article there’s been a lot of interest shown on the matter, so obviously my next natural step was to weed out the smallest house in the world.

Now, this whole issue can be extremely subjective and messy. I mean, by definition, a “house” is simply a building in which people live. Essentially, a garden shed could be considered a house if someone decided to live in one, and I’m sure some people do. So during this crowning, I’d like to declare some guidelines to avoid any confusion. I don’t want another episode similar to the “world’s biggest house” escapade, where a bunch of idiots threw hissy fits because I declared a ‘castle’ the biggest house in the world. I still maintain that by definition a castle is a house! I’m not making up the rules, if you want to query the definition, talk to my mate dictionary.com.

The Guidelines for the smallest house in the world

1. The “house” has to be a structure initially constructed with the intentions of living in, it can’t be a shed, tin can or any other vessel that someone freely chose to convert into a home. Boxes don’t count either.

2. The house has to look like a house E.g front door, windows and 4 walls

3. I think that just about covers it.

Without further ado…

Pictures of the smallest house in the world

Details about the house

• The house occupies a total of 96 square feet, which is smaller than most people’s bathrooms. It is truly TINY.
• The house comes fully equipped with a desk and fireplace in the main room; a kitchen; wet bath; and a loft upstairs.
• For its small size, the house has a large amount of storage space, thanks to its clever design.
• A house like this costs approximately $40,000 to buy
• the house is wired for electricity and ready to be plugged in through a plug on the outside. The house could also be powered by using a standard AC plug-in, or even better, via a solar electric system with an inverter.
• There are two-burner stove, an under-counter refrigerator, a bar sink, an RV on demand hot water heater, and a propane boat heater.
• Tumbleweed Tiny House is very well insulated, easy to heat and cool, and
  meet the State of California’s strict residential energy efficiency standards. Jay typically spent less than $170 (total) on propane to heat his tiny house during the brutal winters in Iowa.

Who owns the house and why?

Everyone say hello to Jay Shafer. He’s the creator and resident of the smallest house in the world, which he has proudly named Tumbleweed. Jay is an artist and architect, who lives in his home near San Francisco. He sells plans for, and builds, tiny homes in sizes ranging from an extremely small 50 square feet to a practically roomy 500 square feet.

Jay has been living in a house smaller than some people’s closets since 1997. Can you imagine living in something so small for so long?

Jay’s decision to inhabit just 96 square feet arose from his concerns he had about the impact a larger house would have on the environment, and because he does not want to maintain a lot of unused or unusable space. Basically, he’s a tree hugger. Truly inspirational or just plain nuts. What do you think?

Since completing Tumbleweed, Jay has continued to make little buildings, which are available to purchase from his website, Tumbleweed Houses.

Guided tour of Tumbleweed

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Talk / 38 Comments left so far

offplanpropertyexchange.com wrote this on 2008-06-04 06:39:15 This is not a house its got wheels on surely its a caravan, you could buy a real house for that money. After saying that the place is really sweet well designed and part of me wants one 1

The Landlord wrote this on 2008-06-04 07:11:15 Hel Mel,
The wheels are just there to demontrate how you could move the house- they're removeable! And the houses don't come with the wheels as standard fittings, they're extras for anyone who may decide to relocate. If a house has an option to relocate, it doesn't really make it a caravan.

Yeah, it's pretty pricey. Probably because everything is custom made. 2

shania wrote this on 2008-07-16 19:37:27 the house is really cool i wish i could have one in my back yard !!! 3

mirna wrote this on 2008-09-26 06:45:03 how old is the house? 4

Risve wrote this on 2008-12-23 14:44:40 hey ! he is lving in a natural view with his smallest house in the world,I like it mawallours.
Risve 5

nicloe wrote this on 2009-04-26 19:34:46 Why is it on wheels? 6

Holbik wrote this on 2009-05-01 01:28:42 Awesome! I love "neat" little things like that. Only problem is I kind of think he will be single for all eternity. 7

Noma wrote this on 2009-05-16 19:02:21 I wonder what the moregege is on the house 8

Ian wrote this on 2009-05-26 21:35:06 Poster #7, Nicloe (Nicole?) pointed out the UKs smallest house, it is quaint and it isn't on wheels and is made from brick/stone.

It can be seen at http://www.itraveluk.co.uk/photos/showphoto/photo/3454.php 9

hayley wrote this on 2009-06-07 18:29:22 this house is not as small as the one in conwy, north wales. i live near it and its alot smaller than this one! 10

thomas okhilua wrote this on 2009-07-01 19:24:42 it is really nice but u can only enjoy that house with out a family and children 11

za wrote this on 2009-08-02 15:12:29 why would you live there??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 12

Brian Jones wrote this on 2009-08-22 18:48:58 Wow, what a great Idea. Could you image thousands of these little homes in your neighborhood? Looks more like a kids playhouse or a hunting cabin. Efficiency at it best, truly inspiring.

B Jones 13

ir wrote this on 2009-09-11 15:40:37 cool house ! its so small that only a MAXIMUM of 4 is fitted to live in there . i wish i could buy this house ! 14

stanic wrote this on 2009-09-18 04:45:40 haha...so cool.....>.< 15

Veggie wrote this on 2009-09-27 16:29:30 That house is so awsome. It seems a little cramped though. But it would be really cool to have. I really like the cute little poarch! 16

james wrote this on 2009-10-07 07:32:42 it would be great to have a very big basement with this little house on top. no one would ever know. 17

I>MAKIaj wrote this on 2009-10-08 10:28:35 this house is so very very coooool!!!! 18

Ronnie wrote this on 2009-10-17 22:51:07 you have the wrong floor plan. 19

Abi wrote this on 2009-11-22 23:55:19 i wouldn't mind living in there, being 13 i culd tow it into my back yard and live there. its really cosy looking, and it would be good for sleepovers 20

Shea wrote this on 2009-11-27 19:54:58 its cute! 21

mohit wrote this on 2009-12-02 17:27:03 i saw it amazing jay..... how can u live soo long in a tiny 96sq feets howse, dnt u feel like u r staying in a cage.. or u r been imprison 22

ino wrote this on 2009-12-24 03:55:03 that is such a weird thing toi do ... people have such weird minds 23

bob wrote this on 2010-01-04 20:08:07 that house is awsome 24

spies25 wrote this on 2010-01-25 16:56:31 dats a k00l house can u make 1 4 muh 5 yr old sister she really needs 1 dis wud b s0 perfect 4 ha LOL:) 25

renee wrote this on 2010-01-27 01:30:23 i am going to live in a house exactly like that in switserland when i am older 26

cooliodude wrote this on 2010-04-01 14:25:58 hey that house is SOOOO cool! i would love to live in that house. 27

Angelina wrote this on 2010-04-18 00:12:40 Most of you are saying, "OMG, how can he live in such a small house?" When there are actually some people in this world with no money $.$ or food, and don't even think about shelter!! So you should be thankful for what you have, and don't insult others for what they enjoy, or can afford. :-) He can live in whatever his heart desires.

-A Girl Named Angelina<33 28

ryan wrote this on 2010-05-17 00:33:55 You guys talk about hes gonna be single forever, but in the end of the vid, a girl seems to be talking, and she says "show me you as" I think she was saying "show me your ass" so he doesnt do too bad. 29

Sierra wrote this on 2010-05-20 22:10:29 Yeah...Its cute...Small..Very very small! 30

moses wamala wrote this on 2010-06-22 12:29:06 leaving in such a house is a psychological issue. go ahead if that's where u feel the comfort. wish u well- moses 31

Marah wrote this on 2010-06-25 15:48:25 I'm really disappointed at almost all of the comments I read here! I think this is GREAT! If you READ...Jay’s decision to inhabit just 96 square feet arose from his concerns he had about the impact a larger house would have on the environment, and because he does not want to maintain a lot of unused or unusable space. Basically, he’s a tree hugger. Truly inspirational. How dare Moses say it's a psychological issue! I hope you aren't a psychologist, or in the field, because I'm positive you couldn't help anyone. You would only hurt a person, or do further damage. So kiss my ASS Moses! Can't you tell by looking at his picture that he is comfortable in his own skin and of sound mind? Duh!
Great comments Angelina!
From a fellow tree hugger and dirt worshiper ;-)<.
Peace! (even though my comments to Moses weren't very peaceful - too bad - tough shit ;-)
Peace has it's opposite and should be used when needed too.
M 32

Marah wrote this on 2010-06-25 15:51:53 Will you marry me, Jay?
;-) 33

Marah wrote this on 2010-06-25 16:45:46 I'm cute and wouldn't take up much room.
;-) 34

melanita wrote this on 2010-07-19 05:26:40 His house is adorable cute like a dog house ha ha I think Jay hes ingenius I love camping and he is on a permanent camping trip thats awesome I am guessing Jay is investing his money wisely and can travel and do what ever he desires while the rest of America is facing high ass taxes and foreclosure I give him props hes the man
that he can live in a playhouse thats so cute... 35

moses wrote this on 2010-07-22 08:46:19 Mara thinks that we psychologists just go on disturbing people's peace. We could only help him if the little house was hurting his life. However i have discovered that this man is healthy, comfortable AND contented living in the small house than in your (my) bigger house- moses 36

Carl wrote this on 2010-08-10 17:42:54 Thats not the smallest house i went in the smallest house today its in wales at conway bay go and have a look at that there is no wheels on on that house? 37

penguin lover wrote this on 2010-08-16 14:38:05 this house is really cute. i like how he hides the table cuz it saves lots of space. i want that house for a tree house or something, even if it is the size of my mom's closet. jay is a genius. he can save money + space. 38

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