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Smallest House In The World

Written by The Landlord on 03 Jun 2008

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

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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53 Comments - join the conversation...

Showing 4 - 53 comments (out of 53)

mirna2008-09-26 06:45:03 how old is the house? 4

Risve2008-12-23 14:44:40 hey ! he is lving in a natural view with his smallest house in the world,I like it mawallours.
Risve 5

nicloe2009-04-26 19:34:46 Why is it on wheels? 6

Holbik2009-05-01 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

Noma2009-05-16 19:02:21 I wonder what the moregege is on the house 8

Ian2009-05-26 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

hayley2009-06-07 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 okhilua2009-07-01 19:24:42 it is really nice but u can only enjoy that house with out a family and children 11

za2009-08-02 15:12:29 why would you live there??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 12

Brian Jones2009-08-22 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

ir2009-09-11 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

stanic2009-09-18 04:45:40 haha...so cool.....>.< 15

Veggie2009-09-27 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

james2009-10-07 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>MAKIaj2009-10-08 10:28:35 this house is so very very coooool!!!! 18

Ronnie2009-10-17 22:51:07 you have the wrong floor plan. 19

Abi2009-11-22 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

Shea2009-11-27 19:54:58 its cute! 21

mohit2009-12-02 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

ino2009-12-24 03:55:03 that is such a weird thing toi do ... people have such weird minds 23

bob2010-01-04 20:08:07 that house is awsome 24

spies252010-01-25 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

renee2010-01-27 01:30:23 i am going to live in a house exactly like that in switserland when i am older 26

cooliodude2010-04-01 14:25:58 hey that house is SOOOO cool! i would love to live in that house. 27

Angelina2010-04-18 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

ryan2010-05-17 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

Sierra2010-05-20 22:10:29 Yeah...Its cute...Small..Very very small! 30

moses wamala2010-06-22 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

Marah2010-06-25 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

Marah2010-06-25 15:51:53 Will you marry me, Jay?
;-) 33

Marah2010-06-25 16:45:46 I'm cute and wouldn't take up much room.
;-) 34

melanita2010-07-19 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

moses2010-07-22 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

Carl2010-08-10 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 lover2010-08-16 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

tiffany2010-10-15 15:05:23 that house is so damn tiny how do you get around 39

SOMEONE2010-11-07 21:02:01 OMG THAT HOUSE IS SOOO KEWL IS SOOOOOO small! 40

dori saari2010-11-12 03:52:15 I thik this kind of house is great, we tend to just over use space and fill it with things we do not really need. Life should be about living and doing not about what you have. 41

hello94722010-11-29 09:26:04 where is this ??? 42

emily b2010-12-01 12:23:38 love it 43

daniel2010-12-09 18:27:21 @sierra,thats not what she said!lol,im sorry i had 2! 44

Katey2010-12-31 17:03:19 So cool! It would be like permanent camping in a way. I'd love to live in a house like this. Its a great idea. Probably good for travelling aswell. There creator's a genius. 45

Captain Carisma2011-01-06 14:23:05 I like that house it is cool 46

Roy Webb2011-01-25 15:33:36 I think this house at 60 square feet qualify s as the smallest house in the world......http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallest_House_in_Great_Britain 47

nkosinathi2011-03-08 11:56:36 how do they live such a small house? 48

World’s Smallest House « Almost Awesome2011-03-31 17:57:07 [...] Article on Tumbleweed [...] 49

Veronica2011-11-14 14:07:04 The wonder of ergonometrics...big things can come from small packages
http://www.affordablequalityhouse.com 50

Laks Hmi2011-12-12 10:04:12 OWWWaooooo Such a cool and beautiful house i like it very much i want to live in this house..... Thanks for Constructing this house,it saves places.....and it help to be Every one have a own house...Thanks 51

mike2012-03-27 20:38:19 he must entertain alot ...look at all the glasses 52

Moira2012-03-28 04:19:33 I love this house. I want it for my grand-children to play in. 53