Smart things you need when youre living in a tiny home or small space: Storage, light and luxuries – OregonLive

Builder M.J. Boyle of Empty Nest Tiny Homes in Sherwood designs mini mansions that may have less than 200 square feet of space but theyre packed with comfort, light and luxuries.

Every indoor inch of her self-contained, small-scale abodes is carefully considered. Objects serve multiple functions. Something as small as an unusual coat hook can add style. And smart storage makes it work.

More than a novelty, tiny houses on wheels appeal to people who want to create a shelter they can afford and take with them when theyre on the move.

Interest in tiny houses, as well as RVs and cargo van conversions have spiked during the coronavirus pandemic, where routines were tossed out as businesses and schools closed.

Boyle, a longtime occupant of a small home as well as an advocate for living simply, knows how to wisely edit out anything unnecessary to make way for something cherished. A unique wall sconce replaces a lamp that needs a table, for instance.

People who want to see well-designed tiny houses before investing in one can check into vacation rentals such as Boyles My Tiny House Village in Sherwood. Her dwellings include:

Here are experts tips to make a space efficient and attractive, whether its a room in your home or your entire dwelling.

If youre considering building a tiny house, know that youll need almost everything required in a standard home. Here are the basics:

Skip ahead: Amazon sells tiny house kits, including a 9-foot-by-six-foot cedar garden retreat and a 176-square-foot studio cabin kit. See more tiny houses for sale.

High ceilings, large windows and light make a small space look and feel spacious. But too many windows can make you feel like youre in a fishbowl and they take away walls better used for precious vertical storage, says Boyle.

She recommends double- or triple-pane windows for their energy efficiency. Milgard, with a Portland facility, makes triple-pane windows. For added energy efficiency, install insulating window treatments.

Cladding a ceiling with reclaimed wood or cedar adds texture and it smells amazing, says Boyle. Salvage Works in Portland has barn siding and other repurposed wood, plus antiques and handmade furniture.

Floors can be covered in durable laminate or Marmoleum.

Paint walls soft colors to reflect the light and make the space seem brighter and roomier. An accent wall with a vertical feature breaks you out of the standing-in-an-all-white-box feel, says Boyle.

A white trim or a lighter color around the doorframe and where the walls meet the ceiling can make a space look roomier. Some design experts say colors or patterns on the ceiling draw the eye upward and add an illusion of height.

Be mindful of overcrowding a room. The fewest pieces of furniture make a space look bigger. Select space-saving sizes and furniture thats low to the ground.

Glass-top tables and acrylic or lucite chairs let your eyes see through them. Mirrors on a wall or door expand the sense of space.

I dont use overhead cabinets or bulky furniture that is visually heavy and makes the space feel closed in, says Boyle.

The first acts to make any space look larger and more inviting: Remove clutter and organize everything else. Read more tips on flexible storage, textiles and clever lighting to create a smart, airy space.

Strategically placed ambient, functional and dramatic lighting is key to making a space feel bright and open, says Boyle. Find lighting choices at Amazon, Home Depot and Walmart.

Build a wood ladder to the loft. In My Tiny Hideout, the ladder is in front of the coffee bar, dining table and work space because you cant have enough multipurpose areas in 119 square feet, jokes Boyle.

A ceiling fan helps evenly distribute warm air throughout the space. Boyle likes ceiling fans with LED lights, reversible blades and different speed settings that can be remotely controlled. See more ceiling fans.

Ceiling fans keep air moving, while air purifiers take out smoke and other impurities. Dyson is having a sale on air purifiers; Sharper Images has some, too.

Mount a TV on a wall so the screen can be tilted away from glare and for the best viewing angle.

The Container Store has practical design ideas for a small kitchen and teeny pantry. Make the most of a mini fridge with stackable storage drawers.

Instead of cabinets and cupboards, use open shelves or storage containers and rolling carts that slide under a counter and behind fabric curtains (see more ideas at Jo-Ann Stores).

A two-burner electric stovetop or propane stove can be found at Home Depot.

Dont let hidden, empty space go unused, especially under the bed. Slide storage bins under the mattress platform. See more bins, baskets and storage ideas at The Container Store.

Select linens, pillows and electric blankets in lighter, brighter colors and subtle, coordinated patterns. Theres no room in a small space to have something busy looking beyond a small decorative pillow.

Do you really need a headboard? Or drapes? Instead of a heavy window treatment, try insulating shades or sheer, white drapes.

Install a wall light near the bed.

Natures Head composting toilet was designed for close quarters. While on the go, the Tushy Travel squeeze and spray bidet bottle lets you use less toilet paper to reduce your carbon footprint.

Towel warmers and a heated bath mat take the chill out of stepping out of the shower.

LuminAID has solar-powered, compact, collapsible and portable lanterns ($25).LuminAID

Living in small home means more time outside. Here are entertaining ideas:

LuminAID has solar-powered, compact, collapsible and portable lanterns ($25).

Woods Heritages eight-piece cast-iron camping cook set lets you fry, bake, stir-fry and roast with a Dutch oven, skillets and a griddle.

Solo Stove has fire pits, camp stoves and grills plus outdoor cookware and accessories. Take up to 25% off fire pits and bonfire kits.

Dicks Sporting Goods sells every type of sports and recreation equipment plus heaters and inflatable mattresses. Check out the Camp Chef Italia Pizza accessories kit.

Other sources for dining under the stars can be found at Backcountry, Cabelas, Campmor, Huckberry, L.L. Bean. Check out the bottle-size, collapsible Cliq chair.

Mountains of books have been written about tiny houses. But no one makes the idea of living in a home the size of an area rug more appealing than Dee Williams, one of the founders of PAD Tiny Houses in Portland and a worldwide hero of tiny house living.

In her book, The Big Tiny: A Built-It-Myself Memoir, Williams delightfully describes the mechanics of erecting a sturdy, rainproof, 84-square-foot house on a trailer.

Ryan Mitchell of The Tiny Life blog offers a free tiny house planning guide

See more books on tiny houses, cottages and small homes as well as micro living.

Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

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Smart things you need when youre living in a tiny home or small space: Storage, light and luxuries - OregonLive