Living the Tiny Dream: Our New Double-Storey Tiny Home on Wheels
Hello, lovely ruru followers!
It’s been a while and it’s way overdue to share our latest journey of moving into our double-storey tiny home on wheels. As many of you know, we've been passionate about the Tiny House Movement for years, having sold over 150 units to happy clients. But recently, we've taken the plunge out of a rental and into a tiny home ourselves, and let me tell you, it's been even more amazing than we anticipated! And no, I am not just saying that because I want to sell more tiny homes. It’s actually AMAZING.
A Home That Fits Us Perfectly
Our new tiny home measures 12x3 meters and features four bedrooms—yes, four - for four kids and a dog plus two adults! We designed it to suit our family's needs, and I’m thrilled to say it’s so far been a perfect fit. Cleaning is a breeze; it takes just 12 minutes per level, which is incredible considering the busy life we lead. Everything now has its place, and the best part? The kids actually respect the organisation systems we've set up! No more stepping on stray toys or tripping over backpacks. They’ve embraced the allocated boxes for their belongings, which means our home is mostly always tidy.
The Heart of the Home: The Kitchen and Living Area
The kitchen is functional, spacious, and also the heart of our home as it’s the entrance area for the family to arrive and to depart. It's perfect for cooking up our favorite meals, and thanks to the normal sized appliances there is no limitation on Sunday Roasts, homemade Pizza or freshly made Sushi. I’m constantly amazed by how much we can do in this space without feeling cramped.
The tiny home is warm, dry, and so comfortable it is hard to image upsizing will be enjoyable again in the future. Our dining area features a 210x90cm table that comfortably seats 6-7 people—perfect for family dinners and even entertaining guests. The couch is large, 3 normal-sized pieces that seats the entire family (plus friends) for cosy movie nights in front of our 75-inch TV. Whilst this may have been a bit of an oversized decision, we already had it so why not give it a try. We now call it the Tiny Cinema. There’s something so special about having everyone together in one space, laughing and making movie memories on rainy nights.
Bedrooms That Offer Comfort and Space
The kids share double bedrooms with their king single beds each. They love their shared spaces, and I love that they have an extra room to spread out, play, and relax. Because there is a playroom that is separate, and only for them. As for us parents, we treated ourselves to a California King mattress —because, let’s be honest, with up to 8 little feet wandering into our room at night, we need the extra space! There’s nothing quite like waking up with tiny toes in your nose, but at least we’re not cramped.
A Playroom for All Their Imagination Needs
One of the best decisions we made was including a 9m² playroom for the kids. It’s their sanctuary for all things Lego, and adding a door has been a game-changer. Now, they can play to their hearts’ content even when the little ones are already asleep. It’s given them a sense of independence, and us, a bit of peace and quiet! It’s also the furthest away room so no Lego spills into the living area, which both my feet and the vacuum cleaner are grateful for.
The Bathroom: Functional and Spacious
Our bathroom is a standard size as you’d find it in any normal apartment, and it feels anything but small. There’s ample storage for everyone’s clothes, a large vanity, and a 900x900 shower that’s perfect for our family. The space is well-designed, ensuring that even during the morning rush, we’re not bumping into each other. And the heat pump? A lifesaver! It keeps the home dry and warm on a timer, especially during those long periods of rain. We just set it to dehumidify, and any excess moisture is taken care of—no worrying about the risk of dampness or mold in a space where 6 people live and sleep, cook, shower and breathe.
The Joy of Living Tiny
What has surprised us the most is just how comfortable and spacious our tiny home feels. We expected it to be great, but we didn’t expect it to be this awesome! There’s no bending, no squeezing through tight spaces, and no feeling cramped. And I measure 186cm in body height, which is something very tall. Everything has been designed to suit ’normal’ living, making our tiny home feel anything but tiny.
Yes, living in a tiny home does require systems, routines, and a certain level of order. But once those are in place, it makes life so much easier—especially with kids. Suddenly, they’re putting their shoes where they belong, hanging up their backpacks, and closing cupboard doors. It’s not just about the physical space, but about creating an environment where less truly is more.
Our Tiny Home, Our Big Dream
This tiny home has brought our family closer together, both physically and emotionally. We’re living more intentionally, with less clutter and more joy.
If you’re considering the tiny life, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s a big change, but one that has brought us so much happiness and fulfillment in such a short time since we have moved in. We’re absolutely stoked to have made this decision, and we can’t wait to see what new adventures await us in our tiny home on wheels.
As always, we’re happy to meet relevantly interested potential clients at our home in the Bay of Islands, or offer video walkthroughs from here to anyone located elsewhere in NZ.
The baby just woke, here goes’ my lunch break - until next time, from Fran & the family, who are very happy tiny living!
Warmest regards,
Fran Huelsmeyer
To follow our tiny home journey, please visit our Instagram profile, @TheTinyTribeNZ, where we share our everyday life in our lovely home.