Small Homes | Simple Living | SnugShack

  • Design
  • Living
  • Mobile
  • Houses
  • Videos
  • How-Tos
  • More
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA / Removal Request
  • Search
This Tiny Chapel Puts A Whole New Spin On Small Weddings

This Tiny Chapel Puts A Whole New Spin On Small Weddings

Tiny House Sits Right Next To A Working Vineyard

Tiny House Sits Right Next To A Working Vineyard

See This Self-Proclaimed ‘Cutest Cargo Trailer Ever’

See This Self-Proclaimed ‘Cutest Cargo Trailer Ever’

Beach House With Massive Windows Doesn’t Like Being Tied Down

Beach House With Massive Windows Doesn’t Like Being Tied Down

You Might Want To Consider Building A Custom Sized Front Door For Your Tiny House – Here’s How

You Might Want To Consider Building A Custom Sized Front Door For Your Tiny House – Here’s How

Run-Down Decades-Old Cargo Trailer, Now A Tiny Camper Fit For Living

Run-Down Decades-Old Cargo Trailer, Now A Tiny Camper Fit For Living

Is a Tiny House Without a Loft a Tiny House?

By Andrew Odom Design, Lofts

At what point does an architectural movement become defined by a single design element?

When did Georgian Architecture become defined as any simple 1-2 story, symmetrical box-shaped building?

At what point did a large white room with a concrete floor and next to no furniture become a minimalist dwelling?

I ask this because I would like to know why a tiny house is not a tiny house if it doesn’t have a loft?

At what point did the loft become the focal point of a tiny house?

loft in tiny house

Loft in a tiny house

Historically Speaking

Traditionally a loft is little more than an upper room or story in a building.

Found mainly in barns and located directly under the roof, lofts are commonly used for storage or for a specific purpose such as an organ loft in a church or a sleeping loft in a rural cabin.

The major difference between a loft and an attic is that an attic typically takes up an entire floor of a building, while a loft covers only 1-3 rooms. Lofts usually have one or more sides open to the lower floor.

Lofts Can Save Space

You might think, like I do, that ten to twelve foot ceilings are useless.

High ceilings are expensive to heat and cool. They’re also a real pain to keep clean.

Many older homes, especially those built before World War II, have ceilings that are only about seven feet high.

In New York City for example, developers usually make their loft spaces over a first story that’s only about seven feet tall.

Seven feet is a magic number for a couple of reasons:

  • the average American male stands only 5’11”
  • people think they’re in a room that’s ‘big enough’ if they’ve got at least a couple fee of head room

A loft would turn a traditional 64 square foot room into a two-level with over 100 square feet of living space.

Because lofts can can nearly double the amount of floor space in a dwelling, many tiny home builders have added them to almost all their designs.

With a sleeping loft tiny housers can maximize overall space, taking advantage of every square inch in the house.

Lofts Are Great, But Not For All

Lofts simply don’t work for some people. Older folks or those with certain handicaps find it hard to transit between floors.

In a tiny house, this can be a huge problem.

Having to go up and down a ladder or steep set of stairs throughout the day and night can be more than a burden – it could be downright deadly.

Perhaps that is why the tiny house community has seen a rise in gooseneck designs like those of Clothesline Tiny Homes, or the recent addition of MiniMotives’ gooseneck bedroom split-level layout.

gooseneck loft design in a tiny house

Gooseneck loft design in a tiny house

Some people just prefer ranch style tiny houses at the expense of a little less floor space. Our own Tiny r(E)volution trailer has a single level and no loft and we like it just fine.

Conclusion

Whatever the case, the space has to be right for you and your safety and comfort level.

Many builders insist on selling you a tiny house with a loft because it will inflate the usable square footage of the house.

But if you don’t want a loft, don’t get it. You can still call yourself a tiny house dweller even if your home only has one floor.

Get Email Updates
   
What Do You Think?

About Andrew Odom

Founder of Tiny r(E)volution and author of the popular book ‘Your Message Here : GAINING CORPORATE SPONSORS for your tiny house project’. Andrew recently sold his family's 240 square foot tiny house and travels in a 27 foot Aruba travel trailer with his wife and 3-year old daughter.

← PREV
NEXT →

Free Email Updates

   

Search

Vintage Transit Bus Now A Charming Country Retreat

Vintage Transit Bus Now A Charming Country Retreat

Brightly Colored Tiny House On Wheels From Valley View Tiny House Company

Brightly Colored Tiny House On Wheels From Valley View Tiny House Company

Can’t-Miss Open and Airy Converted School Bus. Plus an Awesome Shower Rod Idea.

Can’t-Miss Open and Airy Converted School Bus. Plus an Awesome Shower Rod Idea.

This Charming Small Home With Natural Heating Will Take Your Breath Away

This Charming Small Home With Natural Heating Will Take Your Breath Away

How To Make Your Own Insanely Cheap DIY Alcohol Camp Stove

How To Make Your Own Insanely Cheap DIY Alcohol Camp Stove

Declutter Your Destiny With CometCamper’s Tiny Transition And Downsizing E-Course

Declutter Your Destiny With CometCamper’s Tiny Transition And Downsizing E-Course

Tiny Swedish House Designed To Mimic Nature

Tiny Swedish House Designed To Mimic Nature

Can You Hold a Hammer? Then You Can Build This Tiny House From a Kit

Can You Hold a Hammer? Then You Can Build This Tiny House From a Kit

See the Harbor of Grand Marais From This Unique 2nd Floor Studio Nicknamed the ‘Lighthouse’.

See the Harbor of Grand Marais From This Unique 2nd Floor Studio Nicknamed the ‘Lighthouse’.

Mad Men Star Sells His 600 sq. ft. Tiny Home. The Price? $700,000.

Mad Men Star Sells His 600 sq. ft. Tiny Home. The Price? $700,000.

Tiny House Love Strikes Twice For This Florida Couple

Tiny House Love Strikes Twice For This Florida Couple

Tiny Poland Apartment Just 13 Square Meters But Big On Style

Tiny Poland Apartment Just 13 Square Meters But Big On Style

Up Next

Solar Powered 825 Square Foot Techstyle Haus Is One Curvy Structure

Solar Powered 825 Square Foot Techstyle Haus Is One Curvy Structure

These Thai Workers Built a Home Out of Bamboo in 6 Hours. People Are Incredible.

These Thai Workers Built a Home Out of Bamboo in 6 Hours. People Are Incredible.

RSS RV Mods – RV Guides – RV Tips | DoItYourselfRV

  • The Best Way To Clean An RV Stainless Steel Sink
  • A Guide To RV Slide-Out Water Damage Repair
  • RV Bug Screens That Are Easy To Install

RSS Boating Information and Entertainment | BoatBible

  • This Crazy Fast Homemade Speed Boat Will Astonish You
  • This Aging And Poorly-Kept Pontoon Boat Got A Fabulous DIY Upgrade
  • Pond King Mini Pontoon Boat Fits In The Back Of A Pickup Truck

RSS CampZing

  • Here’s How You Can Safely Change The Color of Your Campfire
  • 7 Simple Camping Hacks That Might Just Save Your Life
  • This Inflatable Solar Powered Camping Lantern Takes Up Almost Zero Space

RSS Unpack | DoItYourselfRV

  • Magnetic 100 Minute Timer For Easy RV Cooking
  • Manual Solar Panel Positioner
  • Custom Made Tent For Prius Car

RSS Small Homes | Simple Living | SnugShack

  • This Hobbit Hole Tiny House Will Make You Want To Squeeze Right In
  • Charming Cottage Built By Couple With Own Hands Over 6 Years
  • This Tiny Chapel Puts A Whole New Spin On Small Weddings

Copyright © 2022 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in