Most families build tiny homes to simplify home maintenance, reduce utility and rent costs, and have more money to spend on other interests such as travel. Brenda and Peter of New Zealand, for example, sold their large home in order to enjoy their retirement more fully. Instead, they downsized into a beautifully designed but extremely functional tiny house.
This freed up capital for them to spend more on the things that mattered to them and fully enjoy their later years. Living in a tiny home allowed the couple to focus on their various interests and quality time with their family as they downsized their home and lifestyle. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the idea of a downsized everyday life became appealing. The couple revealed that their daughter Rebecca owns a company that builds tiny houses.
During the lockdown, she invited them to live on-site with her. “For a month, we lived in a tiny house. “And that was the beginning of our journey,” Brenda explained. Brenda and Peter enjoyed living with their daughter and her grandchildren so much that they decided they couldn’t return to their old home. They decided that a downsized tiny house would be a good fit for them, especially since they were retiring.
They eventually built a single-level house with a bedroom. Although the house was small and downsized, everything was highly functional and easily accessible. The living room has a nice couch from their previous residence. The expansive kitchen wraps around the back of the house and includes all of the amenities, such as a full-sized fridge and a large sink.
There is also a small bar where the couple or their grandchildren can relax when they come to visit. They cook on an induction stove that can be stored away when not in use to free up more kitchen space. The bedroom has a regular-sized bed, and there is plenty of storage throughout! There are large closets in the bedroom and plenty of cabinet space in the kitchen. There is also more storage for bathroom supplies in the bathroom.
It is larger than most tiny houses, and the shower was designed to fit Peter’s height. It is also compatible with their washing machine. More intriguingly, a door at the other end of the bathroom opens up into their pocket garden, allowing them to go straight into the bathroom if they need to clean up. The main living space has a large deck with a couch and a dining table, blurring the line between the home’s indoor and outdoor spaces.
The outdoor living area adds space to the downsized home, making it appear larger than it is. In addition, the couple constructed an additional pod next to the main house. It has a workshop where Peter can do crafts. He has plenty of room for his hobbies, which keeps him occupied. Brenda’s craft room and office are also located here. Brenda does a lot of sewing, and this space allows her to continue doing so.
“I could go to my workshop and work for a couple of hours of the day,” Peter said of their downsized lifestyle. We eat together as a family and play with the grandchildren. So that was successful. Everything was present. It all made sense.” “It was like, why have all that money tied in a house?” Brenda added. When can we get rid of the caravan, build a tiny house, and travel?” Brenda and Peter’s retirement quality of life has improved thanks to this fantastic tiny house, which has even won an award! In the video below, you can take a tour of this wonderful home: