Author: Cassandra Hui

Living in and building off-grid tiny homes

Living Rooms in Tiny Houses

This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.

Many people have asked me where we actually live in our tiny house or about having a living room. So I wanted to give everyone more information about how you can set up your living space as a room or other livable options.

So, do tiny houses have living room? Many tiny houses do have living rooms but not all of them. There are plenty of ways you can create living space in your house. Your living room can be share space with your kitchen or bedroom.

My husband has helped build hundreds of tiny houses and there are a variety of different living room ideas they have. Many have been quite creative and some I don’t think would be usable. But where you decide to live in your house is up to you, here is some advise to get you started.

Where Do You “Live” in a Tiny House?

Many people do not understand living in a tiny house because they don’t understand where you “live”. There are many different ways to answer this. In a tiny house you have more space in that small of an area because you have less “stuff”.

My husband and I have been living tiny for several years now. We went from 448 (including lofts) square feet to 280 to 112! We have always felt like we have had plenty of space to live, and we have five dogs!

Many tiny houses have a living room. Our first house we built had a 8′ x 9′ living room with a couch and a TV. There are lots of different ways to include a living room in your tiny house. Some people have them as a separate room, or a loft, or under the loft.

You can also combine your living room into another room. You can have a seating area across from your kitchen or somewhere else in your house. Many people tie a living room into their kitchen or bedroom area.

Our first house had a full living room, which we used mostly to watch TV and chat. Our second house then only had a seating area by the kitchen, we seldom used this, only when we had company or when we were just waiting for the other person.

Finally, our current build dose not have a living room and I have not missed it at all. We have a fold up table with seats, where we can work on things or just hang out. And if we are not sitting there we just sit in our bed.

Granted, we have no children and we do not have guests over a lot. Otherwise we would have stuck with the first house we built. But there is so much more to living than what’s contained in your living room.

Living Areas Without a Living Room

For the most part living rooms are used for watching TV or accommodating guests. I always urge people to really analyse their life and see how they spend their time. What do you actually do in your living room?

Before we went tiny, we used our living room a lot. But what did we actually do in it? Mostly just sat and talked or watched TV. We now watch a lot less TV! We had a TV in our first two houses but we slowly started using it less and less, so in our current house we don’t have one.

We typically use our phones or laptop to watch any shows. We do this in our sitting area, kitchen, or bedroom. We don’t need a whole room for that. Actually we have found that we can do everything we used to do in our living room in other parts of our house.

One of the bigger concerns people have is how to have guests over in a tiny house. Our first house had a living room and we did have people over. We always had space to have people in our house.

Accommodating Guests in a Tiny House

We have never really been the type to host parties or have a lot of people over, and I assume that most people who want to live in a tiny house would be the same way. We still have company and it has never been a burden.

If you know you are the type to have a lot of people over than your should designate a living room area in your home. If you almost never have people over, I think you will find that you will not miss your living room.

Having a few people over is easy without an official living room. You can use your sitting area or sit around your table. Another option we use a lot is having a great outside area for get togethers.

We usually have a fire pit and outside chairs. Whenever people come over they prefer to sit outside anyway. One of the best parts about going tiny is being able to be so close to the outdoors.

Living More Outdoors

One of the appeals to tiny houses is that there is more living and less house. We spend a lot more time outside now. We have a small house, so why not go outside? Especially on beautiful days or clear nights.

Being more connected to the outside is a major benefit of living tiny. We often sit outside and talk and let our dogs play. We are very busy people, I am going to school full-time to get my Ph.D., working for my school, and we are building a business.

We rarely spend a lot of time at home. When I am home, most of the time I am cooking, seeping, or getting ready for my day. Obviously, this does not use much space. But when we have time, we are exploring, dreaming, or just relaxing. All of this can be done outside.

Holidays in a Tiny House

Another potential concern is having space to have events or holidays in your tiny house. But again, if you prioritize a living room you will have that space. We have had a few holidays in a tiny house now.

The point of going tiny is so you can focus on what you love and eliminate the waste. If holidays are important to you than you will save some space or storage for what you enjoy. I have had a small Christmas tree that I have carried around with me for years now.

If having people around for holidays is important to you and you do not feel like you have the space in your house, there are always other options. You can rent a room or space at even centers or travel over to other people’s houses.

Related Questions

Do tiny houses have bathrooms? Almost all tiny houses have bathrooms. The typical bathroom size is 8′ x 5′, which is a standard guest bathroom or a master bathroom in a small house.

Can a tiny house have a basement? Most tiny houses do not have basements, but you can add one if it is on a foundation. This would count as living space though, so the house would still need to be under 500 square feet to be a tiny house.

Tiny House Toilets; Composting, Regular, and Other Options.

This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.

One popular question that we get a lot is how our toilet works in a tiny house. There are a few different options for toilets in tiny houses, let’s look at those.

So, do all tiny houses have composting toilets? Not all tiny houses have composting toilets. These are best for extensive travel or living off-grid. But there are a few other toilet options in tiny houses.

My husband and I have been living off-grid in a tiny house for several years now and we have always used a composting toilet. But I wanted to go through some other options as well along with the pros and cons, to help you make the most informed decision.

Toilet Options in Tiny Houses

As I mentioned there are several options for toilets in tiny houses. The most common are either composting or a regular flush toilet. There is another option of an incinerator toilet, which burns anything in it.

There are different pros and cons to these options, which I will cover in more detail in the following sections. A tiny house can have many functions. Some are just used as a regular house, even if they are on wheels.

Many tiny houses are just left in a permanent location and are setup essentially like a normal house. You can use a regular toilet and have a full size fridge and whatever else you want in your home.

Other tiny houses are meant to be mobile. These houses may stay in the same spot for a while and then move, or people may travel in them constantly. There are a myriad of reasons that people buy tiny houses and they can all be set up differently.

Composting Toilets

When you think of a tiny house toilet, composting toilets are often the ones that come to mind. Many tiny houses have composting toilets. I think that these have recently been much more popularized because they work so well in tiny house, especially ones on wheels.

Composting toilets work by separating liquids and solids. The liquids go into a removable container that is regularly emptied. And the solids go into a separate container filled with some sort of composting material (most common is peat moss), and is then emptied separately.

Composting toilets offer several advantages. They are easy to install and take out, they do not require any black water tanks, and they are very mobile friendly. This is perfect for a tiny houser on the move.

There are disadvantages as well. One being that these toilets, even though they are quite simple, are not cheap. For a toilet, they are pretty pricey. Although you do not need to buy the typically plumbing and black water tanks a normal toilet would require.

Additionally, the disadvantages are that you need to empty their components on a regular basis. Around once a week for liquids and once every four to six weeks for solids. Although the solids all turn into compost and should not have a bad smell, it can still be gross for some people.

Finally, most people are concerned about whether or not it smells. If it is used properly it does not smell. There are hoses and fans that allow air flow and this eliminates pretty much all of the smell. It is also important to use the right type of compost and empty it regularly to avoid any odors.

Overall, composting toilets are great if you plan on traveling and do not want to constantly drive your house to a dump and empty a black water tank. We have been living off-grid for several years and this has been a great option for us.

Regular Flush Toilets

Regular flush toilets are very popular in tiny houses for several reasons. If you are living full time in your tiny house, and it is on a permanent location, then this option is ideal. A tiny house can still be a regular house, just smaller.

This option would be less advantageous if you were constantly moving. However, if you only moved once every year or so, this would still be a great option. Since these toilets hold water you would just need to prepare your toilet for travel.

The advantages for this option includes the price of the toilet. Now take that with a grain of salt. Although the toilet is cheaper, you will need to buy additional plumbing and a black water tank. It may not actually be any cheaper.

You do not have to have a black water tank if you are located on a permanent location and can tie your house directly into the sewage system. If this is the case than one of these toilets will be cheaper.

Many people want their tiny house to feel like a regular home and thus they want a normal toilet. Plus everyone already knows how to use them!

The major disadvantage would be if you are looking to travel or move a lot in your tiny house. You would have to constantly travel to a dump station and that process is not always pretty either, not to mention you have to pay for it.

You may be wondering why I didn’t mention a RV toilet as an option. RV toilets are similar to regular toilets, they are just smaller and do not hold water in them. I have not seen anyone use one of these in their tiny house. People would typically rather have a regular toilet or a composting one, to avoid the black water tanks.

Incinerator Toilets

Incinerator toilets are becoming more popular and may be a good option in a tiny house. There are some important factors to take into account before deciding to buy one for your house.

Incinerator toilets work by torching everything inside of them. They will burn liquids and solids. They are set up to vent smells directly outside. Every so often you will need to empty the ashes.

Disadvantages of having an incinerator toilet is again the price and having to empty something. You do avoid having a black water tank, which can be great especially when traveling.

However, these toilets have an additional problem. They use lots of power to run. Most solar systems in a tiny house will not support the power load they consume. We have seen one of these toilets completely shut down the electricity in a house before, just from one use!

The advantage is not having sewage or compost. This would not be a good option if you are living off-grid, unless you have an extensive system set up. This would also be difficult if you use an off-grid system during travel.

For several reasons, incinerator toilets are much less common. It is easy to use a regular toilet and it uses much less energy to use a compositing option. However, they can be a good option if you are not concerned about power and do not want sewage.

Related Questions

Do you pee in a composting toilet? Composting toilets separate liquids form the solids, so you still pee in them. The toilet is designed to separate these into different containers, which are emptied separately.

Do you pee in an incinerator toilet? Incinerator toilets torch everything in them, they will burn solids and liquids. Some of them have two settings and you can select liquid or sold waste when burning.

Tiny House Bathroom Dimensions

This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.

One thing many people ask is how big of a bathroom you can put in a tiny house. My husband and I have been living tiny for several years now and I wanted to go over some popular bathroom dimensions.

So, what are tiny house bathroom dimensions? On average they are around 5′ x 8′ but they can be as small as 4′ x 3′ typically this is a wet bath, and as large as 8′ x 8′. These dimensions will vary depending on what works best for you.

For some people, a big factor in going tiny is how big of a bathroom they can still get. Although the dimensions mentioned may seem small, they can actually feel quite spacious if set up properly.

Tiny House Bathroom Dimensions

You can build your bathroom to be whatever size you want in your tiny house. However most people want to add space to other rooms, so they keep a small bathroom. The average tiny house bathroom is 5′ x 8′.

These dimensions of typically used for a tiny house on wheels, but a tiny house on a foundation will likely have similar measurements. The average guest bathroom or even master bathroom in a small house is 5′ by 8′ as well. So this is still a normal size bathroom.

We run into the 8-foot restriction from towing laws. Most Tiny Houses on Wheels (THOWs) are only 8′ 6″ wide unless they are a park model, which they will require a special permit to tow. So, on average, taking the walls into account, your bathroom cannot be wider than 8-foot.

If you really want a luxurious bathroom then you can go up to an 8′ by 8′. This would take space away from the other rooms though. It is important to consider how much time you spend in your bathroom for how large it should be.

If you spend a lot of time in your bathroom, taking a bath, or getting ready for your day, and this is something you really enjoy, then it may be best for you to have a bigger bathroom. However, if you spend very little time in your bathroom and prefer to be in the kitchen, or doing something else, then go with a smaller bathroom.

For the most part, the smallest bathroom dimensions would be 4′ x 3′. This would be a wet bath. A wet bath is as it sounds, everything in that room gets wet when you take a shower. So the toilet and sink (if you have one) would be in your shower.

Now you cannot have storage in a wet bath, so take that into account that your towels and other bathroom storage would have to be kept somewhere else. However, a wet bath can be a very efficient use of space.

The Average Dimensions of Showers and Toilets Used in Tiny Houses

When deciding on your bathroom space you have to take into account the shower, toilet, sink, and storage you want in your bathroom. Some people have their storage in other rooms and use their kitchen sink instead of having an additional one in the bathroom.

However you design your bathroom, you will need to take all of these components into account. I have seen people go with the average bathroom size of 5′ x 8′ and then try to cram so many things into it that there was barely any room to turn around.

Keep in mind the dimensions of everything and how much floor space you will have too. The point of going tiny is to be happier with fewer things. Keep that in mind when designing or even buying a tiny house.

Average Shower Dimensions:

  • Corner Shower: 3′ x 3′
  • Wall Shower: 3′ x 4′
  • Tub: 28″ x 5′

Average Toilet Dimensions:

  • The drain for the toilet needs to be 16 inches from the wall
  • This will leave a 1-inch gap from the toilet to the wall
  • Toilets are 28 to 30 inches deep
  • Toilets are about 20 inches wide

In a residential house, you are supposed to have 12-16 inches of clearance on both sides of your toilet, however, in a tiny house, this does not apply.

These dimensions are standard for a regular or composting toilet.

How to Choose the Right Size Bathroom for You

When building anything on a tiny house it is important to really narrow down its importance to you. The same is true for your bathroom. We have built three bathrooms now, and they have all worked great for us.

Take some time to really analyze how much time you spend in your bathroom and what you use. Think if some of these things that can be done somewhere else. For example, I sometimes do my make-up in my bedroom instead of my bathroom.

Here is the first bathroom we built, it was 5′ x 5′.

We had some deep storage in the back of the bathroom, which is not counted in the dimensions. We used this for water storage and to eventually put in a washer dryer combo. We also had storage over the toilet, under the sink, and beside the sink.

There was plenty of room here for us. The only concern we had was when we were both in the bathroom at the same time. The toilet faced the sink so you barely had enough room for someone to stand in front of the sink if the other person was using the toilet.

Here is the nest bathroom we built. It is also 5′ x 5′:

This one had less storage, but it actually gave us more room. We had no issues with space in this bathroom. The sink and sink storage was bigger so we could fit everything under the sink and we moved our water storage to another part of the house.

Here is the last bathroom we built. This is in a very tiny converted cargo trailer and is mostly built for travel.

In this one, we only have a toilet, a 2′ x 3′ shower, and corner storage. Not including the storage, our bathroom is approximately 4′ x 3′. And this is not a wet bath. The longer we live tiny the smaller our houses get! We have been finding we actually don’t need that much room.

What to Have in Your Tiny Bathroom

Now that you know how big to build your bathroom, what should you have in it?

This answer will vary a lot based on what you use and how the rest of your house is laid out. For example, many people in tiny houses put their clothes in their bathroom, because that’s where they change.

I have always gotten dressed in my bedroom so I have never built closet storage in my bathroom. However, I typically always do my make-up in my bathroom. It is important to take the time to really analyze how you actually want to live.

Here are things to consider having in your tiny house bathroom:

  • Toilet
  • Shower
  • Sink
  • Storage
  • Tankless Water Heater
  • Mirror
  • Towels and Hangers for Them
  • Closet
  • Scale

These are standard items to account for when building or designing a tiny house.

Related Questions

What are tiny house bedroom dimensions?

Downstairs bedrooms in a Tiny House on Wheels are around 8′ x 8’/9′. If you have your bedroom in a loft the average size is 8′ x 10′ and a secondary loft would likely be around 8′ x 5′. This all depends on the way the rest of the house is set up and how long it is.

What are tiny house kitchen dimensions?

This varies drastically. You can have a kitchenette that is only 4-foot long. Or you can have a large kitchen that has cabinets running 10 feet along the house. Many people do not have a designated room and instead intertwine their kitchen with their living room.