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Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

Advocates of the tiny homes phenomenon say life in cramped quarters is actually freeing -- no mortgage, no burdensome maintenance costs, no skyrocketing utility bills. Jay Shafer, founder of the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, lives in a 100-sq.-ft. house and pays $65 per year on utilities. Now Shafer designs and builds miniature homes for others who'd like to scale down. Beyond the initial price tag of $15,000 to $45,000 (plus the cost of solar panels like Shafer uses), tiny homes have a tiny upkeep budget. "For years I half-jokingly pushed for marketing our houses as 'marital aids.' Just recently I've wanted to start selling them as foreclosure-busters," Shafer says. Are you rethinking those dreams of adding on yet?

Tumbleweed Company

What one person would enjoy as a quiet studio in their backyard, another couple might choose to inhabit as a full-time residence or even a perfect weekend hideaway in the country.

This small home, called the Harbinger, features a bump-out on the front that can be used as a sitting or sleeping area. At approximately 297 square feet, the house is large enough to fit a queen size bed.

These "tiny" homes range from 65 to 140 square feet. Because they are on wheels, they are considered travel trailers, and do not require a building permit. You can park one anywhere you can place an RV. Buy it ready made, or buy the plans and build it yourself.

All of Tumbleweed's tiny homes are on wheels, wired for electricity, and ready to be plugged in. It's up to the owner to determine the source of electricity -- AC plug-in or a solar electric system.

The vaulted ceilings in the Lusby, at a whooping 117 square feet, make this tiny house feel much larger than it really is. The interior is completely finished in pine with stainless steel counters. The bathroom has a full shower, toilet, and sink. Two full-size closets flank the front door on either side.

The Lusby is a popular floor plan because of its downstairs bedroom with extra loft sleeping above.

Each house has been composed with meticulous attention to light, warmth, energy efficiency, and proportion.

Founder Jay Shafer has made the most of each cozy interior by minimizing transitional areas like hallways and stairwells and by using otherwise unusable space as storage.

What about heating and cooling? These homes are very well insulated, easy to heat and cool, and meet the State of California's strict residential energy efficiency standards. When he lived in Iowa, Shafer typically spent less than $170 (total) on propane to heat his tiny house during the brutal winters. Shafer's home, seen here, even includes a mini fireplace!

All the materials used in building these homes incorporate sustainable materials and reclaimed lumber. The Tumbleweed Tiny House Company prides itself on not using first life materials.