Quickscrews
Quickscrews Cabinet Install Screws
Built for strength and precision, Quickscrews Cabinet Install Screws are the go-to choice for professional cabinet installers. Designed specifically for cabi...
$169
View ProductRise | We've Done the Research
House Feature
Lessons Learned from Two Years of Tiny House Living
The average master bedroom size in the United States is around 224 square feet, and that doesn’t even include the added walk-in closet and master bathroom. How is it then that Austin and Heidi Thompson, along with help from the Tiny Home Builders Team in Florida, came up with a plan to build a 204 square foot tiny home that feels every bit as spacious as a regular-sized home? Their lofted tiny house is only 24 feet long by 8.5 feet wide, but every square inch of the home is imaginatively and skillfully custom designed to maximize the amount of interior living space.
From the outside, most onlookers might doubt that the interior of this home could include a kitchen with a full-sized refrigerator and electric range and stove, a wraparound sofa couch, a washer and dryer combo, a large shower with a glass door, and a large, lofted bedroom with an enormous amount of light. The Thompson home offers an enormous wealth of wisdom on maximizing space in tiny houses to reduce your home's ecological footprint while not sacrificing comfort.
Details of Austin and Heidi’s Home
Instead of simply settling for a mass-produced tiny home model manufactured by the hundreds of tiny home building companies around the country, Austin and Heidi were adamant that they wanted a custom-built home tailored to their individual needs and preferences. One of the main attractions to the house is the large accordion window, which opens up entirely to the outside. This large window essentially allows Austin and Heidi to feel as if they are outside on the connected deck even when they're inside the home. When open, the window offers an abundance of fresh air to the entire house and cuts back on the need for additional air conditioning during the summer.
trusted by
10,000+ families
shop only the
good stuff
By Tobias Roberts, Rise Writer
Mar 20, 2025 · 6 min read
The kitchen is located in the center of the home and includes an oven and electric range, both attached to a kitchen countertop with a full array of shelves and storage space connected to the wall. The kitchen fills out across from the cooking area, a full-sized refrigerator, a dishwasher, and a kitchen sink with additional storage space underneath.
Next to the front door, a washer and dryer combo is located in a small closet attached to a wraparound bench seat, which offers a comfortable lounging and living room area. A movable table doubles as office space and a larger dining area for when the Thompsons have guests over for dinner.
Between the kitchen and living room, a set of stairs (not ladders, like other tiny homes) leads to the main loft, where two large windows and a unique skylight offer an enormous amount of natural light. While the loft areas of some tiny homes are dark areas reserved only for sleeping, this bedroom is a comfortable place to relax. On the opposite side of the tiny house, a separate “lounge loft” offers an additional sleeping area, along with a bright area for reading or relaxing. To control the temperature in the lofted area, a small mini-split air conditioner allows Austin and Heidi to control the temperature even on the hottest summer nights. In the lounge loft, a small air circulator is located to refresh the air in the home.
Recommended by Rise
Building Materials
Shop high-performance building materials that are vetted for benefits to your health, your pocketbook, and the planet.
Rise Writer
Expert. Practical. Sustainable.
Article by
Tobias Roberts
Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.
Expertly Curated
We find and feature the best products for a healthier, more sustainable home.
Trusted by Thousands
Helping 10,000+ families build better homes.
A More Sustainable Tomorrow
People. Planet. Better living.
