Living large in a very little house
Even in 280 square feet, it’s possible to live large.
That’s what the tiny home on display at HomeFest — running Nov. 2-4 at the International Centre, in Mississauga — illustrates. Though small on space, it’s big on upscale features including hardwood plank flooring, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops and a rooftop deck.
Named The Millennial, the abode, created by True North Tiny Homes in Hamilton, could serve as a young couple’s first home, accommodate adult children moving back to their parents’ place, or provide housing for an aging relative.
The house boasts generous windows, a clean, modern decor, sliding glass door and 11foot ceiling in the living/dining room, and a queen-sized bed in the upstairs sleeping loft. To save on space, appliances include a combination microwave-oven, a dishwasher tucked into a drawer and a laundry machine that both washes and dries clothes. However, both the refrigerator and the bathroom shower are fullsize.
A ductless mini-split unit provides heating and cooling. The house’s solar panels, water storage tanks and wind turbine can facilitate off-the-grid living.
True North’s Daniel Ott, who also owns a home design company and his wife JoAnna, an interior decorator, noticed millennials wanted high-end finishes in their homes but didn’t have the budgets to accommodate their tastes — and with high real estate prices, might not have the budget to buy a home at all.
Ott figured the timing was right for small, affordable homes and so launched True North Tiny Homes. He estimates the model costs about $125,000 but by trimming features such as the solar array, wind turbine and water tanks, the cost could be substantially less.
Currently, the Ontario Building Code does not allow for legal single homes of less than 800 feet (or one that’s on wheels), says Ott. However, with affordability an issue in Ontario and the cities of Toronto and Hamilton moving toward allowing laneway houses, Ott figures there will be demand for tiny houses. Currently, it’s fine to use one as a cottage, as long as it’s not a permanent residence, or to park it at a trailer park. In some provinces such as Quebec, tiny houses are legal.
“My dream is that in two to three years, tiny houses will be legal as laneway houses,” says Ott, who has built the True North model close to Ontario Building Code standards. It sits on a steel dropped axle system so it to be towed to home shows and other events, but the wheels can be removed for a permanent site.
This year marks the inaugural HomeFest. Highlights include the Live Kitchen designed by TV personality/designer Glen Peloso, where top chefs will hold demonstrations; Empty Nesters Take Flight that ex- plains how to modify your space for the shareable economy; Rub-A-Dub-Dub — There’s a Robot in the Tub, providing a look at the latest bathroom technology; Love It … or Lose it that offers advice on what to keep or dispense with when moving in with a partner; a look at the issues with a $5,000 kitchen; and a pop-up craft beer fest. Tickets are free and are available online.