Contrary to popular belief, home gyms are not just for the wealthy, famous or well-off. Home gyms can be for anyone! There is no need to buy top of the line, high priced home gym equipment if you cannot afford it. You can build a great looking home gym room even if you are on a budget. Check these steps to find out what are the main aspects that you have to cover in order to build a functional and comfortable room for your home workouts.
Steps.
1. Choose the right equipment. Before decorating, take into consideration what type of workouts will be pursued there. Define your fitness or weight loss goals and go from there. Defining your goals will help you to find out what types of equipment do you need. If your main goal is to build or pump your muscles, then you will need some strength training equipment. If you want to lose some weight, then you will need to look for cardio training equipment. If you want to build a fully functional home gym, then you will need both types of equipment. Whatever you decide, please do not forget to check the size of the equipment, as it has to fit in your home gym room.
2. Choose the right flooring. A home gym would not be complete without proper flooring. Vinyl or rubber tiles are best in a home gym. These tiles cushion the impact on the joints during high intensity workouts. If vinyl or rubber tiles are not an option, carpet or laminate flooring works also. However, home gym equipment is heavy, so if you decide to put carpet or laminate, be aware that it can be damaged. Also, some equipment can slide on laminate floors during high intensity workouts, and you have to prevent that. Be sure to either protect the floor, or find something to put underneath the equipment. Home gym mats are a good option for this.
3. Choose the right colors. A bright, happy room full of colors is more encouraging, than a gloomy, colorless room full of gym equipment. Colors in a home gym should be energizing, bright and colorful. And think about the size of your home gym. If your home gym is in a small space, dark colors are not recommended. Putting dark colors here makes that space seem like more of a dungeon than a fun home gym. Also, take into consideration what type of exercises are being done in that certain space. For example, if this room is going to mainly be used for weightlifting, consider a blue hue. Tranquil blues send a chemical from the brain to the rest of the body calming or soothing it. Weight Lifters lift more in a blue room. Blue is also known to increase productivity and suppress an appetite.
4. Personalize your home gym room. Bring in plants, candles, motivational posters or pictures of your family. Putting up pictures of your family may be something to keep you going. Family can be one of the most inspiring things to a person. Anything that is considered inspiring should be in your home gym. This is to be a place of inspiration and hard work. Find something that inspires you to work harder.
5. Other Décor Ideas for Your Home Gym. It may be an option to put a mirror on the wall to watch themselves improve as they work out. Write inspirational sayings and put them up on a wall or mirror; somewhere where they will be seen and inspire. Make it personal as well, adding goals on a whiteboard or a piece of paper taped up on a wall. Perhaps add a stereo or television to your home gym. If there is something distracting enough to take one’s mind off a workout, that workout might become easier or might pass by faster causing them to continue. Hydration is another important part of working out, so perhaps adding a small refrigerator stocked with bottled water or sports drinks would be a good idea. Also, adding clock to your home gym can help keep track of workout times.
Do not create a home gym alone. Bringing in family is a great way to get everyone involved and may encourage the rest of the family to get fit, stay active and spend more time together. If small children are part of the equation, then add a set, specifically made space just for them, so then they can work out alongside their family. Friends are another great group to get involved. Working out with friends is a great motivation tool for workouts. Friends encourage each other to push one’s limits. Perhaps even get everyone to join as a team for a competition, such as, an obstacle course, triathlon, or group running. The most important thing to remember is to have fun creating this home gym. It should not be a grueling process; it should be fun and exciting.
A new home is a blank canvas. you get the opportunity to transform each and every room into a personality filled space that you'll adore. Whether you're tired of your old space or you're moving into a new one, decorating it is imperative to adding coziness and charm. Try changing up large aspects of your home along with incorporating small details, for the best results.
Method 1 Making Big Changes.
1. Paint your walls. If you live in a rented space, this might not be an option for you. However, if you’re able to, painting the walls in your house can be one of the quickest ways to freshen up the look and add a bit of interest. Choose a color that complements your personality and fits your space. If you’re bubbly and fun, consider a golden yellow or bright green. Calm and collected? A shade of gray or blue might be more your pace. Paint isn’t permanent, so feel free to experiment with colors until you find a look you love!
Don’t be afraid to try several colors spread throughout your home; although you don’t want many different bright colors, painting each room a different color is totally appropriate.
Although it’s not as in style as it used to be, you can apply wallpaper on an accent wall to add a bit of pattern, if you want. There are even wall decals that act like wallpaper but are removable, if you’re afraid of the permanence of it.
If you’re not ready to paint one whole room (let alone your house!), try adding an accent wall. This is when you paint just a single wall in a room, typically one that gets a lot of attention, a bright or cheery color that matches your décor.
2. Try out new furniture. Furniture is arguably the most important aspect of decorating; if you’re short on furniture or have been using the same pieces for many years, consider bringing some new furniture into your home. Choose comfortable pieces in colors and styles that match your personality. Don’t be afraid to try something other than what the store model has set up; furniture that truly shows your personality will fit in your space better than boring floor model furniture you pick up because it is on sale.
Don’t be afraid to buy used furniture from thrift stores; it is easy to repaint and reupholster these to match your space.
Mix and match furniture rather than using only matching sets; you’ll end up with a more unique look, and probably save some money in the process.
3. Use decorative storage. Whether you’re incredibly organized or a bit of a hoarder, nearly everyone has stuff that needs to go into storage. Rather than shoving it under a bed or in the back of a closet, try using decorative storage instead. Look for ottomans that store things in their hollow centers, entertainment centers with doors, and large bookshelves and hutches to hold your knickknacks. By using storage that’s attractive, you kill two birds with one stone.
Cover shoeboxes in fabric or spray-paint store-bought storage crates to create sophisticated solutions to your storage problems.
Book cases can be used to store nearly anything, aside from books. Consider placing one in your kitchen to hold dishes or in your living room for assorted decorations.
When you buy new furniture, look for pieces that have hidden storage available.
4. Refurbish old furniture and accents. If you don’t have enough money to buy new furniture for your apartment, give your current furniture a makeover. In a kitchen or bathroom, try painting the cabinets a new color or staining them. Use cheap fabric to reupholster your couches or chairs, and try a stain on your floors to change the color. Wood accents (on edges of furniture, the windowsills, trim, doors, etc.) can be painted or stained a bold new color. If nothing else, try moving your furniture into new locations and see the difference it makes on their appearance.
Method 2 Adding Decorative Details.
1. Hang up some artwork. Nothing does more for a space than filling the walls with artwork, prints, and posters. Choose a selection of artwork and prints in complementary colors and themes; think nature photography, paintings, concert posters, favorite quotes, etc. Head to a local thrift store or the clearance rack of a department store and pick up some picture frames that match the sizes of your artwork. Then, hang your prints all over your home. A bare wall is a boring wall, so try to have at least a few large pieces and a few small pieces of art displayed throughout your house.
Keep in mind that you can paint your picture frames to match your artwork or furniture.
You can purchase incredibly cheap prints of famous paintings online, making it easy to add lots of art to your home.
2. Add your favorite pictures/memories. To make your house truly idiosyncratic and appealing, add framed photos of your favorite memories, trips, people, and locations. You can print large photographs from different experiences throughout your life to hang as centerpieces on your walls, or you can print small versions to place in standing frames around your house. People will love seeing your home filled with your favorite pictures, and you’ll always have good things to be reminded of while you sit and relax.
You can find cheap picture frames for your photos at thrift stores, which can then be painted to match the interior of your house.
Try hanging your photographs with assorted artwork in your home in a gallery display. This will allow you to showcase lots of your favorite pieces at once, and add a more personal touch than just paintings might do.
3. Add floating shelves. Floating shelves are small rows of shelves that are attached directly to your wall, allowing you to hang prints and photos around them.[5] These are great for placing small decorative items and knickknacks on. Add glass bottles/vases of flowers, trinkets, things you’ve collected from your travels, and other pretty things to the shelves that match your interior decorating. These are also a great way to showcase art and photos without filling your walls with holes to hang them up.
Floating shelves are great for decorating a bathroom and allowing you to store towels and the like with a small amount of space.
Try using floating shelves in your kitchen to store cookbooks and pretty glassware/china.
4. Use creative lighting. Generic light covers and shades may come with your home, but they typically lack interest and personality. Mix up your lighting by purchasing new, more decorative options. Look for items to work as your primary light source that match the general style of the room, but that aren’t too bold. Small interesting lamps can be interspersed throughout your home to add light and flare to your style. If you’re interested in DIY, you can purchase old lamps and shades from a thrift store and spray paint or cover them in fabric for a fresh new look.
If you’re using multiple lights in one room, try to vary the sizes, colors, and shapes of the lamps (unless they’re a matching set).
You can never have too much light, so don’t be afraid of using several light fixtures in a single room or a small area.
5. Hang up some new curtains. Curtains are one of the most underused style tools in decorating a home. With just a bit of carpentry work, you can install curtain rods and add lovely curtains that match your furniture perfectly. Look for curtains that have plenty of color or pattern to brighten up your room. If you’re working in a space you’d like to keep dark (like a bedroom), you can add room-darkening curtains or drapes in dark hues to block out light. If you’re trying to make a space look bigger, add light colored and textured curtains.
6. Look for matching rugs. The purpose of rugs is dual in nature: cover up unattractive or dirty flooring and add interest and pattern to your floor. Look for rugs to fill up the empty spaces in your home; these will make your house seem full of furniture even when it's a bit bare. Find rugs in colors and patterns that match your décor (or go with it; too much ‘matching’ might look boring). You can also arrange furniture on a rug. There are basically three ways you can arrange furniture on your rug. Rugs can be places in nearly every room of your home, including your kitchen and bathroom, so don’t be afraid of getting several!
You can purchase cuts of carpet and have them finished to create your own rug for your home, for cheap.
There are basically three ways you can arrange furniture on your rug. Rugs can be places in nearly every room of your home, including your kitchen and bathroom, so don’t be afraid of getting several!
All on: The rug is large enough to place all of the furniture legs on top of it.
All off: If you have a small room, keeping all legs off the rug is a great cost-effective choice.
Front on: Put just the front feet of all your seating pieces on the rug.
Tips.
Try adding interesting details like houseplants, or changing out doorknobs, or decorating doors for subtle changes that make a difference.
For a cheap option look into ways to decorate with paper.
A new home is a blank canvas; you get the opportunity to transform each and every room into a personality filled space that you'll adore. Whether you're tired of your old space or you're moving into a new one, decorating it is imperative to adding coziness and charm. Try changing up large aspects of your home along with incorporating small details, for the best results.
Making Big Changes.
Paint your walls. If you live in a rented space, this might not be an option for you. However, if you’re able to, painting the walls in your house can be one of the quickest ways to freshen up the look and add a bit of interest. Choose a color that complements your personality and fits your space. If you’re bubbly and fun, consider a golden yellow or bright green. Calm and collected? A shade of gray or blue might be more your pace. Paint isn’t permanent, so feel free to experiment with colors until you find a look you love!
Don’t be afraid to try several colors spread throughout your home; although you don’t want many different bright colors, painting each room a different color is totally appropriate.
Although it’s not as in style as it used to be, you can apply wallpaper on an accent wall to add a bit of pattern, if you want. There are even wall decals that act like wallpaper but are removable, if you’re afraid of the permanence of it.
If you’re not ready to paint one whole room (let alone your house!), try adding an accent wall. This is when you paint just a single wall in a room, typically one that gets a lot of attention, a bright or cheery color that matches your décor.
Try out new furniture. Furniture is arguably the most important aspect of decorating; if you’re short on furniture or have been using the same pieces for many years, consider bringing some new furniture into your home. Choose comfortable pieces in colors and styles that match your personality. Don’t be afraid to try something other than what the store model has set up; furniture that truly shows your personality will fit in your space better than boring floor model furniture you pick up because it is on sale.
Don’t be afraid to buy used furniture from thrift stores; it is easy to repaint and reupholster these to match your space.
Mix and match furniture rather than using only matching sets; you’ll end up with a more unique look, and probably save some money in the process.
Use decorative storage. Whether you’re incredibly organized or a bit of a hoarder, nearly everyone has stuff that needs to go into storage. Rather than shoving it under a bed or in the back of a closet, try using decorative storage instead. Look for ottomans that store things in their hollow centers, entertainment centers with doors, and large bookshelves and hutches to hold your knickknacks. By using storage that’s attractive, you kill two birds with one stone.
Cover shoeboxes in fabric or spray-paint store-bought storage crates to create sophisticated solutions to your storage problems.
Book cases can be used to store nearly anything, aside from books. Consider placing one in your kitchen to hold dishes or in your living room for assorted decorations.
When you buy new furniture, look for pieces that have hidden storage available.
Refurbish old furniture and accents. If you don’t have enough money to buy new furniture for your apartment, give your current furniture a makeover. In a kitchen or bathroom, try painting the cabinets a new color or staining them. Use cheap fabric to reupholster your couches or chairs, and try a stain on your floors to change the color. Wood accents (on edges of furniture, the windowsills, trim, doors, etc.) can be painted or stained a bold new color. If nothing else, try moving your furniture into new locations and see the difference it makes on their appearance.
Adding Decorative Details.
Hang up some artwork. Nothing does more for a space than filling the walls with artwork, prints, and posters. Choose a selection of artwork and prints in complementary colors and themes; think nature photography, paintings, concert posters, favorite quotes, etc. Head to a local thrift store or the clearance rack of a department store and pick up some picture frames that match the sizes of your artwork. Then, hang your prints all over your home. A bare wall is a boring wall, so try to have at least a few large pieces and a few small pieces of art displayed throughout your house.
Keep in mind that you can paint your picture frames to match your artwork or furniture.
You can purchase incredibly cheap prints of famous paintings online, making it easy to add lots of art to your home.
Add your favorite pictures/memories. To make your house truly idiosyncratic and appealing, add framed photos of your favorite memories, trips, people, and locations. You can print large photographs from different experiences throughout your life to hang as centerpieces on your walls, or you can print small versions to place in standing frames around your house. People will love seeing your home filled with your favorite pictures, and you’ll always have good things to be reminded of while you sit and relax.
You can find cheap picture frames for your photos at thrift stores, which can then be painted to match the interior of your house.
Try hanging your photographs with assorted artwork in your home in a gallery display. This will allow you to showcase lots of your favorite pieces at once, and add a more personal touch than just paintings might do.
Add floating shelves. Floating shelves are small rows of shelves that are attached directly to your wall, allowing you to hang prints and photos around them. These are great for placing small decorative items and knickknacks on. Add glass bottles/vases of flowers, trinkets, things you’ve collected from your travels, and other pretty things to the shelves that match your interior decorating. These are also a great way to showcase art and photos without filling your walls with holes to hang them up.
Floating shelves are great for decorating a bathroom and allowing you to store towels and the like with a small amount of space.
Try using floating shelves in your kitchen to store cookbooks and pretty glassware/china.
Use creative lighting. Generic light covers and shades may come with your home, but they typically lack interest and personality. Mix up your lighting by purchasing new, more decorative options. Look for items to work as your primary light source that match the general style of the room, but that aren’t too bold. Small interesting lamps can be interspersed throughout your home to add light and flare to your style. If you’re interested in DIY, you can purchase old lamps and shades from a thrift store and spray paint or cover them in fabric for a fresh new look.
If you’re using multiple lights in one room, try to vary the sizes, colors, and shapes of the lamps (unless they’re a matching set).
You can never have too much light, so don’t be afraid of using several light fixtures in a single room or a small area.
Hang up some new curtains. Curtains are one of the most underused style tools in decorating a home. With just a bit of carpentry work, you can install curtain rods and add lovely curtains that match your furniture perfectly. Look for curtains that have plenty of color or pattern to brighten up your room. If you’re working in a space you’d like to keep dark (like a bedroom), you can add room-darkening curtains or drapes in dark hues to block out light. If you’re trying to make a space look bigger, add light colored and textured curtains.
Look for matching rugs. The purpose of rugs is dual in nature: cover up unattractive or dirty flooring and add interest and pattern to your floor. Look for rugs to fill up the empty spaces in your home; these will make your house seem full of furniture even when it's a bit bare. Find rugs in colors and patterns that match your décor (or go with it; too much ‘matching’ might look boring). You can also arrange furniture on a rug. There are basically three ways you can arrange furniture on your rug. Rugs can be places in nearly every room of your home, including your kitchen and bathroom, so don’t be afraid of getting several!
You can purchase cuts of carpet and have them finished to create your own rug for your home, for cheap.
There are basically three ways you can arrange furniture on your rug. Rugs can be places in nearly every room of your home, including your kitchen and bathroom, so don’t be afraid of getting several!
All on: The rug is large enough to place all of the furniture legs on top of it.
All off: If you have a small room, keeping all legs off the rug is a great cost-effective choice.
Front on: Put just the front feet of all your seating pieces on the rug.
When decorating your home office on a budget, try to be as creative and resourceful as possible. Make your own shelving to inexpensively create storage and workspace areas. Look around your home and repurpose furniture you already own. Customize those pieces to maximize their use-value and aesthetics. If you do need to buy new pieces, look for gently used items at consignment shops, estate or yard sales, and surplus stores. Maximize your efficiency and make your office a pleasing place to work with inexpensive accessories and organizational habits.
Method 1 Choosing Affordable Office Furniture.
1. Repurpose furniture from other areas in your home. Office furniture typically makes up the bulk of the decor budget. Do your best to reuse pieces from other areas in your home in order to increase savings. Look for customizable items that can offer both design solutions and a personal touch.
For example, you can use a sturdy coffee table to provide a seating area that doubles as storage space. Find inexpensive cushions or even a pet bed large enough to cover the tabletop in the clearance section of a home decor store. Place woven baskets or other storage bins you might have on hand under the coffee table to store files, books, or other necessities.
If you have an extra dresser on hand, put it in the office to store supplies and paperwork. Consider downsizing your wardrobe to free up a storage piece in your bedroom.
Or, repurpose a kitchen or dining table as a desk. This will give you plenty of space to arrange your equipment (computer, printer, etc.) and work materials.
2. Use shelving to solve storage, workspace, and cost limitations. Create your own shelving with affordable wood panels and brackets from the hardware store if you have basic woodworking skills. Alternatively, you can look for deals at department stores or online. Inexpensive shelving can not only offer storage solutions, it can also provide you with desk space, which can be among the costliest office furniture pieces.
Run shelving horizontally along an entire wall for multiple workstations. Use the area underneath for storage containers, a trash bin, and office equipment like a printer or shredder.
To create bookcases, stack shelves horizontally on top of one another 12 inches (30 cm) apart. Add file folders, baskets, and other storage containers along with your books.
3. Purchase gently used furniture to cut your budget. If you do need to purchase a desk, file storage, or other office furniture look around for good second-hand pieces. Search online for estate sales in your area, and look for local organizations that host estate sales. Check websites for options to sign up for email lists so you won’t have to drive around your city looking for sales.
Look around consignment shops, thrift stores, and furniture surplus stores in your area for deals on items that fit your taste and needs.
Make sure you have your space’s measurements on hand, and bring a tape measure with you to be sure you purchase items that fit your office.
Get creative with your use of second-hand items. For instance, use a buffet table to house your printer or turn a large basket into a decorative trash can.
4. Remember that an ergonomic chair is important. If there’s one office furniture item to spend a bit of money on, it’s the chair. Sitting for long periods of time is tough on your back, legs, and overall health, so look for an ergonomic office chair that fits your budget.
You may be able to great a great deal on an ergonomic chair from a company that’s going out of business, such as an office building or doctor’s office.
Look for a form-fitting chair that offers both sturdiness and flexibility. Go for height adjustable options that offer lumbar, neck, and head support.
A new ergonomic chair can cost thousands of dollars, but with some patience, you can find a secondhand option for a fraction of that price.
Using a kitchen chair or other uncomfortable option might be a decent solution while you look for a good budget-friendly piece, but it’ll compromise your productivity and health in the long run.
5. Mix up pieces instead of purchasing a matching set. Purchasing a matching office furniture suite might offer a quick decor fix, but will drastically increase your cost. Be patient as you furnish your office using a mix of repurposed and secondhand items. It might take a matter of months, but you’ll end up saving hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
In addition to drastically reducing your budget, avoiding a matching suite will also give your workspace a more personal feel.
Method 2 Accessorizing Your Home Office.
1. Avoid splurging on accessories. There’s really no need to spend much money on office accessories, if any at all. Look around your house for items like framed photographs, houseplants, and knickknacks to add some personality to your workspace without spending money.
This is another opportunity to repurpose items. For example, use a pretty rock as a paperweight and cut a few flowers from your garden to put in a vase on your desk.
Given a little time, you’ll probably accumulate more accessories than you need. You might receive a gift like a stress ball or Zen garden to place in your office on your next birthday or holiday. If you have kids, they might make you something in school you can put on your desk.
2. Create your own large-scale wall designs. Instead of spending hundreds on office art, you can paint your office’s walls a bright color, and create a focal wall using painter’s tape to make stripes or by putting up wall decals. Consider designating a large wall area as a blackboard brainstorming area, using inexpensive chalkboard paint to create it.
Affordable wall decor options also include your diploma or certificates. You can also print out and frame inspirational quotes or sayings.
Check out second-hand stores for inexpensive framed art or prints that match your taste.
Choose patterns and colors that both motivate and relax you. Avoid using too many dark colors, which can lead to decreased productivity.
3. Prioritize function when choosing lighting accessories. Ensure you have enough light to see well so you don’t strain your eyes. To improve both efficiency and aesthetics, you’ll need lighting options other than the room’s overhead light. However, you don’t have to break your bank by purchasing top of the line lighting accessories.
For your desk, consider reusing a small lamp from elsewhere in your home.
Look around consignment shops or home decor or department stores’ clearance sections for reduced-price floor and desk lamps.
Try to provide two to three lighting accessories so you can customize the room’s light levels. Including more lighting options is better for your eyes and improves the room’s feel. Warmer, shaded sources of light like desk and floor lamps are preferable to fluorescent overhead lighting.
Method 3 Maximizing Efficiency on a Budget.
1. Make sure that you only have to spend money on decor. The first way to stick to a low budget when designing an office space is to choose a room that doesn't require a significant amount of structural work. There are only so many design solutions you can achieve through decor alone. Think about how the room’s layout and level of finish will contribute to your efficiency.
For example, when you choose your office space, make sure the room has enough electrical outlets for your needs. Two outlets and affordable power strips should allow you to plug in your computer, printer, cell phone charger, at least two light sources in addition to the overhead light, and any other objects that require electricity.
An interior room without a window might make you less likely to want to work in that room, thus decreasing your productivity. Likewise, budget-friendly decor options can’t do much for an unfinished basement room. Make sure your space is clean and free of leaks or structural issues in order to encourage efficiency.
Even a nook in your bedroom or living room can offer more inexpensive, ergonomic, and efficient options than a larger spare room lacking outlets, insulation, multiple light sources, and other necessities.
2. Go for budget-friendly storage options instead of minimalism. From planning your budget to picking out furniture and accessories, your number one priority should be storage. A minimalist office look might be trendy, but splurging on stylish decor options that lack storage will max out your budget, decrease your efficiency, and limit your ability to keep the space organized.
Take the time to declutter and organize your things so you only store what you actually need.
Keep your budget in check by optimizing the storage space you already have available. If you're using a spare bedroom as an office, use the closet for storage to hide clutter. Install shelving for better organization if there aren’t any already present.
Ensuring everything in your office has a designated place and keeping your spaced organized are among the easiest and most affordable ways to maximize your efficiency.
3. Improve productivity with inexpensive candles and air fresheners. Making sure your office smells nice is among the most budget-friendly ways to increase efficiency. Believe it or not, recent studies suggest a more fragrant office not only improves comfort, but encourages productivity.
Experiments show that scents including lavender, rosemary, jasmine, and lemon encourage efficiency.
Remember inexpensive candles, oil diffusers, and other fragrant accessories can also be visually pleasing additions to your home office. You can choose scents that relax you or energize you, depending on your preferences and mood.
Many people have one very big loan, and that is a home mortgage. A mortgage can end up costing much more than your house is worth and takes much of your lifetime to pay off. One creative way to sidestep this problem is to make the choice to live in a tiny house. It is also a great way to live a minimalist life, avoiding being tied down by too much stuff. This article will start you off with some basic steps to cover when seeking to build a tiny house.
Part 1 Planning Your Build.
1. Figure out what kind of lifestyle you want to live. Your needs for mobility, stability and space will determine the type of tiny house you will be seeking to develop. Consider the following:
If you intend to move a lot, then a trailer-based home is probably a good choice.
If you think you'll maybe move once or twice, then you can use a bigger trailer base for your house a rent a truck to move it for you when the time comes.
Build onto the tiny house. You also have the option of building extensions to the main house, such as a deck or rooftop patio.
If you have a spot to build on, then you can do normal construction on a spot of land (this tends to be more expensive and permanent).
2. Determine what needs your home must meet. Sit down and make a list of all the things you want in your home. Of course, this is a tiny house, so you need to focus on the necessities, as there isn't any room for a lot of stuff. Examples of important basics for the house include:
One or more beds.
Appliances such as the oven, fridge, stovetop, microwave, etc., remembering that all of these will likely be much smaller than those you'd have in a standard size house.
Washer-dryer combo instead of two different machines.
3. Find a location to either park the trailer base or to build your tiny house in situ. Choose a location with accessibility to water and electricity. If this is not possible find a way to come up with alternatives. For example, many people prefer to use solar power and collect rain as part of the tiny house philosophy.
Part 2 Creating a First Draft of the House.
1. Map out all the things you want in your house. As you do so, keep in mind the exact amount of space you have to work with. It will always be less than you expect, so don't be surprised if you have to let go of some dream ideas but see this as an opportunity to be inventive rather than giving up on everything.
Include plenty of storage space and clever ideas such as stairs that include storage underneath.
This step works best by making an electronic floor plan of the house, or you can also make a actual model by hand so that you get a good sense of how it will look in your hands.
2. Scale the design so that the dimensions of your model will be accurate when building the house. A key aspect of this step is to build the house around the appliances you want. Go online and find the appliances that you will buy and go to the specs of the product. There will be dimensions for you to include in your floor plan/model.
Part 3 Making a Budget.
1. Work out the budget by concentrating on the main elements involved. These are appliances, labour, building materials and tools. Usually to build the house with all the desirable (kitchen, trailer, siding, etc.), an average cost is about $35,000 for a 24 ft trailer house. Keep in mind that the smaller the trailer, the cheaper the build. And, if you want fancier things and bigger size, the tiny house can cost up to $100,000.
2. Work out the appliance budget. With the appliances that you have selected in your floor plans as a base, include how much you can spend immediately. Then work out how much you can spend over time (that is, how much you can deduct from your paycheck towards the build).
3. Determine what you can do yourself. Then include the amount of labour that you can put in for things you can do yourself.
4. Figure out the cost of labour for professionals (i.e. plumber, electrician, builders).
5. Cost the tools you will need for your build. Renting the tools when necessary is one way to go so you don't have to put too much money into tools that you will not use again. For some basic tools it might be a better idea to just buy and own them if you don't already have them.This list provides a rundown of the tools you'll likely need.
Air compressor – Drives air powered tools like framing nailers and paint sprayers.
Caulking gun – Used to apply caulking and building adhesive.
Chalk line – Helps mark strait lines so that paneling, siding, and roofing stay in line.
Chisel – Used to finish cutting notches in wood.
Circular Saw – Handheld saw for cutting wood. Very versatile.
Clamps – Very useful when you need a second set of hands and none are available.
Crowbar – Good for amplifying elbow grease, and pulling nails.
Drill – Used for drilling holes and driving screws.
Dust Masks – Essential for protecting your lungs during dusty work.
Eye Protection – Essential for protecting your eyes during most cutting and other debris flinging work.
Framing nailer – Makes driving nails much easier.
Gloves – Essential for protecting your hands from splinters and abrasions.
Hacksaw – Used for cutting metal like pipes, nails, etc.
Hammer – Used for persuading lots of things on the job site, most commonly nails.
Impact driver – Like a drill, but drives screws better when the job is tough.
Level – Used to keep everything strait and level.
Miter saw – Used as a chop saw when many identical angered or strait cuts are needed.
Pliers – Used for pulling nails and most anything when your fingers aren’t tough enough.
Reciprocating Saw – Commonly used for demolition but also very handy for cutting nails and rough cuts on wood.
Rubber mallet – Ideal wen gentile persuasion is needed.
Socket wrench – Good for turning nuts in tight places, like when bolting your tiny house floor framing to the trailer.
Screwdrivers – Needed for turning screws and useful for opening paint cans.
Staple gun – Good for hanging vapor barriers, roofing felt, and can be used on house wrap.
Table saw – Ideal for making long strait cuts.
Tape measure – Used constantly for keeping everything accurate.
Tin snips – Used for cutting thin metal, like the aluminum flashing you’d use between your floor and trailer.
Toolbox – Helpful for keeping everything organized and transportable.
Utility knife – Used to cut thin material like roofing felt, house wrap, and vapor barrier.
Wire cutter – Used when wiring your tiny house.
Wrench – Necessary for turning nuts on bolts, like when connecting your tiny house to the trailer.
6. Put together a materials list. A typical list of materials that you will need in your tiny house. The amount of each that you will need depends on your build, and the cost will therefore reflect what type of tiny house you're building. Here are standard materials needed:
Trailer (varies in the size and length, wood for floors, walls, ceiling, and interior structures.
Installation for the walls, floor and ceiling (recommend Roxul - fire and water resistant).
Class D tires for the trailer, Typical house siding, Typical shingles for roof, Drywall.
Doors and windows, Cabinets and storage closets (many can be built from reclaimed wood if feasible).
Toilet (composting, RV toilet, or a actual functioning toilet).
Shower (typically small standing shower is used, a small tub can be added with creativity).
Sinks (kitchen, and bathroom), Counter-tops, Plenty of screws, braces, and nails.
Pipes for plumbing and propane lines for heating and water lines.
Electrical circuit wiring, outlets, switches, and breakers.
Tyvek wrapping for protection (or similar suited to your area).
Heating system, Regular appliances as selected by you.
Metal sheeting for flashing the trailer base (galvanized for durability).
7. Include solar power elements, as needed. If solar panels are going to be added, then you'll need the following as well: A charge controller, deep cycle batteries, and inverter to store charge and convert from DC to AC power.
Part 4 Constructing Your Tiny House.
Build the foundation of your tiny house
1. Level the trailer using jacks for the trailer. This step is important to do properly or your house will be tilted.
2. Build a frame on the trailer that your house will be built. Anchor the frame to the trailer so that your house does not slide off the trailer during transport keep in mind the weight distribution so that your house does not tip over.
3. Add galvanized sheet metal to flash the bottom of the trailer. This helps protect the home from rodents, water, and other elements from the bottom.
4. Put a floor frame on top. Add the insulation (Roxul) for more protection.
5. Install the sub floor on top.
Wall Framing
1. Build the walls as you had designed in your floor plans. Leave room for the windows and doors, as well as putting in the studs, and weight barring headers.
The headers are one of the aspects that are against building code, but are necessary for a tiny house, as every wall is a weight bearing wall.
You must ensure that everything is perfectly squared.
2. Double check that the windows and door fit in the spaces you made for them. Do this before you put the walls up.
At this point you might want to move anything inside the house that will not fit through the door depending on the design.
3. Sheath the walls while they are still down. Then raise the walls (with help, for safety reasons). Make sure that the walls are perfectly squared with the floor and other walls.
4. Secure the walls to the trailer with anchors.
Adding the Roof
1. Make sure that walls are perfectly parallel with each other before installing the rafters. Apply a spring brace to secure the walls and make them perfectly straight while installing the rafter
Double check the distance between the walls at the top for a good cut.
2. Construct the trusses per the plans that you made. Ensure that the height is under 13.5 ft to stay street legal (this may vary between countries, so check with the road authorities first).
3. Begin the sheathing process. Cut out the boards and glue the truss edges. Use clips to secure the sheets of wood into place and secure with nail/screws
4. Apply the Tyvek covering for more protection on the sheathing boards.
5. Install the reflection barrier followed by the furring strips and shingles.
Adding the Windows, Doors, and Siding
1. Make sure that door and window holes were cut in the walls that were put up.
2. Put Tyvek wrap outside the house for protection
3. Tuck the Tyvek wrapping into the window cut outs. Begin applying flash tape to the window sills to prevent water and heat from entering.
4. Install the windows and secure with a couple screws along the side. Then test the functionality.
5. Apply flashing tape to the outside of the window to insure it is sealed. Leave the bottom unsealed for water drainage, just in case.
For the doors, do the same thing as windows and flash the doorway then start installing the door frame.
6. Install the door. This can be made or purchased.
7. Install locks and door knobs.
8. Begin the siding process by taping the Tyvek seams and installing the furring strips. Paint both sides of the siding before putting up, to prevent rusting.
9. Hang the siding with a nail gun or as the product describes.
10. End the work on the outside by installing fascia boards and a drip edge.
Part 5 Creating the Interior of the Tiny House
1. Install a lofted platform at an optimal height for the sleeping area. This is a common practice in a tiny house. It will also need a ladder or staircase to reach the loft area.
2. Get electrical and plumbing installed by a professional at this point. Do not do this yourself unless you are a professional in these fields.
Make sure you instruct the professional on where you want your outlets, lights and sockets for your tiny house to accommodate the floor plan, such as gas lines for the propane to the stove/oven or water lines to the water heater and shower.
Put in the smoke and CO alarms at the same time.
Consider the power usage or your appliances and adjust accordingly.
3. Begin insulating the home from the inside. Make sure to put foam in the edges so that it is completely sealed.
Make sure that all materials are not affected by the foam, as some do react and that is not a good outcome.
4. Install the major fixtures now. This includes the heater, shower, toilet, sink, and water heater (preferably tankless). The heater weight should be considered in conjunction with the weight of the tiny house as a whole, and a safety zone and materials placed around it.
5. Install the desired flooring. For example, you could use hardwood in the living area and light tiles in the kitchen and bathroom areas. Splashbacks can also be used.
6. Install drywall and/or wall panels.
7. Construct the cabinets and counter tops for the kitchen. It is great if you can use recycled wood for these purposes. Include hookups and openings for the oven, fridge, and sink, etc.
8. Construct and install the bathroom vanity and storage. Install vents and the toilet.
9. Build in the storage units as per the initial design. You may also realize other possible storage options, so remain flexible and open to relevant changes.
10. Put in bulbs and outlet covers.
11. Decorate as desired. Your tiny house is complete. Now you can move in and enjoy your own space.
Question : How do I add a bathroom?
Answer : You need to decide whether you want it to be a whole little room of its own or just a cupboard-style loo with tiny shower. Keep it at one end of the tiny house and make sure it's well ventilated. Keep in mind weight if you're adding a bathtub.
Tips.
While planning make notes of the materials you will use in there largest quantities as most stores will give you better deals when you buy in bulk. However it is necessary to know exact quantities as to not over buy, then your just wasting your money.
Keep in mind the Material while building, so most building materials come in increments of 4 to 8 feet, so build the house around those dimensions to keep it easier.
Warnings.
- Loans are hard to get when there is no much that you have to put up for collateral, it is almost impossible for someone just starting out to get a loan on a none.
Laws - building codes are generally made for regular houses, and city building codes usually frown on most of the common practices the tiny homes follow.
Land - It is hard to find a piece of land to set your tiny house up on, in-city is almost impossible, and outside in a rural area will not have proper hookups.
When putting up the walls, it is important to have help, as this is very dangerous for one person to do alone.
Home decorating doesn't have to be expensive. You probably have many ordinary items that can find new life as decorations. So before you donate or dump anything, look at it with a creative eye. There might just be a way it can become part of your beautifully unique home.
Method 1 Using Garbage for Decor.
1. Make a lighted garland with old yogurt cups. A cute garland can be made with 10 empty yogurt cups of the same size. You'll also need gold acrylic paint, small paint brushes, a string of Christmas lights with 50 lights, thick ribbon, tulle netting, and an X-acto knife. You can get these supplies at a craft store.
To start, clean out the yogurt cups. You should also remove any plastic seals around the cups. Use the acrylic paint to paint the bottom halves gold. You may need to paint in two layers to get the color to stand out.
Cut about 80 strips of ribbon and tulle netting into 6 by 11.5 in (15 by 29 cm) strips. Alternating between and tulle netting and ribbon, tie bows along the wires of the Christmas lights.
Use the X-acto knife to cut a small "x" in the bottom of each yogurt cup. Push a yogurt cup through every fourth light. When you're done, you can hang your garland up in your home.
2. Create a jewelry holder with a wine bottle. If you have a clear wine bottle laying around, don't throw it away. You can make a jewelry container from the bottle. This can be a nice gift for yourself, or for a friend who wears jewelry. You'll need acrylic paint in your chosen color, gorilla glue, and an old salad plate.
Clean the wine bottle and remove any labels. Then, pour some acrylic paint into the bottle and swirl it around until the inside is painted. Add more paint if necessary. When the inside is roughly evenly coated with paint, pour the excess paint back into its original container.
Coat the bottom of the wine bottle with gorilla glue. Then, glue it to the salad plate. Set aside to dry for a day and then use your creation as a jewelry holder.
Once it’s dry, drape necklaces and bracelets around the mouth of the bottle.
3. Use newspaper or magazine pages to make a lampshade. If you subscribe to a magazine or local newspaper, tossing old papers may account for a lot of your waste. Instead of discarding old magazines or newspapers, use them to cover an old lamp. For this craft, you'll need a lampshade, old newspaper or magazine pages, Mod Podge, and a foam brush.
Use some scissors to vertically cut the newspaper or magazine pages into 1 inch (2.5 cm) strips. Apply a layer of Mod Podge to the lampshade. From here, apply the newspaper or magazine pages in strips until they cover the lampshade. Smooth out the paper as you go and trim any excess paper from the edges of the lamp.
When the lamp is covered, you should apply another layer of Mod Podge. This will give it a smooth, clean finish.
4. Glue rope around tin cans to make storage containers. With some twine, yarn, or braided or sisal rope and empty aluminum cans, you can make cute storage containers. Any kind of old can will work. You will also need a hot glue gun, scissors, and a plastic lid. You can use a plastic lid from something like a nut can as long as the diameter of the lid is at least 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) larger than the diameter of the can.
Begin at the bottom of the can. Apply a layer of glue around the can. Loop the rope around the can. Hold it in place until it’s dry. Then, apply another layer of glue around the can. Loop the rope up further, holding it in place, and let it dry. Keep going until you reach the top of the can and then cut the rope at an angle and glue the end to the edge of the can.
Take the plastic lid and apply glue all around the edge. Tie the rope around the edge and hold it in place until it’s dry. Circle the rope inward towards the center of the can, gluing it down as you go. When you reach the center, cut the rope off at an angle.
Method 2 Making Use of Old Kitchen Supplies.
1. Make cupboard handles with an old spoon and fork. If you have a spoon and a fork you no longer use, you can make a cute set of cupboard handles for your kitchen. At a craft or hardware store, get 4 aluminum screw posts. You should also get bonding glue. You might need to bend the utensils to get them to work for this project.
On one end of the fork, use the bonding glue to attach a screw post to the flattest area. Do the same with the spoon. Then, add another screw post to the other end of both utensils, making sure the screws are level with each other. Set the spoon and fork aside in a safe place to dry for 20 minutes. If you want, you can spray paint the new handles for a pop of color.
Remove the existing handles from a cabinet in your kitchen. Screw your new spoon and fork handles into the cabinet. You may have to drill new holes in the cabinets to correspond with the new handles.
2. Use a mason jar as a soap dispenser. Mason jars that once contained jams can be repurposed as soap dispensers for your bathroom. You will need to purchase a speed steel drill bit, which goes for about $10 at a hardware store, to do this craft. You'll also need a soap pump. You can use the pump from an old lotion bottle or buy a pump at a craft store.
Mark the center of the mason jar's lid. From there, drill a hole in the lid big enough to feed the soap dispenser pump through.
Fill the jar with soap. Screw the lid back on. You should now be able to pump soap through the mason jar.
3. Turn old glassware into fun display domes. If you have any old glasses, particularly stemless wine glasses, you can create cute display domes. Tumblers and canning jars also work well. Using an adhesive glue, glue a small decoration on the bottom of each glass. The decoration is up to you. You can purchase small figurines at a craft store, or use old knick-knacks from around your house.
You can place these domes over a variety of objects. You can use old figurines, photographs, or any other tiny item you'd like to display. Leave the domes in areas on the house, like a buffet table, for display.
4. Stamp gift wrap using wine corks. If you're making crafts around the holidays or a loved one's birthday, you can make a cute decorative wrapping using wine corks as stamps. You'll need some kind of craft paper or solid colored wrapping paper, an x-acto knife, acrylic paint, and glitter.
If you want to do a snowflake pattern, use the x-acto knife to carve 4 small triangles into the cork. If you want to simply use a dot design, leave the cork alone.
Wrap your gift in the kraft paper or blank paper. Then, dip the cork in the paint. Use scrap paper to blot off excess paint. From here, stamp your pattern onto the gift. Then, sprinkle the paint with some glitter. Let the package dry, and then decorate with a bow and ribbon as you wish.
Method 3 Making Crafts with Old Clothes.
1. Use a mitten to make a seasonal penguin doorstop. If you have an old mitten, you can use this to make a seasonal penguin doorstop. You will need an old black mitten, a needle and thread, a sewing machine, felt in orange, red, and white, Ziplock bags, 2 cups (~434 g) of sand, as well as a pair of sewing scissors.
Turn the mitten inside out. Sew closed the thumb opening and then turn the mitten right side out.
Take your white felt and cut an oval shape out of it, about half the length of the mitten. Sew it onto the mitten, a few inches below the top of the mitten. Cut a triangle shape out of the orange and sew it just above the top of the oval. Cut out 2 small circles, position them toward the top of the mitten as the penguin's eyes, and then sew on the top.
Fill your Ziploc bag with sand and close it. Place this inside the mitten with the bag pointing upward. Then, sew closed the opening of the mitten.
Cut a long strip of red felt and cut frays into the edges. Tie this around your penguin's neck as a scarf.
2. Make a pillow with an old shirt, quilt, or blanket. Pick out an old shirt, quilt, or blanket you no longer use, as well as a pillow that's in need of a cover. You can make a beautiful pillow out of this old fabric.
Trace out the shape you want. You aren’t limited to a square shape, and in fact a small circular throw pillow may work best. You can use a pen or pencil to draw around the edge of the pillow on either side of the shirt, quilt, or blanket.
Cut out your shape using sewing scissors.Then, pin the pieces together. You want the sides that will be the outside to be facing toward each other. This way, the seams will be invisible.
Sew seams along 3 edges and three-fourths of the fourth edge. When you're done, turn the fabric right side out.
Stuff polyfill stuffing, which you can buy at the craft store, through the hole that you left in the one edge. Make sure to stuff the pillow until you can’t really fit anything else.[9]
When your pillow is completely stuffed, sew the open edge shut.
3. Make a planter with an old pair of boots. Sturdy boot shafts work best for this project, but they aren’t essential. You can also use old rain boots. If there are holes in the soles or cracks in the rubber, that’s actually perfect, because you want them to drain a bit. The boot will look great on a porch or deck, especially if it is a bright color or pattern.
Drill a few holes in the sole. This is only necessary if the boots are still watertight. Make small holes and just enough to provide some drainage.
Put something heavy in the bottom. You can use gravel, pebbles, or anything else that will anchor the boot while still allowing it to drain.
Fill each boot about halfway with potting soil. Place one flower or plant in each boot. You can use practically anything that doesn’t require a lot of room for its roots.
Top up the potting soil. Don’t bury the roots too deep, especially if they tend to be shallow for that particular plant. You want enough to protect them.
