In major cities worldwide, the ever-increasing cost of living and space crunch have become common challenges. Toronto, one of Canada’s prominent cities, is no exception. To address this issue, it’s crucial to optimize every available space. In the contemporary era of interior design, the focus has shifted towards planning and adapting to small spaces, mobile housing, multi-use spaces and furniture. As more people yearn to experience city life, it’s imperative to make even the smallest spaces comfortable. The Symington Laneway Suite, situated in Toronto’s Junction neighborhood, is a quintessential example of innovative space utilization and modern interior design.

Designer: Lanescape Architecture

In the heart of Toronto’s Junction neighborhood, on a narrow 17-foot wide lot, stands a beacon of modern living: the Symington Laneway Suite. This 1,000 square foot (92sqm), 2-storey home is a testament to ingenuity, offering a 1-bedroom, 1.5 bathroom residence conveniently close to parks, transit, and community amenities. The exterior is built using black corrugated metal, while horizontal planks add texture to the ground floor, making it feasible to construct.

Don’t be fooled by its size, this suite is packed with features. As you approach, the bright yellow entry door immediately catches the eye. Behind it lies a den/study, complete with a desk, a cozy sitting area, and a built-in shelving niche – perfect for work-from-home needs or simply completing tasks during the day.

Moving through the space, towards the rear of the laneway house, you’ll find the dining area and kitchen. The dining area boasts banquette seating, while the kitchen is adorned with under-cabinet lighting, adding to its ambiance. A sliding door seamlessly extends this open-plan space to a small patio, offering a delightful outdoor escape.

Step onto the patio and take in the ingenious architectural design. The second floor of the laneway house cantilevers outward, providing an additional 3 feet of livable space inside. Stairs between the den and the dining area/kitchen lead to the upper level of the home. Here, a glass partition and railing allow natural light to travel throughout the interior. Upstairs, the small living room, featuring a fireplace, overlooks the laneway with a more private view towards West Toronto. The bedroom and bathroom are located at the rear of the house, facing the yard. Both rooms boast a neutral color palette with added interest in the form of artwork and wallpaper.

The secret to the spacious feel lies in the open floor plan, with not many walls, and large windows that allow light to flow through the space, making it seem open and airy, rather than claustrophobic. The use of a light color palette also makes the space look bigger and airy, making it feel larger than it is. Moreover, the addition of plants brings life to the space, enhancing its overall ambiance.

The post This Tiny Home In A 17-Foot Wide Lot In Toronto Is Redefining Urban Living first appeared on Yanko Design.

Designed by Acorn Tiny Homes, the Sherloak Homes brings about a novel new twist to the world of tiny home designs. The towable dwelling looks quite ordinary and simple from the outside, but the interiors feature a clever space-saving layout, which contains a hidden bookshelf doorway that leads to a light-filled enclosed porch. Measuring 34 feet in length, and based on a triple-axle trailer, the Sherloak Homes has an exterior made of woodgrain steel finish, and wood which has been charred using the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban method, providing it with a unique dark aesthetic.

Designer: Acorn Tiny Homes

The interior of the Sherloak Homes measures around 372 sq ft, and it has a distinctive oak finishing. You can enter the home via the main entrance, wherein you are welcomed by a spacious kitchen that includes a double sink, fridge/freezer, four-burner propane-powered stove, microwave, oven, breakfast bar, and loads of storage space.

Closely located to the kitchen is the living room, and the bookshelf/hidden entrance. You need to push the pressure plate which is concealed in a nearby wall-mounted light fitting, which unlocks the bookshelf door, which you can then open like a normal door. This door leads you to a light-filled enclosed porch space, which is a lovely space to relax and spend time in. This space also has another door that offers access to the outdoors directly.

The opposite end of the home houses the bathroom, which is quite compact with a sliding composting toilet that can be stowed away when not in use. This helps to maximize the floorspace of the snug bathroom. The Sherloak Homes includes two lofts – the main loft functions as the bedroom and can be reached through a storage-integrated staircase. It is a typical tiny home-style bedroom with a double bed, low ceiling, and storage. The other loft can be reached via a ladder attached to the wall, and this space can be used for storage or as an additional bedroom if need be. This space includes a netted relaxation area. This home is designed for a member of the Canadian military, who needs to move around every few years, and this house functions as an efficient tiny home on wheels.

The post This Tiny Home has its own Indoor Porch that you access through a Hidden Bookshelf Door first appeared on Yanko Design.

One of the advantages of people who can work remotely (digital marketers, writers, virtual assistants, etc) is that they can work from literally anywhere. As long as there’s internet and a power source for when their devices run out of juice eventually, these digital nomads have the freedom to set up shop wherever they are and to live in things like mobile homes. We’re seeing a lot of products and concepts targeting this segment and I for one am very interested to see these come to life.

Designer: Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC)

The Mobile Catalyst, nicknamed MOCA, was developed by masteral students from IAAC. Not only is it a perfect space for those that want to work while staying anywhere with a view but it is also an experiment into sustainable and self-sufficient habitat with a digital twist. It is basically a 5.4 meter long, 2.4 meter wide, and 3.6 meter high minimalist space that gives you the basic necessities of living. Its interior is made from dowel-laminated timber produced at the IAAC itself but sustainably harvested of course.

The front part of this mobile home has the basic amenities you would need to live in it like a kitchen, toilet and shower, and electric and water systems. In the middle and the back part is the space that can be turned into an office, a meeting area, a library, a recreation room, or even a space for small events. If you need privacy or partitions and also protection from different weather conditions, there are glass doors and a water-resistant cotton fabric that slides or folds with a pulley. There are also two beds on its “mezzanine” floor and you can reach it through a movable ladder.

And of course since MOCA is designed to be sustainable, you have three light-flexible mono-crystalline solar panels on the roof and LED strips as an interior lining. The house can run on its own for around 24 hours before it needs recharging. Water is also self-sufficient as the system stores, filters, and returns the shower water into reusable water. The entire mobile home is built with digital nomads in mind so they can live, work, and play anywhere they want, as long as the trailer can move and fit in that area.

The post Digital nomads can live and work in self-sufficient mobile home first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dragon Tiny Homes are known for their tiny homes that truly embody the micro-living movement. They bring back the small movement’s humble and modest roots with their tiny home called the Element. The Element features a compact frame and a simple yet well-equipped interior. The home is currently up for sale for an economical price tag of US$23,500. Let’s deep dive into the nitty gritties of the home!

Designer: Dragon Tiny Homes

The Element tiny home is quite similar to Dragon’s 16’TWOH With Loft but with a smaller price tag. The tiny home is founded on a double-axle trailer and features a length of 16 feet. In comparison to popular European tiny homes, like the ones from Baluchon, this one is truly quite compact. It is finished in smart siding-engineered wood and weighs around 7000 lb. Since the price point is quite comfy, it is a given that the home isn’t extremely spacious, and you won’t be hosting a lot of parties. And it does lack some of the pristine features you may find in larger tiny homes. The interior is compact and cozy, and clad in rough plywood.

The home is unfurnished, but it does contain a basic kitchen unit with a sink and cabinetry. The main room can also double up as the living area, and besides this space, the only other room downstairs is the bathroom. The bathroom is quite snug and compact too, and it features a toilet and a shower.

The Element features one loft bedroom which can be accessed via a ladder. The bedroom is like most bedrooms found in typical tiny homes, it is loft-style with a low ceiling and has sufficient space for a double bed. Although currently the Element is priced at US$23,500, it can be upgraded with better features and finishes at an additional cost. So if you’re in the mood to splurge a bit, you can elevate the basic Element and get something more to your taste and liking.

The post The Element Tiny Home Is Cozy To Live In & Easy On The Pocket With A US$23,500 Price Tag first appeared on Yanko Design.

Named the Gaïa Tiny House, this impressive home by Baluchon is unlike its usual pint-sized dwellings. The home occupies 387 square feet, and it features a spacious interior layout that can easily accommodate a small family, letting them live in absolute comfort. The tiny home is finished in pine, and accentuated with aluminum accenting, creating a subtle and minimal exterior. It is based on a double-axle trailer.

Designer: Baluchon

The tiny home has a length of almost 26 feet, making it 6.5 feet longer than Baluchon’s usual tiny homes, which is something to appreciate. It has a width of 11.4 feet, which is an increase and improvement over Baluchon’s usual 8.2 feet. These little adjustments make a massive difference, as they create an apartment-style layout within the home, but this also means the house needs a permit to be towed on the road.

The home is connected to the outdoors via massive glass doors, which also connect to the terrace area, which is yet to be attached. A secondary door is installed on the opposite wall, which allows visitors into the living room. The living room has quite a spacious appeal, and it is equipped with generous glazing, a sofa bed, and a chair. The kitchen is located nearby, and it is arranged in a L-shape while holding a fridge/freezer, oven, sink, two-burner propane-powered stove, shelving, and custom cabinetry. The space also includes a dining table for four people. The kitchen and bathroom are connected through a small sliding door, and the bathroom contains a shower, sink, toilet, and some storage space.

The Gaïa Tiny House accommodates two bedrooms, and both of them are conventional loft spaces with low ceilings. You can access the main bedroom via a storage-integrated staircase, and it includes a double bed, two oak bedside tables, and a long storage unit with drawers. The second bedroom can be accessed through floating stairs that seem to extend from the main staircase. This room includes a single bed and an oak desk study area. Both rooms have a skylight with an integrated electric bind.

The post Gaia Tiny House Is Wider & Longer Than Typical Tiny Homes With A Spacious Interior first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dubbed the Grand Sojourner Layout 3, this neat and quintessential little home was designed by Häuselin with a unique slide-out section that lets the owners enjoy the benefits of a compact model when towing, and a spacious and luxurious model when it is parked. This impressive tiny home maximizes its flexibility with an optional off-grid capability as well. This model is the latest in Häuslein’s Sojourner series, and it is founded on a triple axle-trailer while measuring 30 feet.

Designer: Häuslein

The tiny home is finished in red cedar and black aluminum, imparting it with a classy and minimalist exterior. The tiny home’s slide-out section is optional, but this increases the home’s width from a road-legal of 8 feet to roughly 11 feet. The slide-out section is manually operated and is based on two sets of rails. It can be pushed out by two people, and then locked into place, and does not permit any rain or wind to enter.

The slide-out section may sound minimal, but it does make the living room seem larger and more spacious, much like a normal fully-sized home. The living room can also be configured as an office or bedroom if needed. Next to the living room is the kitchen which accommodates a sink, cabinetry, a drawer dishwasher, fridge, full-size oven, and stove. There is also shelving and a cute breakfast bar that can seat two people. The kitchen is further connected to a bathroom which contains a vanity sink, shower, storage space, and a washer/dryer. There is an option between a traditional flushing toilet, composting toilet, and an incinerating toilet.

The Grand Sojourner Layout houses two bedrooms. The master bedroom can be accessed via a storage-integrated staircase, with a lower floor section that allows residents to stand upright. The bedroom also includes a double bed, storage, and a skylight. It has a ceiling height of 5 feet. The second loft-style bedroom can be reached via a removable ladder, and it can also be used as a storage or multipurpose room if need be. The tiny home is equipped with solar panels and a battery system, as well as a tank/pump setup, allowing it to run off-grid.

The post Cedar-Clad Tiny Home Expands With A Slide-Out Section & Supports A Total Off-Grid Lifestyle first appeared on Yanko Design.

Designed by Timbercraft Tiny Homes, the spacious Denali tiny home first became accessible to the public in 2017, with time it got upgraded to the Denali XL, and now the firm has officially launched the Denali XL Bunkhouse. The Denali XL Bunkhouse as its name signifies is a spacious and majestic tiny home that can sleep from two to six people, providing an abundant amount of space for a small family, and some guests as well. It is supported on a quad-axle trailer, and it measures 41.4 feet long, with a width of 9.8 feet.

Designer: Timbercraft Tiny Homes

Since the width is long, the tiny home cannot be towed on the road without any kind of permit. It is one of the largest tiny homes on the market, and it isn’t something you’d be comfortable towing around often. The exterior of the home is clad in board-and-batten siding, and it has been topped with a standing-seam metal roof. The exterior has a quintessential cottage style which can be seen in the home’s interiors too, namely in the rustic shiplap walls, wood floors, tongue, and groove ceiling.

A pair of pretty French doors offer access to the home, there is one in the living room and one in the kitchen. They open up the tiny home to the outdoors. The kitchen is quite spacious and well-stocked for a tiny home, and it even includes a cozy breakfast bar for two people, as well as a propane-powered four-burner stove, an oven, dishwasher, custom cabinetry, and a fridge/freezer. The hallway of the home contains a large pantry area as well. The living room has generous glazing, including the French doors, and has quite a spacious vibe.

The tiny home’s bathroom includes a full-size bathtub and shower, as well as a flushing toilet and vanity sink. It also has a stacked washing machine and dryer installed. Opposite the living room is the master bedroom, and since it is on the ground floor, it has loads of headroom to stand straight. The bedroom also includes a king-sized bed with integrated storage space and a closet.

The post The Denali XL Bunkhouse Is A Spacious Tiny Home That Can Easily Sleep Six People first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dubbed the Buitenverblijf Nest, this unique-looking cabin is designed by Namo Architecture and i29 Architects. It is an idyllic little cabin elevated in a forest in the Netherlands. The cabin is inspired by a birdhouse but it looks like a rather massive one. It can accommodate a family of four, although a bit tightly. The tiny home is tucked away in the Netherlands’ Hoge Veluwe National Park and is quite similar to BIG’s Biosphere.

Designer: Namo Architecture and i29 Architects

The cabin is part of a series of 11 dwellings in the cabin and was designed to be vacation rentals by the local authorities. The Buitenverblijf Nest is elevated on slender black supports and is raised 7.5 meters above the forest floor. The exterior of the home has space for birds,  bats, and insects, as well as solar panels on the roof that give access to power.

As you enter the home, you are welcomed by a 55-square-meter space. You can enter the cabin via a spiral staircase, and a terrace area leads you to the first floor. The home incorporates generous glazing, as well as a circular porthole-style window, that allows natural light to stream in throughout the day. These windows also offer lovely views of the forest. The layout of the home is designed to be simple and functional, with a compact living room equipped with some seating and a table, and a kitchen with an induction stove, fridge, sink, oven, cabinetry, and dishwasher.

The staircase also leads you to a bathroom with a mezzanine floor which includes a shower, sink, and toilet. The uppermost story serves as the bedroom. It has plenty of headroom for visitors to stand upright, and it accommodates a four-person bed and a porthole-style window. The room seems to be suitable for a small family – a couple and their children. If you want to check out the birdhouse-style tiny home yourself – it is available for rent on Airbnb!

The post Charming Birdhouse-Style Tiny Home Could Be Your Next Vacation Rental Destination first appeared on Yanko Design.