A 19-YEAR-OLD and her boyfriend have bought a “shed” and are on a mission to turn it into the ultimate tiny home.
Elly Bewley explained that she and her partner Briggs, also 19, paid £12,000 for the shell of their tiny home.
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Since getting their home, the couple have installed a bathroom that is something you’d expect to find in a posh resort.
Posting on social media, Elly gave her followers a close-up look at her tiny home, leaving many totally stunned.
Tiny homes have become all the rage recently thanks to their purse-friendly price tags, minimalist style and sustainability.
They also offer buyers the chance to get a foot on the property ladder without having to fork out for a wallet-draining mortgage.
Read more real life stories
Showing off her new home, which arrived on wheels, the content creator beamed: “So we bought the shell of our tiny home back in November of 2023 – it is 14 x 40 foot and it cost us around $16,000 [£12,060].”
She then explained: “The first thing we did when we got the shell of our tiny home is framing – framing probably cost around $750 [£565] when you add the wood, nails and things like that.”
Luckily, the couple, who live on a piece of rural land in a small town in the US, are able to save cash on renovation costs as they are taking on the DIY project of renovating the tiny home themselves – and with a helping hand from loved ones.
Elly continued: “We are doing most of the manual labour on our own with the help of friends and family, so thankfully, that’s not costing us.
“We decided since the house is so small already, we didn’t wanna make a whole bunch of walls, so we only framed in a bathroom and a closet.”
In another video, Elly gave users a look at her newly installed bathroom, which is complete with granite counter tops and amazing pebble flooring.
Alongside the clip, the young woman expressed: “Just because we live in a shed, doesn’t mean that we can’t have a bathroom like a luxury resort.”
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @elly.bewley, has clearly impressed many, as it has quickly gone viral and racked up 2.4 million views.
Tiny Homes FAQs
The tiny house movement began in the USA before gaining popularity in the UK.
What is a tiny home?
Tiny houses are small, fully-equipped living spaces designed to lead a more sustainable, off-grid lifestyle. Although they vary in size and shape, tiny homes tend to be between 15 and 50 square metres in capacity, made of sustainable materials and are easier — and cheaper — to maintain than traditional brick homes.
Are tiny homes legal in the UK?
As long as the tiny house doesn’t exceed 19.8m x 6.7m in size, it is defined as a caravan in UK law. Therefore, tiny houses are classed as legal additional living space.
Can you get a mortgage for a tiny home?
The small size and relatively low cost of tiny houses means they’re not generally considered eligible for a mortgage. However, there are plenty of options to take out a loan to fund your dreams of the perfect, moveable home.
Not only this, but it’s also amassed 146,000 likes, 361 comments and 10,3000 saves.
Social media users were gobsmacked by Elly’s tiny home and many eagerly raced to the comments to share their thoughts.
I want one now
TikTok user
One person said: “So fun! Congratulations, y’all!”
Another added: “STOP THIS IS MY DREAMMMM.”
A third commented: “Love this!”
Whilst someone else beamed: “I want one now.”
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Why I could never live in a tiny home
Tiny homes are getting increasingly popular in the UK, especially in the cost of living crisis when first-time buyers are struggling to get on the property ladder or current homeowners are having to pay ridiculous interest rates on mortgages.
But Rebecca Miller, Fabulous’ Associate Editor, has shared why living in a tiny home would be her idea of a nightmare.
“I’m currently in the process of selling my flat and buying a house, and as I pack up all my belongings, I’m worried where it is all going to go – there is so much stuff!
Fortunately, I’m very privileged to be buying a house with more square feet than my current flat.
But it got me wondering, could I ever live in a small space? And the answer is no.
- Less personal space
Living with another person immediately cuts down on personal space, but remove several rooms, and I’d be left with only the bathroom as my sanctuary. I’m not sure I’d be able to cope!
- Less storage space
I’m like a magpie, I like collecting pretty things, and I like my belongings to be organised. With limited storage space, I’d find it really hard to keep everything neat and tidy.
- Can’t play host
One of the joys of being an independent adult is being able to host – friends, family, overnight stays, and dinner parties. Where would I gather everyone for a Sunday lunch if my table only sat two? Not to mention, how would I cook a Sunday lunch?
- No room to grow
Both as an individual, as part of a couple and also my hobbies, can be restricted by physical space. When I first moved into my flat, I was overjoyed at having my own balcony, and it has been a space where my love for gardening has grown. Five years on, my balcony is now overflowing with plants, and I’ve had to set up a mini propagator in the living room!
