As the desire for nomadic, affordable living grows, the ever-increasing appeal of tiny homes is unsurprising. However, for all their benefits, there's no escaping that tiny homes are, well, tiny – meaning you are inevitably sacrificing space to experiment with style. That doesn't mean, though, that all tiny homes have bland interiors.
Take The Nest – an Ohio cabin with a deceivingly-spacious layout that exudes a Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic (with Midwestern flair).
Designed by husband and wife duo Aimee and Andrew Mettle, the home challenges all conventions we may have about tiny home living – proving that it's more than possible to live small without sacrificing style.
The Nest is one of two tiny homes designed by Aimee and Andrew, who turned the 500 sq ft space into a vacation rental amid Hocking Hills' sprawling landscape. 'Breathe in peace and return to nature, as well as each other,' they comment. '[It's] designed to make you feel at home, yet away from it all.'
As mentioned, The Nest tricks us into thinking that its interiors are more spacious than they are – but what does the home get so right? When it comes to small room design, it is perhaps no secret that natural light is our most powerful size-enhancing tool – and this is evident here, where every design decision emphasizes sunlight.
Most notably, the small living room features large windows that allow the light to fill in the space – but tall ceilings and warm green-painted walls reflect the light further. And, of course, a statement chandelier will continue the job once the sun sets over the Buckeye State.
Small space tricks aside (for a moment, at least), other stand-out design features include the cozy cream sofa, gas fireplace, and organic wooden twist on the traditional gallery wall.
In the kitchen, the off-white walls continue the spacious color scheme, while the vertical cabinets (seen above the stove) remind us to tap into otherwise disused storage space in our kitchens. The room comes complete with cooking basics and an Oxo Brew 8-cup coffee maker for a perfect caffeine fix.
Despite its slightly darker paint choices, the bedroom does not feel compact. Instead, the space blurs the boundaries between indoor/outdoor living – complete with a sliding glass door that opens onto the deck. And, like the living space, the bedroom cleverly uses lighting (or, in this case, task lighting) through the nightstand fixtures that offer pockets of light for reading.
Outside, The Nest's true size becomes evident, but its compact square footage is something to be celebrated. The exterior area also features a dining table for two, a firepit, a tiipii bed, and a hot tub.
For more info about small-space living (no matter where we live), this guide, available via Amazon, is an inspiring starting point.
