The Tiny house Blog

Tiny House Furniture Ideas & Tips

Updated on:
February 6, 2024
tiny house furniture ideas

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Living in a tiny house is like composing a symphony with space—every square inch performs a vital role in harmonizing comfort, functionality, and style. This concept becomes especially critical when selecting furniture, where the mantra is not just about downsizing but about smart, multifaceted choices that enhance your petite abode's livability and aesthetics.

In this guide, we delve into innovative furniture ideas and tips tailored for the spaces of your tiny house, ensuring each piece not only fits but amplifies the unique charm of compact living.

Bedroom and Loft Furniture

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The bedroom, often a cozy nook or an elevated loft in a tiny house, demands furniture that champions versatility and ingenuity. The following selections highlight how to maximize your sleeping quarters without sacrificing style or comfort.

Murphy Beds

The Murphy bed, a masterpiece of spatial efficiency, is the quintessential solution for the tiny house bedroom. This ingenious piece of furniture transforms with the grace of a ballet, serving as a stylish cabinet or shelf by day and unfurling into a sumptuous bed by night. 

The beauty of a Murphy bed lies in its dual functionality; it allows your bedroom to double as a living space, home office, or whatever your heart desires, making it a paragon of adaptability in tiny living.

Trundle Beds

For those who entertain guests or need an extra sleeping area, trundle beds are a godsend. Nestled beneath a primary bed frame, the trundle slides out like a secret drawer, offering a comfortable sleeping space without permanently occupying precious square footage. 

This clever design is ideal for tiny house dwellers looking to maintain a minimalist aesthetic while accommodating the occasional guest.

Built-ins

Embracing built-in furniture is akin to tailoring a bespoke suit; it's customized to fit your space perfectly. Built-in shelves, desks, and even bed platforms not only conserve space but also imbue your tiny house with a seamless, organized look. 

These permanent fixtures can be designed to serve multiple purposes, such as a platform bed with drawers underneath for clothing or a desk that folds up into the wall when not in use. The customization of built-ins means they can be crafted to reflect your personal style and the unique dimensions of your tiny home.

Loft-Related Furnishings

Lofts in tiny houses are often reserved for sleeping quarters, making the choice of furniture critical for comfort and functionality. Low-profile bed frames, futons, or even custom mattresses can be designed to fit snugly into the loft space, ensuring every inch is utilized effectively.

Incorporating storage solutions, like under-bed drawers or custom cabinetry, can further enhance the usability of the loft area. Additionally, creative access solutions, such as retractable ladders or sleek, space-saving staircases, can add a touch of elegance while preserving floor space below.

Living Room Innovations

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The living room in a tiny house is not just a space; it's a multifunctional haven where design and practicality meet. To turn this area into a cozy, versatile nook, innovative furniture choices are paramount. 

Here's how you can revolutionize your tiny living room with some smart furnishings.

Modular Sofas

Modular sofas are the Swiss Army knives of the tiny house living room. Comprising various sections that can be rearranged, combined, or separated as needed, they offer unmatched flexibility. 

Whether you're hosting a movie night, need an extra bed for a guest, or simply want to change your space's layout, modular sofas can be adapted to fit the occasion. Their modularity means you can expand or reduce their size, making them a perfect fit for any tiny living room.

Couch Building or Buying Tips

When it comes to couches in a tiny house, the mantra is customizability and multi-functionality. Opt for sofas with storage underneath, sleeper options, or those that can be transformed into different shapes. 

Pay attention to dimensions and scale; a couch shouldn't overpower the room but complement it. If building one, consider using lightweight, durable materials and think about integrating storage wherever possible. 

When buying, look for pieces that are explicitly designed for small spaces, with features like removable arms or legs to ease maneuverability through tight doorways.

Floor Seat Cushions

Embrace the allure of minimalism and flexibility with floor seat cushions. These versatile pieces can be easily stacked and stored when not in use, freeing up valuable floor space. 

Perfect for a casual and intimate seating arrangement, they invite you to sit down, relax, and stay awhile. Floor cushions can also double as extra seating for guests, making them an essential element in the tiny house living room toolkit.

Floating Corner Stands

In the tiny house living room, corner space is prime real estate. Floating corner stands are a stylish and practical way to utilize these often-overlooked areas. 

They provide a home for everything from books and plants to media devices, without taking up any floor space. This makes them an ideal solution for adding storage and decorative elements to your living room without cluttering the area.

TV Lift Cabinets

TV lift cabinets offer a slick way to keep your living room looking spacious and uncluttered. With a press of a button, your television can disappear into a sleek cabinet, transforming the space for different uses. 

This not only keeps the TV safe and dust-free when not in use but also allows for a more flexible arrangement of your living space, catering to entertainment, relaxation, or socializing as the moment requires.

Dining and Kitchen Efficiency

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The kitchen and dining area in a tiny house require a clever approach to maximize efficiency without sacrificing style or comfort. 

Here's how you can make the most of these essential spaces with smart furniture and appliance choices.

Kitchen and Dining Room Appliances

Opt for compact, multi-functional appliances that can handle multiple tasks without occupying too much space. Think of combination microwave ovens, portable induction cooktops, or compact dishwashers. 

Every appliance should earn its keep by being as versatile as possible. Additionally, consider the energy efficiency of these appliances to minimize your tiny house's ecological footprint.

Wall-Mounted Tables

Wall-mounted tables are a godsend for tiny house living, offering a dining solution that can be tucked away when not in use. 

Whether it's a fold-down table that disappears into the wall or a small, fixed ledge for quick meals, these tables provide a dining area without permanently reducing floor space. They can also double as additional work surfaces for cooking or working from home.

Double Leaf Tables

Double leaf tables, with sections that fold down or extend, are perfect for adapting to your needs. For everyday use, keep the table small, saving precious space. When you have guests or need more surface area, simply extend the leaves to accommodate. 

This flexibility makes the double leaf table an ideal choice for tiny house residents who love to entertain or need a versatile work and dining area.

Tiny Kitchen Islands with Hideaway Stools

A tiny kitchen island can serve as a prep area, dining spot, and additional storage—all in one. 

Opt for an island design that includes hideaway stools, which can be tucked under and out of sight when not in use. This ensures that your kitchen remains a functional and open space, ready to adapt to cooking, dining, or socializing activities with ease.

Bathroom Optimization

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In the compact confines of a tiny house, the bathroom presents unique challenges and opportunities for optimization. 

The key is to employ smart design choices that elevate functionality without compromising on style.

Bathroom Cabinets

Slimline, wall-mounted bathroom cabinets can be a game-changer in the tiny house bathroom. Opt for vertical storage solutions that take advantage of height over floor space. 

Mirrored cabinets add depth and light, making the bathroom appear larger while providing essential storage for toiletries and medicines. Consider designs with hidden compartments for a sleek, clutter-free look.

Storage Solutions

Creative storage solutions are paramount in a tiny bathroom. Think beyond traditional cabinetry to include recessed shelving in showers, magnetic strips for small metal items, and even over-the-door organizers for extra towels and bath products. 

Every nook can be a potential storage spot with a bit of ingenuity, from built-in niches between wall studs to hanging baskets.

Corner or Walk-In Bathtubs

A corner or walk-in bathtub can make a luxurious addition to a tiny house bathroom, offering comfort without monopolizing floor space. 

Corner tubs fit snugly into potentially wasted space, providing a spa-like experience, while walk-in tubs offer accessibility with a smaller footprint. Both options can include built-in seating and storage for bath essentials, blending functionality with relaxation.

Tiny House Furniture Essentials

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Furnishing a tiny house is about finding pieces that are as functional as they are stylish. Here are some essentials that promise to deliver on both fronts.

Nesting Side Tables

Nesting side tables offer flexibility in a small space. Use them separately for a cohesive look across the room or together for a layered effect. 

They are perfect for entertaining, easily moved to where they're needed most, and neatly tucked away when not in use.

Murphy Beds

Already mentioned for their ingenious space-saving design, Murphy beds remain a staple in tiny house living. They allow a room to serve multiple purposes—transforming from a bedroom at night to a living space by day.

Futon Sofas

Futon sofas are the epitome of dual-function furniture. By day, they provide comfortable seating; by night, they convert into a bed for guests or the household. Their versatility makes them an essential piece in the tiny house furniture arsenal.

Lift Top Coffee Tables

Lift top coffee tables serve as a living room staple, work desk, and storage unit all rolled into one. The top lifts to a comfortable working height, revealing storage compartments for keeping living room clutter at bay. 

This multifunctional piece is perfect for those needing an impromptu workspace without the room for a traditional desk.

Staircase Storage

In tiny houses where lofts are accessed by stairs, incorporating storage within each step can drastically increase available space. 

Drawers, shelves, or cubbies under the stairs can hold a variety of household items, making the staircase work harder for the home.

Outdoor and Patio Furniture for Tiny Houses

Maximizing outdoor living spaces is crucial in tiny house living, extending the living area beyond the home's physical boundaries. 

Choose lightweight, durable furniture that can be easily moved or folded away. Multi-functional pieces, like storage benches or tables with built-in coolers, enhance outdoor enjoyment without wasting space.

Multi-Use Furniture

Multi-use furniture pieces are the linchpins of efficient tiny house design, offering multiple functionalities in a single footprint.

Murphy Beds with Desks

Combining the practicality of a Murphy bed with a desk creates an ultimate space-saving solution. 

When the bed is folded up, the underside reveals a desk space, perfect for working from home without sacrificing any additional square footage for an office.

Lift Up Storage Beds

Lift-up storage beds provide a two-in-one solution—sleeping space on top and ample storage underneath. 

The easy-lift mechanism makes accessing stored items a breeze, offering a place to stash away out-of-season clothing, extra bedding, or personal items, keeping the living areas uncluttered.

Dog Crate End Tables

For pet owners in a tiny house, a dog crate end table is a stylish and practical piece. It serves as a cozy spot for your furry friend while doubling as a side table. This innovative solution ensures pets have their dedicated space without adding extra furniture to the floor plan.

Furniture Sources and Tips for Tiny Houses

When outfitting a tiny house, where you shop for furniture can be as important as what you buy. The ideal pieces are not only space-efficient but also embody durability, style, and multifunctionality. 

Here's a rundown of some top sources for tiny house furniture and a few tips to keep in mind while shopping.

Benchmade Modern

For those in pursuit of custom, quality furniture that fits perfectly into the unique dimensions of a tiny house, Benchmade Modern is a treasure trove. 

Specializing in sleek, modern designs, Benchmade Modern offers a range of sofas, beds, and chairs that can be customized to specific sizes, ensuring that each piece is a perfect fit for your space. Their attention to craftsmanship means you're investing in furniture that's not just beautiful but built to last.

IKEA

IKEA has long been the go-to destination for affordable, space-saving furniture with a minimalist aesthetic. Their products, designed with small spaces in mind, include an array of convertible sofas, under-bed storage solutions, and wall-mounted desks and tables. 

IKEA's furniture often features a modular design, allowing for personal customization and adaptability to a variety of living situations, making it a popular choice among tiny house dwellers.

Tochta

For those navigating the often-tricky terrain of finding a mattress that fits into the compact sleeping lofts or unconventional bed frames of tiny houses, Tochta offers a solution. 

Specializing in custom mattresses, Tochta allows you to specify the exact dimensions and shape you need, ensuring a perfect fit. Their high-quality, made-to-order mattresses mean you don't have to sacrifice comfort for size.

Amazon

Amazon's vast marketplace is an excellent resource for tiny house furniture, offering a wide range of products from various sellers. 

From foldable desks to wall-mounted shelves and innovative storage solutions, Amazon provides the convenience of comparing prices, styles, and customer reviews all in one place. The key is to search with specific terms related to space-saving or multifunctional furniture to find the most suitable options for tiny living.

The Container Store

For those obsessed with organization and making the most out of every inch, The Container Store is a gold mine. 

It specializes in storage solutions that can double as furniture, such as ottomans with hidden compartments, modular shelving units, and closet organizers that can be repurposed for kitchen or bathroom use. Their products are designed to help keep tiny spaces tidy and clutter-free, which is essential in a small living environment.

Resource Furniture

Resource Furniture is at the forefront of the transforming furniture movement, offering pieces that redefine the functionality of a tiny space. 

Their innovative designs include Murphy beds that convert into desks or sofas, extendable dining tables, and seating that can be hidden away when not in use. While on the pricier side, the investment in Resource Furniture's pieces pays off in the versatility and space efficiency they bring to tiny house living.

Shopping Tips:

  • Measure Twice, Buy Once: Always know the dimensions of your space before making a purchase. Consider not just the size of the furniture but also how it will move through your tiny house to its intended spot.
  • Look for Multifunctionality: Choose pieces that serve more than one purpose to maximize the utility of every item in your limited space.
  • Quality Over Quantity: In a small space, it's better to have fewer, well-made pieces that will last, rather than filling it with items that may need to be replaced frequently. Check out our guide on how to choose the right luxury furniture for your tiny house.
  • Think Vertically: Utilize wall space for storage and furnishings to keep the floor uncluttered.
  • Test for Comfort: Especially with pieces like sofas and beds, ensure they're comfortable for daily use, not just convenient for saving space.

By selecting the right furniture sources and keeping these tips in mind, you can make your tiny house not only a model of efficiency but also a comfortable, stylish home that reflects your personal taste and lifestyle.

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