The Tiny house Blog

10 Years Of Making Tiny Homes Possible: Tru Form Tiny Celebrates A Decade Of Building Tiny

By
Jason Francis
Designed and built over 100 custom tiny homes, lived on a sailboat for 9 months, and loves to live life to the fullest with his wife and their 4 kids.
Updated on:
April 9, 2026
Tru Form Tiny Celebrates A Decade Of Building Tiny

Tiny homes have become a booming solution amidst housing shortages nationwide. From densely populated urban areas in metropolitan cities to scenic destinations – tiny homes are both necessary and popular for good reason. 

When Tru Form Tiny first started out, tiny home building came out of a simple inspiration and desire to craft something beautiful. After the first one, many continued to follow. So many, in fact, that Tru Form Tiny reached a 10-year milestone in 2026. With over 350 tiny homes built to date, they continue to perfect a living space on wheels that inspires simplicity and sustainability. 

Based in the Pacific Northwest, Tru Form Tiny developed as it had access to the beauty of the natural world. Those elements continue to thread throughout every design. A mix of stone, wood, and curated metals, all perfectly placed, make a tiny home far more than a small space. It is a luxury to enjoy the simplicities of life, pairing and slowing down to enjoy it. 

10 Years Of Intention: The Business Of Tiny Home Builds 

It was in the early 2010s the search for alternative housing really soared, causing a boom in the tiny house movement. For many people, the idea of going tiny was all about financial freedom, living without a mortgage and working towards a debt-free lifestyle. With lower monthly overhead, tiny living quickly became a desirable way to simplify daily life outside of traditional housing. 

When Tru Form Tiny was first founded in 2015, the industry was still relatively young and developing. A handful of builders across the country started to emerge, and Tru Form Tiny started to find its footing as a trusted, quality builder. Across the board and nationwide, tiny houses took form. Many of them seemed a bit too small, or too simple. There was a lack of luxury, and Tru Form Tiny sought to design and deliver high-design in small spaces – and that is just what they did. Despite tiny homes “in a box” with four walls and a roof, the world of tiny home luxury design continued to forge its way to the forefront. 

The real difference? What can change that much inside of such a small space? The Tru Form Tiny design philosophy began here. Through craftsmanship, quality, and professional design

science, a Tru Form tiny can be spotted from a mile away. Every square inch is used intentionally. Creating a space that is tiny, but also purposeful, beautiful, and built to last. 

Ten years later, the company has designed and delivered hundreds of tiny homes for homeowners, hospitality businesses, and creative living spaces across the United States. Instead of treating tiny homes like novelty structures, the team approached them as full-scale residences. That meant focusing on quality materials, detailed craftsmanship, and architectural design that made each home feel warm and livable. This approach has helped Tru Form Tiny forge its mission into what it is today. Living simply, sustainably, and beautifully, in tiny spaces. 

Inside a Custom Tiny Home Manufacturer 

If you have never seen the inside of a tiny home manufacturing facility, it can provide a completely different perspective on how tiny home builds truly come together. So unlike traditional residential construction, which often hires out multiple contractors to complete each phase of the build, Tru Form Tiny does everything “in house.” 

That means that, at every stage of a tiny home build, it’s all happening under one roof. At Tru Form Tiny’s facility in Eugene, skilled craftspeople handle everything from welding the steel chassis to building custom cabinetry and installing plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. This in-house approach allows the team to maintain the strictest quality control, while keeping production timelines on track. 

From Steel Foundation to Finished Home 

Prior to 2026, Tru Form Tiny had worked with an outside company on our steel chassis. This year, however, we decided to take EVERYTHING, including our steel chassis, in house. Each of our tiny homes on wheels, whether a park model or travel trailer, will begin with a steel chassis that acts as a foundation for the structure. Because our tiny homes are built atop wheels, the base must be engineered to remain strong while supporting the entire structure above it. Once the chassis is established, framing can begin. Walls go up rather quickly, and insulation and utilities follow suit. Gradually, the unit begins to take form, gradually transforming into a fully functional living space. 

No two tiny homes are exactly alike. That means interior finishes like cabinetry and lighting can be custom-built specifically for each floor plan. This high level of customization allows our designer to maximize the space, beautifully, while creating a layout that feels comfortable and open rather than cramped and cut off. 

Why Tiny Homes Feel Bigger Than They Are

The most surprising thing about walking into a tiny home? Great designs can make even a 400-square-foot tiny home feel grand. With clever design strategies, like under stair storage or even handcrafted furniture, you will be astonished at just how spacious tiny homes can actually feel. Yes, by definition, tiny homes will always top out at 400 square feet. But that doesn’t mean living in cramped spaces without comfort. 

Storage Solutions Keep Clutter At Bay 

At the backbone of every tiny home design, storage solutions are a critical part of designing a comfortable living space. Take our Tansu-style storage stairs, for instance. This Japanese-inspired building technique provides hidden storage space to keep open spaces clear and free of clutter. Especially when it comes to finding opportunities for storage, every feature has a second purpose. For example, a multi-functional piece of furniture, such as a hydraulic storage bed or a telescoping table, provide dual purpose solutions. Vertical storage, such as custom shelving, can integrate organization without sacrificing style. 

Architectural Details That Add Character 

Design plays a critical role in not only how a space looks, but also how it feels. When creating a sense of the space, smart design will use interesting elements that transform it from four walls to a real home. Tiny home models will often use built-in shelving and millwork, varying ceiling heights, oversized windows for natural light, and lofts to morph a small box home into one with personality and dimension. 

Tiny Homes Today: Who Is Choosing To Go Tiny? 

Where the first tiny home buyers may have originally been single women or retirees, the tiny home buyer today has expanded dramatically to include young families, couples, and even businesses looking to generate awareness creatively. 

Minimalists, or those looking to live simply and with less, are drawn towards the lifestyle that tiny housing can afford. The tiny home market today is far more diverse than it was when tiny homes first started out. 

For instance, young families tend to have a lot of interest in tiny homes as a more attainable path to homeownership. For those that already own property, we’re seeing entrepreneurs launch tiny home hospitality experiences, such as a tiny home vacation rental in the backyard. 

Moreover, the rise of short-term rentals has also created a new market for tiny homes. Boutique cabins and small luxury stays are becoming high-demand alternatives to traditional vacations. This growing demand is one reason the tiny home industry has expanded from a few dozen

builders to hundreds across the country. From ADUs to “homes in a box” from major brand names, the idea of tiny housing continues to shift, take shape, and evolve along with the needs of its consumers. 

A Creative Community Drawn to Small Living 

Today’s tiny home buyers may just have more in common than they might think. Interestingly enough, tiny home dwellers tend to be creative thinkers. This leads many to want to travel more, and spend less time and energy maintaining a large house with an even bigger mortgage. 

Many tiny home buyers choose the path for a dedicated studio space, a guest quarters, or simply adding more living space to an existing home. Because tiny homes are built on wheels, and done custom, design tends to happen around the lives of the people, rather than people trying to fit their lives around a big house. 

For builders of tiny homes, this can make every project unique. Because when no two clients have the same goals or lifestyles, no two homes will be exactly the same.

How Tiny Homes Fit Into the Housing Conversation 

In the U.S. where population growth has outpaced construction and accessible housing, significant housing shortages continue to affect the masses. While tiny home units alone can’t solve the housing crisis, they do offer an important piece of the puzzle. Unlike traditional residences, which can take years of permitting and construction logistics, tiny homes are a far quicker solution for backyard accessory dwelling units, temporary housing rebuilding efforts, small residential communities such as retirement communities, and last but not least vacation and hospitality developments such as “glampsites”. For people who want to be able to move in, and live peacefully, in 90 days instead of a year? Tiny homes offer an incredible solution for people who need housing, fast. 

Celebrating 10 Years With An Official 2026 Tiny Home Giveaway 

To mark a decade of building tiny homes, Tru Form Tiny has partnered with Tiny Homes US to launch a national giveaway.

The grand prize includes a custom-built Terra Urban tiny home designed by Tru Form Tiny and valued at $200,000. In addition, the winner will receive $50,000 in cash. 

The Terra Urban model combines high-end materials, thoughtful storage solutions, and architectural details that create a warm and inviting space. The winner will also work directly with the design team to personalize finishes and make the home uniquely their own. 

The giveaway is live now via Tiny Homes US. Participants can follow the entry instructions and details through the official giveaway page. Entries will remain open through June 16, 2026. 

The Next Chapter for Tiny Living 

After ten years in the industry, it is clear that tiny homes are no longer a fringe concept. They have become part of a broader conversation about how people want to live in the future. 

More homeowners are seeking flexibility, sustainability, and intentional design. Tiny homes offer all three. 

For builders like Tru Form Tiny, the mission remains the same as it was in the beginning. Create homes that inspire people to live beautifully in smaller spaces. 

The upcoming giveaway celebrates that vision. It also invites someone new to step into the tiny home lifestyle and experience firsthand how powerful thoughtful design can be. 

As the tiny home movement continues to grow, one thing remains certain. Small spaces can still hold big dreams.

Did you enjoy this post and find value in it? Share it with your friends with the links below!

Need more info? Get

By submitting your email, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms

Subscribe to get the latest news

This is a new way to communicate faster than any communication platforms

Thank you!
Your submission has been received! Check your inbox for an email from info@tinyhouse.com with more info!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form. Please try again or email us at support@tinyhouse.com. Thanks!
Want all the latest tiny house inspo and news?

Get free resources, updates, tips & tricks, and special offers by joining the Tiny House Plan Newsletter.

No items found.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers — straight from the author — for the most common questions about this article.

Don't see your question here? Contact us!
No items found.

Join The Tiny House Community

Occasionally: Community Events, DIY Tips and Tricks, Tiny House Guides
Never: Junk or Spam and we don't sell or misuse your email.
Welcome to the fam! We're excited to have you join the community.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form. Please try again or use the form below.