The Tiny house Blog

Why Do These Tiny Homes Look So Good?

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:
May 30, 2025
Why Do These Tiny Homes Look So Good?

It Starts With Design – Not A Box On Wheels

There’s a reason the tiny home movement is forecasted to grow by $3.71 billion over the next five years, according to a recent report. Not only are tiny homes a more accessible route to first-time homeownership for many, but built-to-order travel trailer or park model tiny homes can be customized in ways even new construction can’t touch. Spiral staircases? Yes! Rooftop decks? We’ve done that too! But beyond delivering innovative tiny homes on wheels, each and every Tru Form Tiny home is approached like a full-scale home would be, and not just a “trailer” or “box” with windows.

Like our customers, who range in age, location, and lifestyle, we strive to deliver a personalized tiny home exterior as unique as the people who live within them. To do that, we don’t just build tiny homes. We design smart, sophisticated tiny home plans that make tiny living functional, beautiful, and appealing. Designing your dream tiny home interior is just as important as the exterior. Our architectural designs ensure every detail is accounted for, and no square inch of living space gets wasted. We use thoughtful proportions, expert building science, and cumulative design knowledge to handcraft both travel trailer and park model tiny homes on wheels with high-end curb appeal to last a lifetime. If you're new to the movement, learn how to go tiny in 2023.

More importantly, we believe that good design should make life easier. From the width of your hallway to the direction of your light, every inch matters. We obsess over those details so you don’t have to. Great design makes everyday moments—like cooking dinner, enjoying your morning coffee, or hosting friends—feel simple, natural, and joyful.

Find Your Style – Urban, Craftsman, and More

Are you team #Urban? Or team #Craftsman? Whatever the case may be, we’re here to explore how to find the right tiny home exterior style for you. At Tru Form Tiny, we’ve been designing and building tiny homes with a combined experience of 50 years now, and have been heavily immersed and invested in the evolution of tiny home design. Today, we’ve developed “tried and true” models that continue to be timeless, efficient, durable, and safe – for years to come.

So whether you’ve been pinning tiny home styles for years or you’re just getting started, exploring our Urban and Craftsman tiny home exteriors is a great place to start out on your path to tiny living. You can also check out our 5 tiny home tips to keep in mind as you explore. So, Urban or Craftsman? What’s the difference? Let’s get into it.

URBAN

Urban tiny homes are sleek, modern, and minimal, but certainly not basic. With asymmetrical rooflines, bold geometry, and metal or glass accents, Urban design can feel refined, current, and fresh. We make our Urban tiny home designs look good with quality-sourced materials and neutral tones. Urban design lovers may have an affinity for the city life, and appeal widely to young working professionals, entrepreneurs, remote workers, retirees, or adventurists.

Or, these Urban-dwellers just need a hint of city life in the countryside. Urban tiny homeowners often want their homes to feel like a designer loft or a boutique hotel, with elevated architecture and artful touches. Our Urban tiny home exterior style features a standing seam metal roof, tight-knot cedar accents, high-performance Tricoya panel siding, double-pane energy-efficient “Low-E” windows, and options to upgrade with customizations such as off-grid capabilities, drop-down cedar decking, or awnings and exterior lighting. Curious how Urban fits into the bigger trend? Explore the rise of tiny homes in urban areas.

In fact, the Urban style has become our most popular option for customers who want a space that mirrors their modern lifestyle. Think smart storage, clean lines, and the kind of finishes you'd expect in a full-size designer home—all scaled down to suit mobile living.

CRAFTSMAN

Think “cottage core” cozy. Craftsman designs can feel warm and inviting with gabled rooflines and exposed beams. Craftsman styles offer classic charm with a flair for character. With lap siding, decorative trim, earthy tones, and natural materials like wood or stone, Craftsman-style tiny homes feel grounded, timeless, and welcoming. Tiny home dwellers who are drawn to this style seek simple traditions, a strong sense of home, and may be drawn to the outdoors for a slower, more sustainable lifestyle.

Craftsman tiny house styles are available in several floor plans and models including our Kootenay, Cascade Max, and Villa Max. Not sure how to choose? Here’s a helpful guide on choosing the right tiny home floor plan. So whether you like modern vs. traditional tiny home looks, there’s a tiny home exterior style at Tru Form Tiny available for you to choose from, personalize, and make your own.

And if you fall somewhere in the middle of those aesthetics? You’re not alone. Many of our clients opt to blend Urban and Craftsman features to create a hybrid that matches their personal taste and lifestyle. Custom doesn’t mean complicated—we help bring your vision to life with clarity, creativity, and care.

Exterior Materials Blend Beauty and Durability

Kiln dried lumber, which is heated to kill any insects, fungi or mold to make it more long-lasting, is just one example of Tru Form Tiny’s high standards for exterior materials. Kiln-drying prevents warping or developing cracks over time and makes materials more lightweight and durable, while also removing moisture, making it resistant to fungal decay.

Manufactured from SFI-certified and sustainably harvested trees, tiny home frames may be built small – but they are also mighty. For example, Tru Form Tiny homes feature engineered wood strand technology for their siding, offering a 50-year warranty and superior protection against natural elements like hail, wind, and moisture. We’re serious about quality—so don’t miss our blog on tiny house building mistakes to avoid.

Standing seam metal roofing, known for its architectural appeal, minimal seams, and vertical lines, is secured with hidden fasteners to eliminate exposed screws. For added durability, a Kynar finish is applied for reliable protection against fading, rust, or UV damage, helping to maintain the roof’s integrity for decades. Want to dig deeper? Read about sustainable materials in tiny home construction. To meet the high standards of a Tru Form Tiny home, exterior materials can’t just look good – they also need to perform.

Even the smallest design decisions—from door handles to exterior trim—are made with longevity in mind. Because a beautiful home isn’t just about how it looks on Day One. It’s about how well it weathers a decade of adventures, memories, and meaningful moments.

Design That Lasts — Beauty With Purpose

At Tru Form Tiny, great design isn’t just about first impressions — it’s about creating homes that feel good to live in every day and look just as stunning years down the line. From intentional architectural styling to high-performance materials and customization options that match your personality, our tiny homes are crafted to be as enduring as they are beautiful.

Whether you're drawn to the sleek appeal of Urban or the warm charm of Craftsman, your tiny home exterior should be a true reflection of your lifestyle and values. Because when you start with thoughtful design, you don’t just get a good-looking tiny home — you get one that feels like home. For more info, check out our FAQs or start planning your next steps with How To Go Tiny.

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