The tiny house movement has seen small homes appear all around the world, including in London where demand for properties is high but space to build new ones is limited. The rising demand for smaller properties shows the changing needs of consumers and can provide inspiration for architects in terms of how to make efficient use of space, even those engaged in designing much larger buildings.

The most inspiring thing about small homes is how they create multi-functional spaces. They manage to fit everything into such tiny spaces by combining as many facilities as possible into a single area, reducing the amount of redundant space in the process. Small houses can typically combine a bedroom, living room and office into one, as it is rare that these need to be used simultaneously. A small area can be set aside for a kitchen, providing an airy open plan feel. Often, only the bathroom needs to remain separate.

Architects designing larger properties can use the same philosophy of multi-functional spaces to improve the quality of homes. By reducing redundant space and making rooms serve multiple functions unnecessary space can be reduced. Property owners will appreciate this because they’ll get more use from the rooms they have. Not only this, but cleaning requirements will be reduced too.

Another inspiring quality of tiny houses is that they are typically much better at connecting with the outdoors. This factor is very important because it helps to make the interior of the property feel bigger, especially if doors and windows can be left open. These properties generally have a small footprint and connect well with the environment. Larger properties should try to incorporate these same ideals into their designs to help homes become more sustainable and harmonise with their surroundings more effectively.

A final inspirational design trait is that small houses tend to be more minimalist because of the limited space. The theory that less is more truly comes into play with these properties. Reducing clutter can also offer health benefits by helping to keep everything organised and in order.

At Coffey Architects we have a great passion for residential, public and commercial architecture and take inspiration from all kinds of places, from some of the largest properties in the world as well as the smaller ones. As we are based in London, we have witnessed the impact these compact properties are having on the market. The philosophies of compact design are truly fascinating, and can be incorporated into larger homes to create amazing results.