This 400 Square Foot ‘Tiny House’ is My Dream Home

Written by

Nancy Mitchell
Nancy Mitchell
As a former Senior Writer at Apartment Therapy, Nancy split her time among looking at beautiful pictures, writing about design, and photographing stylish apartments in and around NYC.
published Apr 28, 2018
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(Image credit: West Coast Homes)

Here at Apartment Therapy, we write about tiny houses a whole lot. Sometimes, I find myself wondering if we’ve reached peak tiny house. Are these adorable little dwellings on wheels just glorified trailer homes? Are they destined for the pages of Craigslist in a few years, once the mania dies down? Or are they a reflection of a cultural shift in the way we look at our homes, where bigger isn’t always better?

(Image credit: West Coast Homes)
(Image credit: West Coast Homes)

Whether the tiny house movement turns out to be the beginning of a cultural revolution, or just a passing fad, I think it’s helped to spark a conversation about sustainability, and about how much house you really need. Is it possible to live well in 200 square feet? In 400? I thought about that when I saw this ‘tiny house’ from West Coast Homes, which is positively palatial when compared to most tiny homes but still, at 400 square feet, a lot smaller than the average American home. (In 2015, the average size of new houses built in the U.S. hit 2,687 square feet.)

(Image credit: West Coast Homes)

Even if the typical tiny house, with its tiny loft bedroom reached by a tiny ladder, strikes you as a bit claustrophobic, you might still find something to love about the Salish, a 400-square-foot one-bedroom that’s amply provided with windows and outdoor space. The living room has tall ceilings and windows on three sides, and the kitchen has a full-sized refrigerator and a rolling island which can function as a dining table or worktop. (Dual-function pieces are key in limited square footage.) Beyond the kitchen, there’s a full bathroom and, a luxury unheard of in many other tiny houses, a full bedroom. There’s even a loft for children or overnight guests.

(Image credit: West Coast Homes)

For this New Yorker, used to living in a 240-square-foot studio, it seems almost too big. (Ok, just kidding, it’s perfect.) 400 square feet doesn’t sound like a whole lot of room, but in this case, a clever floorplan and an attention to detail makes it feels very spacious, roomy enough for one or even for two people who like each other a lot. What do you think—could you see yourself living in a home of this size?

(Image credit: West Coast Homes)

The Salish is built by West Coast Homes: you can see more photos of the home here, or check out all of the models they offer.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)