Are you considering your tiny house (whether an ADU, on a foundation or on wheels) to be your forever home – the one you want to grow old in? We here at Tiny SMART House understand the needs that could crop up when you (or your loved one) ages. Because of the sizes of most tiny houses, saying they are “ADA compliant” is almost impossible. We like the better term “aging-in-place friendly.”
One of our clients had the right idea and took this into account from the beginning. She set out for us to build her forever home, and we designed her house to be comfortable for all abilities and walks of life. No matter what happens, her 10’X28′ Willamette Farmhouse tiny house will be a friendly and frustration-free environment.
All of the door frames and entrances can fit a wheelchair. She had a specially built handicap ramp built to the front door. The layout also takes the turning radius into account. Her sinks, counter tops and other surfaces are appropriate for a sitting height. To keel things all on one level, the client will sleep on a convenient Murphy bed that easily folds down for nighttime. Note in the photos how the Murphy bed doubles as a desk!
There is a loft, but it’s for her grandchildren to sleep in when they come visit. Another upgrade we got into this backyard cottage is a stacked washer dryer. There’s a doggie door near the front entrance so she never has to strain letting pets in and out. The automatic skylight comes with a remote. Even her shower is “safety first,” featuring two seats and a grab bar.
Here are some progress photos of the house during the build. For extra warmth, we gave the ceiling (and subfloor) our standard eco-friendly green spray foam! The last photo shows that this lovely home is located quite close to her family, but enough distance to stay independent!
Blog edited and updated by Stacey Newman Weldon. When she isn’t busy helping people create their own tiny custom homes, you can find her inspiring others to discovering their sense of fun at Adventure Wednesdays