7 Tiny House Kits to Make Your Minimalism Dreams Come True

This ranch house kit from Cedarshed doubles as a tiny house kit for your backyard. It offers 16 feet by 14 feet of space for less than $13,000. And it includes everything you need to make the shed a tiny home space: Windows, shutters, flooring, double doors, shingles and flower boxes.

The Cedarshed kit is water-, weather- and rot-resistant and has a wind rating of 20 mph. This kit makes a great start to your backyard she-shed or the shop space of dreams.

Pros

• Good value
• Kit includes nearly everything needed for assembly
• Natural cedar wood
• Flexible door placement
• Paintable
• Sustainable
• 1-year warranty

Cons

• Foundation and assembly required

This well-designed greenhouse kit from Wayfair comes pre-assembled, primed and ready for paint! The walls are delivered in panelized sections, and everything is precut and labeled for easy assembly. Plus, the 8-foot-by-8-foot greenhouse cottage has a ton of windows, so your plants will get all the sunlight they need.

While this tiny colonial-style house kit is most definitely a greenhouse, we think styling it as an adorable cottage and even adding some seating inside would be an enchanting addition to any garden space.

Pros

• Includes shelving, door, floor an ventilation
• 25 safety glass windows with screens and 12 transom windows
• Weather-, water-, UV-, rot-, wind- and mold-resistant
• Freestanding
• Relatively affordable
• Ideal for avid gardeners

Cons

• Foundation and anchoring kit not included

Create a stunning studio space in your backyard with the Copenhagen Garden Office Kit. Whether you’re looking for a detached art space or an outdoor yoga studio, the backyard office kit has triple-wall insulation for year-round use. Plus, the infrastructure has space to set up any hidden wiring or pipes for electricity, internet or water and can support an air conditioner.

The 9-foot-by-11-foot studio kit has a Scandinavian-inspired design. The sleek black frame and paintable panels keep it modern, while the front of the outdoor studio is completely clear, including the wide double doors that open for the ultimate indoor-outdoor experience.

Choose where to place the two windows, sunroof panel and included shade to optimize your view and natural lighting. There’s no need for an expensive renovation with this kit. You can achieve an outdoor home studio or office that is beautiful, functional and affordable.

Pros

• Modern, customizable design
• Compatible with standard electric plugs
• Triple wall insulation has space to hide pipes and electric wiring
• Versatile and safe
• Weather-resistant
• Relatively affordable
• 12-year warranty

Cons

• Requires foundation

This multifunctional building kit can be used as a stylish sunroom, studio, hot tub house or backyard party space. It offers privacy and shelter from the wind and rain and has LED lights that can be operated by a switch or remote.

The oversized windows are complete with netting that allow let light in and allows for air circulation. For as low as $1,800, this gazebo-style tiny house kit is one to look at if you’re simply wanting to add a hangout space to your backyard.

Pros

• Multiple size options
• Affordable
• Weather-resistant
• Multi-functional
• Back and front double sliding doors
• Includes LED lights

Cons

• More of an outdoor shelter space than an outdoor room or tiny home

What to Look for When Buying a Tiny House Kit

Tiny house kits are relatively new to the market, and you can expect to see more available as demand increases. There are a few main things to consider when shopping for a tiny house kit. Budget, size and intended purpose are all things to think about when you start looking.

Most tiny homes are 400 square feet or less in size. Depending on whether you plan to use your tiny home as an additional office space or haul it behind a vehicle, size and weight are critical to take into consideration.

The price of tiny house kits varies widely. If you’re shopping for traditional tiny house kits, you can expect to spend a minimum of about $12,000—and that price often includes the frame alone. Once you begin adding finishings like windows, doors, flooring and outlets, you can expect the price to increase significantly.

However, if you’re shopping for a kit that provides additional shelter, storage or workspace outside of the home, there are cheaper options available, like the gazebo- and greenhouse-style kits above.

How We Found the Best Tiny House Kits

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject-matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.

FAQ

What type of foundation do tiny houses require?

While the recommended foundation for tiny houses depends on the individual kit, most tiny house kits require a concrete foundation. You should consult your tiny house kit’s manufacturer before laying a foundation. And you’ll want to be sure to research zoning laws where you live before you begin building your tiny home.