Couple lives debt-free in a stunning off-grid tiny home they built with little building experience

By the time they turned 30, Lexie and Jed had achieved what many only dream of: building a fully off-grid home from the ground up and living mortgage- and debt-free.

With little building experience and basic DIY skills, the Australian couple took a leap of faith and created a sustainable lifestyle centered around freedom, simplicity, and self-sufficiency.

Their tiny house now runs entirely on solar power. It also collects rainwater, allowing them to keep costs low and live with minimal environmental impact.

Parked on a peaceful property with sweeping views of a 200-acre hobby farm, their only regular expense is a small parking fee.

Surrounded by nature, they’ve found a quiet, affordable way of life that reflects their values and independence.

A dream realized: Building a fully off-grid home from scratch

Lexie had long dreamed of living in a small, one-of-a-kind house, inspired by videos and stories from the tiny house movement.

“I think I started watching them when you first started putting them up on YouTube,” she said, recalling how online content sparked her interest in fully off-grid home living.

When she shared the idea with Jed, he was all in.

“Well if you love them so much, why don’t we do it? Let’s build one. Life’s short, you’ve got to try these things,” Lexie added.

They decided to go for it even though they didn’t have much hands-on experience—Lexie had some DIY knowledge, and Jed had taken a five-week building course.

Their only previous project was a simple van build, making this fully off-grid home a huge step forward.

Overcoming obstacles: The DIY path to a fully off-grid home

The road to building their fully off-grid home came with plenty of challenges.

“Blood, sweat, [and] some tears,” Jed admitted.

But they pushed through, learning as they went. Using CAD software Jed had access to through his course and tapping into Lexie’s high school experience with the program, they drew up their own house plans.

“So I was able to draw up all the drawings for the house, so that was a win,” Jed said.

A significant boost came when Jed’s instructor let them use his property to start the build.

“The second win was actually meeting Paul… that then allowed us to stay on his property and build the house initially,” Jed shared.

Living on the land: Peace, beauty, and gratitude

Their tiny home now sits on a beautiful piece of land made available through family and friends.

While they say owning such a property may be out of reach, they’re grateful to be there.

“It’s beautiful. I don’t think we’ll ever be lucky enough to own a beautiful property like this,” Lexie said.

The property features an olive grove and lush green areas that add to its charm.

“We feel very lucky to be here,” she said.

Inside their fully off-grid home: Smart design and natural charm

Their fully off-grid home measures 2.5 meters wide, 8 meters long, and 4.3 meters high—built to road-legal specs without needing oversize permits.

The exterior is covered in eucalyptus-green steel siding that blends with the gum trees, and the white roof reflects sunlight to stay cool in the Aussie heat.

Inside, they went for a bright, colorful look.

“Yeah, we really wanted it to be a colorful home. We like color,” Lexie said.

Orange cabinets, rattan accents, and timber finishes like spotted gum and Victorian ash bring a cozy, earthy vibe.

Smart design choices include a sofa bed with storage, large feature windows to let in views and light, and a kitchen with full-size appliances—even if there’s no dishwasher.

“Weirdly satisfying,” Jed said of washing dishes by hand.

There’s even a hidden wine cellar made from a hatch originally meant for batteries.

Fully off-grid living: Power, water, and future plans

The couple’s fully off-grid home is powered by six solar panels and two batteries stored in a nearby shipping container.

Gas and hot water are used for cooking. Rainwater is collected and filtered, and greywater flows through a reed bed system.

Their bathroom, still a work in progress, includes a composting toilet, a vintage basin from a secondhand shop, and storage built under the stairs.

The loft bedroom feels light and airy, with a soft white interior and windows for stargazing.

“This is I think probably my favorite room in the house… It’s got a really nice calming vibe,” Lexie said.

Looking ahead, they plan to start a permaculture garden and test their green thumbs.

“Yeah, putting in some gardens to see if we like the self-sufficient lifestyle,” Lexie said. They also hope to take some long-overdue holidays.

Proud of the process: A life of their own making

With a total investment of around $135,000, including the off-grid setup, Lexie and Jed say they wouldn’t change a thing.

They see their fully off-grid home as more than just a place to live—it’s proof of what’s possible with vision and hard work.

“There’s so much satisfaction in being able to look at every nook and cranny in the house and be like, ‘Yep, we did that and we did it with everything we could,’” Jed said.

Though they still plan to add a fireplace and a bathroom door, they’re content living on their terms—in a truly their home, surrounded by nature and powered by their hands.

Check out Lexie and Jed’s fully off-grid home through the video below:

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