A look inside a mother-daughter tiny home that blends smart design, cozy living, and big savings

Cassie and Sandy Dean turned their “mother-daughter tiny home” dream into reality by downsizing to a 36-foot mobile home.

Their move saves them up to $3,000 a month, connects them with a supportive community, and promotes a more sustainable way of living.

The decision to downsize: Embracing the mother-daughter tiny home lifestyle

Cassie and Sandy’s journey started with years of research and gradually downsizing their belongings.

This careful preparation made the transition to tiny living much smoother.

“We were lucky in the fact that we had been researching tiny homes for a while,” Sandy explained. “We’d had like a couple of years where we had really started downsizing, so it made the transition very easy and the move very easy once we moved into the tiny house.”

Their decision was driven by financial goals and a desire to live more sustainably.

They found a lifestyle aligned with their values by reducing their expenses and minimizing waste.

Designing the perfect mother-daughter tiny home

Their mother-daughter tiny home spans 36 feet in length, 8.5 feet in width, and 13.5 feet in height, offering just over 300 square feet of living space.

Through extensive online research, they found their builder, Indigo River Tiny Homes, and appreciated the company’s customizable designs.

The base price of their home was $162,000, with additional costs for upgrades and delivery.

To finance their home, they worked with a third-party vendor recommended by the builder.

Selling their previous home within two days helped them pay off their loan, making the financial transition even easier.

Maximizing space: Kitchen and living area

The kitchen, a central part of their “mother-daughter tiny home,” was designed for function and style.

Sandy chose wood butcher block countertops with a rich mahogany stain and paired them with cabinets in a striking Vivid Jade color.

The kitchen has an induction cooktop, a full-size oven, and an apartment-sized refrigerator.

“Coming from a full-size home to a tiny home, in the kitchen you do have to use things in a multi-purpose way,” Sandy noted.

They added deep toe-kick drawers and built-in compartments under the stairs to maximize storage.

Instead of a dishwasher, they opted for a deep stainless steel sink to create more cabinet space. A movable multi-purpose cart also provides an extra countertop area.

The living area next to the kitchen includes comfortable leather seating and a 48-inch television.

An antique nightstand repurposed for storage fits neatly under the stairs, with drawers accessible from the steps.

“Here, we definitely utilize every square foot,” Cassie said.

The space serves multiple functions, from watching TV to enjoying meals, ensuring that tiny living still feels like home.

“So overall, we really enjoy our living space. We do spend a lot of time in it. I really wouldn’t change anything about it because so far it’s working really well for us,” Cassie added.

Creating functional personal spaces in a tiny home

Sandy’s office was a must-have. It is designed to be the same size as their bathroom and features an antique Secretariat desk and a meaningful Myrtle wood table. A pocket door offers privacy during work calls.

“Overall, I love my office space. It’s cozy, it’s comfortable, I can be very focused, and I wouldn’t change anything about it,” she said.

The bathroom is comparable in size to their previous home’s. It includes a combo washer/dryer, dual vanities, and a deep bathtub with a rain showerhead.

While the ceilings are slightly lower due to the loft above, the space remains comfortable. Additional storage is built in above the toilet.

“Ultimately, we really enjoy our bathroom. It has everything we need in it, and there’s really nothing we would change,” Cassie noted.

Upstairs, the bedrooms provide a packed standing room. Sandy’s space features a queen-sized bed with headboard storage, a half wardrobe, and three deep drawers.

“The one thing I really love about the bedroom is you feel like you’re in a treehouse up here,” she said, appreciating the view of the treetops.

Cassie’s loft includes a full-size mattress on a queen-sized platform, offering additional storage around the edges. A compact wardrobe keeps her clothing organized.

The benefits of mother-daughter tiny home living

Finding the right community was essential. After searching online, they chose Namasté, a tiny home community that fit their needs.

The lot lease costs $550 per month and includes water, sewer, and trash services, with electricity billed separately.

Their first electric bill was just $40—significantly lower than their previous $300+ monthly bills. In total, Sandy estimates they are saving about $3,000 per month.

“To me, it’s a no-brainer going tiny. I think it’s just the fact that you own it, you can move it, and it’s more sustainable, should really like hit all the needs that a person has because you really don’t need all the excess,” Sandy said.

Sandy and Cassie emphasize the importance of research for those considering a tiny home.

“I’d say don’t be afraid to go tiny and just do your research. Talk to others who have taken the journey,” Sandy advised.

Their philosophy is more than just downsizing—creating a home filled with meaningful items and living purposefully.

“Try it. You just have to look at your options, do your research, and see if it’s for you in the first place, and then just go for it. You know, no time like the present,” Cassie concluded.

Tour inside Sandy and Cassie’s mother-daughter tiny home through the video below:

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