A nurse’s tiny vacation house became her full-time home once she found it perfectly livable

For Tisa, a nurse with decades of experience, choosing a tiny house with a hidden room was more than just downsizing — it was a life-changing step toward a simpler, more intentional lifestyle.

What began as a weekend getaway spot soon became her full-time home, offering comfort, community, and a surprisingly spacious feel inside just 399 square feet.

“I never thought a tiny home would work for everyday living,” Tisa admitted. “After a while, you don’t even realize you’re living tiny anymore; it’s so natural now.”

From spacious homes to compact living

Before embracing tiny living, Tisa lived in much larger spaces—a 3,600-square-foot house and a 1,200-square-foot apartment.

Downsizing was not an easy decision. It was for a vacation home when she first bought land near a lake an hour outside Plano, Texas.

However, zoning restrictions limited the property to tiny houses or RVs. At first, Tisa considered an RV but quickly realized it didn’t fit her needs.

This led her to research custom tiny house builds and explore the idea seriously.

“I’m really going to like this home,” she said during the design process, realizing her dream tiny house with a hidden room might become her everyday reality.

Designing a custom tiny house with a hidden room

Working with Utopian Villas, a builder known for quality and communication, Tisa helped create a tiny house on wheels tailored to her lifestyle.

The design included a wraparound deck, a bedroom on the main floor, and a secret room offering extra space and privacy.

“The owner, Justin, is absolutely amazing. It was the best communication and building process I could ever ask for,” Tisa said, praising her builder’s dedication.

With clever design and thoughtful upgrades like extra insulation and marble in the bathroom, the house cost about $225,000 — a significant investment, but one that made downsizing a joy instead of a sacrifice.

Embracing low maintenance tiny house living

Tisa quickly realized how a low-maintenance tiny house could simplify her life.

She now pays $750 monthly for her lot at Village Farm in Austin, which covers amenities and trash pickup.

This was a stark contrast to her $2,300 monthly apartment rent.

Financing tiny houses can be tricky, as they often require RV loans. Still, Tisa advises locking in low interest rates when possible.

The payoff, she says, is worth it: “I’m saving about $1,000 a month while owning my home.”

Her wraparound deck, made of durable metal materials that mimic wood, requires minimal upkeep and blends modern style with practicality.

Windows are placed to maximize light without sacrificing privacy, making the house feel open yet cozy.

Inside the tiny house with a hidden room:spacious, smart, and stylish

The living room welcomes guests with natural light

The living area balances comfort and versatility.

Tall floor-to-ceiling windows fill the space with light, while automated shades provide privacy at a moment’s notice.

Hooks throughout the home offer handy storage solutions—a tiny home essential.

“You never know in a tiny home when you need a little extra space,” Tisa explained. A chandelier adds a glamorous touch to the otherwise simple room.

A doggy door lets Tisa’s pets roam freely indoors and outdoors, underscoring the home’s pet-friendly design.

The bedrooms maximize space and comfort

The main bedroom boasts a seven-foot ceiling, making it feel surprisingly open.

A custom queen bed features drawers underneath and additional hidden storage that pulls out for larger items like travel gear.

A nook under the bed provides a cozy spot for Scotty, Tisa’s dog, affectionately “the owner of the house.”

Though Tisa wishes the closet had a bit more vertical space, she cleverly fits around 60 pairs of shoes, with valet hooks and pull-out organizers keeping everything accessible.

The upstairs flex loft is a second office and guest room with a couch bed, offering enough headroom for even tall guests.

Meanwhile, the tiny house’s standout feature—the hidden room—houses a full guest bedroom with a bed, dresser, and climate control.

“It’s actually more of a surprise room because I realized when I did it most people are surprised that it exists,” Tisa said.

The kitchen: Style meets functionality in a low-maintenance tiny house

The kitchen boasts a quartz waterfall countertop, pull-out drawers for trash and pet food, and a playful black alligator wallpaper under the counters.

A custom bar under the stairs adds extra storage. Tisa prioritized a full dishwasher over a pantry, saving time on chores.

The five-burner gas stove and convection oven have become staples for her cooking.

Though she missed installing overhead lighting above the pull-out coffee bar, battery-operated lights offer a quick fix.

The bathroom: A spacious retreat in compact form

Tisa calls her bathroom her “girl bathroom” and expands it by taking space from the bedroom to avoid the cramped feel typical of tiny homes.

The floor-to-ceiling marble shower features two niches—one decorative and one for hidden storage.

Gold fixtures add a luxe touch, while wallpaper inside a cabinet creates a clever jewelry organizer.

Electrical outlets inside pull-out drawers keep styling tools handy and off counters.

Her quiet washer and dryer tower, placed at an accessible height, round out the home’s practical amenities.

A hopeful new chapter in a tiny house with a hidden room

Tisa’s story is a powerful example of how a custom tiny house build can transform daily life.

From a large home to a tiny house on wheels, she found freedom in owning less and gaining more time, community, and peace.

She treasures the “tight-knit relationships” in her tiny home village, a connection she believes larger neighborhoods often lack.

The rural feel of Village Farm near Austin offers open space and tranquility while keeping the city within reach.

“Everything in my home has a memory or an attachment to it that means something,” Tisa said, reflecting on the intentional nature of her belongings.

For those considering the leap, her message is clear: with smart design and a supportive community, a tiny house with a hidden room is not just a home—it’s a new way to live fully.

Take a tour of Tisa’s tiny house with a hidden room in the video below. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Tiny House Expedition YouTube channel for more inspiring tiny home tours like this!