This perfect tiny home on the water with a beautiful interior was once a simple boat shed

Living on the water doesn’t get better than this dreamy tiny home on the West Coast.

Despite its compact size, the interior feels open and thoughtfully designed, offering comfort and style.

Its history makes it even more unique—it was once a simple boat shed before being transformed into a fully functional tiny home on the water.

From boat shed to dream tiny home

Fifteen years ago, the current owner saw potential in what many dismissed as just a boat shed.

“Most people thought I was crazy at what I was buying,” she recalls.

But for her, it was more than just a structure on the water—it was the foundation for a dream home. Having lived on sailboats and spent years by the ocean, she envisioned a unique blend of comfort and waterfront living.

“I’ve lived on sailboats and I’ve spent a lot of time on the ocean, and so to me it was just this beautiful blend of having the amenities of a home and being on the water.”

Turning that vision into reality took time, money, and careful planning. Over the years, she transformed the space into a fully functional floating home, even securing a mortgage—a sign of how viable these homes can be.

Engineering a floating foundation

The original boat shed rested on PVC foam floats, but converting it into a livable home required a more stable foundation.

“When I purchased the boat shed, it was on PVC foam floats on the outside of the footprint, and I needed to fill in the parts in the middle when the floors went in and it turned into a house.”

She added heavy-duty PVC barrels filled with air to reinforce the structure, creating a more even and secure flotation system.

A key innovation was the addition of barrels with adjustable valves, allowing for fine-tuned weight distribution.

The latest upgrade to the floating home includes large barrels equipped with valves, allowing for better control over its balance.

This system provides added flexibility, as a diver can adjust the air inside the barrels—adding or releasing some—to help level the house based on weight distribution.

This system ensures stability, keeping the home balanced even as conditions change.

A bright and open interior

Inside, the Red Float House was designed for comfort and practicality.

The original dark tin siding was replaced with vibrant red metal, giving the home its distinctive look.

During renovations, the owner focused on bringing in more natural light to transform the once-dark and uninviting interior.

A predominantly white color scheme enhanced brightness, creating a more open and airier feel.

The result is a warm and welcoming space that feels spacious and inviting.

The open-concept layout enhances the sense of space, making the 22-by-40-foot home feel airy and inviting.

Meanwhile, reaching 15 feet at its highest point, a peaked ceiling adds to the spacious feel while maintaining a cozy atmosphere.

Thoughtful features for everyday living

The dreamy tiny home is designed with both function and style in mind.

The kitchen is a focal point, offering ample storage and a clean, minimalist design.

“The beautiful thing about this kitchen is that it is open concept. Having just a really simple kitchen was important to me with lots of storage. I don’t like to see a lot of stuff.”

A live-edge dining table creates a warm gathering space, while the bathroom is a standout feature.

“One of my favorite places in the house is the bathroom, and it definitely was the last big reno that I did. The reason I think I love it so much is because it has so many of the things I’ve always wanted to have in a bathroom.”

The spa-like space includes a large tub, a floating vanity, and an open-concept shower.

The living room, with its leather sofa and wood stove, provides a cozy retreat with breathtaking ocean views.

“The living room is one of my favorite places to just sit, enjoying a view facing the ocean, looking at the sunset. It’s really nice.”

A loft bedroom offers a private sleeping space upstairs, while a smaller second bedroom adds flexibility.

The unique lifestyle of a dreamy tiny home

Living on the water comes with rewards and challenges. The owner emphasizes the importance of finding the right marina.

“Most marinas from my experience, you’re getting a contract a year at a time, so I have a yearly contract, and I have for 15 years.”

Concerns about dampness and mold are common, but she assures that proper design prevents these issues in her dreamy tiny home.

“People ask a lot about, you know, is it damp? Is it moldy? Does it get wet? The combination of single-pane windows and the wood stove, my house is bone dry.”

Marine-grade insulation and moisture-resistant wood ensure the home remains comfortable year-round.

For 15 years, she embraced the joys of floating home living. Now, she’s ready to pass that experience on.

“I think one of the cool things about putting the float house for sale is that it creates an opportunity for someone who is interested in this kind of life, and I would love to hear and see what they do next.”

Here’s a quick video tour of The Red Float House, where the owner enjoys her floating home living:

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