Seven tiny homes that prove size isn't everything

The Drumnadrochit cottage
The Drumnadrochit cottage

British homes are already the smallest in Europe and they are getting even tinier.

While government guidance stipulates that new homes should have a floor area of at least 37 square metres - around 400 square feet - it's not hard to find plenty that don't.

See also: The tiny cottage with an unexpected bonus

See also: Could you make a home in this tiny loft?

In London particularly, sky-high prices mean that people are squeezing into ever smaller properties.

Quite apart from the challenges of fitting into one of these tiny homes, there can be problems getting a mortgage: some banks and building societies refuse to lend on properties smaller than around 323 square feet.

However, there's a lot to be said for a tiny home. Maintenance and cleaning are easier, it's cheaper to keep warm, and you'll get the privacy that's lacking in a flat-share.

Take a look at these seven micro-homes which are on the market right now.

The narrow frontage
The narrow frontage

London E5
It's unusual these days to find a freehold, end-of-terrace house in Hackney for this price - but then this is an unusual house. Coming in at less than 350 square feet, it's dinky to say the least. On the ground floor, there's a bedroom and shower room, with a living room and kitchen above; the whole place is just seven feet wide. But it's newly refurbished and has a roof terrace and garden for when you really feel the walls closing in. The house costs £425,000 through agent Trading Places.


The cute house
The cute house

Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Tiny houses aren't just to be found in the capital - and when they come up elsewhere, the price can often be really small to match. This one-bedroom end of terrace is only 347 square feet, but was recently rebuilt, with underfloor heating and a shed for storage. It's only available to people that have lived locally for the last three years, and is being sold via auction on September 21, with a quide price of just £55,000. Contact Blundells Auctions for more information.

The frontage of the house
The frontage of the house

London W1
It's the prestigious postcode that gives this tiny house its hefty £699,950 price tag - and the fact that it makes the most of its miniscule 399 square feet of space. The kitchen/reception room is well-proportioned at 15 by 13 feet, and there's a proper bathroom alongside the double bedroom. You may struggle to get furniture up there, though, as a spiral staircase is the only way up. It comes with a patch of outside space and an allocated parking place. Contact agent York Estates for more information.

The studio room
The studio room

London W1
If you can't, er, stretch to the price of the house above, this studio flat nearby is a lot cheaper - as well as a lot smaller. The 223 square feet comprise a single room measuring around 18 by 13 feet, plus a tiny shower room. It is, though, in a beautiful period building and has been done up to the nines, with a high-end kitchen boasting Smeg and Siemens appliances, quartz worktops and an American oak floor. The 996 year lease costs £446,500 through agent Habitat Investments.

The studio room
The studio room

West Looe, Cornwall
Popes Estate Agents describe this studio flat as 'compact and bijou' - and it's certainly that. One big stride down from the raised bed area, and you'll be crashing into the kitchen cupboards. But it's in lovely condition, and if the walls feel like they're closing in, you can always sit in the communal garden or take a stroll along the beach across the road. And how else could you afford a holiday bolthole for a rock-bottom £75,000?

The living area
The living area

Hayes, Middlesex
This studio extends to just 285 square feet, but has been designed to make the most of every inch. A tiny shower room separates sleeping and living zones, though some might not like the way it opens right into the kitchen area. In lovely condition, the flat has a reasonable amount of storage, and a little Juliet balcony gives you room to breathe. It costs £224,950 from agent Life Residential.

The living area
The living area

Drumnadrochit, Inverness
This adorable one-bedroom cottage is in immaculate condition, with bamboo flooring and a stunning kitchen area, along with a lovely woodburning stove. There's a small modern shower room, and the bedroom's a reasonable 13.5 feet by 15, although taller people may struggle a little with the sloping ceiling. It's in a popular tourist area, hence the comparatively high price: £120,000 through agents Highland Premier Properties.

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