The tiny house movement is synonymous with pocket-sized interiors, snug storage solutions and clever internal layouts, yet you might be surprised by just how many people these compact cabins can accommodate. While some micro properties only offer enough space for a couple, others are designed to suit the needs of an entire family. From converted buses to modern mini mansions, these family-friendly pads prove that you can live big in a small space...

Back in April 2017, Ashley and Dino Petrone decided to sell their five-bedroom house, buy 2.2 acres of land and build a brand new property on it. With their three children in tow, the couple purchased an old RV to live in during the build process but ended up falling in love with their new camper conversion.

Ashley discovered their 2003 Cougar Keystone trailer at a used car lot and knew straight away it was the right option for them. Despite needing a thorough interior makeover, the camper offered a master bedroom at one end and three bunk beds at the other. At 31 feet long, the RV provided 180 square feet of living space, which the family set about transforming into a cosy home.

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Taking on a lot of the work themselves, Ashley and Dino completed their tiny home face-lift in less than three weeks, sourcing most of their fixtures and finishes from budget-friendly places such as Amazon, Costco and IKEA. With new lighting, flooring, kitchen worktops and tiles fitted, plus a fresh lick of paint, the mobile home was transformed into a snug Scandi oasis.

While the original trailer cost the duo £6,200 ($8k), all of the interior renovations came out at just under £2,330 ($3k), making this home renovation scheme an absolute steal. In fact, the pair's new-found passion for tiny living has led them to start a business renovating vehicles for other families.

Forbes magazine once called this dwelling one of the most beautiful tiny homes in the world – and it isn't difficult to see why! Compact yet spacious, this mobile property was designed by Escape Traveler to accommodate as many as 10 people at a time. Constructed from cedarwood and heavily insulted, the Traveler XL can withstand the harshest of climates, from scorching summers to winter snowstorms.

Bright and modern, the interior of the Traveler XL is every bit as inviting as its facade. Offering 344 square feet of space, the stylish trailer features exposed pine decor, modern wood flooring and an abundance of built-in storage. To keep the home at the perfect temperate all year round, there's also a fireplace, air conditioning and a propane furnace, while solar panels can power the property in even the most remote spots.

Starting at £61,000 ($78.5k), the roomy tiny house offers a remarkable amount of sleeping space. As well as a generous queen-sized bedroom on the ground floor, which comes equipped with a closet and under-bed storage, there are also two sleeping lofts and a fold-out couch in the living room, so everyone can have their own slumber spot.

The home's two lofts can be used as bedrooms or storage attics if preferred. The timber cabin also features a full-sized bathroom and a deluxe kitchen, as well as a flat-screen TV, washer/dryer and dishwasher to make family life a breeze. With an array of luxury extras available, you can add everything from a keyless locking system to a jet tub – how fancy is that?

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Unlike any tiny home you might have seen before, this micro farmhouse is both attractive and spacious enough to accommodate its owners, Emma and Joel, and their two young daughters. In order to make the transition from a standard-sized home easier, the couple made sure the pocket-sized property had a large garden for the kids to enjoy. The spacious exterior offers a dining zone, a paddling pool and an extensive playground.

Despite spending the majority of their time outside, the couple wanted to ensure the home was as inviting as possible. Located in British Columbia, Canada, the farmhouse is bursting with clever design ideas and quaint decorative touches. Whitewashed cedar cladding is complemented by light blue accents and natural timber tones, while every space is multifunctional.

Offering 255 square feet of space, the main living zone doubles up as Emma and Joel's bedroom. While this set-up may seem like a huge compromise for some, it allowed the couple to have a decent-sized kitchen and a proper dining area – essentials for a smooth-running family life.

The sweetest space in the whole house is tucked away upstairs. This cosy loft has been transformed into the ultimate bedroom for the couple's two little girls. Decorated in pinks and florals, the space is both whimsical and practical. Showing just how innovative a small home can be, this unique pad really is tiny house goals!

Childhood sweethearts Brandon and Ashley Trebitowski made the decision to downsize after finding themselves with a large house and increasing debts. After selling their 2,100-square-foot property, Ashley discovered a run-down school bus on Craigslist for just £3,420 ($4,400). After a thorough renovation in 2016, the vehicle became home sweet home for the couple and their three children.

To create their modern skoolie, the couple gutted the bus before hand-making all of the necessary framework. Aiming for a modern industrial-style finish, Brandon and Ashley paired natural wood tones with deep slate accessories and whitewashed walls. For the winter months, they even fitted a tiny wood stove to keep the vehicle nice and toasty.

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Clever storage units are hidden throughout the bus, offering plenty of space for clothing and toys, while a standing dresser keeps the water pump and heater out of sight. Between the main living zone and the master bedroom lies a narrow corridor that's home to the children's bunk beds – the perfect use for an otherwise redundant space.

Their unconventional property helped the family shake off crippling debts and offered them a fresh start. "We’ve learned a lot through living minimal," says Ashley. "Owning less has truly allowed us to live more!" Having recently sold the bus on to another family, the Trebitowskis plan to incorporate the tiny lessons they've learned as they set about building their new home.

Home to Dan and Marnie Prowse, this ultra-modern tiny home lies in a leafy suburb of Sydney, Australia. Designed by Chris Freeburn of Ironbark Architects, the property stands at just 340 square feet and is perfectly suited to the needs of this family of four. Offering two separate bedrooms, a spacious living area, a full-sized kitchen and plenty of outdoor space, this family-friendly dwelling is as aspirational as it gets!

Looking to live more simply, Dan and Marnie decided to build a tiny house in their back garden, renting out their former home in order to finance their scheme. The couple followed a less-is-more approach, buying sparingly but investing in premium materials in order to create a high-quality finish. The end result is a magnificent miniature home that offers every member of the family their own private space.

Since the whole family loves the great outdoors, the living spaces flow seamlessly into the generous garden thanks to extensive glazing. In the kitchen, a clever glass hatch can be raised to connect the space with the alfresco dining zone beyond. There's also an outdoor swimming pool which has a larger footprint than the building itself!

Generously high ceilings enhance the sense of space, while the lounge is multifunctional thanks to custom-built joinery and movable furnishings. Yet the kids' room is perhaps the coolest spot in the house. Divided into three sections, it offers a suspended bunk for each child, with a play area below. In the master bedroom, the couple's bed can also be raised off the ground in order to free up floor space. Tiny homes don't get much more clever than this!

With a focus on minimalism, sustainability and simplicity, this characterful dwelling by Timbercraft Tiny Homes shows just how spacious and practical a compact cabin can be. Named The Retreat, the 416-square-foot timber house is the perfect option for a family as it can sleep as many as six people at any one time.

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While the outside is clad in natural timber and finished with a metal roof, the inside offers beautiful pine accents for a warm and traditional look. The home's sizable living room comes with a couch and an electric fire, while the generous kitchen is decked out in fine granite countertops and full-sized appliances. Plenty of insulation and double-glazed windows ensure the interior is nice and toasty throughout the year.

With three separate bedrooms, this snug property utilises every inch of space. The master bedroom can be found nestled on a mezzanine level above the kitchen and comes equipped with a queen-sized bed and standing headroom. Two smaller rooms offer queen and twin beds, making them ideal for children or guests.

This tiny retreat features a small but practical bathroom that comes complete with a bathtub and plumbing connections. There's also an attractive exterior porch – the perfect spot to enjoy alfresco family dinners. Custom made, Timbercraft Tiny Homes start from £39,000 ($50k).

Back in 2011, Macy Miller began building a tiny home using reclaimed and sustainable materials. A year later, Macy met her partner James, who helped her complete the labour of love. After two years, the pair finally moved in and now reside in the cute cabin, along with their two young children, Hazel and Miles, and their Great Dane, Denver!

Located in Idaho, USA, the 196-square-foot property is clad in shipping pallet timber and sits atop a 24-foot gooseneck trailer. Built mostly from reclaimed materials, the house cost just over £10,000 ($13k) to construct, making it highly budget-friendly. Then in 2015, the family undertook an interior makeover, turning the rear deck into a five-foot extension where the children's bunk beds now reside.

Inside, each living space is light and airy, with whitewashed walls and splashes of vibrant colour. The family's spacious lounge is also home to Macy and James's bedroom, which is cleverly concealed behind a timber screen for privacy. Ample storage can be found below the bed's platform, maximising an otherwise redundant space.

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While being highly eco-friendly in its construction, this tiny pad also boasts plenty of green features, including a composting toilet and radiant underfloor heating. In 2017, the family decided to downsize once again – this time temporarily, snapping up an 84-square-foot vintage camper van for their travels around America. If that isn't inspiring, we don't know what is!

Designed by tiny house builders Tiny Heirloom, this impressive dwelling is both beautiful and practical. Available in three sizes, the largest of the Cayman models covers just 387 square feet of space and comes complete with three separate bedrooms, offering plenty of space for the entire family.

The interior is spacious, modern and bright, complemented by sleek brushed nickel and chrome finishes. The main living space is open-plan, while the galley kitchen benefits from sleek tiling, high-end stainless steel appliances and a large porcelain sink.

Making the most of the snug space, the micro pad has numerous clever storage solutions, including compartments hidden inside the stair risers and dining benches. Large picture windows and skylights bathe the interior in natural light, while solar panels on the roof mean the property is entirely carbon-neutral, making it a great choice for eco-conscious families.

While the ground floor is home to two queen-sized bedrooms, the sleeping loft can accommodate a set of twin beds, meaning The Cayman can cater for up to six people at once. Starting from £79,000 ($102k), this modern micro dwelling is the perfect option for those searching for a family home on a shoestring.

Owners Francois and Sarah-Lee Guittenit live in this attractive 226-square-foot home with their three children, Poppy, LouLou and Francis. Though it might not look very roomy from the outside, this cleverly constructed timber cabin is surprisingly space-efficient.

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As a professional cabinet maker, Francois put his skills to good use by designing and building the family home. Modern and minimalist, the interior feels extra spacious thanks to a vaulted ceiling and swathes of windows. The layout is divided into three zones, with an open-plan living room sandwiched between the two bedrooms and bathroom at one end, and the kitchen at the other.

Instead of getting a mortgage, Francois and Sarah-Lee decided to utilise the small amount of land they already had. Located on the same site as Francois's workshop, the tiny home also offers a pretty garden with a vegetable patch, outdoor seating and a play area for the kids. While the exterior is formed from cedar, the interior offers a sleek Scandi-style ash finish across the walls, ceiling and cabinetry.

Francois and Sarah-Lee share a large sleeping loft upstairs and the children enjoy their own bunk beds thanks to a clever stacking system. Despite measuring just 43 square feet, the kids' bedroom offers everything the girls could need. After building their home, the couple decided to help others do the same, setting up their own business, Le Workshop, creating incredible small spaces for families in and around Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

Like many families living tiny, Gabriel and Debbie Mayes decided to downsize in order to see the world, reconnect with each other and live debt-free. Purchasing their school bus in 2017, the pair moved from a 5,000-square-foot house in Illinois to their ultra-cool 250-square-foot tiny house in the same year with their four children, Gracen, Darby, Deacon and Jovey.

The first bus the duo bought cost just £3,880 ($5,000), but it turned out to be full of rust. Following this, they sought expert advice before finding a second skoolie that was in far better condition. Stripping out the interior, Gabriel and Debbie hired a professional company to assist with the conversion.

The couple opted for a unique zig-zag layout in order to maximise space and create defined living zones. Eager for a Scandinavian-style finish, the family chose a contemporary black, white and grey colour scheme, enhancing the monochrome palette with natural timber and brass accents. Hidden storage is packed into every void, including under the sofas, meaning there's plenty of room for the kid's toys.

The private master bedroom can be found at the very rear of the bus, flanked by the kids' bunk room. The skoolie also offers a sofa that doubles up as a spare bed, meaning the vehicle can sleep up to eight people. "I love how connected our family has become,” says Debbie. “Being in such a tiny space can be stressful, but we now have so many more opportunities.”

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