By the point they turned 30, Lexie and Jed had achieved what many solely dream of: constructing a completely off-grid house from the bottom up and dwelling mortgage- and debt-free.
With little constructing expertise and primary DIY expertise, the Australian couple took a leap of religion and created a sustainable life-style centered round freedom, simplicity, and self-sufficiency.
Their tiny home now runs totally on solar energy. It additionally collects rainwater, permitting them to maintain prices low and stay with minimal environmental influence.
Parked on a peaceable property with sweeping views of a 200-acre passion farm, their solely common expense is a small parking charge.
Surrounded by nature, they’ve discovered a quiet, inexpensive lifestyle that displays their values and independence.
A dream realized: Constructing a completely off-grid house from scratch
Lexie had lengthy dreamed of dwelling in a small, one-of-a-kind home, impressed by movies and tales from the tiny home motion.
“I feel I began watching them whenever you first began placing them up on YouTube,” she stated, recalling how on-line content material sparked her curiosity in absolutely off-grid house dwelling.
When she shared the thought with Jed, he was all in.
“Nicely in the event you love them a lot, why don’t we do it? Let’s construct one. Life’s quick, you’ve bought to strive this stuff,” Lexie added.
They determined to go for it though they didn’t have a lot hands-on expertise—Lexie had some DIY information, and Jed had taken a five-week constructing course.
Their solely earlier challenge was a easy van construct, making this absolutely off-grid house an enormous step ahead.
Overcoming obstacles: The DIY path to a completely off-grid house
The highway to constructing their absolutely off-grid house got here with loads of challenges.
“Blood, sweat, [and] some tears,” Jed admitted.
However they pushed by way of, studying as they went. Utilizing CAD software program Jed had entry to by way of his course and tapping into Lexie’s highschool expertise with this system, they drew up their very own home plans.
“So I used to be in a position to attract up all of the drawings for the home, in order that was a win,” Jed stated.
A major enhance got here when Jed’s teacher allow them to use his property to begin the construct.
“The second win was truly assembly Paul… that then allowed us to remain on his property and construct the home initially,” Jed shared.
Residing on the land: Peace, magnificence, and gratitude
Their tiny house now sits on a fantastic piece of land made accessible by way of household and buddies.
Whereas they are saying proudly owning such a property could also be out of attain, they’re grateful to be there.
“It’s lovely. I don’t assume we’ll ever be fortunate sufficient to personal a fantastic property like this,” Lexie stated.
The property options an olive grove and luxurious inexperienced areas that add to its attraction.
“We really feel very fortunate to be right here,” she stated.
Inside their absolutely off-grid house: Sensible design and pure attraction
Their absolutely off-grid house measures 2.5 meters large, 8 meters lengthy, and 4.3 meters excessive—constructed to road-legal specs while not having oversize permits.
The outside is roofed in eucalyptus-green metal siding that blends with the gum bushes, and the white roof displays daylight to remain cool within the Aussie warmth.
Inside, they went for a shiny, colourful look.
“Yeah, we actually wished it to be a colourful house. We like colour,” Lexie stated.
Orange cupboards, rattan accents, and timber finishes like noticed gum and Victorian ash convey a comfy, earthy vibe.
Sensible design decisions embrace a settee mattress with storage, massive characteristic home windows to let in views and light-weight, and a kitchen with full-size home equipment—even when there’s no dishwasher.
“Weirdly satisfying,” Jed stated of washing dishes by hand.
There’s even a hidden wine cellar constituted of a hatch initially meant for batteries.
Totally off-grid dwelling: Energy, water, and future plans
The couple’s absolutely off-grid house is powered by six photo voltaic panels and two batteries saved in a close-by transport container.
Gasoline and scorching water are used for cooking. Rainwater is collected and filtered, and greywater flows by way of a reed mattress system.
Their rest room, nonetheless a piece in progress, features a composting bathroom, a classic basin from a secondhand store, and storage constructed underneath the steps.
The loft bed room feels mild and ethereal, with a gentle white inside and home windows for stargazing.
“That is I feel in all probability my favourite room in the home… It’s bought a very nice calming vibe,” Lexie stated.
Wanting forward, they plan to begin a permaculture backyard and take a look at their inexperienced thumbs.
“Yeah, placing in some gardens to see if we just like the self-sufficient life-style,” Lexie stated. Additionally they hope to take some long-overdue holidays.
Happy with the method: A lifetime of their very own making
With a complete funding of round $135,000, together with the off-grid setup, Lexie and Jed say they wouldn’t change a factor.
They see their absolutely off-grid house as greater than only a place to stay—it’s proof of what’s potential with imaginative and prescient and arduous work.
“There’s a lot satisfaction in with the ability to have a look at each nook and cranny in the home and be like, ‘Yep, we did that and we did it with all the pieces we may,’” Jed stated.
Although they nonetheless plan so as to add a hearth and a toilet door, they’re content material dwelling on their phrases—in a really their house, surrounded by nature and powered by their fingers.
Take a look at Lexie and Jed’s absolutely off-grid house by way of the video beneath:
See extra wonderful tiny house tales by subscribing to Residing Massive In A Tiny Home’s YouTube channel.
Associated Posts:
Uncover extra from My Constructive Outlooks
Subscribe to get the newest posts despatched to your e-mail.
