By the point they turned 30, Lexie and Jed had achieved what many solely dream of: constructing a totally off-grid house from the bottom up and dwelling mortgage- and debt-free.
With little constructing expertise and primary DIY abilities, 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 completely on solar energy. It additionally collects rainwater, permitting them to maintain prices low and dwell with minimal environmental impression.
Parked on a peaceable property with sweeping views of a 200-acre pastime farm, their solely common expense is a small parking price.
Surrounded by nature, they’ve discovered a quiet, inexpensive lifestyle that displays their values and independence.
A dream realized: Constructing a totally 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 believe I began watching them once you first began placing them up on YouTube,” she mentioned, recalling how on-line content material sparked her curiosity in absolutely off-grid house dwelling.
When she shared the concept with Jed, he was all in.
“Properly if you happen to love them a lot, why don’t we do it? Let’s construct one. Life’s quick, you’ve received to strive these items,” Lexie added.
They determined to go for it although 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 totally off-grid house
The street to constructing their absolutely off-grid house got here with loads of challenges.
“Blood, sweat, [and] some tears,” Jed admitted.
However they pushed by means of, studying as they went. Utilizing CAD software program Jed had entry to by means 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 mentioned.
A major enhance got here when Jed’s teacher allow them to use his property to start out the construct.
“The second win was really 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 means of household and associates.
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 suppose we’ll ever be fortunate sufficient to personal a fantastic property like this,” Lexie mentioned.
The property options an olive grove and luxurious inexperienced areas that add to its allure.
“We really feel very fortunate to be right here,” she mentioned.
Inside their absolutely off-grid house: Good design and pure allure
Their absolutely off-grid house measures 2.5 meters broad, 8 meters lengthy, and 4.3 meters excessive—constructed to road-legal specs with no need oversize permits.
The outside is roofed in eucalyptus-green metal siding that blends with the gum timber, and the white roof displays daylight to remain cool within the Aussie warmth.
Inside, they went for a vivid, colourful look.
“Yeah, we actually wished it to be a colourful house. We like colour,” Lexie mentioned.
Orange cupboards, rattan accents, and timber finishes like noticed gum and Victorian ash carry a comfortable, earthy vibe.
Good design selections embrace a settee mattress with storage, giant function 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 mentioned of washing dishes by hand.
There’s even a hidden wine cellar produced from 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 means of a reed mattress system.
Their lavatory, 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 comfortable white inside and home windows for stargazing.
“That is I believe in all probability my favourite room in the home… It’s received a very nice calming vibe,” Lexie mentioned.
Trying forward, they plan to start out a permaculture backyard and check their inexperienced thumbs.
“Yeah, placing in some gardens to see if we just like the self-sufficient life-style,” Lexie mentioned. Additionally they hope to take some long-overdue holidays.
Pleased 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 dwell—it’s proof of what’s potential with imaginative and prescient and arduous work.
“There’s a lot satisfaction in having 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 every part we may,’” Jed mentioned.
Although they nonetheless plan so as to add a hearth and a toilet door, they’re content material dwelling on their phrases—in a very their house, surrounded by nature and powered by their palms.
Take a look at Lexie and Jed’s absolutely off-grid house by means of the video under:
See extra superb tiny house tales by subscribing to Residing Huge In A Tiny Home’s YouTube channel.
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