A Texas couple inherited an old shed and spent $16,000 turning it into a tiny house for their family of 4 — check out how they did it

Amanda GohJun 14, 2022, 09:34 IST

Exterior shot of the completed homeKaty Krebs

A couple moved into an old shed in Texas and spent nine months turning it into a tiny home.
Katy Krebs, the homeowner, estimates they spent around $16,000 on the renovation.

Katy Krebs and her husband, Michael, were looking for a place to call their own when an old shed that used to belong to Michael's grandparents caught their eye.

Katy Krebs, her husband Michael, and their two daughters Carolina and Harper.Katy Krebs

But it was no easy task. The 280-square-foot shed had been built in the 80s and was being used as a storage space. It needed a complete overhaul: The paint was peeling, and there was no plumbing or proper electrical system.

The shed's exteriors were in a bad condition prior to renovation.Katy Krebs

But it was no easy task. The 280-square-foot shed had been built in the 80s and was being used as a storage space. It needed a complete overhaul: The paint was peeling, and there was no plumbing or proper electrical system.

With a tight budget, the couple took on most of the renovation work themselves, including installing partition walls, adding new windows, and restoring the roof.

The inside of the shed before renovation. It was used as a storage space.Katy Krebs

There were originally three windows in the shed. The couple decided to add two more to improve ventilation and let in extra natural light.

The new vinyl windows.Katy Krebs

They also vaulted the ceilings in what would become the living room and kitchen area.

The vaulted ceiling and exposed wall insulation.Katy Krebs

To save costs, they tried to reuse old material that was already sitting on the property, including lumber.

Krebs standing on a ladder polishing the ceilingKaty Krebs

They even repurposed an old barn door as the front door of their new home.

Katy Krebs

One of the biggest challenges the couple faced during renovation was creating new walls to partition the space into separate rooms.

Wooden frames are being set up in the shed, where they will be used to partition the space and create walls. This image shows what would eventually become their toilet.Katy Krebs

In addition to the original shed, the couple built an eight-foot porch on the front, a feature Krebs had always wanted in her family home.

The porch as it was being built.Katy Krebs

Friends and family members chipped in to help whenever they could.

Katy's two daughters sit on their completed porch.Katy Krebs

Although the couple did get an electrical company to link the house up to the main electricity source, they did the rest of the wiring work themselves.

Cabinets are being installed in the kitchen.Katy Krebs

Krebs estimates they spent about $16,000 in all, which was within their original budget.

Exterior shot of the completed homeKaty Krebs

The completed tiny home has three rooms and is filled with rustic furniture.

The completed master bedroom.Katy Krebs

The bathroom has a shower, a toilet, a vanity, and a closet hidden behind a curtain.

A collage showing their completed bathroom.Katy Krebs

"We have one full-sized bed and a couch that folds out into a bed, so we don't really have a set place somewhere where everybody sleeps," Krebs said.

The foldable sofa-bed in the living area.Katy Krebs

Krebs' favorite room in the house is the farmhouse-style kitchen.

The completed kitchen.Katy Krebs

After designing her tiny home from scratch, Krebs has some advice for anyone looking to do the same: Draw out all floor plans before starting.

Side view of their home's exterior.Katy Krebs

The family has now been living in the house for almost a year. Krebs thinks it's been a rewarding experience for all of them, especially her daughters.

Katy's two daughters, Carolina and Harper, sitting on the porch.Katy Krebs

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A Texas couple inherited an old shed and spent $16,000 turning it into a tiny house for their family of 4 &mdash; check out how they did it

Katy Krebs and her husband, Michael, were looking for a place to call their own when an old shed that used to belong to Michael's grandparents caught their eye.

But it was no easy task. The 280-square-foot shed had been built in the 80s and was being used as a storage space. It needed a complete overhaul: The paint was peeling, and there was no plumbing or proper electrical system.

With a tight budget, the couple took on most of the renovation work themselves, including installing partition walls, adding new windows, and restoring the roof.

There were originally three windows in the shed. The couple decided to add two more to improve ventilation and let in extra natural light.

They also vaulted the ceilings in what would become the living room and kitchen area.

To save costs, they tried to reuse old material that was already sitting on the property, including lumber.

They even repurposed an old barn door as the front door of their new home.

One of the biggest challenges the couple faced during renovation was creating new walls to partition the space into separate rooms.

In addition to the original shed, the couple built an eight-foot porch on the front, a feature Krebs had always wanted in her family home.

Friends and family members chipped in to help whenever they could.

Although the couple did get an electrical company to link the house up to the main electricity source, they did the rest of the wiring work themselves.

Krebs estimates they spent about $16,000 in all, which was within their original budget.

The completed tiny home has three rooms and is filled with rustic furniture.

The bathroom has a shower, a toilet, a vanity, and a closet hidden behind a curtain.

"We have one full-sized bed and a couch that folds out into a bed, so we don't really have a set place somewhere where everybody sleeps," Krebs said.

Krebs' favorite room in the house is the farmhouse-style kitchen.

After designing her tiny home from scratch, Krebs has some advice for anyone looking to do the same: Draw out all floor plans before starting.

The family has now been living in the house for almost a year. Krebs thinks it's been a rewarding experience for all of them, especially her daughters.

A Texas couple inherited an old shed and spent $16,000 turning it into a tiny house for their family of 4 — check out how they did it