This Supersize Tiny House Isn't Tiny, but It Sure Is Gorgeous

The Big Sky doesn't really have to do anything with the sky, though it's definitely big. Think supersize-big, so, far removed from the tiny houses of yore.

Introduced as a customizable model a couple of years ago, Big Sky is the second-most-popular model from the lineup of Alabama-based builder Timbercraft Tiny Homes and is based on the most popular unit they have, the equally big Denali.

Even today, it still holds its own as a very eloquent example of downsizing in (big) style, with minimal compromise in terms of features, comfort, or even a certain degree of luxury.

It also shows why builders of park models like Timbercraft have become so popular in North America, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada: supersize tinies might not be as mobile as more compact versions, but they sure make up for it in every other aspect that counts!

Tiny houses have been around for many decades but only started going mainstream in the early 2000s when environmental concerns became more pressing among regular Joes and Janes. Some years before the terrible 2020, tiny houses were already on their way to becoming a viable housing alternative for anyone looking to downsize, live a more mobile life, cut expenses, and maybe reduce their carbon footprint as well.

Today, the tiny living phenomenon is at its peak, seemingly offering the all-in-one kind of lifestyle most digital nomads can only dream of. But it's also spawned a supersize variant, where park tinies are being used as homes by families and non-nomads instead of brick-and-mortar homes.

This brings us back to the Big Sky because this is where this one would fit in. It's a very large unit, being built on a 41.4-foot (12.62-meter) five-axle trailer.

It's longer, wider, and heavier than a standard tiny house, so it's clearly not made to be moved around whenever you feel like a change of scenery. Instead, limit all relocations to outstanding circumstances, in which case you need extra permits and a special towing rig.

That said, Big Sky is designed to be a proper family home, with sleeping for as many as four people, two in the main bedroom on the ground floor and two more in a loft over the bathroom. With the exception of the loft, all the other spaces offer standing height. If you know anything about the tiny movement, you know that a bedroom with standing height, let alone wardrobes and nightstands and as much storage as Big Sky has, is a rare feature you'll only find in park models.

The unit toured in the video below is inspired by Western Montana architecture, so it's all about rich rustic vibes, with dark hardwoods, shiplap walls, contrasting wall panels, black granite countertops, and gorgeous metal accents in the hardware. However, as photos in the gallery will show, you can also opt for a less rustic and more streamlined vibe, with off-white furniture and soft grays.

The layout will still be the same, though, meaning it's the same one as what you'll find in the Denali model. You walk directly into the L-shaped kitchen, which could be described as a chef's unit thanks to its residential-size appliances and features.

To the right of the kitchen is a glass-wrapped lounge that gives out to a porch thanks to French doors. To the left is a bathroom down a hallway (*yet another feature you won't come across that often in a tiny house), the storage-integrating staircase to the loft, and the main bedroom.

Everything about Big Sky is designed to feel less like downsizing and more like a proper home. You get a 3-zone mini-split system for heating and AC, black clad windows, exposed beam on the tongue-and-groove ceiling, and heaps of storage options throughout. Obviously, the home is insulated throughout and, thanks to horizontal metal siding with cedar accents, with a striking exterior that's also low-maintenance.

The Big Sky offers 399 square feet (37 square meters) of living space, which might verge on actual downsizing if four people live in it full-time but could feel luxurious with just two using it as a permanent residence.

Regardless of the occupancy and customized finishes, pricing will probably match the "luxurious" descriptor. Timbercraft Tiny Homes doesn't stick price tags to its units because of the long list of personalization options possible, but a standard – and smaller – unit can cost as much as $101,000.

The one thing about tiny houses that still hasn't changed after all these years is that they tend to sell for higher rates per square foot than a standard home. They're still cheaper than standard homes because they're smaller and, for so many people around the world, that seems to seal the deal in choosing to downsize.