Don't be fooled by its square footage, this home makes the most of every inch

Matt Wolpe is a strong proponent of the tiny house movement and the 120-square-foot home he built in Oakland, Calif. is a prime example of all the wonders tiny living has to offer.
Wolpe, co-author of "Reinventing the Chicken Coop" and co-owner of Just Fine Design/Build constructed this tiny home by hand and custom-built all the furniture inside. On his blog, Oakland Tiny House, he chronicles every step of this labor of love and offers advice for others trying to join the tiny living movement.
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Before putting the tiny house on the market in 2012, Wolpe lived in it for a year and, according to the listing, "loved every minute of it." Here's a peek inside this envy-worthy abode.
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According to the first entry his blog, the siding of Wolpe's house is salvaged redwood fencing.
This "one-legged table/desk" is perfectly functional, yet saves tons of space with its pared-down design. The top is stained with India ink, emphasizing the wood's gorgeous grain.
The sitting area is a testament to the importance of custom-built furniture for tiny living. In an interview with Inside Storey, Wolpe notes, "Handwork is essential to giving any house a 'soul,' and a tiny house in particular should have remnants of the builder's hands to give it its essence. Scale is also important, as 'regular'-sized furniture just doesn't work in tiny houses — everything should be custom."
Even the window frame serves a purpose — displaying cheery mementos in the sunlight.
Above another window, Wolpe has built a bookshelf, wisely utilizing space that would have otherwise been left empty.
As you can see, the bench can also double as a daybed, should you decide to take a quick cat nap by the window. The bench also has drawers in the lower portion and a secret compartment in the corner.
This stool is thoughtfully contoured to make sitting much more comfortable. The flooring is maple, which according to the real estate listing came from an old roller skating rink.
The kitchen has plenty of built-in storage space and a two-burner stove top. It also doubles as a closet, housing Wolpe's shoes and clothing.
The windowsill is decorated with adorable miniature kitchen utensils, adding to the tiny home's charm.
The stairs come directly out of the wall, conserving space and creating a cool floating effect. For stability, you can use the wall as a guide as you ascend the steps.
At the top of the stairs, Wolpe has designed a cozy loft that is also equipped with built-in shelving.
Though this house may be small, the interior does not feel cramped. Wolpe explains on his blog,
"I usually try and subtract from the volume of space that an object takes up: the stairs and the desk, for instance, use the house's structure (stud wall) as supports so that it can be visually light and floaty...There's a voice in my head that says "it's a tiny house, you have to use ALL of the space,' but when I think about it more, I've noticed that I like being in my house so much because of the voids: in my opinion, having empty spaces and 'unutilized space' is what makes living in a tiny house bearable, and enjoyable."
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As a cheeky nod to the tiny living movement, Wolpe included a tiny porch swing on the front stoop.
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