Name: Cosy Cabins
Address: 33 College Street, Motueka, New Zealand, NZ
Telephone: 0800 297 397
Price range: $80,000 - $605,000

An Off-Grid Custom Tiny Home Overlooking Golden Bay

Some homes are designed to impress. Others are designed to make everyday life easier. This custom tiny home, built by Cosy Cabins for Kevin on Takaka Hill, manages both. It looks out over beautiful Golden Bay and the farmland below, and it is fully off-grid.

The home is based on our Cosy 48 design and measures 12 m long by 3.6 m wide. Kevin wanted comfort and easy access, and he gave us a wonderful brief: full creative freedom. He chose the colours and finishes, and added a wood burner with a custom wood box, an orange hanging lamp and a blue tile splashback.

Cosy Cabins took care of the completed job, from the first design conversation to the day Kevin moved in, including a delivery that called for plenty of persistence.

custom tiny home black cladding timber accents takaka hill nz — A Cosy 48 tiny home on Takaka Hill, finished in durable iron cladding with timber features.

At a Glance

Built for: Kevin, a retired gentleman wanting comfort and easy access
Model: based on the Cosy 48, 12 m long and 3.6 m wide
Designed with the owner: full creative freedom, with all colours and finishes chosen by Kevin
Inside: wood burner with a custom wood box, orange hanging lamp, blue tile splashback, navy cabinetry, mirrored wardrobes and a vanity with lime accents
Outside: durable iron cladding with timber features
Services: fully off-grid, with solar power and a septic wastewater system
Setting: Takaka Hill, overlooking Golden Bay and farmland
Cosy Cabins managed: design, construction, delivery, crane placement and commissioning

1. The Cosy 48: Comfort and Easy Access in 12 m by 3.6 m

A tiny home works best when every square metre earns its place. The Cosy 48 gives Kevin a generous 12 m by 3.6 m footprint, and we shaped the layout around his daily routines, with comfort and easy access at the centre of the design.

Everything is within easy reach, and the open living area flows naturally into the kitchen. Large windows and a sliding door bring light and views across the farmland into the room, so the outlook becomes part of the home.

tiny home living room sliding door mountain views takaka hill nz — A sliding door and big windows bring the outlook into the living area.

tiny home kitchen living area navy cabinets takaka hill nz — An open kitchen and living area planned around easy everyday living.

2. Full Creative Freedom: Wood Burner, Orange Lamp and Blue Tile Splashback

Kevin had full say over the creative details, and it shows. A blue tile splashback adds colour behind the cooking area, an orange hanging lamp brings a warm glow, and navy cabinetry and timber-look flooring give the kitchen a calm, Scandinavian feel.

A wood burner sits beside the kitchen with a custom wood box built to suit. It gives the home a cosy heart on cooler Takaka Hill evenings, and the dedicated storage keeps firewood close and the room uncluttered.

tiny home kitchen wood stove orange pendant takaka hill nz — Navy cabinetry, a wood burner and a warm orange hanging lamp.

tiny home wood burner stove wood storage takaka hill nz — A wood burner with its own custom wood box.

3. A Comfortable Bedroom with Mirrored Wardrobes

Restful sleep and good storage matter most in a home built for comfort. The bedroom is a calm, sunlit space in soft sage tones, with large windows and doors that bring in natural light.

Built-in mirrored wardrobes with drawers and shelving keep everything neatly stored. They make full use of the available space and keep the room open and easy to live in.

tiny home bedroom sage green bedding takaka hill nz — A calm, sunlit bedroom in soft sage tones.

custom tiny home bedroom mirrored wardrobe takaka hill nz — Mirrored wardrobes with built-in drawers and shelving.

4. A Bathroom with a Touch of Colour

custom tiny home bathroom vanity lime accents takaka hill nz — A modern vanity with lime accents and a mirrored cabinet.

Daily essentials are all on hand. The bathroom features a modern vanity with grey cabinetry, a mirrored cabinet for storage and a pop of lime that adds personality.

It is a small detail that shows how finishes chosen by the owner give a home its character. Everything is practical, easy to use and designed for comfortable day-to-day routines.

5. Durable Iron Cladding with Timber Features

The exterior pairs durable iron cladding with warm timber features. The iron is tough and low maintenance, which suits an exposed hill setting, while the timber adds texture, character and a connection to the surroundings.

Kevin chose the colours and finishes, so the finished home looks exactly as he imagined. Quality materials and careful construction help it look good for years to come.

custom tiny home black cladding timber panels gravel takaka hill nz — Durable iron cladding, timber panels and generous glazing.

6. Fully Off-Grid, with Solar Power and a Septic System

This home runs independently. It is fully off-grid, with solar power for electricity and a septic wastewater system, so Kevin enjoys comfortable everyday living without relying on mains connections.

The site makes the most of it, with Golden Bay and the farmland laid out below. It is a peaceful spot for a retirement home, and the tiny home suits the setting perfectly.

custom tiny home golden valley sunset takaka hill nz — Sunset over the valley, with Golden Bay and farmland below.

7. Tough Access, Delivered with Perseverance

Access to the site was very difficult. The road up Takaka Hill is steep and winding, and getting a 12 m home to the section took careful planning, skilled drivers and plenty of patience.

The transport company and Cosy Cabins persevered, and the result was a great outcome. The tiny home arrived safely and was lifted into position by crane. Once in place, we commissioned the home, checking services and finishing details so everything worked as it should.

Our cabins and tiny homes are built in Nelson and delivered throughout New Zealand, including sites where access takes some creative problem solving. One dedicated contact guides you through every stage.