What comes to mind when you hear “Denali”? The vast expanses and soaring mountains of Alaska’s Denali National Park? The massive gas-guzzling GM SUV of the same name? What about a 252 square foot home? Something seems off kilter. Perhaps a reference point is in order. In Tiny Green Cabins‘ world, where the Mini-sota model (pun alert….the company is based in Minnesota- in a suburb of St. Paul) is a claustrophobic 48 square feet, the 252 sq. ft. Denali model is indeed as spacious as the Alaskan back country. Here’s how the company describes itself on its home page:

Tiny Green Cabins are earth friendly cabins, tiny houses, and small homes ranging in size from 48 square feet (Mini-Sota model) to 252 square feet (Denali Model). The Wildflower Cabin is 120 square feet and built with green certified materials, reclaimed products as well as recycled materials. The Breathe Easy is a toxic free cabin for those that desire a safe house or safe home to live in. The insulation used is Ultra Touch Cotton insulation made from recycled blue jeans or Air Krete foam insulation. Even the floors are insulated!

Small house plans start from $199 and can be customized for $499 and up. Some of the designs can be seen here. Whether you could actually live in a house that costs about as much as a car is another question. But as our previous post on Tumbleweed homes and the small house market shows, the recession has given new impetus to the idea of simplifying life, cutting back expenses, and climbing out of debt. As a result, the tiny home market has seen growth. I doubt many people are actually living in these houses. More likely, they are using them as escape cabins or novelty residences (or ice houses in Minnesota?). Either way, when I eventually purchase some land of my own, I’d like to put a tiny home on it.

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