What Is 𝑵𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆: Types, Designs, & Features

Imagine a house that looks like it has been squeezed between two buildings, as if it were a toothpaste tube that had been accidentally squeezed too hard! This is what a narrow house looks like – it’s like a long, slender tower that defies the conventional idea of a house with a spacious front lawn and a backyard. It’s a house that has been built to fit into the narrowest of spaces, where a regular-sized house would not fit. Throughout the 13th century, Japan orchestrated the form of the narrow house to emphasise peace, comfort, stability, and sophistication.

But, you must be wondering, why would anyone want to live in a narrow house design? The primary reason is the real-estate market. The market can support narrow houses because they offer a practical, affordable, and sustainable housing option in urban areas where space is at a premium.

If you are intrigued and want to get a taste of it all, then this article pertains to everything in-detail.

What Do You Mean By Narrow House Design?

Architects with experience plan a narrow home design. Narrow home designs have their origins in Japan and date back to the 13th century. They are the ideal blend of stability, performance, and comfort. In order to combat rising population density in both rural and urban areas, modern designs were adopted.

How Can You Build a Narrow House?

Perhaps nothing about a narrow house immediately catches your attention. A small house has few opportunities for turning, and there is no such thing as seclusion. Nonetheless, there are many creative possibilities with narrow house design. You can count on a couple of factors to make your tiny house design desirable:

Take Weather into Consideration

The cost of building a tall, narrow house can be less, but you might have to pay more for upkeep. Since most narrow home plans are taller than typical house plans, they are more vulnerable to damage from weather conditions. Having said that, a tiny house plan also offers a great chance for creating a terrace garden. The best location for your tiny house design is one with moderate weather conditions.

Use Ceilings

For good reason, high ceilings are the newest trend in interior design. High ceilings allow for the use of a variety of ceiling lights, such as wall sconces, pendant lights, and flush-mount ceiling fittings, to create a stylish atmosphere. If your house is narrow, consider installing high ceilings. If you have windows or balconies, consider using glass windows or railings, respectively. Your exterior will be maximised and appear larger.

Ensure Security and Privacy

Privacy can be a concern in narrow houses since the close proximity of neighbouring buildings may make it easier for people to see into the house. This can be addressed through the use of window treatments, such as blinds or curtains, or by installing frosted or tinted windows. Narrow houses are more vulnerable to break-ins due to the limited space available for security measures. However, there are several ways to address this issue like installing high-quality locks, alarms, and security cameras can help deter burglars. Narrow houses may also benefit from having neighbours in close proximity who can keep an eye out for suspicious activity.

Make Levels In Your Vertical Space

There isn’t much horizontal space available in narrow house plans, but that does not preclude you from exploring the vertical space! You can add as many storeys as you can to your narrow house plan. It will increase the interior space of your home and make the exterior appear larger. But the local authorities must approve the addition of levels to your small house. Before beginning a project from scratch, you will require permissions for several things, like the maximum number of levels you can construct, location permits, etc.

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Famous Narrow House Designs

There are several famous narrow house designs that have gained recognition for their unique and innovative designs already in existence. These narrow house designs demonstrate the creativity and ingenuity that can be used to create functional and attractive living spaces in even the narrowest of locations. Let’s take a look at a few!

Keret House

In terms of how it utilises space, Keret House is an amazing narrow house design. Jakub Szczesny, a Polish architect, is its creator. It is situated in Warsaw and has a width that varies from 122 to 72 centimetres. On the first level, there is a kitchen and a lavatory unit.

The Shaft House

This small house design, which can be found in Toronto, Canada, is well-liked for its extreme simplicity. It has a clean, contemporary design, is bright, and is constructed on a twenty-foot-wide area of land. Many residential developments are situated all around it.

SkinnyScar

The Netherlands’ SkinnyScar is a small, creative house plan that makes the most of its limited area. It is located in Rotterdam. It was constructed by a married architect couple on a space that is 3.4 metres wide and 20 metres deep. It has a three-story structure and concealed windows, which are only visible from the interior when the rooms are lit up. Large apertures have been constructed at the front and back of the house. In order to provide loftier areas without jeopardising the authenticity of the narrow house design, alterations to the interior were made to make this possible. In addition, they have managed to fit in a number of rooms, including a large living room with abundant natural light throughout most of the day, a shower room, a kitchen, and even a room for their bookcases that also serves as a small library.

House 304

For a family in Vietnam, architect Kientruc O created a little house design. Despite being only 3.5 metres wide, it has an amazing design. Given that it is an atrium, its roof is open. It is a four-story building that is tucked between residential buildings on both sides. To give the occupants access to the most ventilation and sunlight possible, an atrium was added to the area.

La Casa Estrecha

Because neither locals nor historians can pinpoint the exact date that this house was constructed, its narrow shape is somewhat mysterious. It is a two-story structure that is situated on a plot of land that is only 1.5 metres wide. It was recently transformed into a museum and art gallery.

The White Snake

The architects came up with the idea of adding a vertical loft for this small house design. This tiny house design has a total square footage of 5000 square feet. The five floors of this property are connected by a roomy staircase. This small home includes a foyer, a kitchen, numerous bedrooms, bathrooms, and study rooms.

How to Decorate Your Narrow House?

Now, after having read cut and crisp in detail information about Narrow house, below are some content ideas which you can utilise to decorate your narrow house.

• The secret to an interior decoration for a narrow dwelling is minimalism. Clear the junk from your vertical loft to provide more room for movement. Decreased furnishings is one step in that direction.
• Don’t forget to play around with your outdoor areas, such as your balcony. To finish off the décor of your house, add hanging baskets, plants, and vines. Even a tiny bench with storage space might be constructed.
• Typically, tiny homes are constructed in densely populated locations that are bordered by other structures and similar complexes. A lot of the house’s ventilation and illumination are blocked by it. Ensure that there are enough windows and open areas to allow for sunlight and ventilation. Try to construct an open roof if windows are not an option.
• You will have a few weird spaces after building vertical dwellings. Do not be hesitant to use them. Utilise these areas to construct bookcases, a tiny desk, a study area, or anything else the space permits. Use your imagination and make the most of the area you have created.

FAQ’s about Narrow House