A single mother left on the brink of homelessness after a divorce turned her life around by building her own 50 square metre tiny house in her grandfather’s backyard for less than AUD $13,000.
Charlotte Sapwell, 27, was out of options and had nowhere for her children to sleep following a marriage breakdown – but refused to be saddled with a $400,000 home loan.
The mother-of-two from Ballarat, Victoria, worked tirelessly with her grandfather for five months to construct the budget cosy space which she and her two young sons, aged six and 12, now call home.
A woman left penniless and on the brink of homelessness built her own tiny home (pictured) for under $13,000
Charlotte Sapwell, 27, refused to be saddled with a $400,000 home loan so took things into her own hands
The 27-year-old woman from Ballarat, Victoria built the tiny space with her own two hands
‘It was originally only going to be a short term accommodation, but I am loving it more than I ever thought I could,’ Charlotte told FEMAIL.
‘I actually failed year nine woodwork – but now after I have built my own house you would have no idea.’
Charlotte says she built 99 per cent of the ‘cubby style’ home herself – with the other one per cent helped by her handyman grandfather who loaned her the necessary cash.
The pair sourced wood and other materials from Bunnings Warehouse and followed a strict budget of just under $13,000.
And after only five months, Charlotte went from a struggling single mother who couldn’t even afford rent, to a woman who owned her own home.
Charlotte (pictured) says she built 99 per cent of the ‘cubby style’ home herself – with the other one per cent helped by her handyman grandfather who loaned her the necessary cash
The pair sourced wood and other materials from Bunnings Warehouse and followed a strict budget of just under $13,000
After just five months, Charlotte went from a struggling single mother who couldn’t even afford rent, to a woman who owned her own home
Charlotte took a small loan from her grandfather and turned it into a cosy home for her two children
‘I went from living in a massive home with my husband and kids, to a tiny rented unit to this small space, and out of all the places I’ve lived this is my favourite,’ she said.
‘It is all mine. The kids are right there all the time and we are so close. Yes it means we have virtually zero privacy from each other but I love it.’
The tiny home is made out of a combined lounge room, kitchen, dining room and a main bedroom where Charlotte sleeps while her two sons sleep in a separate bedroom.
A small amount of the single mother’s home was funded by selling extra belongings on Gumtree, but she admits to splurging on ‘luxury’ linoleum flooring for the interior.
Her impressively tight budget was well spent on construction, insulation, furnishings and decoration – sourced from IKEA and Kmart – and Charlotte now enjoys her newfound ‘minimalist’ lifestyle.
The tiny home is made out of a combined lounge room, kitchen, dining room and a main bedroom where Charlotte sleeps while her two sons sleep in a separate bedroom (pictured)
A small amount of the single mother’s home was funded by selling extra belongings on Gumtree, but she admits to splurging on ‘luxury’ linoleum flooring for the interior (Pictured is Charlotte’s two sons)
Her impressively tight budget was well spent on construction, insulation, furnishings and decoration – sourced from IKEA and Kmart – and Charlotte now enjoys her newfound ‘minimalist’ lifestyle
‘It is all mine. The kids are right there all the time and we are so close. Yes it means we have virtually zero privacy from each other but I love it,’ Charlotte (pictured) said
‘I don’t know how long we will stay in this space, but I can’t imagine living anywhere else but a tiny home now. I’ve learned to appreciate what I have and embrace minimalism,’ she explained.
Charlotte is now in the process of building another tiny home for her grandmother which will serve as the prototype for any future endeavours.
She says her confidence has skyrocketed and hopes to one day start her own business building and selling tiny properties.
‘I just want other females to know they are capable of anything,’ Charlotte said.
‘And I want my boys to know – it doesn’t matter if you are a boy or girl, anyone can build their future.’
Charlotte sourced most of her interior furnishings from IKEA and Kmart (Pictured is her kitchen)
‘I just want other females to know they are capable of anything,’ Charlotte said