Personal Experience: How to Build a House and Stay Within Budget

Sissel, Daniel, and their three children form an unusual family. Their house in Denmark is also unique: it covers only 60 square meters, and its length is just 15 meters. The couple adheres to the principle of mindful consumption, believing that happiness requires little. Daniel is the ideological founder of this approach. He grew up in a traveling family, like nomads, constantly moving from place to place and touring almost the entire world. Although now residing in one location, his outlook remains unchanged.
With parents, we often moved house, and all that we truly needed for life always fit into one cart.

The layout of the house is minimalist: for example, all doors are sliding to prevent the door panels from taking up space when opened, and the kitchen is small, designed in a ship-like style. There's no room for unnecessary items—just as there are no habits of hoarding and storing.

Every time before buying anything, we think about what problem in our family this item will solve. For example, I’ll only buy a pillow if it's needed for sleep.

All materials used to build the house and make furniture were either recycled or reused. Daniel is a professional carpenter. He built the house himself and improvised a lot. Sissel helped her husband with materials for the home: she visited flea markets, took unwanted wooden panels or furniture from friends and acquaintances. The final version of the kitchen, living room or children's bedroom always depended on what Sissel brought back this time.

There was no specific blueprint or sketch. We only knew one thing—fewer items, more functionality. Following the plan is also difficult for us. There should always be a possibility to break the frame or change the shape if new materials appear.

The interior also follows the same principles—nothing extra. Most of the furniture is created with specific materials in mind: wood, oak, metal. The couple enjoys minimalism, and combining such textures helps recreate it in the interior.

The kitchen combines various colors and textures: oak panels, white glossy tiles on the walls, brass in decor, and country-style lamps. Despite the varied materials, the kitchen looks harmonious. The dining table consists of two white-painted tabletops. Sissel decided to experiment with the refrigerator's color.

I painted the refrigerator with floor paint for wood. First, I applied primer and let it dry, then sanded it with fine sandpaper. After that, I applied the paint. The refrigerator turned out matte and black-blue.

The homeowners love plants, so they grow tomatoes in a pot on the kitchen table. During the season, the family can harvest up to ten tomatoes per day.

The wall shelves are made from thuja wooden planks and tied together with copper strings from an old piano.

This lamp was Daniel's idea. It is based on a bent copper tube and two light bulbs.

The functional sofa-bed in the living room is one of Daniel and Sissel's favorite furniture items. Three in one—definitely in the style of this house.

Behind the sliding door from the living room is access to the children's room. The concrete slab takes up minimal space but looks great—whether the door is open or closed.

The children's rooms are also highly practical. However, the couple used vibrant colors in the interior to give the rooms a cheerful atmosphere. For example, one room has pink walls, a bright yellow bed, and a turquoise dresser. Another wall is covered with wallpaper in a small dot pattern—an excellent way to expand the sense of space.

Another original solution is a coat hanger made from a bent brass tube. A good example of how to use vertical space when horizontal width is limited.

A veranda and greenhouse adjoin the house, where the family grows plants. The veranda is envisioned as a place for relaxation that brings the whole family together regardless of weather. Therefore, Daniel and Sissel installed a tent that can be stretched out in the rain or folded away when the sun shines.

Here are the tips this couple shares: Remove items that do not serve any function. Instead, adapt them to your needs. Use recycled materials, for example, build a kitchen table from two old tabletops. To avoid overloading the color scheme, combine materials in muted natural tones: brass, concrete, and wood. Use plants to define areas within the space. For example, a rectangular pot with flowers can separate two rooms. If there is not enough width in the house—use height. For example, create storage spaces on the walls. Fill your home with items that have meaning to you; a better way is for decor to reflect your personality, and the home to be a source of inspiration.Layout