NEW ORLEANS — Carson and Brielle Matranga completed a 416-square-foot tiny house in New Orleans in May 2022, just before they got married. The couple later added a bedroom and foyer to bring the total area to 560 square feet for their family of four.

Brielle Matranga and her husband conceived the idea to build a tiny house in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and broke ground on the project that summer. The home was constructed on an empty lot next to Carson Matranga's parents' home in New Orleans, and the couple built the structure themselves with help from their family.

When the tiny home was originally completed in 2022, it functioned like a studio apartment with the Matrangas' bed sitting in the open-concept living space. The subsequent addition of a dedicated bedroom and foyer brought the total area to 560 square feet, giving the family of four a separate sleeping space distinct from the main living area.

The home incorporates several design elements to address its compact footprint. The ceilings reach 12 feet at their highest point, and the living, dining, and kitchen areas are configured in an open-concept layout. The Matrangas installed smaller windows at the high points of their back walls to increase natural light. A loft sits above the living room, accessible only by a telescoping ladder the couple invested in for that purpose.

The kitchen includes a two-burner stovetop, a window above the sink, and a small sink the Matrangas selected instead of a standard-sized model. The couple chose not to install a dishwasher. To reduce costs during construction, the Matrangas purchased secondhand cabinetry and used stair treads for their kitchen countertops.

The Matrangas did not plan for a built-in trash can, resulting in a standalone trash can placed in front of the bathroom pocket door.

The couple did not include a washer and dryer in the home because they planned to walk to Carson Matranga's parents' home to do laundry. They did, however, add hookups in the home for future installation.