From a Big House in Michigan to a Tiny House Village in Kentucky
A few years ago, Keli and Ryan Brinks decided they wanted a simpler, greener way of life. They left behind their 2,200-square-foot home in Michigan and went all-in on the tiny house movement. Their big idea? Create a private tiny-house village on their own land where the whole family could live close but still enjoy plenty of personal space. In 2015, they bought 21 acres of beautiful land in London, Kentucky for just $57,000. Why Kentucky? The land was affordable, and there were fewer building restrictions compared to other spots they considered. They added six adorable tiny houses to the property, turning the land into their very own sustainable family village.A Peek Inside the Brinks Tiny House Village
At the heart of the village is the parents’ house — the largest one at 280 square feet. It cost a bit more because they added special touches like extra windows, a back exit door, and real dormers for tons of natural light. Inside, you’ll find a bright living area with vaulted ceilings that make it feel surprisingly spacious, a modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a lofted bedroom you reach by ladder, and a full bathroom with a regular-sized tub. It’s tiny but packed with comfort! Right next door is a handy shared building with two bathrooms (one for each teen), a guest bedroom, and the family’s washer and dryer. The kids’ own tiny houses don’t have bathrooms inside, but they say it’s no big deal — just a quick walk with a coat on if it’s chilly or rainy.The Kids’ Cozy Tiny Homes
Both teens have their own 160-square-foot houses and got to pick the style and decorate them exactly how they wanted. Brodey (16) lives in a cute wood cabin with a spacious front porch — perfect for hanging out with friends. Downstairs there’s room for a couch, TV, and dresser, while the loft upstairs easily fits a king-size bed. Lennox (18) has her own charming barn-style tiny house. The ground floor has a cozy seating area with a couch, dresser, and TV, and her full-size bed sits up in the loft. She’s away at college during the week but loves coming home to her private space on weekends. The teens say having their own houses feels like having a super-sized bedroom. They enjoy the independence and don’t have to worry about noise bothering their parents.The Perfect Hangout Spot: The Pool House
Family time is still super important! They have a fun 180-square-foot pool house filled with comfy seating areas for games, chatting, and relaxing together. It opens right up to their big above-ground swimming pool (18 x 33 feet and 8 feet deep). On warm days, this becomes the favorite gathering place for the whole family.Even More Clever Tiny Spaces
There’s also a super-small 64-square-foot office house where Keli and Ryan can work from home. And the property includes a barn, chicken coop, and even a goat — all part of their hands-on sustainable living.Living Light on the Earth (and Saving Money Too!)
The Brinks family chose tiny houses because smaller spaces are much easier (and cheaper) to heat and cool. They pay less than $200 a month in utilities — way lower than their old house in Michigan. They follow the “RRRR” rule every day: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. The result? They only produce one bag of trash per week! They use cloth bags for shopping, compost food scraps, feed leftovers to the chickens, recycle everything possible, and almost never use the clothes dryer. This setup teaches their kids to respect the planet, enjoy fresh air, grow food, care for animals, and value family time in nature.Is This the Future of Family Living?
The Brinks family shows that you don’t need a giant house to feel close and happy. By giving everyone their own little home, they’ve created privacy, independence, and togetherness all at once — while living lighter on the Earth. Lennox says this isn’t just a phase. For her family, this tiny village is their real, solid home — and they wouldn’t have it any other way. What do you think? Would you love living in your own tiny house in a family village, or is it too quirky for you? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
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