Top 9 Satellite Spaces in Our Small Space, Big Dreams Home Awards

This space was born from the love of knitting and the need for a separate studio space where the owner could be alone with her thoughts and knitting or socialize with knitter friends. Ward Hensill of Bodega Portable Buildings brought a furniture-maker’s skill and attention to detail to the studio, and created a space that’s small on the outside (120 square feet), but inside seems much more spacious, thanks to three pop-out window seats. It’s a tranquil, cozy, spare and simple space, yet there are enough surfaces and shelves to store yarn and knitting supplies within easy reach.

This satellite space encourages thoughtful design without distraction. As a designer/fabricator, the owner's workday regularly includes time spent in the office, split by time spent in his shop. Therefore, the immediate location of these two structures makes it easy to jump between projects. The property footprint is small. Between the house, detached garage (which functions as his shop), and room for steel and lumber inventory, the available space for anything else becomes limited. The idea to use a shipping container worked well because of its inherent function to fit into a tight space.

Studio, multi-generational cottage, and retirement home, this 480-square-foot space lives large with a vaulted ceiling, light flooding in, and a private patio set right in the middle of a garden. Inside the knotty pine ceiling, vintage lights, fridge, and furniture contrast with white walls and subway tile. The curbless walk in shower and the pebble stone floor flows into easy care concrete floors throughout. Climb up the custom ladder with old hinges through the framed portal and settle in for a cozy rest.

This 300-square-foot wine silo, designed to house the owner’s private wine collection, is connected to an existing “entertainment” building. The structure lies in the Snake River flood plain, thus, a traditional wine cellar was out of the question. Borrowing from agrarian structures, the pure silo form is clad in oxidized steel plates to gracefully weather and blend with the existing buildings and landscape. The interior, inspired by a wine cask, is characterized by reclaimed fir woodwork and a spiral staircase, which accesses carefully displayed wine bottles organized around the perimeter. The stair ascends to the roof where both the wine and views of the landscape can be sampled.

As an extention of their 650-square-foot, post-modern home with one bedroom, the barn-shaped backyard storage shed provides the answer to a need for office space as well as a bedroom for guests. The shed is finished on the inside and includes a sliding glass door with a goergeous garden view. It accommodates a desk, computer, and storage. There’s also room for a couch. A loft has been added so that overnight guests can stay in a queen size bed. A retractable ladder gets guests up to the loft and collapses down for easy storage.

Combine a father’s love for his two daughters with his penchant for modern design and you end up with more than just an ordinary playhouse. This modern structure is the setting for hours of daytime fun; at night, the bench and table fold up, leaving plenty of space for a sleepover.

This Venice workshop is a converted garage designed take advantage of indoor/outdoor space. The exterior serves as a fine-art installation area, while the interio serves as a post-production space for film and multimedia works.

How much space can you save in a converted shipping container? A lot, apparently. This small guest bedroom blew us away with its revolving door and airplane-inspired drop-down shelves.

This ultra compact shed provides storage of garden tools as well as an efficient workspace, making it ideal for outdoor projects or just some plain ol' R&R.