To improve this process, using an augmented reality (AR) tool can help you design your tiny home in a real-world setting. This will allow you to accurately assess the scale and layout to make the most out of your space and location. 

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Here, we will outline how you can use AR to design your tiny home, and the main benefits it presents, from space optimization to energy efficiency. 

What is AR and how is it used in architecture and interior design

Augmented reality, or AR, is a type of technology that utilizes mobile devices with cameras to project digital or virtual content into the real world. This lets you experience a digital object in relation to a real-world setting. 

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AR is being increasingly used in the architecture and interior design industry to more efficiently and effectively design buildings, and improve communication between contractors and clients. 

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AR can be used at various stages of the design and building process, from sharing floorplans and different material options to testing out different dimensions or layouts. 

How to use AR to design your tiny home

While it can seem daunting at first, AR can be really simple and easy to use to help you plan and visualize your tiny home. 

Design your 3D model 

The first thing to do when utilizing AR to aid the design of your tiny house is to create a 3D model. 

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It’s best to create a 3D model as accurately as you can to the size and shape of your actual tiny home. However you can easily adjust the 3D model if you want to experiment with different dimensions.

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Some AR tools have templates that you can use or have total creative freedom and create your 3D model from scratch, allowing you to adhere to your specific measurements, dimensions and size. 

Place your tiny home on your plot 

Using an AR mobile app, you can overlay your tiny home model onto your designed plot of land. This can help you visualize your tiny home to scale and understand how it exists in relation to its surroundings, which can lead to better planning and designing, informed by experiencing it in the actual space.  

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Try to test it out by placing your model on the land at different times of day, as this can also help you assess the amount of natural light your tiny home will have access to. Then you will be able to find the optimum position of your tiny home, and plan the best interior layout and window placement to maximize natural light.

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By utilizing AR, you can adjust the size and position of your tiny home before committing to building, allowing you to find the perfect plot for your tiny home. 

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Walk through your design:

Using AR can help you to virtually walk through and experience what it would be like to live in your tiny home. It will allow you to explore the interior and exterior of your tiny home, letting you move around in the real space to experience the layout and flow.

Benefits of using AR to design your tiny home 

There are many ways that AR can help you to ensure that building a tiny home is as easy as possible. 

Improved visualization 

It can be hard to visualize your tiny home, even with detailed plans or drawings illustrating how it will look. 

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The beauty of AR is that it can help you grasp the actual size and proportions of your tiny home design, allowing you to virtually walk around the model in an immersive way. 

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It can also help to better articulate ideas, allowing you to modify everything from color and texture to materials to be as close to the final product as possible.  

Better space optimization 

AR will allow you to find the best layout for your tiny home, accommodating the furniture you need and the best appliances to improve tiny home living.   

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Selecting to-scale objects will help you plan the best layout for your tiny home that allows for easy access and movement throughout your space, whilst prioritizing all of the items you need to live comfortably in your tiny home. Being able to accurately plan your layout can help you to better understand what will actually fit in your space.

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Using AR can help you to experiment with different layouts and objects without committing to purchasing the items, and can help you to only purchase the items that you know will fit and work for your space, saving you time and money. 

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Reduces the risk of making mistakes 

AR allows you to test different design ideas and layout options before committing to starting the build, which will allow you to iterate the design and make informed decisions. 

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It is a great way to identify potential flaws, like obstructed walkways, cramped spaces or poor natural light, and come up with solutions without wasting any time or money on real materials.

Improved communication and collaboration with contractors 

AR can facilitate better collaboration and communication on tiny home build projects. By giving access to your AR tool to contracts like designers, builders, or architects who are working on the build, you will all be able to work from the same immersive model.   

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By using AR to design your tiny home, you can work with contractors to clearly illustrate your inspiration and vision, eliminating any room for error or miscommunication.

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It’ll also enable contractors to point out any potential areas that could be improved directly in the shared AR project, helping to clearly communicate changes for everyone to view. 

Helping you create an energy efficient eco tiny home 

On average, tiny homes use about 7% of the energy a traditional house requires. Tiny homes are undoubtedly the more eco-friendly route, and AR can help you optimize your energy efficiency. 

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Using AR to project your tiny home model onto your plot, you will be able to understand better how to position it with energy efficiency in mind. This will enable you to find the best position for solar panels, letting you generate the most amount of energy. 

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AR can also help you to prioritize your interior floor plan to maximize natural light, reducing your reliance on artificial light. It can also highlight areas that will not receive as much light, allowing you to focus on insulating these areas to better preserve heat. 

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By understanding how your tiny home will exist in relation to its surroundings ahead of building, you can ensure that you are designing and positioning your tiny home in the best possible way, to increase energy efficiency and generate your own energy with the natural power of the sun. 

Final Thoughts 

If you are in the process of designing a tiny house, it’s worth considering using an AR tool to improve your experience. 

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Utilizing an AR mobile app or software can help you to better visualize the end result, allowing you to iterate things like position and layout before committing to building, reducing any room for errors and costly mistakes further down the road. 

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AR can help to improve communication between you and any contractors you may be working with, from architects to builders and designers leading to a more effective and efficient tiny home project for everyone involved.