Mother Reveals How Her Family of 7 Converted 2 Sheds Into Beautiful Off-Grid Homestead To Avoid Ever Paying a Mortgage Again

A mother of five who wanted to save money for her family has revealed how they managed to convert two sheds into a modern-day homestead in a bid to avoid ever having to pay a mortgage—and is now working to live off the Texas land that the house sits on.

After living in the suburbs for years, Sarah, who documents their unique lifestyle on the YouTube channel Tiny Shed Life, had grown sick and tired of pouring money into their mortgage payments—and was lusting after a simpler life.

So, six years ago, she quit her job, began homeschooling her children, and looked for housing options outside the city.

The family purchased two large sheds and, with a lot of hard work (and hundreds of YouTube tutorials), transformed them into a fully functioning house in the country.

“Six years ago we decided that we were going to sell our suburban home and move to the country, but we didn’t want to have a mortgage,” Sarah reveals in a recent YouTube tour of the family’s shed setup.

“We bought two sheds, connected them, and then converted them into a home. Now we’re living the dream life in the country.”

Entering the home, Sarah starts her tour in the mud room, which she describes as the “heart of the house.”

The space serves as an open entryway to the property, as well as the area that connects the two sheds.

“This room is essential for us,” Sarah says. “We live in the country, and it’s incredibly sandy here, especially after rain. The last thing I wanted was mud tracking through the house.”

The mud room holds the family’s coats, backpacks, and boots. It’s also where the family of seven strips off dirty clothes after working on their homemade farm. Custom lockers offer each kid a designated space for their belongings.

The room also serves as a storage center that houses farm supplies like seedlings, a freezer, and tools they use regularly.

“When you live in a tiny house, storage is everything,” Sarah notes.

Moving into the spacious “family room,” Sarah explains that they were able to create an open, light-filled space with windows that they measured, cut, and installed themselves.

“The windows changed everything,” she says. “They let in so much natural light. This room went from being dark and closed off to warm and open.”

A large couch Sarah found comfortably fits the whole family, and guests have a fold-out bed where they can sleep. A wood stove in the room has warmed the family during power outages, like in 2021, when a freeze blanketed the area, and their home stayed toasty at 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

“It’s really nice to have this as a backup,” Sarah says. “It’s free heat, and when the power goes out, it keeps us safe and comfortable.”

The living room also has a small dining area, with a bench the family uses for a table.

The adjacent “super functional” kitchen is completely organized with one downside, a butcher block countertop that Sarah admits they forgot to seal.

“We didn’t seal the countertops very well, and now we have some mold growing,” she says. “That’s on the to-do list.”

There is no dishwasher, but all the kids pitch in to clean the dishes after eating.

The primary bedroom includes windows and even a space tucked away for Sarah’s desk, where she works and pays bills.

The primary bathroom is off the bedroom and has a linen closet, double sinks, and a modern rain shower.

“It’s so relaxing, and I’m so glad we have it,” she says of the dream shower.

After installing running water, the kids’ bathroom is also functional.

The bedroom the kids share is in the smaller shed, which totals 240 square feet and is outfitted with a propane heater. Triple and double bunk beds are used for sleeping, and the kids have designated shelves for their toys and schoolwork.

The sheds sit on 35 acres of land and have a 10-by-40-foot covered porch for enjoying time outside. There is also a fire pit nearby.

“I almost can’t believe we did it,” she says of completing the home. “If you’re thinking of taking on a project like this, go back and watch some of our old videos. You’ll see just how much work it took to get here.”

In 2020, Sarah and her husband opened up about what a difference their off-grid living situation has made to their finances. They managed to pay off all of their debts—which totaled nearly $200,000—in just six years.

“At the end of 2014 we held $191,332 in debt,” Sarah revealed on Instagram. “March 30th, 2020, we paid our final debt off and it was the most rewarding feeling! We had two mortgages, our house and the land, and two vehicles all on loans. Thankfully, no student loans and no credit card debt.

“If you know me, you know how frugal we’ve always been, yet at one point in our life I found myself extremely uncomfortable with the amount of debt we held. We both had great paying jobs and what I like to call practical debt, but what I realized was how trapped debt makes you.

“Trapped to your job, trapped with keeping up and even more trapped if life throws you a curve ball, like right now for many people. You do not have to live like this!! Free yourself! PS We also have our 6 month emergency fund set up.”