Tiny homes have become increasingly popular in recent years as more people look for affordable and sustainable housing options. Ikea, the popular furniture company, entered the tiny home market in 2019 with the release of its Boklok line of small prefabricated homes. Ikea’s Boklok tiny homes aim to provide beautiful and functional living spaces at accessible price points. In this article, we will take a closer look at Ikea’s Boklok tiny home models, their prices, features, and how they compare to other tiny homes on the market.
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What is a tiny home?
A tiny home is a small, self-contained residence measuring under 400 square feet. Tiny homes come in many shapes and sizes, but generally maximize space efficiency through careful layouts and multipurpose furniture. The tiny home movement emphasizes sustainability, affordability, mobility, and freedom.
Some key features of tiny homes:
- Small footprint – Typically under 400 square feet
- Efficiency – Lofted beds, fold-down tables, combo washer/dryers allow maximizing limited space
- Mobility – Tiny homes can be mounted on trailers for easy relocation
- Sustainability – Smaller spaces require fewer resources to build and operate
- Affordability – Lower cost to build compared to traditional homes
- Customization – Interior layouts and finishes can be customized
The small size and flexibility of tiny homes appeal to a range of demographics looking to downsize, declutter, travel, or invest in an affordable starter home. Interest continues to grow as more designers and builders enter the tiny house market.
An introduction to Ikea’s Boklok tiny homes
Boklok is Ikea’s partnership with Swedish construction company Skanska to provide factory-built modular tiny homes. Boklok aims to develop affordable, sustainable housing by leveraging Ikea’s design principles and Skanska’s building expertise.
The first Boklok homes were built in Sweden in the late 1990s, but the concept did not launch in the United States until 2019. Boklok tiny homes are now available in select regions in the United States and Sweden.
Here are some key things to know about Boklok tiny living:
- Prefab modular construction – Homes are built efficiently in a factory then delivered to the site
- Resource conscious – Homes use quality materials but avoid excess and waste
- Small eco-footprint – Tight spaces use less energy for heating and cooling
- Contemporary Scandanavian design – Simple, functional style with clean lines
- Affordable pricing – Factory efficiency allows lower prices starting in the $40,000s
- Personalized options – Buyers can select interior fixtures and finishes
Boklok aims to appeal to first-time homebuyers as well as those looking to downsize into a tiny home lifestyle. Their model lineup offers different size options to suit different needs and budgets.
Boklok’s tiny home models
Boklok currently offers three standard tiny home models ranging from 259 to 480 square feet. The homes are expandable with add-on modules.
Knot
- Square footage: 480 sq ft
- Bedrooms: 2
- Bathrooms: 1
- Height: 8’6″
- Expandable to 920 sq ft
The Knot is Boklok’s largest model. The two-bedroom, one bathroom floorplan includes a open kitchen, dining and living room with high ceilings. An expandable module can add a master suite.
Skavsta
- Square footage: 369 sq ft
- Bedrooms: 1
- Bathrooms: 1
- Height: 8’6″
- Expandable to 708 sq ft
The one bedroom, one bathroom Skavsta features an open layout great for singles or couples. The expandable second floor loft module adds more living space.
Storstom
- Square footage: 259 sq ft
- Bedrooms: 1
- Bathrooms: 1
- Height: 8’6″
- Expandable to 549 sq ft
The Storstom is Boklok’s smallest model with a compact one bedroom, one bathroom layout. The addition of an expandable “Flex” module nearly doubles the living space.
What do Boklok tiny homes cost?
Boklok tiny home prices currently range from $47,500 to $89,500 depending on the model and location. This compares very favorably to the average new construction home price in the U.S. of around $425,000.
Here are the starting prices for Boklok’s models:
| Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| Storstom | $47,500 |
| Skavsta | $64,900 |
| Knot | $89,500 |
The home prices above are for the base models delivered and installed on the customer’s property. The pricing varies by location due to factors like permitting fees and transportation costs.
Adding expandable modules or optional upgrades will increase the total price as well. For example, adding the Flex expansion module to the Storstom model brings the total to around $64,900.
Boklok tiny home pricing aims to be affordable, but customers can expect the final price to end up 10-25% higher than the base model quote after adding shipping, foundation, utility hookups, permitting fees, and optional upgrades. Even so, Boklok homes deliver outstanding value compared to traditional site-built houses.
How do Boklok tiny home prices compare?
It is useful to look at how Boklok’s pricing stacks up against other tiny home options on the market. Here is an overview of pricing for different tiny home solutions:
Boklok Prefab Modular Homes
- Starting Price Range: $47,500 – $89,500
- Per Square Foot: $134/sq ft (avg)
- Pros: Affordable, quick, factory quality
- Cons: Limited customization, inventory varies by region
Independent Tiny Home Builders
- Starting Price Range: $30,000 – $150,000
- Per Square Foot: $200-$300/sq ft (avg)
- Pros: Customizable, unique designs
- Cons: Quality varies, long lead times
Tiny House RV Trailers
- Starting Price Range: $30,000 – $100,000
- Per Square Foot: $150-$250/sq ft (avg)
- Pros: Mobilility, fast setup
- Cons: RV registration required, resale challenges
Used Tiny Homes
- Starting Price Range: $20,000 – $60,000
- Per Square Foot: $100-$150/sq ft (avg)
- Pros: Lower cost, quick move-in
- Cons: Hard to find, condition unknown
As the overview shows, Boklok sits on the affordable end of the spectrum while still offering a quality prefab home. The value stands out even more sharply when accounting for factors like:
- Eco-conscious materials and build
- Contemporary design
- Expandability options
- Professional installation
- Manufacturer warranty and support
For shoppers prioritizing both affordability and quality, Boklok presents a very appealing solution. Their pricing fits budgets at least $30,000 lower than comparable tiny houses.
How can you lower the price of a Boklok tiny home?
While Boklok pricing is already very reasonable, there are still ways potential buyers can lower the total cost:
- Go for the base model without immediate expansions or upgrades
- Find a property where zoning and permitting costs will be minimal
- DIY site prep and finishing work if possible
- Use free or low-cost recycled materials when allowable
- Shop showroom clearance sales and IKEA “As-Is” for fixtures
- Finance through a personal loan rather than traditional mortgage
- Get preapproved for loans and explore financing options
- Time purchase for periodic sales, promotions, and clearance events
- Invest in a fixer model through auction or classified listing
Overall costs will also be lower for customers located closer to Boklok’s factories as this reduces transportation expenses. Currently Boklok tiny homes are only produced in select areas of the United States and Sweden. Those able to purchase locally can expect the biggest savings.
Are Boklok tiny homes a good investment?
At first glance, Boklok’s tiny homes provide excellent value for money when comparing against traditional homes and even other tiny houses. But are they also a good investment that will appreciate over time? Some key considerations:
- Customization is limited – Most fixtures are preselected by Boklok limiting options to personalize
- No ownership of land underneath – Without owning land values tend not to rise
- Not designed for frequent relocation – Difficult to move once installed on a property
- Resale market still developing – Tiny home resale market remains relatively small
- Local zoning issues – Tiny homes not permitted everywhere which can limit buyers
Based on the factors above, Boklok tiny homes likely appreciate less than traditional houses or land. However, they can still be a smart and affordable way to break into homeownership. With Boklok’s high-quality construction and appealing design, owners may recoup a sizable portion of their original investment when reselling. Especially as demand for tiny homes keeps growing.
While not a get-rich real estate investment, Boklok homes let buyers lock in affordable housing payments with potential to build equity over time. The low cost and sustainability of tiny home living may outweigh resale concerns for many owners.
Conclusion
Ikea entered the tiny house market aiming to make small, eco-friendly living more accessible. Boklok has delivered on that goal with an impressive lineup of value-packed models. Their pricing that often undercuts comparable tiny homes by $30,000 or more.
Boklok’s affordable pricing combined with contemporary design, responsible construction, and flexibility make for very attractive modern tiny homes. While not suited for house flippers, Boklok offers an inexpensive way to start building equity as a first-time homebuyer. For those drawn to simple living in a small footprint, Boklok delivers big value.