Inside the Bayou Cottage: A Custom Cowtown Cottages Tiny Home in North Texas

After years of burnout — one of them working as an ER nurse during 2020, the other as a litigation paralegal — Bailey and her family made a leap most people only dream about. They sold their traditional house, moved into a travel trailer, and eventually landed on something in between: a custom-built tiny home called the Bayou Cottage, designed and built by Cowtown Cottages in Waxahachie, Texas. Here's a full tour of their 399-square-foot tiny house, built for a family of three (plus two dogs) who wanted flexibility without sacrificing comfort — and a real-world cost breakdown for anyone considering tiny home living in North Texas.

Finding the Right Tiny Home Builder: Cowtown Cottages

The family didn't fall in love with tiny living right away. Their first walkthrough of a tiny home left them underwhelmed — until a friend referred them to Cowtown Cottages, a tiny home dealer and builder based in Waxahachie, Texas. After touring a few models, they knew they'd found the right team to bring their custom floor plan to life. The result is the Bayou Cottage floor plan: a 26-foot-long, 13–14-foot-wide home that pushed the limits of what a 399-square-foot space can feel like.

Tiny Home Living Room Design Ideas

Open-concept living was non-negotiable. The family wanted a deep, cozy couch, a mounted TV, and big windows for natural light. They landed on a custom blue couch — asymmetrical, with an arm on only one side — to fit the space without sacrificing comfort. Oversized windows bring in diffused morning and evening sun, framing a view of a nearby tree where birds gather. An entertainment center with a built-in electric fireplace doubles as storage for books, records, and a record player, while warming the floor in the winter.

Tiny House Kitchen With Full-Size Appliances

Coming from RV life, the family refused to compromise on kitchen function. Their must-haves: full-size appliances, a window above the sink, ample cabinet space, and a place to sit down together as a family. A double basin sink (chosen instead of a dishwasher) separates dirty and clean dishes, while a full-size fridge, oven, microwave, and air fryer mean no shopping around storage limitations.

The centerpiece is a large kitchen island with four built-in barstools and deep drawers on both sides. It serves double duty as extra counter space and the family's dinner table — a deliberate trade-off of floor space for togetherness.

Flex Room Ideas for Tiny Homes

Down the hall, a flex room currently serves as a home office and a getting-ready space for the couple's daughter, complete with her own closet and mirror. Transfer vents pull air from the living room to keep the space comfortable, and despite an angled ceiling caused by the stairs above, the room never feels cramped.

Tiny House Bathroom and Primary Bedroom Design

The bathroom keeps things simple but functional, with a walk-in shower, a raised ceiling bump-out for taller guests, and a flip-up mirror that converts into shelf space.

(Photo: Primary bedroom painted in the custom "Midnight in New York" color. Alt text: "Tiny home primary bedroom with dark navy color-drenched walls")

The main-floor bedroom fits a queen bed thanks to a one-foot bump-out in the home's width. The couple skipped built-in closets in favor of freestanding nightstands, and color-drenched the walls and ceiling in a custom moody navy shade to make the shorter loft-covered room feel larger and cozier.

Tiny Home Walk-In Closet With Built-In Laundry

One standout feature: a walk-in closet roomy enough for a full-size residential washer and dryer. Bins replace a traditional dresser for folded items, and a rolling three-part laundry hamper keeps sorting simple.

Kids' Loft Bedroom Ideas for Tiny Living

Upstairs, a 46-inch-tall, 13-foot-wide loft gives their daughter her own "studio apartment" — a living area, sleeping space, and a craft corner she's decorated entirely to her taste.

How Much Does a Tiny Home Cost? Bayou Cottage Price Breakdown

The home itself cost about $111,000, with an additional $4,000 for steps and siding and $4,200 to screen in the porch. Lot rent in their North Texas community runs $950/month, covering water, sewer, trash, and Wi-Fi — with electricity averaging just $42/month.

Six Months Into Tiny Home Living in North Texas

Half a year into tiny living, the family has no regrets. Their daughter is thriving in school, both parents have found work they love, and the close-knit community gives them a quiet refuge minutes from the bustle of Dallas-Fort Worth. For anyone considering the leap, their advice is simple: know your non-negotiables, find a builder you trust, and don't be afraid to make a few sacrifices for the things that matter most.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Bayou Cottage Tiny Home

What is the Bayou Cottage floor plan? The Bayou Cottage is a custom 399-square-foot tiny home floor plan designed by Cowtown Cottages, featuring a 26-foot length, a 13-foot-wide front section, and a 14-foot-wide bedroom area with a loft.

Who builds the Bayou Cottage tiny home? Cowtown Cottages, a tiny home dealer and builder located in Waxahachie, Texas, designed and built this custom floor plan.

How much does a tiny home like this cost? The base home cost roughly $111,000, with an additional $4,000 for siding and steps and $4,200 for a screened-in porch, plus $950/month lot rent in their North Texas tiny home community.

Can a 399 square foot tiny home include a loft and porch? Yes — loft space and porch square footage are not counted toward the 399-square-foot interior living limit, allowing for additional functional space beyond the base floor plan.

What is the builders website? Here are the official links for Cowtown Cottages:

• Website: https://bit.ly/cowtowncottages

• Instagram: @cowtowncottages

• Facebook: Cowtown Cottages

• TikTok: @cowtown.cottages

• Sales Center: 3901 US-287, Waxahachie, TX 75165 — open Mon–Sat, 10am–4pm, no appointment needed

• Phone: (817) 717-9099

• Email: cowtowncottages@gmail.com

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