Millennial Couple Falls in Love in Bali and Embraces Minimalism with Tiny House Living

Olivia Purba and Dirkjan Tijs share their love for each other and a small way of life in Bali, Indonesia. They built two tiny houses with about $30,000. They choose a smaller life to care for the earth and keep close to nature.

From Villa to Tiny Living

They lived two years in a three-bedroom villa near busy Canggu. The home had a private pool and was their first shared space. Purba comes from North Sumatra. Tijs is a software engineer from the Netherlands. They once welcomed extra guests and even rented extra rooms. Soon, they felt that a large house made life too busy and loud inside.

"We thought our relatives and friends might visit sometimes," Purba said at 36. "But we began to want more privacy and a simpler day."

Embracing Minimalism in Ubud

They looked for a calm spot in Ubud, where rainforests and rice fields lie close by. The tiny house idea fit their way of life. Purba works to care for the earth. "We saw that without children, a big house was more than we needed," she said. They also dreamed of growing food for fresh meals.

Creating a Sustainable Home

In February 2024, they found a plot in Ubud of about 3,230 square feet. The site sits near nature and near a town. They took a 25-year lease that cost 325 million Indonesian rupiah. This plan kept Purba’s name on the land and showed respect for local ways. "After 25 years, the land goes back to the Balinese," Purba said. They then built two tiny houses. This plan saved money and cut work costs while keeping a space ready for friends.

Challenges and Triumphs in Construction

Purba did not study design, yet she drew both houses with help from local builders. The main house was finished by October 2024. It has an L-shaped wooden design with clear hints of Japanese and Scandinavian style. A month later, the loft-style tiny house was done.

The job was hard. The road to the site was narrow. This meant more work to bring building materials. They even rented a nearby plot to keep supplies safe. Workers carried materials on bikes and three-wheeled carts. This work shows local skill and effort in tough times.

Living Large in a Tiny House

Now they live in these small homes. Their new life is simple and more mindful of the earth. Scores for big houses rise all over the world. Many people, like Purba and Tijs, now choose tiny living to lower cost and slow their pace. In a small home every word and each item has a clear spot. "We choose few things. We do not keep extra clutter," said Tijs. Both now keep only what matters.

A Flourishing Permaculture Garden and a Fulfilling Life

They tend a small garden with herbs like lemongrass and parsley. They grow fruits such as pineapples and bananas. They keep a little fish pond, too, and sometimes think about using its harvest for food.

Purba said, "Sleeping to the sounds of nature each night has helped my mind." Their path shows that love, close nature ties, and a simple life can bring true change.

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