Yurts are increasingly popular for their simple design and lifestyle. While the structures can be very simple, modern conveniences have become more common in yurts, including kitchens, bathrooms and separate bedrooms.
In general, yurts do not provide much privacy due to their open plan design. While some yurt dwellers are drawn to the airy and open concept, others might be looking to add some privacy in the circular space. Which begs the question – is creating a separate space even possible in a yurt structure? The short answer is yes. Interior walls can be built inside a yurt much like a traditional home. Interior walls can provide privacy or additional functionality for separate rooms.
Here are some tips for adding walls to your yurt.
How You Can Add Interior Walls
Partition Walls
Now that you’ve built a yurt, you can create separate spaces for other essential facilities by constructing interior walls. Interior walls should be anchored to the floor and should not be connected to the rafters on the roof of the yurt. If your yurt has vertical supports for snow and wind conditions, they can also be connected to the vertical supports. Some yurt builders advise anchoring the walls to the yurt’s lattice wall. However, it may not be a good idea because it can affect the yurt’s structural integrity.
Wall Alternatives
You can also try alternative ways of separating spaces in your yurt if building walls is not in the plan or budget. Examples include hanging fabrics, like curtains or tapestries. Standing screens and rolling walls can serve the same purpose. Some moving walls will include additional functionality such as mounted fold-up tables.
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Reasons To Add Interior Walls
Bathroom
You can divide space in the yurt for a bathroom by using a partition wall with a ceiling and a door. You can also use the same wall for the kitchen on the opposite side. The arrangement allows you to share plumbing pipes and electrical wiring. You can bring up the plumbing lines through the floors. Venting the bathroom through the yurt wall or floor using a flashing kit is possible, too. Ventilation can keep the yurt dry. Another option for installing a bathroom in a yurt is building a separate detached or attached structure next to the yurt.
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Bedroom
An interior wall can come in handy if you want a separate space for sleeping. An interior wall would allow privacy and a quiet space for sleep. If you build a bathroom wall you can use the other side for the bedroom as well.
Kitchen
An interior wall can serve as backdrop for the kitchen cupboards and appliances. The remaining part of the kitchen might be open plan to the living space but a wall comes in handy for either cabinets, open shelving or to place appliances.
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Loft space
Another way to maximize space in the yurt is to build a loft that utilizes the top interior space. You can place a loft on top of your division wall over the bathroom, entryway, bedroom, or kitchen. Once you’ve secured them, you can use the lofts for storage or as a private reading room, relaxation, or sleeping place complete with stargazing.
You can also use the space below the loft as an extra bedroom or cover it for use as a bathroom. The space can serve as your living space entrance. It’s also advisable to buy 24′ or 30′ yurt walls to have more space for building the loft.
As you build your lofts, ensure they’re freestanding and not fixed to the rafters or lattice walls.
Workspaces
Another great thing about partition walls is that they give you more space for other vital activities. You can use the new space for video calling, reading, webinars, and more. These workspaces are helpful if you’re working from home and need an area free of distractions.
Adjacent structures
Apart from building interior walls, adjacent structures can also offer you more room. For example, you can join two yurts via separate covered porch spaces and breezeways. The newly created areas provide you with more room for other essential activities. Again, it becomes easy to separate the attached yurts if you want to upgrade, repair, or move them.
Some companies use connected yurts as vacation rentals. That’s because they’ve lots of space for large camping groups or families. They may have a kitchen or a dining room.
Modern Amenities
If you need to heat or cool you yurt, there are plenty of ways to achieve a comfortable house. Installing a gas or wood stove can heat the yurt. Or you can opt for radiant in-floor heating to warm your circular structure. You could also add an insulation package to boost the energy efficiency of the yurt.
An evaporative swamp cooler, a ductless mini-split ac unit, or an air conditioner installation can help cool your yurt, provided there’s electricity.
For lighting , you can place track lighting on the yurt rafters, suspend overhead lights on the center ring, use table or floor lamps or propane lights.
If you’re more interested in living off the grid, you’re not alone. Many yurt dwellers choose to stay off the grid by adding a composting toilet, a wooden stove, and solar electricity.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for increased privacy or function in your yurt, you can add partition walls to create separate rooms. Your new space could be a bedroom, office, bathroom, kitchen, or whatever you can dream up. The separate rooms can share water and energy sources, as well.
Another option to add living space or increase functionality is to connect two yurts. Adjacent yurts are a great option to open up more space for your family or group of campers and they can be connected or separate.
It’s always s a good idea to hire a local contractor to help you with this construction to ensure that your final changes are professional and comfy with building codes.