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A yurt makes a good sleepout or backyard studio when you want something round, light-filled and quick to put up. In NZ our smallest kits start at $17,890 NZD ex GST for a 5m ORON and $17,990 for a 5m Geo Dome, with shipping to Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch included.
Why use a yurt as a sleepout?
Because it doesn't feel like a shed. The round shape, the skylight in the middle and the high centre make a small footprint feel bigger than it is.
People in New Zealand use our yurts as a spare room for visiting family, a teenager's retreat, a home office, a yoga or music room, or a quiet studio at the bottom of a lifestyle block. The same kit does all of these. What changes is how you fit it out.
How does a yurt compare with a kitset sleepout?
A kitset sleepout is a small rectangular building. A yurt is a round, tensioned structure on a deck. Both can do the same job, but they feel different and go up differently.
| Yurt sleepout | Typical kitset sleepout | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape and feel | Round, open plan, central skylight, high centre | Rectangular room with a flat or mono-pitch ceiling |
| Base | Timber deck the same diameter as the yurt | Usually a timber floor on piles or a slab |
| Walls and roof | Frame with insulation, liner and a 900 GSM matte cover on ORON | Framed walls with cladding and roofing |
| Build | Frame, liner, insulation and cover go on in stages once the deck is down | Pre-cut framing, cladding, roofing and linings |
| Upkeep | Cover lasts about 7 years, then is replaced without touching the frame | Paint and cladding maintenance |
| Can it move? | Can be taken down and put up again | Some are designed to be relocated, many aren't |
We don't price kitset sleepouts, so we haven't put numbers against them. Get quotes on both and compare like for like, including the deck or floor, lining and power.
What size yurt works for a sleepout?
For one or two people, a 5m ORON or Geo Dome. For a studio with a bed, a desk and a lounge corner, 6m.
| Use | Good fit | Floor area | NZD ex GST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleepout, office or studio | 5m ORON | 20 sqm | $17,890 |
| Guest room or studio with lounge | 6m ORON | 30 sqm | $20,490 |
| Studio with a view | 5m Geo Dome | 20 sqm | $17,990 |
Full price lists for every size are in our NZ yurt price guide.
Why ORON over a standard yurt for a backyard studio?
Because you'll spend a lot of time in it, and the ORON is built for that, with natural materials throughout.
A standard yurt is usually a lighter build: a bamboo or softwood lattice, light rafters, a polycarbonate skylight and a single felt layer. An ORON has a heat-treated varnished pine frame that's 60% heavier, hardwood doors and windows, 10mm wool felt, a hemp-cotton liner in nine colours and a 10mm acrylic skylight. It also has a 900 GSM matte cover.
What do you need to sort out first?
The spot, the deck, power and a conversation with your council. Do those before you order.
- The spot. Level ground, room to walk around the deck, and some shelter from the prevailing wind.
- The deck. Same diameter as the yurt, solid and level.
- Power. A licensed electrician can run power from the house, or look at a small off-grid solar setup.
- Council. How a sleepout is treated depends on its size, use and your site. Our NZ consents guide lists the questions to ask.
- Warmth. If it'll be used through winter, plan your heating and insulation now. See heating a yurt for NZ winters.
Can you see a small yurt being built?
Yes. This off-grid yurt in Tasmania shows how a small yurt works as a sleepout.
More real builds to watch
More client builds, including one here in New Zealand:
- 8m yurt in Taumarunui NZ
- ORON Yurt: built for Australia and New Zealand
- The Munoz family's 8m ORON build
- The Glover family's 7m ORON in Tamworth
- Our full client build playlist on YouTube
Want the detail before you decide? Our free buyer's guide covers sizes, decking and the build, step by step. Get the buyer's guide
Frequently asked questions
Can a yurt be used as a sleepout?
Yes. A 5m ORON or 5m Geo Dome is a common choice for a sleepout, guest room or studio. Check with your council how your sleepout plans fit the rules for your site.
What is the cheapest yurt for a sleepout?
Our 5m ORON at $17,890 NZD ex GST, or a 5m Geo Dome at $17,990, each with 20 sqm of floor. The deck and fit-out are extra.
Can you put power in a yurt sleepout?
Yes. Most people run power from the house through a licensed electrician, or set up a small solar system.
How long does it take to put up a small yurt?
Our clients often build a small yurt over a weekend or a couple of days with a few helpers once the deck is down. Bigger sizes and first-timers take longer.
5-star Google reviews and 150+ client builds across Australia and New Zealand.
Prices are NZD excluding GST, as shown on our NZ product pages at 26 October 2026, and include shipping to the port in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.
