I built Beatles-inspired yellow submarine tiny home & make a fortune from it as a side hustle - the interior is insane
Michael Hansen
Published Aug 26, 2026
A DIY whizz built an iconic Beatles-inspired yellow submarine tiny home as a side hustle and now makes a fortune from renting it as an Airbnb.
Located in the middle of a New Zealand forest, this quirky mini-rental is packed with colour and has an impressive interior.
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The Beatles-themed yellow submarine was built by a man named Keith Lovelock who pulled together scraps of an old grain silo, spa bath and milking shed to create his masterpiece.
In an interview with the YouTube account Living Big In A Tiny House, Keith said that he was inspired to build the home after "sitting in a yellow café in Wellington".
Six months after he was hit with the idea, his wife Jen found some scrap parts which he then used to create the tiny house - and the fiberglass grain silo cost the pair just 80p.
But even though the tiny-home was never originally a submarine, it has been built in a way that resembles an authentic underwater craft.
According to Keith's Airbnb posting, the submarine can be entered via a ramp where visitors will be met with a bulkhead door, portholes and a galley.
The Victorian steampunk lounge is filled with nautical references from sea-captain hats to little fish dotted across the walls.
Beatles-related items can also be seen in the living space - with a mannequin that seems to resemble John Lennon.
Keith admitted that the mannequin had even scared a few guests while they stayed in the submarine.
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There are two double beds in the living room which allows the Airbnb to house four guests comfortably.
Next, visitors have access to a periscope that they can travel up to reach the "control/bridge".
This is essentially the bedroom area which has two double bunk beds and a bizarre amount of nautical treasures.
The roof of the bedroom is made from the old spa tub which Keith explained was unusable due to a massive crack in the material.
"Well it was just lying around and was unusable," he said, "so where the jets were is now where we have portholes".
From blue and white striped bedding, to the makeshift portholes for windows, it's hard to imagine that the vessel hasn't been plucked straight from the ocean.
Further along the inside of the whimsical tiny-home is a Beatles- themed bathroom with a caution-taped toilet lid, "escape hatch" and brass piping - giving it an authentic mechanical feel.
Keith explained that the shower is "actually made out of half a plastic suitcase," and even told how he used the other half in another tiny home build so no materials went to waste.
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The sub's kitchen area is a comfortable and impressive size with a luxury wooden sink area, golden features and even a ringing bell.
Keith said the sink was made from "an old dressing table from a second-hand shop" which he built by "plonking the tap in the middle".
The majority of the submarine was made out of recycled materials, with a desk built from an old bed head and decorative pumps made from scraps Keith had lying around his farm.
According to the posting, breakfast supplies can even be found in the galley ready for any hungry guests.
The little-home boasts an outdoor area with a wooden patio overlooking the green fields and forest.
And the back garden is fully fenced, making it a private and serene place for guests on their travels.
The Airbnb also states that children's books and toys are provided as there is no internet on board the vessel, as well as a microwave, mini fridge, cleaning products, games console and even free parking.
The stunning property can be found in a quiet river valley near the village of Marton on New Zealand’s northern island.
Pricing for the yellow submarine starts from £104 per night but it has been fully booked until the end of the month, according to Airbnb.
Previous guests have flooded the page with their glittering reviews as the mini-home boasts a whopping 4.92 stat rating.
One visitor wrote: "Just as represented, met all expectations and more. Was a wish of mine but teenage boys loved it too.
So novel and fun, perfect for a night just off the beaten track".
Another said: "Such a unique and unforgettable stay. So many interesting and well thought of details throughout the whole submarine, really immersive and would recommend it to anyone".
A third added: "This yellow submarine is an experience you will never find somewhere else. It is magic to spend a night in such a place. Moreover, hosts are really nice and welcoming".
Keith revealed that the entire building cost of the structure was around £15,760 but was worth it in the end as it gives himself and his guests the chance to "relive their childhood".
This comes after a couple transformed their tiny transit van into their dream home on wheels.
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Another bloke converted a horsebox into a tiny house which he filled with bespoke décor - and he claimed that people have even told him it's the best home they've seen.
One more couple shared how they nabbed an old caravan and made it into their new cosy home for just £300.
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