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They might even inspire you to downsize.
While some people yearn for wide-open floor plans that boast over 2,000 square feet, others don’t care for all that space and prefer smaller footprints. While living full-time in a tiny home isn’t for everybody, there are some good reasons why people do choose to downsize their material lives and move into the spatial equivalent of a backyard shed. From reducing one's environmental footprint to saving money on a guesthouse, there’s plenty to love about living in a small home. Still on the fence? Check out the tiny house ideas below for some examples—you can even book a stay in them to test-drive the small-scale lifestyle.
Whether you start from a floor plan or you purchase a prefab structure, the tiny home rentals below will allow you to reimagine your entire living setup. There’s a reason designers love decorating small spaces, such as powder rooms: These jewel box spaces allow one’s creativity to run wild. Typically, with these houses, function comes before beauty, but that doesn't mean there can't be strategically stylistic flourishes throughout. You can still find beautiful ways to decorate a tiny home, and the 58 options below will show you how. Keep reading for the best tiny home ideas that are endlessly inspiring.
Additional copy by Kate McGregor.
Nestled among the trees just outside the town of Woodstock in upstate New York, this treehouse-like tiny home is elevated to create sweeping views of the swimmable pond and surrounding forest. Its most enviable features include a sleeping loft, full walls of windows, a breakfast bar, a wood-burning fireplace, and a barrel-style hot tub.
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Ask any architect: Walls don't have to be straight. The off-kilter style of this pro-built tiny house in the Catskills adds visual interest and makes space for a lofted bedroom, built-in shelves and cabinets, and a breakfast nook with a window seat. It also illustrates how much you can do without electricity or running water.
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This New Paltz, New York, tiny home's interior design is fairly standard, but its showstopping two-tone exterior paint job makes it a standout. The platform it's built on creates a wide deck for eating and hanging out—a simple way to sneak in a few extra square feet.
Set directly on the coastline of Quebec, Canada, this '70s-inspired tiny house has vast square windows along the front for assessing the surf conditions and taking in the views each morning. Don't miss the natural wood built-in storage (including the queen beds' headboards) and ceilings and clever recessed lighting throughout.
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Tucked away in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, this no-frills cottage, named for its fairy-lights lined porch, can sleep up to three. Its latticed porch, rocking chairs, and weather vane dial up its charm.
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Designed by Austin-based architect Nicole Blair, this AIA Award–winning tiny house called the Beehive plays with angles to maximize sunlight and square footage. You'll want to bookmark the open-concept kitchen, spacious shower, and efficient staircase for your next trip to SXSW—or your own backyard project.
Soft canvas walls give this tiny house in the West Texas hill country a tent-like feel; all the comforts of home, like HVAC and plumbing, elevate its luxury level. Outside, a cedar soaking tub is for unwinding after a day of winery hopping and antiquing. The rustic privacy fencing, elevated deck, and private fire pit, and beautiful landscaping belong on your mood board too.
With sweeping views of Iceland's Kirkjufell Mountain, bay, and even the northern lights, this cabin and its deck are stained green to blend into its awe-inspiring natural surroundings.
The Malbec Cabin, nestled in the mountains of Brazil, is in-ground A-frame structure with expansive windows and a working wood-burning fireplace. If they're not enough to grab your attention (or would-be renters'), the rope swing and cozy fire pit definitely are.
The Shepard's Hut on England's Cornish coast is no-nonsense in the best way possible. There's a quaint kitchen, fireplace, and Murphy bed, with double doors and farmhouse-style lighting adding to its friendly vibe. Its selling point, however, is the lakefront view and outdoor dining setup. You might want to copy their clever rope-and-post fencing and graveled terrace ideas.
Just 12 miles from Breckenridge, Colorado, you can't miss this creekside A-frame, painted fire truck red to stand out among the evergreens. Inside, a wood burning fireplace wards off the mountain chill and custom built-ins offer kitchen and bathroom storage. You don't want to miss its cozy loft, either.
Your tiny house's interior isn't the only place you can express your design personality. This wagon-style spot on England's North Cornish coast has a cheerful two-tone exterior and sports party bunting year round. You'll love the brilliant under-bed storage, floral curtains, and green-painted trim inside, too.
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No structure is too small or off-limits for a tiny house, as evidenced by this windmill turned living quarters near Lisbon. The bedroom even features the original mechanisms in the ceiling. Because everything inside is rounded (even the shower and cabinets), it's full of helpful ideas for other challenging small spaces.
Those not opposed to a lack of privacy can opt for glass walls like this greenhouse-esque home's in South Africa. Not traveling soon? Head over for inspiration from its luxury tile, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and sleek, modern deck. It shows how much life and beauty plants can bring to any tiny house too.
Tucked away in the middle of the Catskills forest, this storybook-ready A-frame home is a small but mighty fortress. The view feels twice as special thanks to a full glass front wall.
Designed by Roderick James, this Scottish insulated aluminum pod offers breathtaking views from dragonfly windows. The futuristic interior is warmed up by wood accents and cozy textiles.
The stone exterior and interior details of this French cottage make it look like it came straight out of a fairytale. While the overall design of the interior isn't much, the architecture serves as major inspo if you're looking to build your own dreamy tiny home.
With two bedrooms (including a walk-in closet!), this tiny home is just right for a small family. The fully-equipped chef's kitchen can whip up alfresco meals for warm summer nights. Not to mention, the industrial-meets-cabin aesthetic is sleek and inviting.
At the foot of a volcano in Hawaii, this tiny house—called the Phoenix House—will make you feel as though you've stepped onto another planet as you explore the lava fields and black sand beaches that surround it.
Live out your mountain getaway dreams in this tiny Catskills home, which is one of four shipping container cabins on the owner's New York property. It boasts a sleek exterior and contrasting cozy, rustic interior.
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