13 unusual tiny homes that will make you look twice
lovePROPERTY team
The world’s most surreal and surprising tiny homes
From camouflaged huts to floating cabins, the tiny house movement has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with increasingly more unusual designs cropping up. Unconstrained by standard residential dimensions, designers are free to let their imaginations run wild and the results are nothing short of breathtaking. We’ve scoured the globe to bring you the most innovative tiny homes out there. Click or scroll through for more…
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The Escape Pod, Somerset, UK
What this mini home lacks in space, it more than makes up for in personality. Designed by Dominic Ash and Jeremy Fitter of Podmakers, the rural dwelling is made from birch plywood and European oak, clad in cedar shingles. Easily transported and installed, the weatherproof pod can be positioned almost anywhere.
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The Escape Pod, Somerset, UK
To deal with the chilly British winters, the Escape Pod is heavily insulated and equipped with underfloor heating and a wood-burning stove. The wooden framework leads the eye upwards to the skylight, allowing light to flood the room by day and offering a window to the stars by night. Fully customizable to meet the needs of each individual owner, this snug living space is the perfect place to hunker down.
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Manshausen 2.0 sea cabins, Steigen, Norway
Jutting out into the sea, the boxy metallic cladding of the Manshausen 2.0 sea cabins contrasts sharply with the jagged cliffs that surround them. An extension of the Manshausen Island Resort, these humble dwellings by Snorre Stinessen Architecture are in a prime location for spotting sea eagles. Each one has an eco-friendly cross-laminated timber structure and is clad in durable aluminum sheeting.
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Manshausen 2.0 sea cabins, Steigen, Norway
The exact positioning of each cabin was carefully calculated, taking into account wave heights and extreme weather conditions. Each award-winning tiny house is designed to withstand the ferocious wind and sea, offering a safe haven for guests visiting this rocky outcrop. Featuring light wood paneling throughout and full-height windows, these petite properties offer a comfortable retreat deep in the heart of the Arctic Circle.
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Chateau on wheels, New Zealand
An imaginative take on the campervan, this fantastical motorhome was inspired by the fairytale chateaus dotted across France. When on the road, only the two turrets at the rear hint at the extraordinary architecture of this tiny dwelling. Once stationary, the sides of the house fold out to create a spacious living area capable of accommodating an entire family.
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Chateau on wheels, New Zealand
Documented by Living Big in a Tiny House, the chateau on wheels is entirely self-sufficient, powered by a combination of solar panels, gas and a wetback fire. Kitted out with everything from a composting toilet to a solar food dehydrator, it is a comfortable base for the family of three who live here. When they decide to get back on the road, the tiny house folds neatly downwards and inwards and they’re ready to go!
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Secluded airship, Argyll and Bute, UK
Located on the west coast of Scotland with stunning views out over the Isle of Mull, this futuristic cabin is ideal for those who want to get away from it all. Available to rent on Airbnb, the unusual home features a timber-lined aluminum frame with a glass conservatory that looks out over the four-acre plot. Quirky portholes add a touch of retro flair while corrugated metal floor tiles lend the cabin a space-age vibe.
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Secluded airship, Argyll and Bute, UK
Despite its compact floorplan, the airship has everything a family of adventurous travelers could need. There’s a cleverly designed galley kitchen, a queen bed and two single beds and even a separate bathroom. When you’re not admiring the dramatic Scottish landscape or spotting seals in the bay, the cozy home has plenty of space to relax and curl up with a good book.
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Nolla Cabin, Vallisaari, Finland
Looking to go camping but can’t bring yourself to give up those little luxuries? This tent-leike tiny house might be just the place for you. Dreamt up by Finnish designer Robin Falck, Nolla Cabin is a mirrored vacation home located on Vallisaari Island in the Helsinki archipelago. Built using sustainable materials, the cabin is powered by solar panels and renewable diesel, ensuring guests have an emission-free vacation.
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Nolla Cabin, Vallisaari, Finland
Falke was inspired by the way light trickles in through the front entrance of a tent, designing a glass-fronted shelter that allows visitors to make the most of the stunning natural scenery. Inside the tiny woodland cabin, the décor is tasteful but minimal and pared-back. With a small stove for cooking and an outhouse for washing, the cabin has everything a happy camper could possibly need for a weekend away.
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The Pinecone Treehouse, California, USA
Suspended from the canopy of a magical redwood forest, this amazing treehouse in Northern California was designed to help visitors reconnect with nature. Handcrafted from steel and timber, the structure boasts panoramic views of the surrounding forest thanks to the floor-to-ceiling plexiglass panels. Dangling a precarious 35 feet above the ground, this tiny home is not for the faint-hearted.
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The Pinecone Treehouse, California, USA
In the center of the pinecone is a comfy king-sized bed that allows guests to stargaze as they fall asleep. The open-air bathroom facilities are located in an additional treehouse accessed via an elevated bridge. This off-grid woodland retreat is the perfect getaway for those looking to escape the fast pace of the city and live out their very own Swiss Family Robinson dream.
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3D-printed tiny home, Texas, USA
Why build a house when you could print one? That’s the question that ICON asked themselves when they set out to create Chicon House, America’s very first 3D-printed home. Built in collaboration with New Story, a non-profit organization working to combat homelessness, the tiny home is made from a concrete composite that is resistant to extreme weather conditions and natural disasters.
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3D-printed tiny home, Texas, USA
Not only can the house be printed in under 24 hours, but the printer is designed to work in areas susceptible to power outages, with very little technical assistance required. Costing just $10,000 to build, the designers hope that it will prove instrumental in tackling housing shortages. Practical, resilient and sustainable, Chicon House looks set to revolutionize construction in the coming years.
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Exbury Egg, Hampshire, UK
Do you dream of drifting languidly down the river, enclosed in your very own egg-shaped residence? So did artist Stephen Turner. Inspired by the seabirds nesting on Hampshire’s Beaulieu River, Turner commissioned a local boat-builder to construct a fully buoyant egg-shaped dwelling that could function as both a workspace and an occasional home.
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Exbury Egg, Hampshire, UK
Crafted from reclaimed cedarwood, the egg has a compact floorplan comprising a desk, kitchen and hammock. A shuttered porthole offers views out over the river, while the oval skylight illuminates the interior of the boat. Despite the lack of running water and electricity, Turner spent almost a year living in this tiny house, observing the tides and creating artwork.
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The Hunting Lodge, Hordaland, Norway
With its grass-covered peaks, crystal-clear waters and views over the mountains, Hordaland has some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Norway. Nestled by the water, the Hunting Lodge has a curved roof covered with turf that allows it to camouflage into the surrounding countryside, seemingly hiding in plain sight when viewed from afar.
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The Hunting Lodge, Hordaland, Norway
Built in 2013 and designed by architecture practice Snøhetta, the hut is formed from two curved beams and clad with hand-cut timber logs. The interior is spacious with a central fireplace and room for up to 21 guests. The décor is simple but stylish: warm wood contrasts with soft gray furnishings, creating an inviting space that offers shelter from the wild weather common to this part of Norway.
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Varden cabin, Hammerfest, Norway
Designed to promote hiking in the mountains near Hammerfest, this cabin blends in seamlessly with its rocky surroundings. Commissioned by the Hammerfest chapter of the Norwegian Trekking Association, the hut is a collaboration between SPINN Arkitekter and FORMAT Engineers. The two firms worked together to create a cabin that could survive every challenge this extreme climate can throw at it.
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Varden cabin, Hammerfest, Norway
The final design consists of 77 unique panels that slot together over a cross-laminated timber shell. The result is a warm, cocoon-style home that’s resistant to the icy Arctic winds and offers stunning views out over the surrounding landscape. Fancy staying here on your next hike?
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The Bird’s Nest, Harads, Sweden
A slightly ominous-looking mass of twigs and branches, the Bird’s Nest is aptly named. Designed by Swedish architect Bertil Harström and built in 2010, the tiny treehouse is perfectly camouflaged amongst the looming pine trees. Accessed via a ladder and a hatch in the floor, the suspended cabin has a surprisingly spacious interior with one double bed and a set of bunkbeds separated by sliding partitions.
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The Bird’s Nest, Harads, Sweden
Available to rent out, tiny portholes in the treehouse’s walls offer glimpses of the world outside. Despite the lack of windows, the cabin is bright and airy with pale wood paneling and inset lighting. There’s a separate toilet and a cushioned seating area, perfect for watching the sunset in the evening before you retire to your treetop bunk for the night.
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Artists’ residence, Fleinvær, Norway
Huddled at the edge of the Norwegian Sea on the remote island of Fleinvær, this artists’ residence by TYIN tegnestue Architects takes tiny living to new and somewhat precarious heights. Consisting of nine buildings including a sauna, kitchen and creative room, the bijou community offers shelter to the creatives and travelers who come to explore the remote archipelago. Capable of housing 12 guests at any one time, the residence is a prime example of out-of-the-box thinking.
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Artists’ residence, Fleinvær, Norway
To deal with the incredibly hostile environment, each cabin is raised on stilts, helping to mitigate the impact of the strong winds and extreme temperatures. Inside, visitors can enjoy incredible views of the coastline, safe in the comfort of the insulated huts. Despite the harsh and often inclement weather, the Fleinvær Refugium is a little slice of paradise for the artists who come seeking inspiration.
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Flat-pack mirror house, Estonia
Now you see it, now you don’t! Clad in reflective glass panels, this spectacular mirrored home is designed to be the ultimate chameleon by blurring into the surrounding landscape. The brainchild of Estonian architectural firm ÖÖD house, the prefabricated property can be assembled in less than 48 hours. It can be customized to suit the owner’s individual requirements and offers a snug 200 square feet of living space.
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Flat-pack mirror house, Estonia
Inside, the reflective residence offers a whole host of modern luxuries, from underfloor heating to a Bose sound system. The insulated glass protects the inhabitants’ privacy while allowing the house to sit in harmony with the natural world around it. With warm wood cladding, cozy textiles and a separate bathroom, this petite property is perfect for anyone looking to take a breath and escape the rat race.
