Design Architecture

Our 25 Favorite Tiny Houses of All Time

Some happy homeowners are perplexed by the tiny house craze, while others are ready to trade in their full-size homes for a taste of the tiny life. Regardless of which end of the spectrum you're on, you'll have to agree that this architectural trend has brought forth some truly charming and sometimes ingenious designs. Here are our top all-time picks, from the practical to the wacky—it's all here.

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Matchbox House

Tiny Heirloom, LLC

Shiplap? Check. Subway tile backsplash? Check. Farmhouse sink? Check. This creation by Tiny Heirlooms might be small but it isn’t lacking in any of today’s popular decor trends. 

Related: The Biggest Home Trends from the Decade You Were Born

The Nugget

Modern Tiny Living

One hundred square feet isn’t a lot, but Modern Tiny Living manages to make every inch count in this livable—and stylish—home that has all the home essentials: full bathroom, kitchenette, and comfy bed. On top of the necessities, the exterior and interior embrace minimalism design with an all-over coat of white paint that lends an airiness to the small space. 

Related: The 12 Best Buys for Your Tiny Bathroom

Teal on Wheels

Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

Bold color can easily overwhelm a room, making a tiny space feel even tinier. This design from Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, however, proves you don’t need to stick to a neutral color palette when living small. The designers looked to the home exterior for color inspiration, bringing in blue kitchen cabinets for a burst of personality next to the natural pine wood walls. 

Related: 9 Bright and Bold Colors for Your Front Door

Rustic Lodge

Elliott Bay Design Build LLC

Undeniably smart in dark-stained wood and black accents, this tiny house by Elliot Bay Design Build LLC gives rustic living a stylish update. The contemporary cabin even sports a small bar and flat-screen TV for lodgers who don’t want to compromise on modern convenience.

Related: 17 Log Cabins We Love

Sneaky Storage

Wishbone Construction

Many people would never adopt a tiny lifestyle for fear they’d either have to downsize or move most of their stuff into storage. Wishbone Construction’s design addresses these concerns by hiding smart storage in every nook and cranny, meaning residents may live with more of their possessions than they probably imagined.

Related: 18 Big Storage Ideas to Steal from Tiny Homes

Bright and Open

New Frontier Tiny Homes

Tiny living doesn’t have to feel cramped. Take a look at this bright and airy space from New Frontier Tiny Homes. The window-covered walls let in light and hide special features, including a drop-down deck and awning that add livable square footage. 

Related: 11 Best Buys to Make Your Small Home Feel Big

Simple and Sustainable

Sol Haus Design

Professional designer Vina Lustado’s small digs reflect her philosophy of living simply and sustainably. The 140-square-foot home works off the grid but still makes room for little luxuries like a gas fireplace and skylights. 

Related: Living Remotely: 12 Stunning Homes in the Middle of Nowhere

Beach Shack

Tiny Digs

When you’d rather be at the beach, who cares about the square footage of your vacation rental anyway? This beach cottage on wheels has more than enough space and amenities to keep you entertained after a day by the water. Turquoise and white accents add to the beachy vibe and the distressed wood floors disguise any sand that gets tracked in.

Related: 10 Cheap Ways to Bring the Beach to the Backyard

Beautiful Bamboo

Tiny Digs

From the outside, this home resembles many other modern minimalist tiny homes, but a step inside provides an entirely different perspective. The Asian-inspired decor inspires serenity, which jibes with the tiny home movement’s mantra of simplicity.

Related: The Beauty of Bamboo: 9 Exotic Looks in Flooring

Quaint Contemporary

The Tiny Project

This tiny house represents just the right mix of cozy and contemporary, resulting in an inviting and relaxing environment. The sharp lines exude modernity, but playful string lights and colorful accents bring light and life to the space.

Related: How Much!? You Won’t Believe the Price of These Teeny Tiny Apartments

Slice of Suburbia

airbnb.com

This design takes the classic suburban house—flower boxes and all—and shrinks it down a few sizes. Inside, the home has all the basics—plus butcher block countertops, sliding barn doors, and a comfy couch, proving you don’t need a lot of square footage to call a place home sweet home.

Related: 20 Best Ways to Spend $20 on Your Home

Secluded Cottage

airbnb.com

Covered in ivy and hidden amongst a garden, this quintessential cottage looks straight out of a storybook. On the inside, red brick floors and pale blue walls pair well with shabby chic furnishings.

Related: 10 Vintage Decorating Ideas We Were Wrong to Abandon

Garage Getaway

airbnb.com

Who would imagine that a garage could look this good? Why, just the homeowners of this property, who transformed their garage into a contemporary guest house. The open-concept layout is breezy and open, and the loft bedroom is so spacious that it can fit a queen-size bed!

Related: 11 Things Never to Keep in Your Garage

Cozy Cottage

airbnb.com

The high ceilings and sharp angles of this A-frame house make it a study in contrasts. A couch wedged into the corner feels secure and cozy, while ample windows in the front of the house let sunlight stream in.

Related: 10 Classic Ways to Brighten a Dark Room

Whimsical Dwelling

airbnb.com

Called the Jack Sparrow House, this tiny home is just as whimsical and quirky as the swashbuckling character in the movies. Its sloping walls and curved windows evoke fairytale charm, while the interior contains practical amenities.

Related: 7 Fictional Towns You Can Visit in Real Life

Tiny Tower

airbnb.com

With its dark-shingled sides, this converted water tower would almost disappear among its wooded surroundings—if it weren’t for the bright red door. The house boasts all the basics inside, but it’s the outdoor patio seating and unparalleled views that make this tiny tower a favorite. 

Related: 11 Tiny Towns You Can Buy—Yes, Really

Concrete Oasis

airbnb.com

Nestled along the Mexican coastline of Puerto Escondido, this small structure isn’t your typical beach shack. With its towering ceilings and open doors, the concrete house somehow manages to elevate a utilitarian space into a sleek and relaxing retreat.

Related: Island Living: 20 Tropical B&Bs That Are Only an Airplane Away

Straight Up

homeaway.com

Spanning three floors, this narrow home is roomier than it looks from the front door. The separate floors allow residents to carve out a little personal space, and a porch and patio out front add livable square footage.

Related: Straight and Narrow: 22 Shotgun Houses We Love

Just Around the Riverbend

airbnb.com

Situated on the Clackamas River outside Portland, this tiny house fits right in among the scenic landscape. The many windows let in views of the river so residents can enjoy the scenery even while lounging inside. 

Related: The Best Tiny Towns in Every State

Converted Container

airbnb.com

Judging only from the interior, it’s hard to believe that this sleek and sophisticated 320-square-foot house was once an ordinary shipping container. Now renovated into a modern living space, the exterior walls proudly declare the home’s humble origins. 

Related: You’ll Never Believe What These 6 Amazing Homes Used to Be

Bungalow Down Under

airbnb.com

Resembling a poolside cabana, this tiny home cashes in on its sunny Australian climate by adding extra seating outside. Indoors, a private bedroom (a rarity in many tiny houses) separates the sleeping and living spaces.

Related: 10 Outdoor Living Ideas to Steal from California

Hidden Escape

airbnb.com

This cute cottage is everything a beach retreat should be. Settled amongst leafy palms, the bright interior has a queen bed, kitchenette, and bathroom. But it’s really the shade-covered porch that makes this tiny house a destination.

Related: 9 Simple Porch Ideas to Steal from Real Homes

21st Century RV

ESCAPE RV/Steve Niedor

Just because you want to take your home on the road, doesn’t mean you have to skimp on style. The Escape Traveler—with its full-size oven and fridge, bathroom, and bedroom—guarantees that any spot feels like home.

Retreat: The Most Expensive Trailer Parks in America

Contemporary Farmhouse

timbercrafttinyhomes.com

Although this is a tiny house, many windows and a spacious porch give it all the allure of a regular-sized home. The modern farmhouse sensibility is visible both indoors and out, creating a homey vibe.

Related: Our 12 Favorite Farmhouses Across America

Blue Bungalow

airbnb.com

This contemporary bungalow contains only one room, but the layout makes each area feel like its own separate space. And for anyone skeptical of the lack of kitchen space? This home easily fits a tall fridge, two-burner stove and plenty of countertop space.

Related: 18 Tiny Kitchens We Love

Mini Masterpieces

Tiny Heirloom, LLC

Can’t get enough tiny houses? Check out these amazing tiny houses on wheels or take a peek inside these tiny kitchens.