This park model cabin by Nor’Wester Industries combines the aesthetic of a traditional cabin with the mobility and zoning advantages of an RV classification. The design offers more space than typical tiny houses while maintaining a rustic, cabin-like appearance.
Architect Andreas Stavropoulos converted a cargo trailer into a mobile office that he can tow with a Honda CR-V. The design features an opening ramp door that creates an indoor-outdoor workspace and a 135-watt solar panel for powering electronics.
Cargo Trailer Office
Photo by Mark Compton
The Fab Lab House, designed by the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), was selected to compete in the Solar Decathlon Europe competition in Madrid, Spain. This innovative tiny house features integrated solar power, environmental monitoring, and smart home technology.
Fab Lab House Exterior
The “Nut Room” by Baumraum Architects is a modern treehouse located in Germany. Named for its walnut-like shape, this elevated structure features eight asymmetric posts, abundant windows, and a distinctive contemporary design.
Nut Room Treehouse
The Dome Garden in Coleford, Gloucestershire offers geodesic dome accommodations in England’s ancient Forest of Dean. Located between two rivers known for canoeing and fishing, this glamping destination provides self-contained dome lodging for couples and families.
Dome Garden Setting
The Penguin House in Tokyo, designed by architect Yasuhiro Yamashita of Tekuto, demonstrates how Japanese architecture maximizes limited urban space. Built on just 322 square feet of land, the three-story home achieves 899 square feet of floor space through vertical design and clever space utilization.
Penguin House Exterior
Matlacha, Florida is known for its collection of colorful, eclectic small structures. This fishing village on Pine Island features funky architecture, artistic buildings, and a distinctive character that attracts tiny house enthusiasts.
Video Tour: Matlacha’s Funky Houses
The pleasure of simple living attracts people from all walks of life, and the wide variety of tiny house possibilities accommodates them all. There are no specific rules for tiny houses—just the underlying concept of simplicity and the environmental responsibility and de-cluttering that comes with it.
Mobile Tiny Houses
For people who want to be on the move, whether traveling constantly or relocating every few months, building a tiny house on a trailer combines the mobility they need with the simplicity they’re after.
Houseboats
Houseboats also let simple livers travel, though less widely. Living on water requires different sensibilities and skills than living on land, and though these can be acquired, simple living afloat is not for everyone.
Yurts and Teepees
Yurts and teepees originated as primitive shelters, but the simplicity they lend to both builders and dwellers has made them popular in modern simple living circles. Both are circular and can be built as temporary shelter or a permanent abode. Yurts are easier to convert into more civilized living spaces while teepees hold onto their ancestral primal feel.
Converted Structures
Taking existing structures and converting them into living spaces is not only an easy way to create a tiny house but also a way to repurpose existing buildings for simple living. Garages and guesthouses are popular for simple living conversions. Since the shelter is already there and usually already the perfect size for a tiny house, all that needs done are minor improvements and adjustments to make it a cozy living space.
Example Tiny Houses
Theresa Stevens lives in a tiny house in northern California. This video tour shows her outdoor shower, mini kitchen, bedroom loft, and living space.