Whether it's because of soaring house prices or a desire to live more sustainably, or both, the tiny house movement has really picked up steam in recent years. Definitions of tiny houses vary, but they can generally measure anywhere from 200 to 1,000 square feet.
There are now countless impressively designed little homes across the US — and here, we rank some of the coolest.
6. Phoenicia, New York — 609 square feet
This one's definitely for those who prefer simpler, more rustic living. Located in the heart of the Catskills, this secluded little home comes with mountain views and everything a self-sufficient, outdoorsy type could want.
[Image credit: Zillow]
5. Charlotte, North Carolina — 360 square feet
[Image credit: YouTube]
Jewel Pearson's custom-designed tiny home in North Carolina was designed by her, for her, and took just three months to be constructed. Slotting all the necessities of a home into just a 360-square-foot space, it achieves coziness while avoiding feeling cramped. Check out the interior and Pearson's insightful thoughts on the tiny house movement in the video below.
4. Ontario, Canada — 600 square feet
[Image credit: YouTube]
Unlike the other homes on our list, which are land-based, this property is a tiny houseboat that's docked year-round in Canada's scenic Scarborough Bluffs. The place has high-speed internet, is connected to city water and hydro electricity, and its owner, Kate, has employed several measures to prevent ice from forming around it in the winter months.
Most of the rooms in this charming little home are, in Kate's own words, "small but functional," and provide her with everything she needs to live comfortably and happily. Take a tour of the surprisingly spacious houseboat below.
3. Isle Of Palms, South Carolina — 728 square feet
Accessible only by boat, this quaint island dwelling off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, could be one lucky buyer's private paradise for just over $1.5 million. The property, which sits on 0.82 acres of land, is surrounded by forest and offers beautiful views of the sun rising and setting via a spacious rooftop deck.
[Image credit: Zillow]
2. Fayetteville, Arkansas — 400 square feet
[Image credit: Airbnb]
Musician Asha Mevlana, an electric violinist with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, resides in this innovative tiny home that doubles up as a neighborhood concert venue. Between her living area and the trailer where she stores her instruments, there's a built-in speaker the size of a wall — something Mevlana originally suggested half-jokingly, but which the designers she worked with made a reality.
If you like the look of this amplified tiny house, you can rent it out on Airbnb.
1. Berkeley, California — 1,010 square feet
I'm a sucker for a mid-century home, so this tiny house in Berkeley, California, was always going to be my winner. Despite measuring only 1,010 square feet in total, the place is super spacious, thanks to a very high ceiling, and filled with natural light, thanks to a wall consisting entirely of windows.
It's listed at over a million dollars, making it just slightly out of my budget — but I'd seriously consider downsizing if this was the kind of home I could live in.
[Image credit: Zillow]
