Skip to main content

Best tiny houses you can rent

Yes, your luggage will fit: The best tiny homes for your next 'mini' vacation

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Maybe you have thought about downsizing, but aren’t sure if you could really live in a tiny home. They’re more spacious than you think, though; with elevated beds, staircase storage, and strategic floor plans, you will actually have room left over. But we get it, it’s a big step.

We’ve previously rounded up the tiny homes with the best designs, and this time we’ve put together a list of the best tiny homes you can vacation in. So instead of making a full-on commitment, you can just dip your toe in the tiny home world.

Note: Prices can, of course, vary over time, especially on Airbnb listings. However, we’ll work to keep the pricing as current as we can — just make sure you check out the links to get the final word.

The 1,000 Word View — $183 per night

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Nestled in the picturesque town of Valais, this Swiss cabin offers the most breathtaking views. Though it looks like a log cabin from the outside, you’ll be amazed to learn that the interior is made from concrete. First built in 1890, this cabin has kept its authenticity, even after being remodeled for modern living. The view of the Dent Blanche Mountain is reason enough to want to shack up in this place for the long haul.

The “Middle Earth” — $250 per night

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Straight out of Lord of the Rings, the Silo Studio Cottage in Tyringham, Massachusetts is an ultra-charming two-story cottage big enough for two. The first floor is the bathroom, living room, and kitchen all in one. Take the black spiral staircase to the bedroom, featuring a 35-foot high conical ceiling.

The Revolving Tiny Home — $96 per night

Image used with permission by copyright holder

This may seem like your run-of-the-mill tiny home in the heart of Portland, Oregon, but what lies beneath — literally — is a mechanism that rotates the house 359 degrees. The facade features two large windows that can be pointed in any direction. The inside is a simple two-story home, with a kitchen on the bottom floor and bedroom on the top. Situated in a lush backyard, this tiny home offers beautiful views all around.

The Showstopper — $257 per night

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Guests will immediately understand why this tiny home is coined the “Mirror House.” The 484-square-foot home in South Tyrol, Italy, is surrounded by mirrored glass that reflects a beautiful scenery of apple trees. The contemporary architecture will take your breath away, if the mesmerizing landscape doesn’t do it first. The one bedroom and one bathroom home also includes a large terrace, private garden, and swimming pool.

The Eco-Friendly — $106 per night

Image used with permission by copyright holder

This pint-sized home in Tegernsee, Germany, is perfect for two. The completely self-sufficient house has a bio toilet, PV island system, green wastewater treatment plant, and above everything else, a manual espresso machine. This eco-conscious alpine car is a quaint getaway. Enveloped by beautiful mountains, your mini vacation may have to be extended indefinitely.

The Tiny Hotel — $129 per night

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Not everything is bigger in Texas; take Austin’s tiny home hotel, which offers six different places, all under 300-square-feet. Each home is unique in character, but all feature a modern floor plan. This tiny house community shows you just how livable it is to stay small.

Tiny House in Seattle – $139 per night

Image used with permission by copyright holder

This little mobile Seattle house is, in a word, woody. The 180 square foot space into a comfy bed loft, indoor fireplace, and pleasantly modern kitchen and bathroom areas — but the first thing you’ll notice is that the whole house is constructed with natural wood, inside and out. Even the counters are made with beautiful, polished lumber. This gives the house a very cabin-like feel, even if it is located in the heart of Seattle. Parking is free when you rent.

Pisgah Highlands Off Grid Cabin – $81 per night

Image used with permission by copyright holder

If your cozy vacation dreams involve getting really, really far away, this lone cabin again the Pisgah National Forest of North Carolina may be your dream come true. It’s totally off the grid so you can live out your Thoreau dreams in peace and quiet (and without all the work). Hiking trails are, of course, easy to find, and it’s only around a half hour drive to get back to Asheville. The inside is quite sparse, but there are some cooking and coffee supplies to get you by.

Magical Cozy Vermont Cabin and Sauna – $115 per night

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Vermont is one of the most successful Airbnb states in the country, and for good reason. This tiny little cabin (especially desirable in the autumn months), inspired by Nordic themes, looks rustic but also includes hot water, electricity and heating. Both the barrel-shaped sauna and the outhouse are located outside, along with a picnic table and firepit. It’s the perfect spot to get away from it all with a loved one…but you will have to live with no Wi-Fi. The cabin sits at around 30 minutes outside of Montpelier.

The Very Tiny — $75 per night

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Made from locally-sourced, sustainable larch, the “Rambleshack” is the tiniest of homes located in Coldingham, Scotland. This small pod has two-fold out beds, a shower/toilet, and a little bit of counter space. Situated in a backyard garden, this tiny home features an outdoor deck and a seating area, and is located just one mile from the ocean.

Editors' Recommendations

Kailla Coomes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kailla is a staff writer from Portland, Ore. She studied Journalism at the University of Oregon and graduated in 2014. In her…
Alexa can now tell you when a package is delivered
Senior citizen using Alexa to stay connected

Amazon has always wanted to have Alexa become the end-all and be-all assistant. Thanks to a new update, it's one step closer. Alexa can now tell you if it sees a person or a package through one of your security cameras. Also, if you have an Echo Show or a Fire TV, Alexa can automatically pull up a live video feed of the subject.

Amazon recently allowed third-party companies to tap into this new feature by revealing a new API. As a result, companies such as Google, Ring, and Abode have already added person recognition to their video security doorbells. According to Amazon, all of Ring's video doorbells and cameras should be updated now, while Google's Nest Cam Indoor, Nest Cam Outdoor, Nest Cam Floodlight, and Nest Doorbell will receive the update soon. In addition, Abode's IOTA and Outdoor Camera will also receive the update.

Read more
Can you run an air purifier and essential oil diffuser at the same time?
URPOWER Essential Oil Diffuser.

At first glance, air purifiers and essential oil diffusers seem like they would be natural opponents. One is designed to take particles from the air in your home, and the other is designed to add (pleasant-smelling) particles instead. If you’re running them both in the same room, it’s understandable to wonder if they’re canceling each other out.

Fortunately, it’s easy to clear this confusion up. Let’s take a look at some FAQs about these two home air devices and what you should know about using them both at the same time.
What's the difference between an air purifier and an air diffuser?
An air purifier uses a filter or series of filters to remove unwanted particles from your home’s air. They are commonly used to get rid of airborne allergens, smoke, and dust, and they can also help remove bacteria and viruses from the air. The best air purifiers use true HEPA filters that can remove particles down to the size of 0.3 microns, and some newer models can remove particles as small as 0.1 microns.

Read more
Airbnb offering a year in Italy rent-free, and you can apply
The interior of Airbnb's Euro House in Italy.

Airbnb is offering the unique chance for someone to live in a recently restored heritage home in Sicily, Italy -- and the rent will cost absolutely nothing.

If you’re lucky enough to get selected, you can stay at the gorgeous three-story property for up to a year -- so long as you agree to manage the place for visiting guests. You'll be rewarded for your efforts, too, as Airbnb will let you keep all of the earnings generated by the home during your stay.

Read more