Building in suburbia is one thing, but creating a cosy, off-grid home in a remote location takes innovation and courage. From mountaintop escapes to desert hideaways, we've gathered together the world's most secluded, self-sufficient properties. Click or scroll on to venture off the beaten path and step inside these wow-factor wilderness homes...
Positioned in the town of Mudgee in New South Wales, Australia, this unique off-grid retreat lies close to the Cudgegong River valley. Known as Gawthorne's Hut, the property was designed by Cameron Anderson Architects and stands stark against the surrounding landscape, with its metal-clad façade and sharp, sloping roofline.
Inside, the cosy cabin is warm and inviting, with plenty of luxurious touches. There’s a galley kitchen, a dining area, a king-sized bed, a sitting room and a bathroom, all packed into two, free-flowing rooms.
Built to capture stunning views, the hut features large windows and doors that frame the Mudgee Valley, providing lucky guests with peace, privacy and a sense of isolation. Despite its compact interior, the property is airy and bright, thanks to its high ceilings, extensive glass and exposed natural timber.
Outside, there's a fire pit, where guests can keep warm while they enjoy the great outdoors. However, this cosy feature is closed during the summer months, to ensure its compliance with NSW Rural Bush Fire Restrictions.
Plus, the property is eco-friendly and has rainwater harvesting units and solar panels that power its lighting, hot water and air-conditioning. How's that for cool? It's no wonder this amazing tiny home was named Best Small Project of 2021 by the Australian Institute of Architects.
Aptly named, La Cabin can be found in Quebec, Canada, close to the waters of Lake Beauport. Positioned on a rocky plinth at the top of Mont-Tourbillon, some 1,902 feet above sea level, the property is both secluded and incredibly snug.
The ultimate holiday home, La Cabin is anchored into position and is almost one with its surroundings. It was carefully placed to ensure the interior captures dreamy sunset and sunrise views, while every inch of space inside has been maximised.
Of course, the tiny house is entirely autonomous, so even in extremely cold weather any guests will be toasty warm when inside. This is thanks to a solar panel array, two auxiliary heaters and a high-performance wood stove.
As for interior design, the remote residence allows the landscape beyond to do all the talking, thanks to large windows. The woodland outside is referenced in the home's natural timber walls, floors and ceilings, while clever space-saving furnishings ensure there's plenty of storage. There's a kitchen, lounge area, dining space and four beds.
What's even better, this isolated retreat also boasts plenty of hidden surprises, including suspended nest hammocks and floating beds, making this property as cool as it is inviting.
Built to blend in with their dramatic desert surroundings, these modern metal cabins, which form one property, were built from weathered steel. They can be found in the depths of Joshua Tree National Park in sunny California.
Created by architect Malek Alqadi of Cohesion, the eye-catching home was designed for keen travellers seeking an off-grid adventure that also allowed for modern luxuries.
Known as Folly, the rust-coloured structures were constructed from locally sourced salvaged steel, while the interior offers a rustic, urban finish with plywood walls and metal finishes. A large solar panel powers the home, with guests able to monitor their energy consumption and control lighting, temperature and security during their stay.
Available to rent on Airbnb, lucky guests can truly enjoy a taste of off-grid living, thanks to the cabin's open-air bedroom. Sleep under the stars and drift off while you listen to the sound of nearby crickets. What could be better than that?
What's more, outside you'll find a solar-powered hot tub, where you could take a dip while taking in the night's sky and surrounding scenery. Plus, the rental comes with a Mini Cooper, so guests can enjoy the ultimate road trip during their stay.
When it comes to off-grid living, things don't get much more exciting than this. Spectacular and unique in equal measure, this impressive observation tower can be found in Tiller, Oregon, and soars up 40 feet into the air.
The unique tower can be found secluded in a 40-acre meadow inside a private estate. Surrounded by the Umpqua National Forest in Douglas County, the retreat can't really get any more remote, which makes it perfect for those seeking some time away from the rat race.
Known as Summit Prairie, the high-altitude home was built in 2009 and was modelled after the Fire Lookout Towers constructed by the US Forest Service in the early 1900s. Yet there's nothing old-fashioned about this pad. Inside, you'll find everything you could need for modern living, including hot running water and comfortable beds.
Despite its amazing interior and beautiful view, the tower's exterior is also worth a mention. It comes complete with endless land for hiking and foraging, as well as hammocks and a wood-fired, spring-fed hot tub.
Outside, you can sit back and watch the world go by on your own private terrace. There's even an outdoor shower located on the balcony, where you can take in amazing landscape views while you bathe. However, the pit toilet is about 100 feet from the base of the tower, so there's a 'pee pot' provided in one of the sleeping areas and a 'pee funnel' located off the side of the tower!
With not a soul for miles around, this is the ultimate off-grid option for anyone seeking a digital detox. If you fancy spending the night here, then head over to Airbnb.
Proving that not all eco homes are made equal, The Off-grid itHouse is a fine example of modern desert architecture. Located in Pioneertown, California, the striking sustainable structure was designed by architect Taalman Koch in 2007 and yet it hasn't aged a day...
The compact cabin is formed from prefabricated components that were made off-site, in order to better control construction waste and the overall quality of the finished product. The home's glass walls and easy, open-plan layout mean it has an idyllic indoor-outdoor flow, while its construction method means it has a minimal impact on the environment upon which it stands.
The house boasts a chic industrial aesthetic, thanks to its exposed structural elements, steel accents and metallic colour palette. The house is entirely off-grid and solar panels provide energy and hot water. It also offers passive heating and cooling, while its site orientation allows for natural cross ventilation even on the hottest of summer days.
Plus, to ensure the internal environment stays nice and comfortable, the glass house also comes equipped with a sun-shading screen and privacy zones. Designed for four adults, the off-grid property features two bedrooms, one bathroom, a dining area, a kitchen and a living room that offers framed views of the California high desert.
The property has gained plenty of recognition, too. Dwell called it one of the "best homes in America', while the Los Angeles Times declared it one of the best houses of all time in Southern California. If, like us, you've fallen in love, then you can spend the night in this gorgeous off-grid home.
Designed by sauna and cabin makers, Out of the Valley, this compact oak frame Nomad Cabin can be installed almost anywhere, for the ultimate escapist retreat. Created to help homeowners reconnect with the natural world, the cabin boasts integrated solar panels so you can pitch up far away from civilisation.
The off-grid cabin is constructed from oak and shou sugi ban – a charred cedar – while its walls are lined with thermafleece insulation, to ensure the interior remains toasty all year round. Sustainable and low-impact, the home combines natural materials with sleek Scandi-style design elements.
To ensure the cabin has a minimal impact on the environment, the team at Out of the Valley sources storm-fallen trees, cuts them into planks and dries them out before using them to create the home's internal furniture.
The oak cabin has a traditional trussed frame and can be erected in just two days. The dark wooden exterior allows the cabin to blend into any woodland setting, while the interior boasts gorgeous whitewashed panelling and a stylish kitchen space.
Powered by roof-mounted solar panels, the 248-square-foot cabin can be customised to meet the individual needs of homeowners. Commissions have included a sauna, yoga studio and gorgeous summerhouses.
Completed in 2022, the world-unique Naturvilla is positioned on the shoreline of Lake Vänern in Brålanda, Sweden. Designed as “the next generation's self-sufficient natural house”, the greenhouse-like property has its own smart climate for heating, electricity, water and nutrient recycling. No wonder it's been described as one of the world's most sustainable and environmentally friendly houses.
The incredible home is formed from timber and glass, creating an unheated and uninsulated surface that’s protected from rain, snow and wind. As well as being built from environmentally friendly materials, it also produces its own power, thanks to integrated solar cells on its roof. The all-glass home sits on cellular glass insulated foundations, too, which help retain heat during the colder months.
As for the interior, it measures 1,335 square feet and boasts light, airy rooms finished with solid walnut floors, ceilings and walls. Staggered over three levels accessed via a series of staircases, there's a living room, kitchen and dining zone.
There's just one bedroom located at the top of the house, which captures dreamy landscape scenery. There's also a family bathroom and a spare room that could be utilised as a home office or a second bedroom.
Plus, in the spacious entrance foyer, there's an indoor garden, so the lucky owner can grow fruit and vegetables all year round. For sale right now for SEK 7.9 million, that's £602,300 ($757k), this wonderful, one-of-a-kind home is unlike any we've seen before.
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