There’s nothing quite like waking up to tranquil views of the water and the sound of gently lapping waves. Ideal for those in search of a new adventure, or a sense of connection with the great outdoors, these beautiful pocket-sized properties embrace the simplicity of living small.
From untethered homes that can travel wherever the wind takes you, to moored micro retreats that provide tranquil living quarters with dreamy scenery, click or scroll through our pick of the world’s best floating tiny homes.
Known as The Thomas Jefferson, this contemporary floating home redefines the idea of living on the water, but sadly it’s only available to those with big bank accounts. That's because it’s currently for sale with Maisonre for a cool £3.9 million ($4.9m). Let’s take a closer look…
The property is berthed in the beautiful and highly sought-after Santa Barbara Harbor in California and features everything a VIP could need to live a life of quiet luxury. The one-of-a-kind pad was designed and rebuilt by an engineer and his carpenter son over four years and clearly their efforts were well worthwhile.
The interior is laid out over one main floor, with a modern kitchen and dining zone at one end and a bright and beautiful bedroom at the other. In the centre of the room, a staircase leads up to the home's rooftop deck, while a second set connects to a lower level, where a home office, laundry space and custom paddleboard storage area can be found.
The lower space opens to a lovely outdoor deck, where the lucky owner could enjoy their morning coffees. The terrace even has an outdoor shower, for freshening up after a dip. Of course, the property features plenty of dreamy details throughout, too, including hand-crafted carpentry, quartered white oak floors, brass fixtures, marble countertops and Fisher & Paykel appliances. That's what we call a high-end tiny home.
Aptly named, Flamingo House can be found on the Columbia River in the heart of Portland, Oregon. Colourful, playful and offering everything you could need for a weekend away from the hustle and bustle, this adorable tiny home is almost too good to be true.
If you can tear yourself away from the home's vibrant exterior then you'll find yourself inside a cosy and modern living space. The ground floor is just big enough for a sitting area, kitchen and breakfast nook, while clever understairs storage provides space for books and knick-knacks. There's even a bathroom with a shower, tub and walk-in closet.
A compact staircase leads up to the home's only bedroom. The lofted space benefits from a vaulted ceiling and a comfy queen-size bed, which is guaranteed to provide a good night's sleep. As for décor, the house offers natural timber and blue tones that reflect the surrounding scenery.
Outside, there's a deck where any lucky guests can sit and soak up their surroundings, after exploring the local waters by kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard. Plus, since it’s fully stabilised on a purpose-built pier, the floating home doesn't rock like a boat.
German company, Nautilus Hausboote, has created the perfect hybrid between a floating home and a houseboat with the Vagabund. Offering the mobility of a boat with the appearance and layout of a home, this attractive holiday home is perfect for keen seafarers wishing to experience tiny house living for a couple of days.
There are several Vagabond models to choose from, including the Lake Addiction and the Spree-Perle, both of which are designed for four adults and two children. Despite their 323-square-foot size, both have a surprising amount of room inside. There's a comfortable living area that includes a sofa, dining table and floor-to-ceiling windows that are perfect for gazing out to sea.
The houseboats are styled differently, but both offer plenty of home comforts, including a fully equipped kitchen, a television, comfy cushions and a bathroom with a hot shower. They also have a double bedroom and a sofa that converts into two sleeping spots.
The houseboat puts an emphasis on time spent outdoors and the spacious upper deck provides yet more space for socialising or sunbathing. The rear deck can be utilised for dining alfresco or used as a platform from which to enjoy a relaxing afternoon dip in the water. Although intended for use as a holiday rental, we reckon this gorgeous property would function perfectly as a permanent floating home.
This tranquil haven lies on a private estate, only 30 minutes from the heart of Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval city in Quebec, Canada. Designed to allow guests to relax and enjoy nature, the floating cottage hovers above the water and appears to be one with the surrounding landscape.
Known as Bora-Boréal, the holiday home benefits from a contemporary interior, with a kitchen, sitting area and bathroom. There's an indoor log-burning stove and an outdoor firepit, so any lucky guests will be able to stay warm no matter what the weather is doing outside.
The cool cabin even features a motorised garage door formed from glass and steel, which can be raised into the ceiling to open the interior up to the great outdoors. Any occupant can sit inside while listening to the sound of water gently lapping all around them.
Upstairs, there's a cosy bedroom with windows that allow for lovely views. The space can be reached via a pull-down step ladder, adding to the magic of the property. Amazingly, during the winter season, the house can only be accessed by snowshoeing or sledging through the snow. Plus, the floating house is solar-powered, making it entirely eco-friendly.
Whimsical and wonderful in equal measure, this teeny houseboat is located in the Californian city of Sausalito. Far from being modern, it actually has a fascinating history. It was once a World War II landing craft. Many similar structures were constructed in Sausalito during the war and this one was dragged to its current location in the 1960s, before being converted into a cool home.
Inside, the property measures just 568 square feet and has a charming, boho aesthetic, with rustic timber accents and plenty of macrame, wicker and faux fur. There's a living area, a dining nook and a kitchen, as well as a flexible space at the back, where you could read a book while looking out at the water.
There's also a comfy lofted bedroom with French doors and a bathroom. The home sits on a concrete, floating barge while a storage and laundry space can be found inside the boat's former hull, making it perfect for daily life.
There's also an idyllic deck at the back, where waterside views can be savoured. Despite its size, the pad was for sale in summer 2023 for a cool £573,700 ($730k). However, according to Realtor's listing history, it was later removed without finding a buyer.
There’s living off-grid and then there’s living in a tiny floating cabin in a dam in rural New Zealand. For owners Careena and Chris, building The Ark at Cottle Hill Creek, which they now rent out as holiday accommodation, was the perfect escape from city life. They moved from Auckland to Kerikeri in 2016 and they haven’t looked back since.
After buying a plot of land in Northland, which included a spring-fed dam, the couple ordered this prefabricated tiny home and it was built in the space of ten days. Constructed on top of pontoons, it's connected to the land via a wooden deck, which is home to a seating area and watersports equipment.
Inside, there’s everything you could need: the open-plan living room and kitchen includes a two-ring gas hob, sink, fridge/freezer, ample storage and a dining table. One side of the home is covered in solar panels that generate electricity, while a bilge pump provides clean running water.
Upstairs, the sleeping quarters are cosy, with just enough space for a double bed. The bedroom is accessed by a staircase that drops down from the ceiling and can be shut away to maximise the available floor space below. Whether or not you think living on the water is for you, there’s no denying how idyllic this home is.
The sweeping, curved shape of this gorgeous modern property is what sets it apart from other floating homes. Designed by Waterstudio.NL for sister company, Tiny Floats, the Tiny One provides just 151 square feet of internal floor space, making it ideal for use as a holiday retreat or a full-time tiny home.
There's nothing cramped about this luxury floating apartment and that's partly thanks to the clever use of exterior space. The outer section includes a curved seat, which looks like the ideal spot to curl up with a good book. For alfresco dining, there's plenty of room for a table and chairs on the rear deck.
Subtle design features make a huge difference to this property. For example, the house sits low on the water allowing for optimum views, while its polyurea and glass exterior give it a slightly industrial vibe.
Plus, the mobile tiny home has got everything you could need for a relaxing and comfortable life. There's a living area, a kitchen, a dining zone, a bathroom and a king-sized bedroom. In fact, buyers can choose to add two extra beds if they like, making the home suitable for a couple with two children. Prices for the Tiny One start at €95,000, which is £81,700 ($104k), but there are four other models available, too.
This modern lodge, comprised of two separate pods, is unlike anything we've ever seen. The pods are joined at the top and bottom by decks that provide valuable outdoor space – the perfect spots from which to enjoy waterside living to the fullest.
Known as the Free Floating Ecolodge, the property was designed by architect Marijn Beije of Lines Designworks for visitors to the National Park De Biesbosch in the Netherlands. It aimed to lure a broader range of people to the park, by providing them with a unique way to experience nature on the water.
With a design that emphasises panoramic views and outdoor living, Beije has certainly achieved that goal. With its timber and curved glass exterior, the property allows for uninterrupted views. The pad "encourages the occupant to enjoy the sights from three vantage points: below the water surface, on the surface level and from a few meters above," Beije explains.
It may be small, but this oasis on the water includes all the basics you might need. There's a kitchenette, a bathroom with a shower and toilet, and sleeping space for four people, all with a simple Scandi-inspired aesthetic. Plus, with the two exterior decks just moments away, you can choose to take in your surroundings from wherever you like.
If you're a fan of prefabricated buildings and you fancy living on the water, then this floating tiny home is sure to entice. A collaboration between architecture firm Kodasema and marina solutions company, Top Marine, the KODA Float integrates itself into both the land and the sea, thanks to its floating pontoons.
The impressive modular home is constructed using timber frame, wood, glass, mineral wool and steel. Space-efficient and fully movable, the property can be finished as the buyer sees fit, using a variety of materials including zinc cladding. This means you can create a custom home that suits your surroundings and your style.
Step inside and you'll find just 277 square feet of floor space, spread over two floors. A simpler life is one of the major draws of living small, so it's no surprise that this interior has been cleverly designed to fit a lounge, kitchen and breakfast bar.
A snug staircase leads up to the home's mezzanine sleeping loft, under which lies the hidden bathroom. Mirrors and large sheets of glass are used to enhance the impression of space and create bright, inviting living areas.
While its vibe is more 'luxury urban getaway' than 'off-grid tiny home', there's no reason why you couldn't live in this property full-time. It's equipped with underfloor heating, an electric boiler, and sewage and water connections.
Plus, Kodasema is committed to sustainability, which means its creations use environmentally friendly materials and are built with durability in mind. Available globally, prices differ from region to region so contact your local sales team to find out more.
Another gorgeous model by German floating home company, Nautilus Hausboote, the Nautino Mini is the perfect dinky option for a peaceful weekend away. Spanning just 135 square feet, the remarkable property is suitable for two adults and two children and has everything you could need to enjoy life on the water.
Modern and stylish, the fabulous floating home also boasts 258 square feet of outdoor space, with not one but three decks. There's one at the top that's perfect for taking in panoramic views, as well as smaller ones at the front and back of the boat – ideal for sipping your morning coffee or jumping off into the water.
Inside, the Nautino Mini is chic and simplistic, with a small but fully equipped kitchen, a sitting area and a dining zone. The main living space also features the boat's steering mechanism, so the captain can manoeuvre the vehicle from the comfort of the interior.
Of course, the property also has comfy beds for up to four people. There's a private twin room that connects to the rear deck, as well as a sofa bed in the lounge that converts into two additional sleeping spots. Plus, there's a compact bathroom so any lucky sailors can enjoy a hot shower after a long day on the water.
Loved this? Like and follow us on Facebook to explore more unusual homes