Whether you dream of downsizing or yearn to escape to a – literal – hideaway, we've rounded up of some of the most inspiring and ingenious petite pads around the world, each perfectly camouflaged to blend in with their natural environment.
From a mirrored marvel in Estonia to a secluded Scottish airship, these cleverly concealed homes are just waiting to be discovered – if only we knew where to find them...
As magnificent as it is ingenious, the Etérea Hideaway sits on the slopes of an extinct volcano, a short drive from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
The off-grid hideaway was designed by Prashant Ashoka, who wanted to create a “theatre to nature”, from which guests could experience the beauty of the surrounding landscape. In order for the property to blend in with its setting, Ashoka chose to cover the exterior in mirrors.
The mirrored panels were also finished with an ultraviolet coating, in order to ensure that birds would be able to see the property. What’s more, it’s entirely sustainable and eco-friendly. Not only does the tiny home run on solar energy, but it boasts rainwater harvesting systems to allow for the recycling of water.
For the project, Ashoka wanted to create a liveable art installation that blurred the lines between the environment and the structure itself.
Perfectly designed for two people, the spectacular modern home boasts a gorgeous master bedroom, a living area, kitchen and bathroom. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors connect the interior with the garden outside, while rustic beams and concrete walls add to the home's natural finish.
The hideaway also features an exposed glass shower with staggering views and a decked patio with a solar-heated pool. Fallen in love? You can book Etérea Hideaway and other incredible off-grid retreats and hotel stays at www.offgridhideaways.com
If you look carefully, you may be able to spot a cleverly concealed cabin. Designed by SPINN Arkitekter and Format Engineers, this unusual tiny home features an exterior that's almost identical to the rocky landscape around which it sits.
The egg-shaped abode can be found in Hammerfest, Norway, and offers the perfect respite for weary explorers.
The pod's faceted shell was created using 3D laser scans of the surrounding area, allowing it to perfectly blend in with the rocky terrain.
The prefabricated honeycomb hut was made from 77 sustainable cross-laminated timber panels, which means it has minimal impact on the environment.
The cabin is also highly insulated and capable of withstanding even the harshest of climates.
With a minimalist interior, the 161-square-foot cabin is filled with light and benefits from natural timber walls and a large picture window at one end, offering uninterrupted views towards the sea.
There's also a wood-burning fire that visitors can snuggle around while taking in the sunset or the world-renowned Northern Lights.
Part tiny home, part optical illusion, this incredible reflective house is formed from steel and heat-treated wood. Clad in mirrored glass to allow it to become almost invisible no matter its location, the prefabricated abode was designed by Estonian firm ÖÖD and can be constructed in less than eight hours.
ÖÖD's Signature house costs around £64,200 ($80.6k) or €74,900 in the local currency to buy. Whether you're looking for a secluded yoga studio or a clandestine weekend retreat, the magnificent mirrored property offers a striking natural ash wood interior.
Heated timber floors, Scandinavian decor, and built-in LED lights make for a cosy space, while custom-designed furniture and a BOSE sound system make it wonderfully modern.
With around 200 square feet of inside space, the home's floor-to-ceiling glass walls are reflective on one side and transparent on the other, aiding with privacy.
The small, open-plan space has just enough room for a double bed, a well-equipped kitchenette and a separate bathroom. The property also comes with a two-year warranty and is suitable for any climate, making it both clever and highly practical.
As unique as it is inviting, this secluded AirShip lies in Drimnin, one of the most remote places in all of Scotland. Sitting on a four-acre plot on the north-east shore of the Sound of Mull, the home benefits from incredible views towards the peaks of the Highlands.
The sustainable getaway was designed by Roderick James Architects and is formed from glass and insulated aluminium, allowing visitors to see right through it to the woodland landscape beyond.
The interior of the stealthy AirShip is rustic yet beautifully contemporary, with natural timber panelling, steel accents and bespoke furnishings. A comfy sitting area looks directly over the scenery and comes complete with antique leather chairs and a traditional wood-burner.
There's also a kitchenette with clever storage solutions, making it perfect for foodies.
With a queen-sized bed and a separate bathroom, the AirShip is suitable for two adults and offers a part-glass ceiling, allowing the occupier to enjoy evenings of stargazing without having to step outside.
What could be better than that?
Aptly named, The Bird's Nest was specifically created to blend in with the surrounding environment as much as possible. In fact, the treetop retreat can barely be seen!
Lying in Harads, Sweden, the unique abode was designed by architect Bertil Harström in order to allow visitors to reconnect with nature and switch off from the modern digital world.
Built in 2010, The Bird's Nest can be accessed via a ladder and a hatch in the floor. Once inside, you can close the door and leave the outside world behind.
Small windows allow light to travel inside and offer the perfect vantage point for enjoying views over the forest canopy.
The cosy interior is ideal for two adults and two children, and offers a separate double bedroom and twin bunks. There's also a private toilet and a cushioned seating zone right by the window – the only spot you'll want to be as the sun begins to set.
A natural timber palette and plenty of lights also help to keep this tiny dwelling bright and cosy.
Although not purposefully hidden, this unique jungle refuge is very unlikely to be seen, thanks to its location in the heart of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.
Known as the Casita Jabín, this private holiday home can be found just 10 minutes away from the colonial town of Valladolid but is surrounded by a gorgeous jungle landscape, making it a top destination for R&R!
This architectural wonder was inspired by traditional construction techniques and built using local materials, helping its salmon-pink facade to subtly slot into its surroundings.
Laid out in two blocks, the property features a living space downstairs and a snug queen-sized bedroom on a mezzanine level. Rough, textured walls give the tiny home an authentic finish that's complemented by stylish furnishings.
Suitable for three guests, the rural retreat offers one bedroom and one bathroom, as well as an open-plan living space complete with a practical kitchenette and seating area.
A large folding window allows the occupier to fully open up the interior to further connect with the landscape beyond. There's also a stunning open-air shower room and a private plunge pool – the perfect places to unplug.
Unique, romantic and secluded, the Willow Treehouse can be found in the depths of the Hudson Valley in New York state. The ideal spot for city dwellers to escape the rat race of daily life, this tranquil retreat is set among a stunning woodland, overlooking an attractive pond.
As well as benefiting from such a quiet countryside plot, the tiny home is also just 15 minutes away from the iconic town of Woodstock.
Sitting on a 34-acre plot, the amazing treehouse has an interior that's both bright and spacious, thanks to high ceilings and extensive glazing. A cosy open-plan living space lies on the ground floor and is made up of a kitchen and living area.
There's also a separate bathroom and an upstairs sleeping loft for two adults, which can be accessed by a ladder.
Designed by Antony Gibbon, the treehouse was built by William Johnson and comes with a reading nook overlooking the water. Curl up by the wood-burning stove and soak up the views or head outside for swimming, hiking or wildlife spotting.
There's also an outdoor hot tub where you can while away the hours.
The Pinecone Treehouse can be found cleverly hidden among the towering Redwoods of Santa Cruz County, California. An immersive experience, the treetop property offers 360-degree views over the surrounding canopy and was designed to help visitors connect with the therapeutic powers of nature.
Created from 56 laser-cut, welded steel elements, the Pinecone has hundreds of tiny plexi glass windows for unobstructed panorama.
Skillfully handcrafted from steel and timber, the hideaway retreat, which is suitable for two guests, is elevated 35 feet off the ground and accessible only via a single ladder.
Two triangular-shaped glass panels also lie on the floor, allowing the occupant to see right down to the forest floor. There's even a comfy queen-sized bed, so you can enjoy stargazing before you fall asleep.
Entirely off-grid, there's also an ultra-cool bathroom located in a separate building on the ground floor. With a hot shower, a composting toilet and a sink, the bathroom also boasts attractive forest views, so you can take in the scenery even while you bathe!
From a distance, you may not be able to spot the tiny hidden retreat that's located on this private island in Hvaler, Norway. The beautiful island comes with a petite holiday home and a motorboat, so you can easily transport yourself to and from the mainland.
What's even better, the archipelago of Hvaler benefits from the highest number of sunny days per year in all of Norway!
The off-grid cabin is powered by solar and boasts just 107 square feet of inside space. Outside, there's also an attractive garden with a firepit – the only spot you'll want to be each evening.
During the winter months, there's even the opportunity for you to witness the world famous Northern Lights.
Despite its small stature, the tiny home is suitable for up to seven people and offers a compact kitchen, and plenty of fold-aways and beds to accommodate all guests.
At low tide the private island benefits from numerous beaches, making this tiny archipelago abode perfect for family adventures.
Anyone looking to disconnect from the digital world will fall head over heels for this secluded woodland cabin in Jeffersonville, New York.
The cosy tiny home is perched on the edge of a pristine mountain lake, in the heart of the Catskills. Perfectly designed to slot in with the surrounding landscape, this cabin's dark, wooden facade allows it to camouflage itself among the trees, no matter the season.
Designed to comfortably accommodate up to three people, the amazing A-frame home offers a mere 250 square feet of inside space, but every single inch has been carefully considered. There's a chic kitchen, a tiny lounge, a bathroom and a mezzanine bedroom that's accessible via a ladder.
Guests can curl up in front of the wood-burning stove or head outside to toast marshmallows on the firepit.
Thanks to its refined wooden design and full glass gable, this custom build not only blends in with its surroundings, but affords amazing views of the water and foothills beyond.
Set on a private road and hidden by towering trees, you wouldn’t know this one-of-a-kind cabin was there, unless you accidentally stumbled upon it.
Tucked away in an orchard near San Matteo, Italy, this StarsBOX is a holiday home like none you've seen before. Surrounded by greenery in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the remote cabin is the perfect option for someone wanting shake of city life and get closer to nature.
The retreat offers a more conscious way of experiencing nature, thanks to its immersive and clever design.
Part tent, part hut, the tiny property features only a double bed and lanterns, meaning anyone staying here can truly switch off from the modern world.
What's more, because of the property's lightweight construction, it can be moved to almost any location and would have minimal impact on the surrounding environment. As a result, there are now several across Italy to choose from.
This small pile of dirt may not look like much but take a closer look and you might just see a subterranean tiny home starting to appear.
Located close to Venice Beach in Los Angeles, the Hobbit House is as unique as it is adorable. A natural exterior, including timber cladding and a dirt roof, allow the property to blend in with its garden setting.
From this angle, you can really see how the underground property has been constructed. Installed in someone's back garden, the Hobbit House is partly submerged yet plenty of windows and a dramatically high ceiling allow bags of natural light to spill inside, increasing the impression of space.
Let's step in and take a look...
Despite the fact that its exterior resembles an abandoned bunker, the interior of the property is actually contemporary and highly attractive, thanks to an asymmetric ceiling, light wood panelling and plenty of cosy furnishings.
Perfect for two guests, this listing is for a double room in the property which has several seating areas for reading or relaxing, as well as access to the communal garden.
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