Tiny houses are everywhere now, with homeowners looking for a place to escape without ever leaving their backyard. Plus, with inflation on the rise, tiny homes can be a much cheaper alternative to building a home. Responding to demand, big-box retailers like Costco and Amazon are getting in on the movement with foldable pop-up homes.
Since the dawn of civilization, interest in tiny homes (yurts, tents, igloos, etc.), minimalism, and living away from busy lives has had a constant pulse in society. From Henry David Thoreau’s escapades into the charms of Walden in the 19th century to Alan Wexler’s experiment with compact living in 1979, interest has grown. In the late 90s, the tiny house movement emerged as a permanent extension of the home, rather than a passing fad.
These pop-up houses are a great addition to your home, whether you want to create a little outbuilding – a craft shed, a playroom, a home office, or even a greenhouse. But they can do so much more – you can actually live in one. Since skyrocketing in popularity, pop-up houses have become incredibly luxurious and decorative, and can even be an alternative to a regular apartment for single people or small families.
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The beauty of big living in a small space is how a prefabricated home can become a seamless extension of your home. We've researched some of the best prefab tiny homes, or modular bunk houses. Here's everything you need to know, including how much they cost to install and what lifestyle they're best suited for. From guesthouses designed for multigenerational living to beautiful two-storey homes, learn all about our favorite homes below. They're sure to dramatically change your lifestyle for the better, and are well worth the investment.
Scarlet
The photo above.
Made from nickel, copper, and chrome, the SKÁLI BackCountry Cuboid can withstand harsh weather. This 424-square-foot modern masterpiece features a full kitchen, three-part bathroom, master bedroom, and an open loft with slide-in space for two extra beds. Once you've customized your home into your dream getaway, you're ready to order. Lloyoll will handle the logistics of construction, sending a brief letter outlining the project and compliance to local building authorities.
From $306,767. lloyoll.com.
New Frontiers
New Frontier Design
New Frontier's Escher model is one of the best options we found for large families. It sleeps up to six people and features two bedrooms (including a king-size master bedroom), a walk-in closet, and a chef's kitchen. The cantilevered loft where the king-size master bedroom is located also has a skylight as an added option. If you're dreaming of a tiny home secluded in nature with all the cooking and living necessities, you're in luck.
New Frontier Design
Starting at $235,000. newfrontierdesign.com.
Cube 2
Courtesy of Nestron
Step into the future with a fully-furnished, two-bedroom Smart House by Nestron, perfect as a vacation home. (It's built on land, so it can be moved with a crane and flatbed truck.) With an open-concept layout, a unique skylight for stargazing and 328 square feet of space, your prefab unit will arrive within 3-4 months with no construction required.
Courtesy of Nestron
Courtesy of Nestron
From $59,000. nestron.house.
Modal OO
Modal Offering
This studio-style unit can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. Durable quartz countertops, full-size bathrooms, nine-foot ceilings, garbage disposals, and more make the space feel much larger and more liveable. The process from site plan to delivery is approximately 7-13 months, and our team will work with you every step of the way.
Starting at $240,000. livemodal.com.
Dwell House
Courtesy of Dwell
West Coast-inspired prefab ADUs make lounging in your backyard feel divine. New to the market, Abodu's Dwell House is a stunning suite for multigenerational families. The brand has seen huge growth during the pandemic as more families look to live closer to their loved ones. Abodu delivers each unit turnkey in as little as six months, eliminating the hassle of searching for a builder.
Courtesy of Dwell
Courtesy of Dwell
From $389,000. abodu.com.
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backyard
Courtesy of Samara
Samara's backyard models for sale (for now!) in California range from small, like a studio, to large, like a 2-bed, 2-bath unit, and are built to last a lifetime. Solar panels on the roof collect enough energy to power each unit, and full customization and a seamless permitting process make it easy to use the unit however you like. So if you want to set up a little Airbnb on your own land, that's your right.
Courtesy of Samara
Courtesy of Samara
Studios (pictured) start at $269,000. samara.com
Studio Shed
Courtesy of Studio Shed
Courtesy of Studio Shed
If your “guest room” doubles as a gym, office, or playroom, set boundaries with this 120-square-foot shed and keep visitors away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life. Opting for a DIY installation can save you money on upfront costs, but it will require a fair bit of effort to assemble on-site.
From $45,000. studio-shed.com.
Sophie
Courtesy of Shay's Tiny Homes
For home cooks who find comfort in front of the stove, this unit, designed by New Zealand's Shaye's Tiny Homes, has plenty of space for all your appliances. Sophie also has a full-size shower so you don't have to bend down to get in and out, and stairs lead up to the second floor, where there are two bedrooms.
Starting at $115,000. tinytopanga.com.
My Mira
Provided by MyCabin
From saunas to extra housing for guests staying a week, My Cabin designs Scandinavian-inspired homes for any use you can imagine. The 348-square-foot Milla model comes equipped with a kitchen, full bathroom, and sleeping and living areas so visitors won't feel claustrophobic. Need more space? Units can be sold as a set.
From $98,500. mycabin.us.
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Medina Saint-Elien covers all things home essentials. She writes about exciting new product launches, hands-on reviews, and the “eureka” moments in every maker story. Saint-Elien oversees key HB editorial franchises, including the Live Better Awards, and champions the work of BIPOC entrepreneurs in the design and beauty industries. Her work has appeared in House Beautiful, as well as Byrdie, Snapchat, and more. Outside of work, she's a writer and poet who loves to document her travels on social media and save memes for future use.
Janae McKenzie covers all things shopping at House Beautiful. As Associate Shopping Editor, she's always on the lookout for the best deals for every part of the home. Janae has a Master's in Journalism from the University of Missouri and has had her work published in Glamour, Food Network, and Vox Magazine.