While traditionally having a larger-than-life home meant you were doing pretty well financially, nowadays more and more people are interested in smaller and efficient housing options, and these cleverly compact abodes are some fantastic examples of how to creatively utilize small spaces.
While these miniature homes are not necessarily the best for those who may be claustrophobic, these inventive designs will rather attract those who are looking for a sleek and stylish living space without having to take up a large amount of real estate. From homes that are designed to resemble cube-like structures to those that are conveniently portable from one place to another, these compact housing creations are a great way to make the best out of what little space we may have.
These miniature abodes are not only a practical way to take your home on the road, but they're also a cost effective way to create your dream home on a budget.
32 Cleverly Compact Abodes
From Miniature Refugee Homes to Assembled Modular Abodes:
Tana Makmanee — Feb 26, 2013 — Art & Design
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Compact Portable Houses
The Port-a-Bach Container Home Provides Freedom of Movement
31
Weather-Resistant Mini Homes
The Leaf House Sits on Four Wheels and Can Fit a Family of Four
30
Fragmented Compact Homes
The Fractured Residence by Studio H:T is One Jagged Architectural Design
29
Portable Miniature Housing
The Dwelle.ing Brings Charm to Residential Downsizing
28
Small Prefab Shelters
The Mini House 2.0 by Jonas Wagell is Compactly Contemporary
27
Spacious Compact Housing
The Bernal Heights Residence by SB Architects is a Modernized Space
26
Assembled Modular Abodes
The Mobile SmartHouse is Completely Prefabricated
25
Indestructible Survival Pods
Atelier Van Lieshout Creates a Compact Bomb Shelter
24
Communal Contemporary Bungalows
Cadaval & Solà-Morales Have Created a Communal Paradise
23
Tetris-Inspired Homes
The Shakin Stevens House by Matt Gibson Exemplifies Structured Architecture
22
Mobile Minimalist Hotel Rooms
The Hypercubus by Studio WG3 is Self-Sufficient and Compact
21
Effortless Prefab Retreats
The Coodo 'My Home' Residences Come Furnished and Poised for Placement
20
Credit Crunch Prefabs
The L41 Home is Designed for Uneasy Economic Times
19
Portable Compact Homes
The 'Hut on Sleds' is Entirely Mobile
18
Super Squeezed Homes
The Garage House is a Place to Rest Yourself and Your Car
17
Recycled Rustic Retreats
The Finland Micro Cabin is a Nature Lover's Dream Space
16
Recycled Yard Structures
Backyard House's Beauty Belies in its Building Material of Discarded Wood
15
On-Demand Housing
Portable Shelter for Environmentally Conscientious Disaster Relief
14
Portable Personal Bubbles
MMASA Architects & Cipriano Chas Let You Be a Bubble Boy (or Girl)
13
Multipurpose Portable Shelters
The Famiglia Grande Helps Families on Their Road to Recovery
12
Boxy Integrated Mountain Havens
Ferienhaus Vitznau by Lischer Partner Blends Into its Surroundings
11
Lumber Cube Rooms
The Box House by u+a Uses a Crate to Reconfigure an Open Concept Interior
10
Roomy Compact Homes
The 'Ashley Avenue Residence' by TaC Studios Deceivingly Spacious
9
Miniature Refugee Homes
The ‘One Square Meter House’ Comfortably Houses a Single Perso
8
Shoebox Abodes
The ‘House M' Keeps it Clean and Compact
7
Garden Shed-Like Homes
AF Bostader Created Sweden's 'Smallest' Apartment for Students
6
Top-Popping Cottages
The Shadowboxx House Features an Attached Cabin with a Hinged Roof
5
Compact Hexahedron Houses
The Cube Home by Justin Chong Encourages Minimal Living
4
Nomadic Cube Abodes
The Bao House by dot Architects Optimizes the Concept of Mobile Homes
3
Crocheted Cabin Concepts
Kate Pokorny Wants to Crochet Homes for Project Yurt Alert
2
Socially Encouraging Abodes
The Studio AUTORI House A Promotes Communal Living
1
Rooms on Wheels
Portable Living Room Design Serves as Study, Sofa & Storage
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Family-Friendly Tiny Homes
This Spacious Tiny Home is Extra-Wide For Capacious Comfort
High-Quality Electric Micro Homes
The Cosmic ONE Gets New Upgrades with Premium Components
Storage-Packed Compact Homes
Modern Tiny Living Designed the 20-Feet Cerceaux Tiny Home
Light-Filled Single-Floor Tiny Homes
The Mooble House Mo.4 675 Has Two Entrances
Two-Car Garage Tiny Homes
This Behm Designs Two-Story Tiny House is Efficient
Entertaining-Focused Tiny Homes
The Tiny Idahomes 'Arion' Tiny Home is Well-Sized
Cedar Finished Portable Houses
Baluchon Designs the Chicorée on a Double-Axle Trailer
Stacked Compact Compact Homes
The Cabini Edelweiss is Comperise of Square Metal Pipe Framings
Energy-Efficient 3D-Printed Homes
Haus.me Introduces Premium Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Serenely Stilted Houses
This Sustainable Tiny Home is Situated On An Elevated Platform
Outdoor Entertaining Tiny Homes
The Acorn Tiny Homes True North Retreat Has a Barbecue Area
Portable Modern Compact Dwellings
Mint Tiny House Company Unveils the Ventura Park Model
Compact Humble Economical Homes
Häuslein Tiny House Co. Designs the Chipper Tiny Home
Space-Conscious Compact Homes
Baluchon Introduces a Look at the Midgard Tiny Home
Towable Affordable Compact Homes
Wind River Tiny Homes Designs the Pingora Towable House
Next-Generation Egg-Shaped Tiny Homes
The Ecocapsule NextGen is Ultra-Compact Yet Comfortable
Prefabricated Miniature Home Concepts
i29 Creates the Câpsula Concept for Dutch Design Week
Garage-Converted Sustainable Homes
Modern Granny Flat Designs the Carlsbad ADU Conversion
Separate Dwelling Tiny Houses
The Elba_91 Tiny House Has Two Living Spaces to Maximize Usage
Shutter-Accented Tiny Homes
The houzEKO Tiny House Offers All-Season Efficiency and Privacy
Loft-Free Tiny Home Designs
The Freedom Series 8400NLR Tiny House Has a One-Floor Layout
Weather-Resistant Tiny Homes
This Off-Grid Tiny House is Designed For Year-Round Enjoyment
Dual-Function Bedroom Tiny Homes
The Movable Roots 'Lindstrom' Tiny House Has a Murphy Bed
Extreme Space-Saving Architecture
A 74-Square-Foot Apartment is Redefining Urban Living
Versatile Interior Compact Homes
The Elevate Tiny Home Transforms the Interiors with a Button
Contemporary Sustainable Tiny Homes
The Cosmic ONE is Offered in Three Compact Home Layouts
Modern Luxury Holiday Cabins
Compact Housing and Studio Sluijzer Design the Yiruma Cabins
Terrace-Joined Cozy Tiny Homes
MadeiGuincho Designed the Terra m1_Tiny House on Wheels
Minimal Mid-Century Hollywood Homes
Studio Qasabian Designs the Mulholland Home in LA
Flexible Pre-Fabricated Homes
Rabih Hage Introduces His Latest Design — Muudo
Compact Off-Grid Bright Homes
Modern Tiny Living Designed the Sea Chord with Plenty of Storage
Compact Space-Saving Homes
Ridgeline Tiny Homes Designs the Hartley Tiny House
Tranquil Elevated Tiny Homes
Jan Tyrpekl Designs the Cozy Zen House in Austria
Minimalist Adventurer Tiny Homes
The Noyer Tiny House On Wheels Prioritizes Sustainability
Customizable Backyard Tiny Homes
My Little House 'Reatreat' is 13-Feet in Length
Sustainable Smart Cottages
The LG Smart Cottage is a Compact Prefab with Cutting-Edge Tech
Compact Luxurious Modern Homes
Frontier Tiny Homes Designs the New Perpetua Model
Backyard-Transformed Dwelling Units
Catch Architecture and Obreval Design the ADU Carpintaria
Upgraded Off-Grid Tiny Homes
Minimaliste Designs the Nomad 30 Small Home with Improved Interior
Family-Friendly Tiny Homes
The Indigo River Tiny Homes 'BERTHA' Has 360-Square-Feet of Space
Light-Filled Towable Compact Homes
Tiny House Listings Creates the 28' Model Tiny Home
Quaint Compact Tiny Cabins
Bunkie Co. Expands its Roster with the Premier Home with Cozy Detail
Portable Wooden Mobile Homes
Mooble House UK Designs the Mo.5 450 Compact Home
Minimal Portable Tiny Homes
Acorn Tiny Homes Unveils the Paddock Paradise Small Home
Ultra-Compact Bungalow Designs
Satish Jassal Architects Completes the Haringey Brick Bungalow
Compact Affordable Portable Homes
Stanley Tiny Homes Creates the Rogue Tiny House
War Plane-Inspired Off-Grid Homes
Peter Markos Designs the Tiny Monocoque Cabin
Pre-Fabricated Compact Portable Homes
PODX Go's Grande S1 is a Packable Portable Home
Japanese Inn-Inspired Micro Apartments
La Tarta Piccola's Mae Prachasilcha Designs a New Apartment
Curved Translucent Experimental Apartments
NEUHÄUSL HUNAL Designs the Sculptor's Apartment
Downsized Towable Tiny Homes
Rover Tiny Homes Designs the Spacious Cypress Model
Author-Honoring Compact Homes
Baluchon Introduces the Idyllic Miss Twain Tiny Home
Compact Net-Zero Australian Homes
Anderson Architecture Designs the Pocket Passive House
Custom Artisanal Compact Homes
Lou Tiny House Specializes in Catering to Specific Needs
Affordable Housing Prototypes
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Spacious Miniature Portable Homes
Mint Tiny Homes Designs the Orca Edition Park Model
Spacious Light-Filled Compact Homes
Cocoon Tiny Homes Design the Bright Long Black Home
Cozy Spacious Compact Homes
Tiny House Listings Creates the Compact Mondo Model
Rentable Miniature Modern Cabins
The Nest is a Tranquil Rental Space at ReWild Rentals
Captivating Modern Prefab Cabins
Lloyoll Prefabs Creates the SKALI BackCountry Cubiod
Bio-Based Compact Housing
Woonpioniers Designs the Sustainable Sprout Ruben & Marjolein House
Double-Axle Trailer TIny Homes
Baluchon Designs the Eucalyptus Tiny Home Structure
Micro-Living Portable Homes
Modern Tiny Living Creates the Buttercup Tiny Home for Hosting
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Baluchon Designs the La Maison du Bonheur Home
Spacious On-the-Road Homes
Minimaliste Designs the Nomad Tiny House for Off-Grid Adventures
Micro-City Housing Nooks
Notan Office Transforms an Industrial Site in Brussels
Small Footprint Brick Bungalows
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Adventurous Compact Tiny Homes
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Dragon Tiny Homes Designs the Kemi Vacation Home
Economical Modular Wooden Homes
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Versatile Tiny Workspace Homes
The Browny Home is a Multifunctional Space-Saving Design
Luxe Amenity Tiny Homes
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Nature Blending Modern Homes
MODU Designed the Mini Tower One Residence in Brooklyn
Compact Comfortable Airy Homes
Baluchon Designs the Adorable Yggdrasil Tiny House
Beachfront-Inspired Small Wooden Homes
Raglan Tiny Homes Presents the Beach Home Design
Relaxation-Centric Cozy Tiny Homes
Plume Designs the New Cosmos Model with Spacious Interiors
Free-Flowing Bright Compact Homes
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Compact Beach Resort Designs
Modern Tiny Living Designs the Adorable Siesta Key Home
Compact Space-Saving Homes
Madeiguincho Designs the Brava Tiny Home for Two People
Space-Saving Tiny Homes
Levi Kelly Designs a Space-Conscious Compact Home on a Single-Axle Trailer
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Cement Block-Decorated Homes
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Hosting-Ready Compact Homes
Baluchon's Mirasol Home is Optimal for Hosting Friends
Refreshing Micro-Living Compact Homes
Mariano Ravenna Designs the SF-FR House with Concrete
Shiplap Interior Contemporary Homes
Dragon Tiny Homes Presents the 16’THOW With Loft
Medieval-Themed Towable Micro Homes
Acorn Tiny Homes Designs the Purple Heart Manor
Cleverly Designed Micro Apartments
The Cabanon Measure 74 Square Feet with Folding Furniture
Perforated Facade Compact Residences
Rahul Pudale Design Creates the Porous Adobe Compact Home
Modern Mobile Futuristic Homes
Nestron Presents its Range of Contemporary Tiny Homes
Sleek Miniature Lifestyle Campers
Bürstner Designs the Bürstner for Those on Camping Ventures
Spacious Sleek Compact Homes
TruForm Tiny Designs the Urban Park Max Home on a Quad-Axle
Compact Calming Homes
Batay-Csorba Architects Masterfully Designed a Modern Brick Home in Toronto
Compact Six-People Portable Homes
Mint Tiny House Company Designs the Loft Ruby Edition
Compact Affordable Cozy Homes
Dragon Tiny Homes Designs the Element Compact Homes
Space-Conscious Compact Residences
Piccola Tiny Homes Designs the Minuet Compact Home
Family-Centric Cozy Compact Homes
Evergreen Homes Australia Designs the Grevillea House
Minimal Bird-Watching Cabins
Inclume Architects Designs the Cozy Hide Cabin in England
Pale Yellow Minimal Townhomes
i.B. Archstudio Designs the VVV Townhouse with Pastel Hues
Storage-Centric Compact Homes
Build Tiny's Kōtuku Home is Compact and Finished with Vinyl
Generously Glazed Compact Homes
Madeiguincho Designs the Atlanta Tiny Home for a Family
Spacious Cottage-Like Luxe Homes
TimberCraft Tiny Homes Designs the Big Sky Rustic Home
Wooden Compact Home Designs
Madeiguincho Designs the Vigia Home Inspired by 'Lookouts'
California-Inspired Tiny Homes
Modern Tiny Living Designs the Buxton Home for Four People
Charming Curved Roof Dwellings
Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses Designs the Compact Beatle ome
Expansive Roofs Concrete Homes
Studio MOB Creates a House in the Farm in Coimbatore
Engineered Wood Compact Homes
Modern Tiny Home Designs the SANGJA Home with Cozy Touches
Compact Bengali Affordable Homes
Marina Tabassum and AKT II Design the Khudi Bari House
Spacious Portable Compact Bunkhouses
Timbercraft Tiny Homes Designs the Denali XL Bunkhouse
Vaulted Compact Merged Homes
Studio Tololo Ugarte Designs the Tiny Vaulted Catalejo Home
Metal Tower Residential Expansions
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Cedar-Clad Custom Compact Homes
Häuslein Designs the Grand Sojourner Layout 3
Stealthy Sloped Roof Trailers
Ridgeline Tiny Homes Designs the Sun Valley Model