Tiny cabins in the woods to escape the rat race
Retreat to these cosy woodland huts
In such a fast-paced world, more and more people are choosing to leave the city and head for the woods. Swapping the rat race for time alone with nature is a well-trodden path and there are plenty of idyllic forest homes that utilise small spaces brilliantly. Here are some of the dreamiest off-grid tiny cabins in beautiful locations around the world.
dan.nerd / Flickr [CC BY-ND 2.0]
Suspended treehouse, Harads, Sweden
Hidden in the heart of a forest, overlooking Sweden's Lule River Valley, this suspended treehouse is a contemporary oasis covertly concealed amongst nature.
Nicolás Boullosa / Flickr [CC BY 2.0]
Suspended treehouse, Harads, Sweden
Built in 2010 by architects Mårten and Gustav Cyrén, the Treehotel is situated up high in order to make the most of the site's incredible woodland views. The dwelling functions entirely off-grid in the rugged heartland of Swedish Lapland, a place almost entirely cut off from the modern world.
Suspended treehouse, Harads, Sweden
The entire cabin measures just 258 square feet and boasts a cosy interior and an outdoor rooftop terrace: pure bliss!
Luxury log cabin, Scottish Highlands, UK
Located in the mesmerising Scottish Highlands between the Glens of Affric and Strathfarrar, Eagle Brae offers a wilderness retreat unlike any other. Fully sustainable, this remote log cabin is an ideal way to step back from daily life and into a truly spectacular natural landscape.
Luxury log cabin, Scottish Highlands, UK
Luxury log cabin, Scottish Highlands, UK
Enclosed by mountains and lochs, the hidden home finds itself in a truly special position close to Strathfarrar pinewood forest.
Luxury log cabin, Scottish Highlands, UK
Though off-grid, the rustic yet modern interior of this compact hideaway offers all the comforts of home, with a cosy double bed located on a small mezzanine level.
Getaway cabin, Boston, USA
This amazing tiny home is found secluded in the woods of southern New Hampshire, less than two hours from the buzz of central Boston, USA.
Yenny Hsieh / @YennyHsieh ; Getaway
Getaway cabin, Boston, USA
The pocket-sized pad was created by Jon Staff, who spent many years living in unique small homes, including a boat on Lake Superior. A fan of the Tiny House movement, Staff wanted to create a simple, stripped-back space away from the bustle of commuter life.
Chris Shane / @chrismshane ; Getaway
Getaway cabin, Boston, USA
The cabin measures just 160 square feet and features an attractive, pared-back interior, as well as an impressive view!
Michelle Watt / @wattphoto ; Getaway
Getaway cabin, Boston, USA
This miniature wooden pad offers the perfect blend of solitude, relaxation and nature, with extensive glazing connecting the interior with the surrounding woodlands.
Nolla cabin, Vallisaari, Finland
This gorgeous Tipi-style wooden cabin is located on the banks of Vallisaari island, close to the Finnish capital of Helsinki.
Nolla cabin, Vallisaari, Finland
Designed by Robin Falck for Finnish renewable energy company Neste, the idyllic dwelling was built from sustainable materials, including plywood, coated in non-toxic, water-soluble varnish. Entirely energy efficient, the cabin runs off solar panels and is heated by renewable diesel. Part of Neste’s 'Journey to Zero' project, the cabin promotes a fossil-free future.
Nolla cabin, Vallisaari, Finland
Neste's prototype has a minimal environmental impact and was designed for a stripped-back lifestyle where nature takes centre stage. The cabin’s position in the Helsinki archipelago offers the perfect backdrop, surrounded by woodlands and the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Finland.
Nolla cabin, Vallisaari, Finland
Measuring just 13 feet in height and just over 11 feet in width, the cabin weighs only 900 kilograms and is entirely mobile. Plus, the pad can only be reached via boat from central Helsinki, making it as far away from the real world as you can get.
Blue Planet Studio / Shutterstock
Lake House, South Tyrol, Italy
Set on the waters of Braies Lake in South Tyrol, this heavenly lake retreat offers incredible landscape vistas, which simply have to be seen to be believed.
Jenny Sturm / Shutterstock
Lake House, South Tyrol, Italy
A welcome rest-stop for those hiking through Italy's beautiful Dolomites mountains, this lake house is a quiet oasis in a truly mesmerising natural setting.
Lake House, South Tyrol, Italy
Spend some alone time on the hut's outdoor terrace, suspended over the mountain fjord and enclosed by lush forests. It's the perfect space to dangle your feet over the water and take in the tranquil view.
Feel good studio / Shutterstock
Lake House, South Tyrol, Italy
We can't think of anything more incredible than pulling up a seat on the deck and soaking up this majestic landscape.
Tom's Eco Lodge / Tapnell Farm
Modulog, Isle of Wight, UK
This surprisingly spacious wood lodge offers uninterrupted landscape vistas over the rolling countryside of the Isle of Wight.
Tom's Eco Lodge / Tapnell Farm
Modulog, Isle of Wight, UK
The perfect way to escape the rat race without missing out on home comforts, this cosy and eco-friendly lodge is fully insulated and equipped with electricity and central heating.
Tom's Eco Lodge / Tapnell Farm
Modulog, Isle of Wight, UK
The pad also comes with its own outdoor terrace, complete with an enviable wood-fired hot tub overlooking the surrounding woodland landscape.
Nido cabin, Sipoo, Finland
This amazing tiny house was created by Finnish designer Robin Falck as a private forest hideaway. After discovering a beautiful plot in the woods of Sipoo, Finland, Falck set about building a quiet space where he could escape to.
Nido cabin, Sipoo, Finland
Planning permission in Finland isn't needed if a property's floor space is less than 128 square feet. Falck dodged local approval by designing his heavenly Sipoo cabin at just 100 square feet. This allowed him to build his dream getaway in the depths of the woods fuss-free.
Nido Cabin, Sipoo, Finland
Falck designed the home to sit at the perfect angle to let in lots of natural light, inserting plenty of windows to give himself fantastic views of the surrounding woodlands. Covering two floors, the cabin features a lounge and a micro-kitchen, while the second storey is home to his cosy loft-space bedroom.
Nido Cabin, Sipoo, Finland
The tiny house was created from local and recycled materials and cost Falck around $10,500 (£13k). He also completed the build in two short weeks. If that isn't inspirational, we don't know what is!
Tiny Tipi, Isle of Wight, UK
This miniature Tipi is named after the woodlands in which it finds itself. Silva, the Latin for woods, is located on a quaint Homestead opposite Parkhurst Forest on the Isle of Wight.
Tiny Tipi, Isle of Wight, UK
Taking glamping to the next level, this year-round sustainable dwelling features a vibrant 70’s interior.
Tiny Tipi, Isle of Wight, UK
Tiny Tipi, Isle of Wight, UK
Built from natural wood, this angular tiny home sleeps up to four people and features its own outdoor veranda – ideal for cosy nights under the stars.
Hygge cabin, upstate New York, USA
Known as Klein A45, this angular wooden cabin follows the Danish principles of hygge – a concept that blends comfort with serenity, reconnecting people with a simpler way of life.
Hygge cabin, upstate New York, USA
Situated in the depths of the woods in upstate New York, this contemporary cabin covers just 183 square feet and was designed by award-winning Danish architectural firm, BIG. Entirely adaptable, this striking dwelling can be customised to meet the unique needs of each purchaser. BIG can turn tailored designs into a bespoke tiny house in as little as four months.
Hygge cabin, upstate New York, USA
The Nordic abode is constructed from 100% recyclable materials, with a solid pine shell and an internal floor built from the wood of Douglas Fir trees. Raw cork insulation makes the streamlined cabin highly energy efficient, while exposed timber reflects the tranquil surroundings of the tiny home.
Hygge cabin, upstate New York, USA
The traditional A-frame cabin features a pitched roof, stretching to 13 feet at its highest point. Angled walls make it suitable for all weather types while an internal square base provides extra floor space. The unique asymmetric exterior cladding is complemented by the generous use of glass, allowing for fantastic views of the surrounding woodland landscape – a truly hygge abode!