From tiny shipping containers on Long Beach to glass-fronted houses in Margate, the traditional beach house has downsized. Here’s our pick of some of the most beautiful and unique coastal tiny homes around the world. One thing’s for certain, they’re bound to get you in the mood for summer...

Planning an epic summer escape? This secluded beachfront cottage in the Bahamas will help ease away city stress and the thought of work deadlines. Considering purchasing an investment property? It’s had a positive holiday home rental history to date, which means you could be making an additional income while you work and play.

The cottage is primarily spread out on the ground floor, where you’ll find an open-plan living room and kitchen with a small dining table, double bedroom and bathroom. An additional sleeping space can be found in the loft above. Large windows allow air to ventilate the cottage, while wood panelled walls and floors create a cool and shady atmosphere.

If that isn't enough to tickle your fancy, the cottage comes with a spacious covered terrace that looks out onto miles of crystal clear oceans. Has this property got you dreaming about breakfast with a view? It’s currently on the market for $435,000 (£322k). Looking for something bigger? These beachfront properties will blow your mind...

These modern beach houses in Phuket are the way to go if you’re looking for something stylish and secluded. Nestled above the trees in Patong Bay, each sky cottage faces west with spectacular views of the ocean.

Each open-plan cottage consists of a bedroom, lounge/kitchen and bathroom. All rooms are glazed with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that grant access to a private balcony and outdoor hot tub. Included in the $222,000 (£167k) asking price is a free daily shuttle service to and from the beach.

If the thought of holidaying in Margate brings back memories of rickety old beach huts, think again, because Guy Galloway Architects are changing the face of traditional seaside resorts with their ultra-modern beachfront structures. Each house features a pitched roof that resembles traditional beach huts, though with the addition of fully glazed fronts for a contemporary twist.

Though they might look compact from the outside, each ‘hut’ contains a spacious open-plan communal area with enough space for a lounge, dining area and kitchen, which has been fitted with a breakfast bar. A small spiral staircase leads up to the master bedroom and additional guest room.

Situated on Margate's main promenade, each hut contains floor-to-ceiling glazed surfaces that open out onto a private terrace with panoramic views of the shore and beyond. Margate is a well-known coastal town with plenty of attractions, so if it’s an upgrade on the traditional seaside holiday home that you’re after, a handful of these stunning new developments are on the market for £475,000 ($639k).

It's amazing what you can do with the humble shipping container. This conversion in Los Angeles proves that when it comes to investing in a compact holiday home, tiny homes can make a cost-effective alternative to the traditional beach house. Easily transported, sustainable and energy efficient, this particular model is on sale for $69,000 (£52k). 

The 160 square-foot tiny home has been cleverly arranged to contain an open-plan kitchen and lounge with an island and plenty of storage space. A compact, yet fully functioning bathroom contains a bath and shower, while a fold-out sofa makes plenty of space to host two sleepers at a time.

The flat-top structure is used as a rooftop terrace, where occupants can soak up the sun and enjoy a bit of social time with family and friends while appreciating breathtaking views of the ocean.

If a Latin American adventure is on the cards, this 800 square-foot cottage in Uruguay is big enough to host a family of four. Located in the Punta Rubia beach resort, the quaint property features wooden shutters, balconies and a spacious garden that’s perfect for barbecues and outdoor entertaining.

An open-plan living room and kitchen are kept cool during the day with the help of floor tiles and dark wood shutters, while a wood-burning stove keeps the space warm at night. The beach hut also contains two double bedrooms and a communal bathroom.

The house is located on a quiet street and is a five-minute walk from the ocean, which can be seen from the private balcony in the master bedroom. It’s currently on the market for $150,000 (£112k).

This tiny beach hut is so packed full of life that it’s even been given a playful nickname. Compact and cute, the Lola couldn't be more traditional if it tried. It's situated in the charming coastal town of Walton-on-the-Naze, one of the more popular beach resorts in Essex.

It comes with pretty much everything you’d need for a cosy seaside retreat, including a kitchen, sleeping area and covered terrace with just enough space for an outdoor dining area. The hut has been designed and furnished with quintessentially British style including bright bunting and coastal colours.

At £19,900 ($26k) for a hut, it’s a reasonable investment for that perfect view, but come sunset you'll have to find somewhere else to sleep as overnight stays are prohibited in the huts on this stretch of the North Essex coast.

If you need a place to rest your head then these beach huts might be better suited, as they do allow overnight stays. Situated on a secluded beach overlooking the sea, this Dorset bolthole comfortably sleeps four to six guests and contains a small decked area where occupants can relax in the sun.

The compact design comes with a modern kitchen and a living room that doubles up as sleeping quarters for up to two guests. An additional mezzanine area contains a double bed and storage space too.

There’s plenty of cleverly concealed storage, which means suitcases and clutter won’t get in the way. Bi-folding doors reveal the most breathtaking views of the sand dunes, as well as the Isle of Wight in the distance. What’s not to love? This little gem is currently on the market for £275,000 ($366k).

Here’s another beautiful Dorset-based beach house that’s waiting to be whisked up by an eager sun worshipper. This one features a more spacious deck with just enough space to fit a couple of chairs and a table, making outdoor breakfasting in the sunshine a daily treat. The pastel green fancy is currently on the market for £270,000 ($360k).

The tiny house has a compact kitchen and lounge that doubles up as a sleeping area and a spacious mezzanine area easily holds a double mattress, allowing up to four guests to occupy the hut at a time. A triangular glass panel shaped to fit the point of the roof allows natural light to filter into the mezzanine, creating an additional light source for an otherwise dark space.

If you’re looking for something discreet, this lovely little cottage is tucked away in the coastal town of Hayborough, Victor Harbour. With plenty of indoor and outdoor space, it contains two double bedrooms that comfortably sleep up to four guests and a covered green terrace at the back of the property.

The cottage is the perfect place for short and long stays, and currently features an open-plan living/dining room, kitchen and bathroom with a toilet and shower. It's being sold with an adjoining shed for $248,000 (£186k).

This hut is situated in a five-star resort in Perth on the western coast of Australia. When not being used by its owners, the shack can be rented out, making it an ideal investment for those looking to earn a bit of holiday income.

This contemporary one-bedroom structure holds an open-plan living room, dining room and kitchen, a shower and a double bedroom. A set of sliding glass doors lead out into a walled garden, where occupants can relax in privacy.

It comes with all the perks of owning a property within an exclusive resort, including access to the communal pools, tennis courts, cafe and restaurant, which goes some way to explain the price tag. It's on the market for $217,000 (£163k).

This modern chalet in Bembridge comes with its very own wooden 'hut tub' and is part of a holiday park, just a five-minute walk from the beach. Sliding glass doors give access to a spacious veranda where occupants can enjoy panoramic views of the cliffs, the sea and beyond.

Spacious and modern, the open-plan living area is kitted out with state-of-the-art appliances and modern furnishings. The chalet contains two double bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom, which a rare find when it comes to compact beach homes. For the asking price of £102,000 ($135k), you'll get full access to the holiday park’s various pools, entertainment rooms and restaurants. Need more inspiration? Check out these awesome tiny homes in every US state.