Homes
March 24, 2017
16 Unique Homes That Will Make You Want To Move Now!
Think outside of the box when it comes to real estate, and take a peek inside these weird and wonderful homes that prove style goes beyond the expected. From houses built out of recycled shipping containers to custom build homes and converted barns, your real estate options are truly unlimited in 2017.
Click through to take a virtual tour through 16 innovative homes around the world. (You might want to start packing now.)
How much: $180K–$250K (not including cost of land)
Why: This two-storey home in Wuxi, China, is environmentally-friendly, and can be easily moved if necessary. The components of the build also allow the structure to be self-sustaining, with rooftop solar panels and a mechanism that harvests rain water for flushing, washing and cleaning.
The center of the space can be customized to a buyer’s specifications, but typically includes the kitchen and living room.
With one wall of the kitchen made up of folding glass doors, the room can be easily opened up to the outdoors. Container designs typically combine the kitchen and the rest of the living area, making it a flexible space that can be used for multiple purposes.
How much: $35K–$165K
Why: The standard 1930s air stream gets a modern makeover with this one in Andalusia, Spain. The home-on-wheels offers all the luxuries of a standard anchored abode, but its portability means you can easily travel the country or relocate on a whim.
This isn’t your average trailer kitchen. The sleek cooking space would satisfy even the most discerning foodies — it’s fully equipped with an oven, microwave, fridge and freezer. At the back, a small bed is spacious for one, and nice and cozy for two.
How much: Price available upon request
Why: It’s a conversation-starter. This custom home in Itu, Brazil, was developed to work with the natural land, which definitely is a premium most home buyers can’t afford, but if you can, it’s worth it. While the main floor looks like three separate buildings, they’re actually connected by floor-to-ceiling glass walls.
The glass walls break down the division between indoor and outdoor space, allowing the home to pull in two of its main features (the landscape and the adjacent golf course) as part of its interior design.
How much: $180K–$250K (not including land)
Why: Made from eight containers, this two-storey home is designed with open common areas, as well as private bedrooms and offices on the second floor. According to designer Maria Jose Trejos, using recycled containers for this home reduced the construction time and environmental impact by 20 percent.
The kitchen is bright and airy with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and oversized doorways leading into the central living room. It’s a great place for a large family to convene or for social butterflies to host dinner or drinks.
How much: $180K-$250K (not including cost of land)
Why: As mentioned, shipping containers are great for the environment, and depending on where you’re putting down roots, can be easy on your bank account, too. There are a lot of things to consider if you’re going this route, including whether you’re going to DIY or hire a company to finish the home for you.
Luxurious container homes like this one in Colorado were certainly handled by a pro. Consider the landscape, the number of containers involved and the desired floor plan before making a decision.
If you’re considering a container home, remember that while it may be unconventional on the outside, you can still have all the luxuries of a traditional home on the inside, including beautiful balconies and decks, high-end kitchens and high-tech entertainment spaces.
How much: $45–$55 per square foot (not including cost of land)
Why: There are few homes with more grandeur than a converted barn. The incredibly high ceilings, exposed beams and open concept layouts are the ideal space for large families.
This kitchen was made for entertaining. Restored and converted barns are a great option for home buyers who love to host. The blank canvas allows for wide open spaces that are perfect for dinner parties and large get togethers.
How much: $790 per night
Why: Based in Nevada City, the award-winning Covered Bridge House is the restoration work of designer Giudita Soldavini. Not only is the design of the space extraordinary, but the surrounding landscape is breathtaking.
Based on the interior of this home, you’d never know that the exterior was constructed in the 19th century. All the finishes are modern, but the refinished beams and exposed piping brings a hint of old-world charm.
Like the kitchen, the living quarters of this converted bridge totally hide the structure’s age. Only the most discerning eye would notice the nod to its history — the exposed beam in the corner and the barn wood surrounding the sliding glass doors.
How much: Price available upon request
Why: The complex design details found in this religious structure in Nova Scotia are unlike anything else you’ll see on the real estate market. Think stained-glass windows, intricate staircases and bannisters, and incredibly high ceilings.
The main living space in this converted church is airy and spacious. The pews have been removed and replaced with a modern kitchen and an open seating area.
How much: $50+ per square foot (not including cost of land); this particular home is $987K US
Why: Dome homes, like this one in Maine, have come a long way since they were introduced in the 1960s. The units are quickly erected using pre-cut components that can be easily assembled. The layouts are completely customizable, meaning buyers can pick the look of every detail from floor plans to materials.
The interior of this dome is open-concept, which allows an abundance of natural light to flow in from the oversized windows.
Like the rest of the interior, the permanent finishes are very neutral. A quick furniture swap could bring a whole new look and feel to the space.
How much: $75K–$500K (not including cost of land)
Why: With a private hot tub and heated pool steps away, this hidden hideaway in France is the perfect getaway. While it’s not exactly kid-friendly, it would work well for empty-nesters or a young couple with no plans to expand their family.
With direct access to the outdoors from the bedroom, a treehouse is ideal for nature-lovers.
The main thing to note when considering a a tree house as a home is its height. There are no elevators, so be prepared to climb a good number of stairs multiple times a day.
How much: $30K+
Why: Like the airstream, living in a boathouse has a long list of benefits. The first one is cost: both the purchase price and maintenance cost of a boathouse is much less than a traditional home. It offers many of the same luxuries as an anchored home, but with the ability to easily relocate should you need or want to.
The TV area of this Charleston, South Carolina, houseboat serves a multitude of purposes, and can easily be converted into a guest bedroom or kids’ bedroom, depending on your needs.
This best part of a houseboat has to be the bedroom. Not only will the soft sway of the water help its inhabitants sleep, but it offers stellar night sky views away from the bright city lights.
How much: $300K US
Why: Like the airstream and houseboat, a converted bus provides a much more flexible living environment than a traditional home. Think epic road trips, relocating on a whim and never having to pay for a hotel again (provided you’re traveling within the continent).
An Israeli design team managed to make the interior of a public bus utterly glamorous; the vinyl booth and lacquered cabinets bring a contemporary feel to the living area.
How Much: $95K (not including cost of of land)
Why: This tiny house is perfect proof that you can live stylishly in a small space. While you’ll have to compromise on square-footage — most tiny homes run somewhere between 120 and 250-square-feet — they include all the luxuries you’d expect from a traditional anchored residence.
The kitchen is the heart of the home in this tiny house. Buyers can customize their layouts to their own needs and specifications, but rest assured designers will use creativity to maximum storage and make the most of the space.
In a tiny home, a bedroom is for sleeping, and that’s about it. The cozy cove fits just the essentials: a mattress and a few shelves for anything you may need throughout the night.
How much: $75K–$500K (not including cost of land)
Why: Like the French tree house, the amenities in this sky-high Ontario retreat are minimal, but if your ultimate goal is finding a home that offers peace and serenity, then this could be for you.
Aspiring chefs need not apply. Like the rest of this nature retreat, the kitchen includes only the necessities, so don’t expect to be hosting any large dinner parties any time soon.
If there’s one thing this space doesn’t lack, it’s coziness. The fireplace and spiral staircase all add to the rustic appeal of this residential tree house.
How much: $585K US
Why: Forget furniture shopping, this “plug and play” steel retreat in Copenhagen, Denmark, includes everything from appliances to accessories. If this looks like it’s up your alley, be prepared to wait: it takes five to six months from order confirmation to delivery and three to five days for installation.
Nobody would ever guess this sleek black-and-white bathroom was part of a pre-fabricated shelter. From the glass-enclosed shower to the concrete flooring, every detail is glamorous and luxurious.
With an almost fully glass ceiling, this pre-fab shelter offers residents unparalleled views of its surroundings and the sky. It’s also not the only sleeping quarters in the space; there’s a daybed for two on the main floor.
How much: £3,995,000
Why: If you’re in the market for a luxurious custom estate, consider a secluded “underground” home like this one in London. Built into the land, this 3,500-square-foot home is hidden away from the outside world.
The high-end kitchen from German brand Poggenpohl was made for entertaining, finished with dual ovens, an oversized island and separate stovetop.
The sunken deck is surrounded by the house, which protects your outdoor space from nosy neighbors. The glass doors on both sides open completely, allowing the indoor and outdoor areas to merge.