There’s no escaping the tiny home craze. While many attribute the trend’s exponential growth to the near-universal appeal of cutting down on household clutter, don’t overlook the appeal of their look. They’re just so darn cute. A similarly-sized apartment, no matter how cleverly designed, simply can’t compare to the storybook quality of an adorable cottage.
Tempted to try out the tiny home trend for yourself? Trulia has rounded up tiny houses for rent from California to Massachusetts that let you try on the stylishly small way of life. Even better, each is located in a centrally-located neighborhood so the spatial sacrifice will seem minimal.
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1. Fairytale Cottage on Bainbridge Island
8260 NE High School Rd., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
$2,600/month
With its lush landscape and small-town feel, Bainbridge Island is the kind of beautiful place that looks as if it were the inspiration for a storybook. So, it’s only fitting that you’d find a home here that belongs in an enchanting tale. This two-bedroom, one-bath cottage is pure whimsy, from the curvaceous roofline that seems straight from an illustrator’s pen, to the waterwheel that graces the side of the property. Walk through the delightful curved doorway and you’ll find an unexpected sight: a contemporary interior with an adaptable open floor plan. The home’s location across the street from a Montessori school and down the street from the local high school makes it a wonderful choice for a small family. However, anyone will enjoy being within two miles from the charming downtown, where you’ll also find the ferry to Seattle.
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2. Blue-and-White Charmer
824 Sacramento St., Vallejo, CA 94590
$1,925/month
Culture’s right around the corner from this two-bedroom, one-bath home in Vallejo. A Sunday stroll down Main Street can take you to the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, the historic Empress Theatre, The Hub Vallejo arts center or the Artiszen Cultural Arts Center. But the best reason to live in Vallejo is six blocks from your door: the ferry, which takes you directly to San Francisco in an hour. After your scenic commute, you’ll love coming home to your updated urban cottage. From its fresh blue-and-white exterior to its roomy open floor plan, this rental has that homey feel.
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3. Gorgeous Getaway in Charleston
8 Ropemakers Lane, Charleston, SC 29401
$3,000/month
The tiny carriage home of your dreams awaits in the heart of Charleston. This two-story, 800-square-foot brick home is beautiful enough for a postcard, right down to the wrought iron gate and lush paths leading up to the inviting front door. The interior is just as gorgeous, equipped with a breakfast bar, two fireplaces, and a bedroom big enough for a queen bed—a rarity in most tiny homes. To make the most of the space (and your historic Charleston surroundings), consider having your meals on the stone-paved patio out front.
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4. Tropical-Inspired Cottage in Houston
402 W Cottage St., Houston, TX 77009
$1,700/month
Though Austin gets all the love for indie-cool attractions, Houston’s Greater Heights neighborhood has a thriving entertainment district that offers a small sampling of that interesting mix of creative cafés and boutiques. Specifically, you’ll find most of the action on and around W 19th Street. This hip shopping stretch is within 2 miles of this darling two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath home on the aptly-named Cottage Street—meaning you’re close enough to drive, but not so close that you’re around the noise. Need a night in? This rental is your haven. The bonus sun room would make a great home library, but the best feature might be the backyard tropical oasis. Brew up a pot of coffee with beans from local favorite Boomtown Coffee, queue up a record from Vinal Edge Records and enjoy a lazy Saturday.
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5. Laguna Beach Stunner
232 Woodland Dr., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
$3,700/month
Though Laguna Beach became famous for the reality show of the same name, you’d be surprised that it’s not all mansions here. There are an unusually high number of jewel box-like smaller homes that have plenty of character—though their price still puts them in the luxury category. Such is the case for this stunning two-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath home. Originally built in 1928, this rental boasts stained glass windows, a designer kitchen, and a roomy master bedroom with walk-in closet. Though you’re a quick drive down Laguna Canyon Road to all of the chic restaurants and shops of downtown (not to mention the beach), your cottage may become the hotspot for gatherings with friends. It’s all thanks to the outdoor dining room, which looks out upon a well-designed garden filled with fruit trees.
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6. Sunshine State Sweetie
10803 Vireo Circle, Estero, FL 33928
$950/month
When your home is 432 square feet, it’s great to have plenty of activities right outside your front door. Corkscrew Woodlands is a gated 55+ community that pretty much offers it all, from a huge clubhouse with a pool and tennis court to an 18-hole mini-golf course. Want to take in a gorgeous sunset over the Gulf coast? No problem, because this 1-bedroom, 1-bath home is in driving distance to some of Florida’s best beaches, including Estero Island, Sanibel Island, Fort Myers Beach, and Naples.
