[imagesource: Pod-iDladla]

Living costs are at an all-time high, cities are denser than ever and, as a result, more and more people are looking to downsize while seeking out a simpler, more environmentally friendly way to live.

The search for simpler living inspired the tiny home movement, where creative design and sustainable materials come together to make small, but spectacular living spaces designed to leave less of a carbon footprint, while still providing creature comforts.

CNN compiled a list of the “most stunning” tiny homes (also called nano-homes, or micro-homes) in the world. We picked our top five, including one from right here in South Africa.

Casa Parásito by El Sindicato Arquitectura, San Juan, Ecuador

This minimalist home houses two people on a rooftop in San Juan, Ecuador.

The A-frame design is built around a rectangular core, with an open plan interior that includes the main living area, kitchen, dining table, bathroom, bed and work area all crammed elegantly into one space.

A large window fills the space with natural light and provides stunning views of the city.

FLEXSE by SA Lab, St Petersburg, Russia

This modern take on the Scandanavian aesthetic, FLEXSE, is a prefabricated tiny dwelling made entirely of recyclable materials. The structure can be assembled on the ground or foundations, which means that it is adaptable to different terrains.

The angled roof fends off the snow, and an open grill keeps things cosy.

Pod-iDladla by Clara da Cruz Almeida, Johannesburg, South Africa

According to the Pod-iDladla website, each “nano-home” is prefabricated off-site to your specifications and dropped off at your desired location. You have the option of starting with a shell or going for the fully kitted out option.

If you’re after something a little larger, several 17-square-metre units can be positioned in various configurations to form larger, multi-use living areas.

They make a pretty compelling argument for switching to tiny living:

A simpler life will allow you to concentrate on what matters: the experience of living; it takes five minutes to clean and saves effort and time even in the daily task of cooking because everything is reached while you are standing on the same spot.

If you move, from city to city, or just from Soweto to Blairgowrie, you can ultimately just move the house with you, saving time on house hunting.

Per CNN, it could also be used as a studio space, rented cottage, or holiday unit.

Inside you’ll find a bed on the top level and a kitchen and office space on the bottom. The minimalist interior is clean and sleek, leaving you with the perfect canvas to personalise according to your tastes.

La Colombière by YH2 Architecture, Quebec, Canada

The structure was once used as a shed by a lumberjack, but has been reimagined and now serves as a forest retreat.

The exterior and interior are designed to complement the natural landscape. Inside you’ll find white walls and ceilings, with elements of the old building retained so giving you the feeling that the new design is more of an extension than an overhaul.

San Juan Tiny House by Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses, Colorado, United States

Finally, you’ll find this off-grid micro-home tucked away in the Colorado Mountains.

It was built by a pair of “tiny house” enthusiasts, who live there with their dogs.

The eco-sustainable property was built using reclaimed materials. It features art nouveau-inspired French doors and a collapsible front porch and can be relocated at will.

While downsizing to tiny living has proven to be more environmentally friendly and freeing, it does come with the problem of limited storage.

For many, that’s the obstacle standing in the way of the decision to make the switch and go small.

There is a simple solution – self-storage.

It’s a great way to hold onto the things that you can’t part with, as well as store seasonable items, like winter coats or heaters, holiday decorations, or beach paraphernalia that would just clutter up your home when they aren’t needed.

Stor-Age self-storage units are easily accessible, and centrally located so that you can retrieve your stuff with minimal effort. They also offer a free van service, and Stor-Age insurance so that you’re covered.

Sign up here and score 50% off your first month. You then have the option of renewing on a month-by-month basis.

Now that there’s nothing standing in your way, so start designing that tiny home.

[source:cnn]