Top 9 Small Spaces of 2020

The nominees for this year’s Dwell Design Awards may be petite, but they pack a big punch.

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From clean-lined Airstream renovations to dreamy cabins in the woods, these projects prove that sometimes the smallest spaces have the largest impact. Get to know the nominees below, and vote for your favorite in the 2020 Dwell Design Awards by December 16.

A 1973 Airstream Gets an Organic Remodel Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright

Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture, this vintage airstream has a pared-down interior filled with natural materials.

The kitchen features small appliances—including a marine refrigerator, gas burner, and oven.

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A 180-Square-Foot Tiny Home in Australia Is One Woman’s Fresh Start

After the death of her husband, a Byron Bay local moves into a diminutive dwelling that takes cues from the coastal locale.

Numerous louvre-style windows wrap around the home, flooding it with greenery and sunlight. "High windows are important to allow for cool breezes in the summer," says Adam. "Louvre windows are very traditional in this area, as they allow for airflow and can remain open when it's raining."

A DIY Extraordinaire Builds the Tiny Home of Her Dreams With $12K

At 23 years old, self-taught designer Mariah Hoffman set out to craft her own 156-square-foot sanctuary.

"Under my bed, I have storage cubbies that hold clothing and art and cleaning supplies," Mariah says. "The picture ledge above my bed is a storage and display area for books and small art pieces."

A Tiny Cor-Ten Steel Cabin Is in Perfect Sync With the Surrounding Woods

Winkelman Architecture delivers grown-up summer-camp vibes with this unassuming retreat on the coast of Maine.

A pair of double doors leads to the large screened porch. At the ceiling, rafters underscore the skylight, casting shadows that mark the passage of the sun.

A Hawaii-Based Couple Build a Luminous Tiny House in Just 25 Days

Facing a COVID-19 shutdown, Taylor and Michaella McClendon recruit their family to build a breezy tiny home on the Big Island—which you can now purchase for $99,800.

A view from the bedroom loft.

A Snug Garden Studio Makes Room for a New Zealand Family’s Growing Sons

A translucent pergola shades this 183-square-foot studio made from hardy OSB.

Photo: Paul McCredie

A pergola made of opaque, corrugated polycarbonate extends from the front facade and guards against bright sunlight, wind, and rain.

Photo: Paul McCredie

A Pint-Sized Japanese Tiny Home Is Shaped Like a Milk Carton

The house may measure fewer than 600 square feet, but with an open plan, clever built-ins, and high ceilings, it shows that compact doesn't have to mean cramped.

Sasaki placed an open-plan kitchen, dining area, and living space on the second level; a flexible loft space is situated above the kitchen.

A Porch in Italy Is Reborn as a Tiny Cabin With Eye-Popping Interiors

Drawing from Persian design, Francesca Perani Enterprise creates an urban hideaway with budget-conscious materials like OSB and printed floor tile.

Printed, marble-pattern floor tiles were used for the kitchen counter to add texture to the space and echo the pattern of the OSB. "I was looking for a low-cost material that was playful, bold, and resistant," says architect Francesca Perani. "I only needed to use two large tiles, so the cost was very low."

A Pair of Pine Cone-Shaped Tree Houses Overlook a Grand Fjord in Norway

Two rentable dwellings suspended from living trees bring a couple’s dream to life.

The interior also features numerous local touches, including a pair of oak Krysset chairs in natural leather by the Norwegian furniture company Eikund.

Vote for Best Small Space in the 2020 Dwell Design Awards.

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