"The smaller footprint makes them extra cozy this time of year. What’s not to love?” asks Dan Dobrowolski, founder of tiny home manufacturer ESCAPE Homes. It built this Airbnb known as The Glass House.

If you’ve ever watched one of the myriad TV shows on tiny homes and thought, “I’d love to stay in one of those, but there’s no way I’d live in it full time,” here’s some good news: these seven unique rentable tiny houses make ideal cozy winter weekend getaways.

The tiny home movement is both architectural and social, advocating for simple living in a small space in order to reduce our load on the environment. In the U.S., the trend stretches back to 1845, when Henry David Thoreau constructed a 10-by-10-foot petite paradise on Walden Pond. More recently, the 2008 financial crisis created renewed interest in miniature houses, with promises of affordability and, in some cases, portability.

The craze shows no sign of abating. HGTV, the mothership of residential vogue, now has not one or two but six shows dedicated to diminutive domiciles.

Today’s tiny home isn’t a Thoreau-esque exercise in ascetism. The most popular size is 8 by 24 feet outside, with 400 square feet of living space inside — a little larger than the average hotel room. They come equipped with scaled-down versions of the same basic spaces you’d find in a full-size home — kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and living area — and often have amenities like porches, hot tubs, and fire pits.

But the appeal goes beyond simple convenience. Dan Dobrowolski, founder of ESCAPE Homes, a tiny home manufacturer whose designs can be found around the region, says, "Tiny houses are social distancing personified. Their unique nature makes them a great experience, and many are in great locations. Plus the smaller footprint makes them extra cozy this time of year. What’s not to love?"

(Speaking of love, many tiny homes only sleep two people, so they’re romantic to boot.)

Consider one of these small spreads for your winter vacation. Remember to ask about amenities you’re excited about, to ensure they’ll be available during your visit.

“The Tiny” at the “Hemptons” in Chatham, New York: View listing here

Beds on either side make this a good choice for four people.

This rectangular curiosity in a quiet neighborhood is a snug, light-filled delight. With 400 square feet of space, a full-size bathroom, and a loft bedroom on each end, it’s a good choice for a small family or two couples.

The kitchen has a coffeemaker and tea kettle, along with all the basics for cooking a simple meal. For lazy afternoons or evenings in, “The Tiny” is equipped with WiFi and HDTV. Have breakfast on the deck, or toss a few logs on the fire pit and watch the sun set. Guests have access to the property’s private fields, as well as marked trails in the surrounding woods. From $172/night on Airbnb for up to four people

A burst of cheerful red on the edge of a spring-fed lake, Goose Landing Cottage checks a bunch of vacation boxes: it’s quiet, surrounded by nature, mere steps away from a scenic body of water, and a short drive from central Red Hook and Tivoli.

Sip a hot toddy from the dock or pergola and enjoy Canada geese flying in V formations over the lake, or deer browsing at the edge of the forest. Or unwind in the private hot tub after a day of snowshoeing and sightseeing. The cottage’s interior is a mix of rustic and modern, including a sleek black-and-white palette in the kitchen and a living room with beamed ceilings and wide-plank floors, plus a cushioned window seat for curling up with a book (it doubles as a twin-size bed). The bathroom features radiant-heat floors and a walk-in rain shower, plus a washer and dryer. From $270/night on VRBO for up to four people  

Tiny house in New Paltz, New York: View listing here

Hikers will be at home in this tiny getaway near the Shawangunk Ridge.

Looking for a getaway to the Gunks? This property is close to the hikers’ favorite, as well as to Minnewaska State Park and downtown New Paltz. The couple who owns the rental are all about healthy living, and have outfitted it accordingly. You’ll find natural woods; organic sheets, mattresses, and pillows; a composting toilet; and a fresh-air system. The home is solar powered, and includes an outdoor fire pit for toasting s’mores.

Whether it’s the warm blond paneling, the winding walk down to the river, or the sunshine streaming through the well-placed windows, this tiny house has a soothing quality that invites relaxation. From $120 a night on Airbnb for two people

Some of the tiny homes here sleep up to six people. 

Located in the Catskill Mountains just 2 hours from New York City and 25 minutes from Woodstock and Saugerties, this is the region’s first resort composed entirely of tiny houses. Among the dozen-plus styles and sizes, you can easily find a dog-friendly mini cottage for a solo or couples’ getaway, or a vacation space for up to six friends or family members.

In addition to a kitchen, bedroom, and full bathroom with flush toilet, each rental has a private patio with fire pit and gas grill. Wake up to fresh, complimentary eggs from the owners’ chickens. Don’t feel like cooking for yourself? Head to — or order delivery from — the onsite food truck for breakfast or lunch Thursday through Monday, or dinner on Fridays. Get your fill of cuteness with a visit to the property’s coterie of critters, including goats, ducks, and rabbits. Starting at $275/night for two people (and up to $499/night for six)

The Glass House in Marlboro, New York: View listing here

Gaze at the stars by night, wake up with the sun at dawn.

Famous among tiny houses, this glass-walled stunner has made appearances in the New York Times and on the “Today” show, which dubbed it an “off-grid oasis.”

Located in wine country about 90 minutes north of New York City, the Glass House sits high on a hill on a 30-acre farm, overlooking vineyards and orchards. Modern and plush in only 180 square feet, it’s the ultimate sleep-under-the-stars experience. This is the place for you if you’ve ever wanted to sip a nightcap nose-to-nose (through glass, of course) with a coyote, or count the stripes on a Cooper’s hawk’s tail as it swoops overhead, panning the landscape for snacks. Starting at $239/night on Airbnb for two people

Container Cabin in the Catskills, Saugerties, New York: View listing here

BYO firewood for the firepit and the woodstove.

A tiny home rental that also qualifies as a hipster glamping retreat, this four-season, 20-foot cabin is made from a shipping container and is completely off-grid. It has a wood stove (BYO firewood) and a foot pump for producing running water. In nearby outbuildings, there’s a shared sauna and a bathroom with composting toilet, complete with a holder “for your beer.”

The Container Cabin has a kitchenette with a cooler, and a queen-size sofa bed with organic linens. Kick it old school with the battery-powered record player. Lounge on the patio. Or practice your Cat and Cow on the yoga platform. Spend the day hiking nearby, then fall asleep to the not-too-distant sound of the 250-plus-foot Kaaterskill Falls. Starting at $204/night on Airbnb for two people

Getaway cabins come with a small libary to encourage snuggling up with a book.

In a sense, Getaway is like a short-term rental platform dedicated to tiny homes, specializing only in modern, minimalist cabins for one couple or two. The compact kitchenettes and baths have everything you need, and beds are situated by picture windows that peer into the woods. A small library is standard so you’ll have reading material, and a cell phone lockbox encourages you to unplug (a landline is installed in each cabin in case of emergencies, as WiFi is spotty). The Eastern Catskills cabins are located in Catskill; the Western Catskills cabins are in Roscoe, and you’ll get the exact location when you book. From $109 a night for two people

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