20 photos of off-grid homes that will make you want to move to the middle of nowhere

Erin McDowellSep 2, 2020, 22:35 IST

This Earthship in Brighton, UK, is completely sustainable and autonomous.Photofusion/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images

More people are ditching city life and choosing to live off-grid in self-sufficient, nature-powered homes.
Some homes, called Earthships, are built using natural and upcycled building materials such as earth-packed tires, mud, clay, and glass bottles.
Other off-grid home builders are going all out with luxurious, yet completely autonomous, builds.

From Earthships to "hobbit homes," these off-grid homes are just a few examples of how people are ditching city life in favor of living much more remotely.

While laws vary on the legality of living off-grid in a home powered by solar, wind, or hydropower, some are throwing caution to the wind and embracing the sustainable lifestyle.

Here are 20 photos of off-grid homes that will make you want to move to the middle of nowhere.

This narrow off-grid home was built in a tree canopy of a South African nature reserve.

An exterior view of the House of the Big Arch. © Frankie Pappas

The structure relies on solar panels and rainwater collection to power the remote home.

The entrance to the House of the Big Arch. © Frankie Pappas

No trees were taken down during the construction of the home, which features a sun-lit lounge, dining room, kitchen, and even an outdoor deck with a fireplace.

The dining room inside the House of the Big Arch. © Frankie Pappas

This tiny pod called an Ecocapsule is powered by solar energy and wind.

Ecocapsule. Ecocapsule

The egg-shaped design of the pod is meant to prevent heat loss.

Ecocapsule's kitchenette. Ecocapsule

This Phoenix Earthship looks like a green and blue oasis in the middle of the New Mexico desert.

Phoenix Earthship in Taos, New Mexico. Phoenix Earthship/Airbnb

Solar panels and rainwater collecting systems power the unique home.

Phoenix Earthship in Taos, New Mexico. Ricardo DeAratanha/Getty Images

Indoor gardens with plants, fruits, and vegetables are also a major part of the Earthship's design.

Phoenix Earthship in Taos, New Mexico. PABLO PORCIUNCULA/Getty Images

Guests from all over the world have stayed in the Phoenix Earthship.

Phoenix Earthship in Taos, New Mexico. Ricardo DeAratanha/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

This Earthship in Brighton, UK, was built by the organization Low Carbon Trust.

Earthship in Brighton, UK. Photofusion/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images

It is the first Earthship to be built in England.

Earthship in Brighton, UK. Photofusion/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images

The Normandy Earthship in Ger, France, is also self-sufficient.

Earthship in Normandy. Pierre HOUNSFIELD/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

The main exterior wall was constructed with tires, while the interior walls were built using recycled bottles embedded into cement made from mud and straw.

Earthship in Normandy. Pierre HOUNSFIELD/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

The Earthship has three bedrooms for guests.

The interior of the Earthship in Normandy. Pierre HOUNSFIELD/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

A Norwegian family built this dome-shaped, off-grid home from all-natural materials.

Ingrid and Benjamin Hjertefolger's off-grid home in Norway. Benjamin Hjertefolger/Barcroft/Barcroft Media/Getty Images

Inside the dome-shaped abode, the Hjertefolgers are able to grow their own produce.

Ingrid and Benjamin Hjertefolger's off-grid home in Norway. Benjamin Hjertefolger/Barcroft/Barcroft Media/Getty Images

The dome is equipped with a modern bathroom and uses a water treatment system that allows the family to sustainably source water.

Ingrid and Benjamin Hjertefolger's off-grid home in Norway. Benjamin Hjertefolger/Barcroft/Barcroft Media/Getty Images

Kris Harbour left London to build an off-grid "hobbit home" in South Wales.

Kris Harbour and Dot Bere in front of their off-grid home in South Wales. Marcus Hessenberg/Barcroft Media/Getty Images

The house took about a year to complete and is almost completely made using natural materials.

Kris Harbour and Dot Bere's off-grid home in South Wales. Marcus Hessenberg/Barcroft Media/Getty Images

The small studio-style home is off-grid and powered by solar and hydropower.

Kris Harbour and Dot Bere's off-grid home in South Wales. Marcus Hessenberg/Barcroft Media/Getty Images

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20 photos of off-grid homes that will make you want to move to the middle of nowhere

This narrow off-grid home was built in a tree canopy of a South African nature reserve.

The structure relies on solar panels and rainwater collection to power the remote home.

No trees were taken down during the construction of the home, which features a sun-lit lounge, dining room, kitchen, and even an outdoor deck with a fireplace.

This tiny pod called an Ecocapsule is powered by solar energy and wind.

The egg-shaped design of the pod is meant to prevent heat loss.

This Phoenix Earthship looks like a green and blue oasis in the middle of the New Mexico desert.

Solar panels and rainwater collecting systems power the unique home.

Indoor gardens with plants, fruits, and vegetables are also a major part of the Earthship's design.

Guests from all over the world have stayed in the Phoenix Earthship.

This Earthship in Brighton, UK, was built by the organization Low Carbon Trust.

It is the first Earthship to be built in England.

The Normandy Earthship in Ger, France, is also self-sufficient.

The main exterior wall was constructed with tires, while the interior walls were built using recycled bottles embedded into cement made from mud and straw.

The Earthship has three bedrooms for guests.

A Norwegian family built this dome-shaped, off-grid home from all-natural materials.

Inside the dome-shaped abode, the Hjertefolgers are able to grow their own produce.

The dome is equipped with a modern bathroom and uses a water treatment system that allows the family to sustainably source water.

Kris Harbour left London to build an off-grid "hobbit home" in South Wales.

The house took about a year to complete and is almost completely made using natural materials.

The small studio-style home is off-grid and powered by solar and hydropower.