8 of the most envy-inducing tiny homes of the year — including a house that can be printed for less than $4,000

As housing becomes more expensive in cities, the trend of tiny living continues to pick up steam.

In 2018, tiny homes caught the eye of major corporations, acclaimed designers, car manufacturers, and 3D-printing companies, which each put their unique stamp on the concept.

The results were some of the most envy-inducing miniature structures ever built.

Whereas the typical tiny home is cluttered and claustrophobic, a few clever designers and architects have managed to make their units feel luxurious and spacious.

Some tower over the ocean, some sit atop mountains, and others are designed to sit in your backyard.

Here are 8 structures that represent the best tiny homes constructed or critically recognized in 2018.

An island of tiny homes sits on the coast of Northern Norway.

An island of tiny homes sits on the coast of Northern Norway. BusinessInsider

The island of tiny structures is intended as a retreat for artists and musicians, though the homes have attracted members of the general public as well.

You can rent the entire island for just

This house runs on Dunkin' — literally (well, almost).

This house runs on Dunkin' — literally (well, almost). BusinessInsider

Dunkin' Donuts isn't the first company to dabble in tiny home construction, but it's the first to build a tiny home that runs almost entirely on coffee.

With help from the manufacturing company Blue Marble Biomaterials, Dunkin' converted 65,000 pounds of spent coffee grounds into enough fuel to power the entire structure.

Though the home is only 275 square feet, it has enough room for a

Yves Béhar's prefabricated units could be a solution to the housing affordability crisis in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Yves Béhar's prefabricated units could be a solution to the housing affordability crisis in Los Angeles and San Francisco. BusinessInsider

As a designer at the forefront of innovation, it seemed natural for Yves

$280,000, he plans to design a more affordable line.

BMW designed a line of small luxury cabins.

BMW designed a line of small luxury cabins. BusinessInsider

These luxury cabins are a productMINI Living

traditional Chinese courtyard, or hutong, which creates a mixture of private and communal areas.

Though hutongs are slowly dying out, Sun's design offers a vision of how they could be incorporated into the 21st century.

The US' first permitted 3D printed home debuted in Texas.

The US' first permitted 3D printed home debuted in Texas. BusinessInsider

This house's sleek and sturdy exterior was made possible by a 3D printer called The Vulcan, which can produce a home onsite without having to piece together individual parts.

the housing nonprofit N

The design company Land Ark created a "Mad Men"-inspired RV.