Muji's Tiny Huts Mean You Can Own A Retreat In Your Dream Location

Many of us daydream about having a house in our perfect location, whether that’s by the coast with a stunning sea view, or tucked away in the heart of the countryside among rolling hills. Minimalist Japanese brand Muji has just come up with a super stylish hut that could bring that dream closer to reality.

Not quite a holiday home, but certainly more stylish than a caravan, these small but perfectly formed cabins from Muji are ideal for those who want a retreat at their favourite spot.

It’s a pretty compact nine square metres inside (97 square feet), but it can still accommodate three or four people, with the bonus of a sheltered porch and a high hipped roof. The hut is made for spectacular surroundings – the large glazed doors frame picture-perfect views and can be pushed back to connect the internal spaces to the great outdoors.

While minimalist in aesthetic, traditional craftsmanship has gone into the making of these huts. The ancient Japanese method of ‘shou sugi ban’, which is essentially burning the wood to give it additional strength and antiseptic qualities, has been used to give the huts a lasting and beautiful finish that can blend in with the landscape. In addition, the house is built on a concrete slab base to ensure it lasts longer and to protect it from moisture.

Just like the outside cladding, the internal walls are made from native Japanese timber – simple cypress plywood has been used for the interior, which has been left untreated so the owner can customise it, while the smooth mortar floor has been left in its raw state, both fitting the streamlined look but also making it practical to clean. Additionally, this offers owners the option to add a floor covering of their choosing or to simply lay down a rug to soften the look.

Simplicity is at the heart of this design, and as such there’s no kitchen or bathroom included in the hut, but the ¥3,000,000 price tag (around £20,000) includes the construction materials and contractor fees. It’ll be on sale from autumn this year, initially only in Japan – Muji is yet to release a date for when it will be sold elsewhere.

About the author

Charlotte Luxford

Architecture & Design Editor

As Culture Trip's architecture and design expert, Charlotte has more than 12 years' industry experience, working for an array of national publications. Prior to joining Culture Trip, Charlotte was the editor of Grand Designs Magazine, steering the magazine in a new direction and overseeing a new look for the title. She has also worked for mass media organisation TI Media, providing content for Livingetc, Ideal Home, Country Homes & Interiors and Homes & Gardens. Charlotte has always had a passion for design and is also a qualified interior designer, having completed a diploma in her spare time. At Culture Trip, Charlotte has worked closely with institutions including the Design Museum and London Design Festival, as well as interviewing design heroes such as Thomas Heatherwick and Sir Terence Conran.