19 Super Creative Spaces People Have Listed on Airbnb (That Aren’t Houses)

Become an Airbnb host, they said. You’ll make extra money.

If you’re anything like me, you don’t even have room to turn around in your kitchen, let alone an extra room to rent.

Not to worry. You don’t have to have an extra room — or an extra house — to make money on Airbnb. These days, hosts are getting super creative and offering a little bit of everything.

We found 19 of the most creative Airbnb listings to get you thinking outside the box — I mean room.

1. Ridin’ Silo: A Wisconsin Glamping Getaway

All right. Not everyone has a silo sitting around in their backyard, but Jordan and Ashley of Helenville, Wisconsin do.

The couple has decked out this five-story “glamping tower” with all the essentials: TV, heating and air conditioning, hot water and a toilet. To add intrigue, each floor holds a different surprise. For example, the fourth floor contains a hammock and a trapdoor. (There’s no mention of what’s behind that trapdoor…)

The tower is listed for $85 per night, and there’s also an adjacent barn loft for rent, listed for $52 per night.

2. Hideaway on the High Seas: A South Carolina Houseboat

As a Floridian, I see marinas upon marinas full of beautiful — but vacant — boats. If you own a sailboat, a fishing boat or, in this case, a houseboat, list it on Airbnb when it’s not in use.

This Charleston, South Carolina, houseboat was gutted and totally redone — and then featured on “FYI’s Tiny House Hunters.” But that’s unrelated. The boat sits at a private slip at Seabreeze Marina and has a sweeping view of the Ravenel Bridge.

Justin, the host, has the space listed for $151 per night. And it looks like travelers bite (fishing pun intended) as the listing features 128 mostly five-star reviews.

3. Not Everything’s Bigger: A Vintage Airstream in Texas

Campers and RVs are great fun, but for those who own one, answer me this: How often do you use yours? If it’s not your full-time abode, and you have a job, kids and all those responsibilities, your answer is probably “not as often as I’d like.”

Airbnb hosts Jennifer and Gregory have an incredible setup with their vintage Airstream. It sits alongside a creek in Wimberley, Texas, and boasts a hot tub, firepit and outdoor shower (“room for two!” the listing states).

The Airstream proves popular — it’s been viewed more than 500 times this week. Each night starts at $130.

4. The Ultimate Ritz Bitz: A Florida Tiny Home

So maybe you don’t have an extra house… do you have an extra tiny house?

Meet The Ritz. Nope, not the hotel. It’s a tiny home situated in Orlando, within the Orlando Lakefront Tiny Home & RV Community. Adam, the host, is actually the founder and owner of the community and has several other tiny homes available through Airbnb.

The Ritz, in particular, is listed for $87 per night.

5. Garage Band: A Night in Tennessee

Disclaimer: I stayed here last year, and it was one of my favorite Airbnb spots. It was cozy, clean and so Nashville.

This private Nashville “cottage,” which is garage-sized, is situated in the host’s backyard. The studio-style space offers all the necessities: a (super comfortable) bed, a small kitchenette and a bathroom (with the most incredible shower ever).

The listing starts at $84 a night, and I’d totally pay it again. (Thanks, Debra!)

6. Take Me Home, Country Roads: A West Virginia School Bus

You’d be surprised by the number of old school buses you’ll find for sale on Craigslist and eBay. You can snag a decent-looking ’90s model for a little over $1,000.

Then do what Airbnb host Will did and convert it into a cozy spot for guests to rent. The 1997 bus, located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, is equipped with a wood-burning stove, a full-sized bed and air conditioning for those warm summer months.

To date, the bus has received 342 reviews, and the listing has been viewed nearly 350 times just this week.

Guests pay $52 per night to experience the Magic School Bus. (OK, I did that. Not Will.)

7. Unbelieveabubble: A Bubble in the California Clouds

I mean, I didn’t want to choose favorites here, but I think the award for “Most Creative Airbnb Host of 2017” goes to Monic for her “social circle contemplation.”

The listing promises you’ll “emerge into a pure awakening through this unique encounter with nature.”

Really, it’s a giant bubble on a patch of green grass in Malibu. The clouds part comes from the fact that it’s on top of Mount Shangri and is actually located in the clouds. In the bubble, guests sleep on an air mattress — naturally.

At least one guest (per the reviews) has been willing to pay the $295 per night listing price.

8. We Ship You Not: A Shipping Container in North Carolina

Tiny home, meet your newest playmate: the shipping container.

Take creative notes from Shelby, an Airbnb host who rents out her shipping container home in Carolina Beach, North Carolina. At 320 square feet, the container contains a bed, a sleeper sofa and bathroom. Plus, it has two sunning decks.

This listing has received more than 500 views this week. Rates start at $125 per night.

9. Hang in There: Suspended Hammocks in Missouri

Admittedly, we featured this Airbnb hotspot on our list of unique Airbnbs under $100. But how could I not include it here, too?

This, my friends, is what Airbnb hosts Benka and Keith call “hammping.” It’s camping — in a hammock. Can you get more creative than that? (Besides the bubble listing above…)

The Park Hills, Missouri, spot consists of two waterproof hammock tents, a fire pit, LED lamps, a grill — and all your camping essentials. A building nearby contains the toilet and a coffee maker (the important things…).

The starting price for these hammpers (?) is $49 per night.

10. Take Cover: A Rustic Montana Wagon

Got an old covered wagon around? List it on Airbnb, and folks just might be willing to pay $100 per night to sleep in it.

I mean, it should probably be nice inside, too, like this sheepherder’s wagon in Belgrade, Montana. It’s located on a family sheep farm, naturally, and is surrounded by mountains.

Plus, it only comes with what’s necessary: a bed. Outside, guests will find a shower house and a composting outhouse.

Earn bonus points if you can provide your guests with goats, a llama and mini mules.

11. The Chug Life: A Train in Illinois

Amy, the host (or conductor?) of this train, is an elementary school teacher. In this listing, she gives us a history lesson.

The train car she rents out in Plano, Illinois, was built in 1905 and was the equivalent to today’s Air Force One for presidents Warren G. Harding and Woodrow Wilson. And, man, this thing is stately. It has four rooms, an observation deck and a dining room.

She doesn’t explain how her family got their hands on the car, but she is able to make $189 per night listing it on Airbnb.

12. Living in “Present Tents”: A Michigan Tent

Invest in a tent, pitch it in your backyard and give it a creative name!

That’s what Jim did in Ignace, Michigan. “The Hidden Outpost” contains an air mattress and two full-sized lounge chairs. And, no, it’s not one of those tiny claustrophobic tents. It’s pretty darn big. Plus, a bathroom is nearby. The views of Lake Michigan ain’t bad either.

Jim sees $95 a night for this backyard hang.

13. May The Forest Be With You: A New York Treehouse

When I was a kid, my dad built a treehouse for my brother and me. Little did he know, he could have made some money off that thing.

(OK, it wasn’t as nice as this listing I’m about to mention. No offense, Dad. It didn’t have a roof!)

Take notes from this rustic abode positioned in the trees of Argyle, New York. It’s off the grid, meaning no electricity or Wi-Fi. (And no bills for the host!) But it comes with beautiful views and a cozy gas stove.

Folks seeking an outdoor adventure snag this place for $155 per night.

14. Golden State of Mind: A Platform in California

If you don’t have the carpentry skills to build a treehouse, perhaps settle for a platform.

Host Tammy Sioux lists her “Avocado Deck,” or a camping platform, for Joshua Tree, California, visitors. It’s wide enough for a four-person tent and will keep it safe from the ground elements. (The ground gets cold out there at night.) She decked the location out with old couches, hammocks, a giant seesaw — even a trampoline.

The platform starts at $45 per night.

15. O Holy Night: A Church in Colorado

You might be surprised by the amount of churches you see listed on Airbnb… I was.

Here’s an example: It’s a church built in the 1930s in Denver that’s been converted into an Airbnb suite with two master bedrooms. In total, the space holds up to 10 guests.

Rates start at $449 per night, and plenty of reviewers have loved it for large get-togethers. (Though a church might not be the best place for a wild bachelorette party.)

16. Love Yurts: An Alaskan Camping Experience

 

Yurts, which are portable round tents nomads camped in, are also all the rage on Airbnb. It’s basically the most hipster version of a tent, in my opinion.

You’ll see what I mean with this yurt example in Talkeetna, Alaska. The space is heated with a woodstove, and guests are within walking distance of warm coffee. There is electricity in this yurt (some don’t have it), but there’s no running water — just an outhouse.

The Alaskan yurt has 237 reviews, and the host starts nightly rates at $85.

17. Raise the Roof: A Pennsylvania Attic

What’s your attic situation like? Honestly, there’s probably no turning back with my family’s, but some people get blessed with those straight-from-a-movie attics.

Like this one in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania. It actually is kind of from the movies as it was the location of an Urban Outfitters photoshoot. Anyhow, the converted attic loft is marketed as a cozy and/or romantic destination for couples or creatives.

Hosts Christopher and Claudia have the spot listed for $99 per night.

18. Lawn & Order: A Patch of Grass in Vermont

You’re sitting here thinking: Well, I don’t have access to any of this stuff. And I can’t put together a tent without having an anxiety attack; I can’t build a yurt, let alone a treehouse; and where do I find a covered wagon?

Don’t panic. You can always list a patch of grass like Airbnb host Jinny in Royalton, Vermont. Granted, it’s a pretty piece of grass, but nonetheless it’s just a spot for someone to park their tent for a few nights rather than scoping out an overcrowded campground. She also offers basic amenities like a picnic table and a firepit.

The listing starts at $25 per night.

19. Make Like a Potato: A Couch in Ohio

Still scratching your head because you don’t even have a backyard? Well, you have a couch… right?

Columbus, Ohio, host Luke lists his Italian leather sofa on Airbnb for $15 a night. Guests get access to his kitchen, bathroom and “a big ass smart 3D TV.”

He has six reviews, so you know there’s some type of market for couches out there.

So there you have it: 19 of the most creative spaces we could find on Airbnb. Think you can give them a run for their money? (But actually… money. There’s big potential for it through Airbnb.)

Here are a few tips to make money on Airbnb:

1. Make your space available during high-demand times in your area. Think: concerts, conventions and sporting events in your area.
2. Be a good host, and make sure your place is stocked with the toiletries you’d expect at a hotel — toilet paper, soap and towels.
3. Be personable. A lot of travelers turn to Airbnb for the personal touch they won’t find at commercial properties.

Here’s the link to sign up as an Airbnb host.

(Hosting laws vary from city to city. Please understand the rules and regulations applicable to your city and listing.)

Carson Kohler (@CarsonKohler) is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She just might plan her next vacation around that shipping container in North Carolina…