How small can you go? Real tiny houses for rent

Tiny houses are hot. With their very own blog and Facebook group, more and more people are experimenting with minimalist lifestyles.

With innovative space-saving features like those you might find on a sailboat or in a lower Manhattan apartment, many tiny houses are striking works of design. Benefits for owners or renters include low cost, low utility bills and a much lower carbon footprint. But could you actually live in one?

Turns out you can try one on vacation. HomeAway.com scoured its rental listings for tiny houses, cabins and cottages, from popular vacation spots like Jackson Hole to major cities like Portland, Ore. See the slideshow above for some of the enticing options for renters.

Readers, have you lived in or stayed at a tiny house? Tell your fellow travelers what it's like in the comments section.