There s a grassroots movement in tiny homes these days. The real estate collapse the economic downturn burning out on 12-hour workdays - many people are rethinking their ideas about shelter - seeking an alternative to high rents or a lifelong mortgage debt to a bank on an overpriced home. Homes on land homes on wheels homes on the road homes on water even homes in the trees. There are also studios saunas garden sheds and greenhouses. There are 1 300 photos showing a rich variety of small homemade shelters and there are stories (and thoughts and inspirations) of the owner-builders who are on the forefront of this new trend in downsizing and self-sufficiency. You can buy a ready-made tiny home build your own get a kit or pre-fab or live in a bus houseboat or other movable shelter. Some cities have special ordinances for building in-law or granny flats in the back yard. There are innovative solutions in cities such as the capsules in Tokyo. If you re thinking of scaling back you ll find plenty of inspiration shown by builders designers architects dreamers artists road gypsies and water dwellers who ve achieved a measure of freedom and independence by taking shelter into their own hands.