12 Totally Amazing Treehouse Designs

Do your little monkeys swing from the rafters? Why not give them a more appropriate haven in the trees outside? Treehouses are the stuff childhood is made of. Heavenly escapes from the trappings of daily life… a sweet spot in nature that belongs solely to you. These eleven inspiring treehouse designs have us longing for a lofty landing of our own. The uber crafty among you may even be compelled to head into the great outdoors to build a treehouse for your tykes.

Eilas Family Treehouse
A tree runs through the center of this amazing outdoor abode that one super cool and talented dad built for his kids. In addition to a patio and balcony, the two-story stunner even boasts electricity. For a glimpse into the construction process, head over to Eilas’ Blog.

Photo courtesy of Laurel Pankratz

Kid Baltimore Treehouse
Yet another talented papa built this awesome and eco-friendly treehouse for his kiddos. By using salvaged and repurposed materials, he was able to complete the sweet retreat for a mere $300. The family incorporated interesting items they found on their property, the site of an old farmhouse, including a tricycle wheel (sweet! We only wish it was red), metal mesh and an “entrance” sign — proving the old adage that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

The Hemloft
An aspiring carpenter who was living out of his car built this secret egg-shaped pod in a tree in the woods in Whistler, Canada, using free materials from various sources. The cat got out of the bag when Dwell Magazine featured the spectacular treehouse in their magazine, and now the young builder wants to know what he should do next to keep the Hemloft a special place, since it’s built on land he doesn’t own. Share your thoughts here.

Treehouse by Barbara Butler
We can’t all whittle wood into a treehouse for our kids, so thank goodness for designers like Barbara Butler, whose all-natural dream treehouses we love. One of our favorite designs of hers is the ‘Atherton,’ which elevates the treehouse concept to new heights by making the dwelling a complete play structure with a thrilling zip line!

J.K. Rowling’s Mini Hogwarts Treehouse
The Harry Potter author turned multi-millionaire is in the process of building a dream treehouse for her children, which will be designed to resemble the turrets from everyone’s favorite school of wizardry, Hogwarts. Blue Forest will build the structures, which will set back Rowlings a reported £250,000 (approximately $400,000). Spiral staircases, trap doors and secret tunnels will be delightful features of the adventurous tree houses which will also boast finishing touches, such as owl perches, that are reminiscent of the Harry Potter stories.

Treehouse Beds
If you’re lacking in outdoor space, bring the magic of a treehouse inside and keep your child’s dreams coming true with a treehouse bed. In addition to having the most sublime slumbering spot on the block, kids will probably jump at the chance to literally climb into bed at day’s end… and couldn’t every parent use a leg-up when sending little ones off to sleep? Here are 6 amazing treehouse beds that will do the trick.

Castle on the Hill
What’s even better than a treehouse? A castle in the trees, of course. One amazingly talented grandfather built this storybook treehouse for his grandchildren. Fun-filled features including a slide, a climbing wall and a sandbox are all included amidst the creative architecture which transforms found items like bedposts and and an old satellite dish into the makings of a majestic castle fit for a pint-sized king.

Spiral Treehouse
While France is probably another summer vacation away, this tree house must be marked on your to-do list (or admired from afar). Hidden in Rambouillet Forest, this tiny cabin is like Rapunzel’s secret tower, only much easier to get into. No matter the season, winter or summer, the tree house blends beautifully with its environment.

Free Spirit Spheres
This isn’t your average camping ground or hotel, but a dream come true for adults who want to fulfill their childhood dreams (unfortunately kiddos under 16 years are not allowed for liability reasons). These spheres sway gently above the breeze, hanging between three trees, and will open up your creative mind just by being in such a distinctive shape! If you ever find your way to Qualicum Beach, Canada, be sure to book a stay at the Free Spirit Spheres.

Pirates Perfect Lookout Platform
Life as a young explorer does not get much better than this. Right on the banks of a river, this golden abode will surely inspire the kiddos imagination as they explore their inner Sea Captain. The swinging bridge leading to a completely separate platform makes this simple structure seem enormous and magical. Thanks to pinterest.com and Melis Sunal for pinning this riverside getaway.

The Mirror Cube
Can you spy with your little eye the hotel in the treetops? Well, it’s okay if you can’t because you’re not meant to. The eco-friendly hotel blends in with the rest of the forest because of its unique walls made out of mirrors. It is a perfect escape from the real world as you rest camouflaged amongst all the forest dwellers. To check out more about The Mirror Cube and learn about the other five rooms Treehotel has to offer at treehotel.se.

Photo courtesy of Norcal Blogs

Space Shuttle Tree House
A space shuttle and tree house all in one?! Sign us up. This lucky kid’s dad spent an entire year welding, grinding, and laser cutting to create this must-see space shuttle themed tree house. The tree house features pilot controls, thrusters and it even vibrates to simulate a rock engine. The cool factor of this structure is literally out of this world.