Take a tour of the world's most beautiful desert homes

These stunning desert dwellings are no mirage

These stunning desert dwellings are no mirage, Folly Joshua Tree, California, USA, Monument House, California, USA, Suzanne Somers’ desert compound, California, USA, The Cedar House, California, USA, Pobble House, Kent, UK, Mia Riad, California, USA, Tucson Mountain Retreat, Arizona, USA, Dancing Light House, Arizona, USA, Arroyo House, Nevada, USA, Casa Caldera, Arizona, USA, Shapeshifter, Nevada, USA

When we think of desert landscapes, we picture barren plains, undulating dunes and nothing but sand for miles. Yet some clever architects have ventured into these arid locations to design and build breathtaking architecture inspired by the environment around them.

From an angular zinc-clad home in Nevada to an imposing self-build in the UK's only desert, these wild and wonderful properties prove that living in a desert doesn't have to mean foregoing comfort or style.

Click or scroll on to discover these luxurious desert dwellings...

Folly Joshua Tree, California, USA

These stunning desert dwellings are no mirage, Folly Joshua Tree, California, USA, Monument House, California, USA, Suzanne Somers’ desert compound, California, USA, The Cedar House, California, USA, Pobble House, Kent, UK, Mia Riad, California, USA, Tucson Mountain Retreat, Arizona, USA, Dancing Light House, Arizona, USA, Arroyo House, Nevada, USA, Casa Caldera, Arizona, USA, Shapeshifter, Nevada, USA

This modern metal home was designed to blend in with the dramatic desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park, California. It's formed from two cabins, clad in locally sourced and salvaged corten steel.

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The eye-catching residence is set on 5 acres (2ha) and was designed by architect Malek Alqadi for tourists seeking an off-grid yet entirely comfortable retreat.

The larger of the two cabins is home to an open-plan living area, a compact kitchen, a dining space, a bathroom and a mezzanine bedroom accessible via a metal ladder.

These stunning desert dwellings are no mirage, Folly Joshua Tree, California, USA, Monument House, California, USA, Suzanne Somers’ desert compound, California, USA, The Cedar House, California, USA, Pobble House, Kent, UK, Mia Riad, California, USA, Tucson Mountain Retreat, Arizona, USA, Dancing Light House, Arizona, USA, Arroyo House, Nevada, USA, Casa Caldera, Arizona, USA, Shapeshifter, Nevada, USA

The smaller structure houses an incredible open-air bedroom with breathtaking views across the mountains. Perfect for drifting off under the stars while listening to the sounds of the desert.

The exterior is clad in reclaimed, weathered steel to reflect the colours of the surrounding sand. The off-grid home also has large solar panels and guests can monitor their energy consumption during their stay.

Monument House, California, USA

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Architect Josh Schweitzer designed the quirky pad as a retreat for the owners’ close friends and family. However, today it’s an awesome Airbnb you can rent anytime you like.

Schweitzer followed in the footsteps of many notable architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright Jr, more commonly known as Lloyd Wright, by “continuing a rich tradition of experimental and radical architecture in the high desert”, the listing states.

These stunning desert dwellings are no mirage, Folly Joshua Tree, California, USA, Monument House, California, USA, Suzanne Somers’ desert compound, California, USA, The Cedar House, California, USA, Pobble House, Kent, UK, Mia Riad, California, USA, Tucson Mountain Retreat, Arizona, USA, Dancing Light House, Arizona, USA, Arroyo House, Nevada, USA, Casa Caldera, Arizona, USA, Shapeshifter, Nevada, USA

Designed as a reinvention of the modern desert dwelling, the property is split into three distinctive cubes – one pink, one blue and one green. The colours were reportedly chosen to reflect the shades of cacti, desert rocks and the sky.

Each cube boasts sharp, angular windows and doors, which only add to its unusual aesthetic.

These stunning desert dwellings are no mirage, Folly Joshua Tree, California, USA, Monument House, California, USA, Suzanne Somers’ desert compound, California, USA, The Cedar House, California, USA, Pobble House, Kent, UK, Mia Riad, California, USA, Tucson Mountain Retreat, Arizona, USA, Dancing Light House, Arizona, USA, Arroyo House, Nevada, USA, Casa Caldera, Arizona, USA, Shapeshifter, Nevada, USA

Inside, the distinctive design details continue, with the use of bold colours, sloping walls, geometric openings and mismatched furnishings. There’s a single bedroom, one bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, a living room with a double-height ceiling and a dining room.

The pink unit is a sheltered gazebo, kitted out with a dining table, for semi-alfresco meals. The property is enclosed by more than five acres of land and comes with a hot tub nestled in the boulders, a firepit and loungers, for soaking up the desert scenery.

Suzanne Somers’ desert compound, California, USA

These stunning desert dwellings are no mirage, Folly Joshua Tree, California, USA, Monument House, California, USA, Suzanne Somers’ desert compound, California, USA, The Cedar House, California, USA, Pobble House, Kent, UK, Mia Riad, California, USA, Tucson Mountain Retreat, Arizona, USA, Dancing Light House, Arizona, USA, Arroyo House, Nevada, USA, Casa Caldera, Arizona, USA, Shapeshifter, Nevada, USA

American actress and author, Suzanne Somers owned this stunning desert compound in Palm Springs, California, for decades. In fact, she lived there with her game show host husband, Alan Hamel, from the 1970s until 2021, when they off-loaded the place for a cool £6.6 million ($8.5m).

Amazingly, the pair had originally listed the place for £27.2 million ($35m), so the buyer certainly bagged themselves a bargain.

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The compound is made up of five separate buildings, totalling 7,280 square feet (676sqm). The main home comes complete with the master suite and six other bedrooms, as well as nine bathrooms, a dining room that seats 24, a living room, a two-room kitchen and a huge pantry.

There’s also a stone guest house that was designed in the 1920s by Albert Frey. Every room is overflowing with stunning details, such as crystal chandeliers, natural rock walls and reclaimed wood ceilings. Plus, check out this amazing marble tub.

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The compound stretches some 28 acres (11.3ha) and there are about 10,000 square feet (929sqm) of pavilions, where Somers no doubt spent a lot of time soaking up the desert surroundings.

There are two outdoor pools, a spa, a natural waterfall and even an amphitheatre. Carved into the mountainside, it seats 50 people and has a dance floor. There's even a private funicular – a type of cable railway – that can transport people up the hillside in style and comfort.

The property was back on the market in January 2024 via Compass for £7 million ($9m), however, it was removed six months later, according to Realtor.com. Either way, this amazing desert home is undeniably priceless.

The Cedar House, California, USA

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Surrounded by 10 acres (4ha) of land, The Cedar House comes complete with 1,500 square feet (139sqm) of outdoor patio space, making it an entertainer's dream come true.

Inside, there are 1,200 square feet (111sqm) of space and every inch is utterly stunning – think exposed vaulted ceilings, walls of glass, quirky alcove storage, organic light fixtures and furnishings, polished concrete floors and statement tiles.

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The ultimate indoor-outdoor home, the retreat has an open-concept living room, with a dining area and kitchen, which opens to a covered patio.

There are also two bedrooms and two bathrooms, all with large windows framing the dramatic landscape outside.

Pobble House, Kent, UK

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When you picture desert landscapes around the world, you probably wouldn't think about England. But did you know that the county of Kent is home to the UK's only desert? 

Situated on the coast, Dungeness is home to shingle beaches, sand dunes and expansive desert plains. It is also designated a National Nature Reserve due to its wild beauty. It's in the heart of this rugged and exposed landscape that this remarkable home can be found.

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These durable materials also help to protect the property from the region's extreme climate. Despite the house being in an open and exposed location, it remains calm and quiet inside, even on the blusteriest of days.

This was achieved through careful placement of the home and sheltered pockets, ensuring heavy wind doesn't affect the owners' quality of life. Plus, rubber waterproofing was used to seal the timber frame, helping rainwater to drain away quickly.

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The single-storey structure is made up of three blocks and the base of the building is raised above the beach by just 1.6 feet (0.5m), to reduce its impact on the shingle below.

This also allowed the architects to add a private deck outside, where the owners can soak up their surroundings and even dine alfresco. As for the interior, there's a family room, dining area and kitchen, as well as private bedrooms and a bunk room. Incredibly affordable, the project cost just £250,000 ($322).

Mia Riad, California, USA

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More than just a home, the retreat benefits from an amazing outdoor space, with a heated pool, an integrated hot tub, a private courtyard with loungers and more than two acres (0.8ha) of land waiting to be explored.

Plus, with Pioneertown and Joshua Tree National Park just 10 minutes’ drive away, guests can spend their days embracing one of America’s wildest places. And if you like the exterior, you'll simply adore what's going on inside...

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With its contemporary, bohemian décor and sliding doors that connect the interior with the surroundings, the Riad is utterly enticing. Almost every room benefits from interesting details, such as bold ceiling arches, intricate tile work and handmade textiles.

Organic materials, natural timber and a neutral colour palette reflect the sandy surroundings further.

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As for rooms, there's a gorgeous open-plan living area with a dining space and a stunning kitchen, tucked away in a nook.

There are also two bedrooms (imagine waking up to that view each morning!), two bathrooms and multiple "reading, sunbathing and meditation" zones that are perfect for whiling away the hours in style and solitude.

Tucson Mountain Retreat, Arizona, USA

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Set over a single storey, the long and narrow structure features multiple terraces across both the north and south elevations, as well as a deck on the roof.

Local soil was used to build the walls, while wow-factor glazed doors transform the home into a space where the interior living zones and the desert merge seamlessly.

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The internal spaces are separated into three sections – a sleeping and washing area, a lounge and a music studio. In the living room, statement glazed walls slide open to ensure fresh air flows between the rooms.

The ultimate indoor-outdoor interior, residents have to leave the building to travel between the different internal spaces.

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The two bedrooms feature an industrial-style concrete canopy to shelter the rooms from the harsh midday sun, but that’s not the only cool design feature here.

The house produces all of its own water, thanks to a 30,000-gallon rainwater harvesting system – super handy in the desert, where water is in short supply.

Dancing Light House, Arizona, USA

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The poetically named Dancing Light House can be found in Paradise Valley, Arizona, and was completed in 2016.

The work of architects Kendle Design Collaborative, the residence was inspired by nature and the dwelling and its adjoining guest house feature striking geometric lines that mirror the natural geometry of the surrounding land.

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The property was crafted from layered rammed earth walls, concrete, metal and glass, resulting in an organic shape that perfectly suits its desert setting. One of the most dramatic features of the 5,600-square-foot (520sqm) house is its floating roof canopy.

As well as adding wow-factor, it also creates a perfect balance between the smaller, cosier living spaces with lower ceilings and the vast vaulted rooms, framed by the elevated roof at the rear of the property.

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The house was designed to maximise natural light and ventilation, wherever possible. By arranging it around a central courtyard, a wealth of sunlight and fresh air can flood each of the living spaces.

Our favourite feature has to be the swimming pool, which casts enchanting reflections up into the wooden, overhanging canopy.

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The interior has been fitted with state-of-the-art lighting and cooling systems, too, all cleverly concealed within the walls. The organic-inspired interior features natural timber walls, concrete floors, expanses of glass and furnishings in an array of desert hues.

There are endless spaces for reclining and soaking up the views, including an open-plan living area, dining zone and kitchen in the main body of the house. Two wings on either side of this contain bedrooms – one is home to the master suite, which comes with its own glass-enclosed garden, and the other houses two further sleep spaces.

Arroyo House, Nevada, USA

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The exterior walls are formed from concrete, weathered steel and large stretches of glazing.

To protect the property from the intensity of the desert heat, deep roof overhangs have been added, while shaded patios encircle the house to provide extra protection from the sun's ray.

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Built as a residence that the homeowners could enjoy in their golden years, future-proofing was an important consideration. As such, all of the living spaces have been placed on the same level, while the wraparound deck connects each area of the property for ease of access.

Other accessibility features include grab rails and a wet room. All of the rooms are also easy to manoeuvre around, with concrete floors and plenty of circulation space.

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Sustainability was also a top priority for the homeowners, so low-flow plumbing fixtures and non-toxic paint were incorporated into the design of the home.

Grey water is treated onsite, thanks to a septic system, and the owners are planning to install photovoltaic solar panels, with the aim of generating more energy than the home consumes.

Casa Caldera, Arizona, USA

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When coming up with the design, the architects took inspiration from the local vernacular and the 'zaguan' housing typology. Compact at just under 1,000 square feet (93sqm), this house model is straightforward: two bedrooms sit opposite the living space, which includes a kitchen, dining and sitting area. A zaguan, or wide central hallway, runs between them.

As for the material palette, the architects were influenced by the surrounding desert plains. The home’s walls are composed of a mixture of pulverised, lightweight red scoria and cement – or lava-crete – in the same colour as the dirt beneath.

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At the heart of the house, the sheltered courtyard frames views of the valley beyond and can also be used as a dining area when the weather allows.

While the internal layout is open-plan, for security reasons, the owners requested the architects make the shell of the home impenetrable. And at 18-inches (45.7cm) thick, the walls are certainly that!

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Inside, the rooms are kept simple and light, with raw lava-crete walls complemented by warm sassafrass wood finishes on the ceiling. Amazingly, the remote property is entirely self-sustaining.

Cooling is provided by natural cross ventilation, through the zaguan and strategically placed windows, while wood fuel sourced from the site itself provides heating. Water comes from a well and solar power is used for the owner’s minimal electrical needs.

Shapeshifter, Nevada, USA

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Desert homes don't get much more impressive or unique than this. Shapeshifter is located within the striking desert landscape of Reno, Nevada.

With its sleek, low-lying form, the house almost looks like an extension of the desert itself, with just a few slanted, zinc-clad walls visible from certain vantage points.

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Sculpted mounds of earth surround the home, with portions forming its roof. "We reshaped the site into anticlines and synclines, dunes and blowouts, and gradually the form of the house emerged with the terrain," the architects said of the project.

These earth walls are complemented by steel and concrete elements, which help to reduce solar gains, keeping the home at a comfortable temperature all year round. The interior was arranged to capture far-reaching views of desert mountains and plains, with the rooms boasting floor-to-ceiling glass.

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Despite its low-lying form, the house has three floors. It can be entered via a courtyard and comes with an open-plan living room, dining area and kitchen.

The two upper floors both offer a bedroom, bathroom and private outdoor terrace. Design-wise, the house is seriously industrial, with angular black ceilings, exposed structural beams and polished concrete floors.

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