1. UFO house

Most houses are based on a box or a series of boxes with either a sloping or a flat roof. We thought it might be fun to take a look at some that break all the rules. You may not want to live in a UFO, or a crane, for that matter, but it might at least raise a smile. And the good news is that they all come from Airbnb’s OMG category, so you can enjoy them for a week or two without having to be mad enough to buy or build one of your own.

The UFO (pictured) is in Pembrokeshire, South Wales, rather than Area 51! It sleeps up to 4 people and there is even a console with classic games including Space Invaders and Defender. Prices are from around £179/night – Airbnb

2. Crane House

Most houses are based on a box or a series of boxes with either a sloping or a flat roof. We thought it might be fun to take a look at some that break all the rules. You may not want to live in a UFO, or a And here’s one for those who like the high life! This former harbour crane is now a hotel: the Bossche Kraan in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, in the heart of Holland. It accommodates up to 2 guests and, if you get bored of the view, from the control box, you can turn the whole thing by up to 230 degrees! It’s all yours from around £154/night – Airbnb

3. Bamboo House

Or what about this bamboo eco-house, in Abiansemal, Bali, Indonesia? Aura House is perched on top of the Ayung river and boasts some truly stunning views. There are 2 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a large living room and there is even a private swimming pool. It’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and you can stay there from around £284/night – Airbnb

4. Birdbox House

And, yes, I know this is a box but it’s a very different type of one. It’s called the Birdbox and is in Sunnfjord, Vestland, Norway. You can ski there in winter and, in the summer, you can swim in the fjord. It sleeps up to three people in one very large bed. It’s the views that really make the place, though, and you can see them for yourself from around £169/night –Airbnb

5. The Treehouse

The Treehouse, on the other hand, is about as far away from a traditional box house as you can get. In Ladonia, Texas (USA), it is made up of a series of shipping containers. Through its 20ft glass walls, you can catch a glimpse of the area’s varied wildlife – deer, wild hogs, raccoons, armadillos, opossums, rabbits, bobcats, squirrels, owls, red-tailed hawk. It sleeps up to 4 people in two bedrooms and if you want to stay there, prices range from around £276/night – Airbnb