If homes on terra firma don't quite do it for you, then these awe-inspiring properties might just do the trick. Perched precariously on the edge of sky-high clifftops or rocky pinnacles, these properties promise breathtaking views across some of nature's best vistas – but they're not for the faint of heart. Click or scroll to see inside homes with a head for heights... 

Aptly named, Razor House can be found delicately balanced on the top of a dramatic cliff, overlooking a truly cinematic landscape in La Jolla, California. The ultra-modern home was constructed in 2007 and is said to have been inspired by the home of billionaire Tony Stark in the hit movie, Iron Man. 

The eye-catching glass house was designed by architect Wallace E. Cunningham and despite its minimalist and sleek styling, the property packs in plenty of amenities. Sprawling some 11,545 square feet, the main house boasts four bedrooms, six bathrooms, various lounges and a chic kitchen. Of course, the rooms are lined with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, which, alongside its cantilevered design, allow for breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean from almost every living space.

The home is almost too good to be true and boasts plenty of amazing features, including a circular living room, a library with a glass-and-steel pool table, a movie theatre, a rooftop entertaining deck, an infinity pool, a detached two-bedroom guesthouse and a Batcave-like tunnel, which leads to a four-car garage. The master bedroom is also pretty inspiring – just imagine waking up to that view each and every morning. In August 2018, the home hit the market for $30 million (£22m).

Of course, such a luxurious home with such an eye-watering price tag couldn't sell to just any old buyer. In fact, the property now has celebrity owners, Alicia Keys and her record producer husband, Swizz Beatz. The couple snapped up the pad in 2019, paying $20.8 million (£15.4m) for the privilege. Then, in November 2021, the VIP duo invited Architectural Digest inside their home, offering us a glimpse into how they transformed the interior – spoiler alert, it's incredible!

Designed by the founder of LAAV Architects, Laertis-Antonios Ando Vassiliou, Maralah is a minimalistic cliff cabin designed for an exclusive project with Infiniti Motors Limited in collaboration with ADD Architects. Maralah translates to 'he/she who was born during an earthquake' from the language of Canada's First Nations people.

Designed as an isolation cabin that's ideal for a weekend retreat away from busy city life, the structure is an architectural tribute to iconic US architects, Frank Lloyd Wright and John Lautner. Partly cantilevered over the dramatic cliff edge and partially built into the rock, the cabin has just under 500 square feet of living space. 

The fully glazed bedroom, shower and toilet, which are six steps below the main living space, hang precariously over the cliff edge with views out over the Bow River. Made from raw concrete, glass and matt black steel, the jaw-dropping home is designed to blend into the beautiful nature that surrounds it. 

Cubed in shape, Maralah has been rotated 45 degrees to fit into the cliff edge disturbing the profile of the cliff edge when view from above. Hidden underground, the roof is partly submerged and designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape. 

Designed by Iranian architect Milad Eshtiyaghi Suspended House is still in the concept stages, but it could hold the key to architecture that not only respects its environment, but that takes up minimal land, too. Held in position using two categories of cables, one that bears the weight of gravity and another that withstands lateral and upward wind forces, the dangling property appears to float on its rocky pinnacle.

The house was designed in two sections, the dwelling itself and a rear mast, there for structural support. The mast slopes slightly, a design detail added due to the climate of the home’s proposed location in Mendocino, California. The slope not only increases stability, allowing the property to brace itself against wind, but provides an added visual layer. 

Speaking about the project, Eshtiyaghi said he wanted the house to allow any occupants to “experience different sensations”, including “the feeling of fear and excitement” while looking out, and the feeling of "calm and cozy" while relaxing inside. The property certainly does both, thanks to its incredible cantilevered design and wall-to-wall glass. 

Designed for a couple, the bedroom is open to the elements with glass floors, so any occupant will experience feelings of weightlessness, like they are floating in the air. Other spaces include glass 'holes' in the floor, offering breathtaking downward views. Designed for those seeking something truly unique, Suspended House could never be for the faint of heart.

Inspired by the wings of a butterfly, this curvaceous clifftop home sits on the edge of California's Monterey Peninsula. Finished with a domed stainless steel roof, this modern masterpiece features glass walls throughout – even in the bathroom – though motorised blinds offer privacy when needed.

Sat above a private cove, the stand-out home was designed by San Diego architect Wallace Cunningham who was a follower of Frank Lloyd Wright. The home was put on the market in April 2021 for $9.7 million (£7.2m) and features wow-factor panoramic views of the cliffs below through dramatic floor-to-ceiling glazing in the main living areas.

Inside, the interior features industrial-style polished concrete floors, a limed oak staircase and raw concrete finishes, while outside, two stone staircases lead down to the water's edge through the home's landscaped grounds.

The property isn't short of amenities either, with three bedrooms and four bathrooms, a granite kitchen and plenty of public living spaces spread across 2,667 square feet of space. Just imagine waking up to those views! 

Located on a sloping mountain ridge at the foot of the stunning Yatsugatake Mountains in Nagano, Japan, this sleek minimalist dwelling seems to hover over the rocky landscape below. The ideal location to create a unique cliffhanging residence, it comes with breathtaking views and a gravity-defying experience.

Designed by Kidosaki Architects Studio, the client took up residence in nearby Tateshina and spent years searching for the perfect site. The dramatic design cantilevers over the mountainside, supported by a concrete column and two angled metal pipes that hold the rest of the house in place. 

Inside, the entrance hall leads straight through into an open-plan living, kitchen and dining area. Swathes of glass look out across breathtaking vistas, with floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides of the property. 

Outside, the wraparound wooden deck hangs over the mountain range and was designed to evoke the illusion of living on a cloud. As well as scenic views, the overhanging volume means that the house gets a blast of soothing mountain cool air. 

Nestled on a cliff ledge just above the city of Akoura in Lebanon, this home was designed by Youssef Tohme Architects & Associates for a client who was seeking a break from busy urban life.

The dramatic exterior comprises local black stone mounted onto concrete walls. A daring design, the back of the house has been left completely open, overlooking the steep drop below. The home's staggering altitude is clear to see from the enclosed courtyard too, which is nestled amongst mountain peaks.

Inside, the living spaces are cool and open, offering a modern take on the traditional homes typically found in the Lebanese mountains. These rustic structures are usually built from local stone and passed down through generations.

The home's interior reflects its rocky environment just as much as the exterior. The concrete walls have been left bare and exposed, while the décor utilises dark wood tones and an earthy neutral palette. Arranged in a C-shape, the design features sliding glass doors and glazed windows that look out over the landscape. 

Situated on a six-mile-long stretch of cliffs on the Chilean coastline, Casa Till sits 656 feet above sea level. Constructed from local wood, the single-storey, contemporary home features large outdoor terraces designed to soak up the best of the day's sun.

Sitting wedged into a cliff in Los Arcos in Chile, out on the deck, architects WMR Arquitectos added an innovative wooden hot tub that uses fire to heat the water. Connected to the main house by a ramp, it's the perfect spot to relax and take in those breathtaking ocean sunsets. 

Inside, the home is spacious and open-plan, offering flexible multi-use living spaces during the day. However, at night, the large internal doors can be pulled across to provide privacy and separate the two bedrooms from the living room, dining room and kitchen.

Impressive wraparound glazing bathes the bedrooms in light and draws the soft blue hue of the sea inside. Décor and furnishings are minimalistic, instead, the interiors rely on the natural world outside to shape the owner's experiences of the home.

This conceptual house is the handiwork of German architect Matthias Arndt. The futuristic structure straddles the cliff edge, with floor-to-ceiling windows on the lower level offering dramatic views of the valley below. 

The tiny A-frame house has windows on three sides, plus a narrow balcony along the cliff's edge which is lined with a waist-high glass wall. Teetering on the cliff's edge, the home takes full advantage of its setting nestled into the sloping ground. 

Expansive walls of glazing ensure the property is flooded with daylight, while the living areas are sheltered from prying eyes by the home's clever angled windows.

Inside, the house is spread over two floors. A small sitting area and kitchen occupy the lower level, with a staircase leading up to the snug bedroom on the upper floor which features an entire glazed wall.

Suspended 131 feet above Fairhaven Beach in Australia, the Pole House is one of the most iconic cliff houses in the world. With 180-degree views of the sea, it also has vistas across the Great Ocean Road, which is one of the world's most picturesque stretches.

Thought to be the most photographed house on the famous Great Ocean Road and maybe even in the whole of Australia, the incredible home is supported by steel stilts and accessed via a 76-foot-long walkway which is lined with glass balustrades. 

Originally built in the 1970s by Frank Dixon, The Pole House underwent a luxurious renovation in 2014. The makeover of the previously crumbling building took around five years and was overseen by Franco Fiorentini from F2 Architecture. The new design features floor-to-ceiling retractable glass walls and a modern interior. 

The one-bedroom, one-bathroom home is fitted out with all the mod cons including smart lighting and heat-sensitive taps. The bedroom walls are clad in stylish burnt ash panels, while out on the balcony you can glimpse 30 miles of uninterrupted coastline. 

Inspired by Picasso's painting The Bather, Holman House clings to a cliff near Sydney, Australia. Projecting out over the sea, the home is supported by four angled stilts with accommodation spread out across two floors.

Designed by architecture firm Durbach Black Jaggers, Holman House sits 230 metres high atop the cliffs at Dover Heights. The house features stone walls and an upside-down layout with the bedrooms located on the lower floor nestled against the rock face. 

The interior is light and bright thanks to an abundance of floor-to-ceiling windows throughout. Outside space is in no shortage here either, with two patios, a rooftop garden and a swimming pool on the lower level, so you'll have plenty of spots to watch the sunset.

The open-plan living and dining area cantilevers over the ocean, while the curvaceous contemporary kitchen sits back on solid land. Dreamy ocean views can be glimpsed from most of the rooms in the house so you won't have to tear your eyes away from the incredible vistas for long.

It probably takes someone pretty brave to invest in a property like this, but it certainly is unique. While it's just a concept right now, this five-storey cliff house by Modscape is an impressive modular structure that's designed to cling to the side of a cliff along the coast in Australia.

Designed as a natural extension to the cliff face rather than an intrusive addition to the landscape, the hidden house comprises a series of stacked modules that are anchored to the mountain using engineered steel pins. Expansive glazing and crisp white décor shows off the views to dramatic effect.

According to Modscape, the design was inspired by the way barnacles cling to the hull of a ship. Unfortunately, we don’t know how much this extreme house will cost, but we bet it won't be a budget project... 

Perched 44 feet above the Pacific Ocean on a remote island, this Canadian house is secured to the rocky cliffside by steel rods which allow the rest of the structure to cantilever precariously above the water.

The hideaway has been designed across one level to provide a more intimate connection with the landscape. The moss-covered roof acts as a habitat for local wildlife, while the low walls help the home to blend into the natural surroundings.

The main structure was built from concrete, while the cantilevered section, which hangs six and a half metres over the water, was constructed from steel-framed timber and boasts a wooden deck with breathtaking views.

The design by Patkau Architects was inspired by a seashell, with the house centred around a courtyard that fans out to different rooms. It also houses a shallow pool for cooling off come the hot summer months.

This gravity-defying clifftop home, located just outside Stockholm in Sweden, was built in 2016. The cantilevered design by Trigueiros Architects is propped up on stilts on a rocky mountain plot, looking out over amazing woodland views.

The façade is clad in Siberian larch wood with zinc and graphite steel details that help it blend seamlessly into the rural landscape. Inside, the interior is crisp and clean, with a minimalistic white palette offset by warm wood floors.

The kitchen and living room open out into a large sociable space that's beautifully bright and airy. Glass doors slide back completely to seamlessly incorporate the terrace for effortless indoor-outdoor living.

Clever Scandi design abounds in the kitchen which makes the most of every inch of space with plenty of smart storage solutions. We love the simple wooden island with its handy open shelving and snug seating area. 

Perched high above the Hudson River in New York, the Pumpkin House is perhaps the most famous of our cliffside homes. Dating back to the 1920s, it's named after its distinctive window formation which resembles a glowing jack-o-lantern face when the sun goes down.

Spread over three floors, the six-bedroom home is decked out in a European-style grandeur with coved ceilings and antique wood furniture. There's even a separate self-contained studio for guests who want to soak up the home's stunning views too.

Cantilevering over a sheer cliffside, the house is bursting with original details across its 12 regal rooms, from the marble mantel in the living room to wood-panelled walls and Persian rugs.

Built on a steel foundation sunk into the steep cliff, the home was commissioned by Cleveland Walcutt, an engineer. Nestled within the grounds, there's also a secluded garden and viewing platform where the Hudson River can be viewed in all its glory. 

Designed by Austrian-born architect Harry Seidler, this glamorous Australian home is dramatically positioned on the edge of a rugged sandstone cliff overlooking the bushlands of New South Wales and the Wingecarribee River.

Completed in 2000, the home is carved into the natural rock face and set among 150 acres of land for the ultimate private escape. With a vast outdoor space filled with sculptures, stone gardens and a swimming pool, it's truly a luxury property.

Multiple viewing decks situated around the house provide captivating views of the local wildlife and wooded landscape. Thanks to their all-weather coverings, they also make the perfect alfresco eating areas if you prefer dining with a view.

Inside, the house has a super-spacious floor plan for sociable, modern living. A huge natural wood dining table sits alongside the sleek white gloss kitchen, while floor-to-ceiling patio doors can be opened up to create an indoor-outdoor living area. Fancy spending a night here? You're in luck, you can rent it on Airbnb.

A concept from Ukrainian architecture studio Yakusha, Air was designed with a surfer client in mind. The dramatic design teeters on the rocky cliff edge and creates a sense of impossible architecture. 

Supported by a vertical concrete pillar, the home is in a prominent position on the Portuguese coastline overlooking the ocean's horizon. The striking house was inspired by the concept of a lighthouse standing at the very edge of the land.

Inside, warm, neutral furnishings have been chosen which make for a homely feel in contrast to the harsh surrounding landscape. The straight lines of the exterior structure sit alongside soft rounded furniture to make the space feel comfortable and welcoming.

The interior layout is open plan so as not to interfere with the breathtaking views, with the only interruption being the supporting concrete pillar. At just 517 square feet, the space may not be huge but is perfect for a weekend retreat or for gazing out over an unbroken view.

 

Still in the concept stage, the Mountain House by Iranian architect Milad Eshtiyaghi is designed around four trees that were already on the sheer cliff face chosen as the project site. The home was commissioned by a family to be their base on Quadra Island, a scenic land mass off the eastern coast of Vancouver.

Inside, the home is split into three levels; one for the client and his wife, the second for their son and the third storey will be a recreational sports area. Surrounded by glazing, the living spaces face out onto the valley can be opened and closed to create terraces in different configurations.

Along with ample interior space, the home will also feature a number of balconies and a private courtyard that backs onto the rocky mountainside.

With the structure made almost entirely from glass, the interiors will be incredibly light and bright. Any glare can be controlled by canopies that can be mechanically opened or closed depending on the position of the sun. 

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