An interior designer has found an unconventional solution to affordable living by converting a cave in Sicily into her home. Shalise Barnes, 30, purchased the 85-square-meter property for £47,255 (€55,000) in June 2026, initially planning to renovate and sell it. However, after viewing the cave, she decided to make it her permanent residence.
The property, which had been converted into a livable space by a previous owner in 2006, now features electricity, running water, a kitchen, a bathroom, and an upstairs bedroom. Barnes reported that her monthly utility bills for the cave home amount to approximately £129.
"The cave regulates its temperature - it's like I'm living inside the earth," Barnes told PA Real Life. "In summer it’s cooler and in winter it's warmer. I’ve got a pellet stove for winter and an air-con unit, but I don’t think I’ll use them often."
Barnes relocated from Amsterdam after experiencing a difficult breakup, seeking a fresh start in Sicily. She described the cave as having saved her and provided peace during a challenging period. The interior design work focused on aesthetics, incorporating plush furniture, bookshelves, and soft lighting to create a cozy atmosphere for herself, her dog, and three cats.
Historically, the cave is believed to have housed farm animals before serving as a bakery in the 1900s. Barnes has kept historical artifacts found by the previous owner, including old keys and a painting, on display.
While the cave offers a unique and low-cost living arrangement, it also presents challenges. Barnes has to manage humidity by opening doors and windows daily and deals with dust due to the soft limestone. She also shares her home with insects, including crickets and spiders, and has encountered scorpions.
"I have to wake up and open all of the doors and windows to stop it getting humid," she explained. "The limestone is very soft, so it gets quite dusty in the cave. So I'm cleaning that all the time." She added, "I've found three scorpions so far - you couldn't live in this house and be afraid of insects, they're like my housemates."
Barnes's unique living situation has garnered significant attention online, with her Instagram account attracting over 65,000 followers and a TikTok video of the cave receiving more than 2.9 million views. Despite facing criticism and misconceptions online about cave living, she plans to continue enhancing her home while embracing its history.
