Cozy Cabin Ideas for Off-Grid Living
Small cabins are affordable, low maintenance, and perfect for a simpler, nature-focused lifestyle. Whether for full-time living or a weekend escape, these cozy spaces typically range from 100 to 1,000 sq. ft. They are easy to customize and can grow with your needs.
1. DIY Log Cabin With Classic Framework
Compared to using a kit, building a log cabin from scratch and with natural resources is no easy feat. A single person built this cabin using self-harvested materials. The design follows a classic pattern with a gable-style roof, log walls and wooden shutters.
Check out this YouTube video to watch how one man built a cabin in the forest by himself.
2. Building Off Grid Log Cabin
If you’re considering building your own cabin, you might enjoy this YouTube video which follows the progress of a DIY log cabin project. The video shows in detail how the walls are built and how the structure takes shape.
3. Building a Traditional Log Cabin
Building a traditional cabin from scratch can take time – this example was built in three years.
The interior is almost entirely made of wood, with a lot of handmade furniture and accessories. Check out this YouTube video to learn more about this project.
4. Cabin With Front Porch
This small cabin in the woods has a platform that evens out the sloping ground and a tiny porch that frames the entrance. It has a classic pitched roof and wood cladding, with a warm attic for more space and minimal interior design. The chimney completes the look. Check out the YouTube video to see how it was planned and built.
5. Pallet Wood Cabin
Pallet wood is the cheapest option of all cabin building materials. You can use a minimal cabin like this as a hunting shed, woods retreat, or even a playhouse.
Learn how to build an inexpensive pallet-wood cabin in this YouTube video.
6. Flat Foundation Cabin
The first step in building a cabin is finding a suitable site. You’ll need to make sure there’s a flat spot for your foundation, which could require tree removal and excavation.
Learn the steps two-friends took to build this small, rustic cabin on Instructables.
7. Cabin In The Mountains
Here’s another video tutorial that takes you through every step of building a small cabin: Instructables. It offers a more in-depth look at how to maximize space and put building materials together. It also reveals how natural elements interact with each other. In the end, you have a small cabin you’d expect to find in the woods or mountains.
8. Cabin Rental
To better understand small cabin living, consider renting cabins as a test drive. You’ll get to experience a host of different layouts and test different sizes so you can determine what’s ideal for you.
Check the cabin rentals on Blue Moon Rising, AirBnB, or VRBO.
9. Cabin Design Plans
If you’re looking for specific instructions, check out these small cabin plans. The PDF shows a small porch and a multifunctional indoor space.
You can find more house plans here.
10. Cabin With Living Space
You can also find complete and detailed plans on cabinplans123, which will guide you through every step of the process. Follow them to build your own little cabin with a main living space at the bottom and a loft you can turn into a sleeping nook.
11. Contemporary A-Frame Cabin
A-frame houses have a contemporary allure. The design allows for large glass surfaces to be included, which is ideal great if you want to frame a beautiful view or bring the outdoors in.
You can find plans for A-frame cabins on lsuagcenter.
12. A Traditional-Looking Cabin
You can also find plans for a traditional-looking cabin on lsuagcenter. The design is reminiscent of rustic houses and mountain retreats. As always, there’s room for customization, so don’t hesitate to add your own signature to the project.
13. Cabin With a Symmetrical Frame
A lot of cabins have symmetrical frames, which can make for an easier project. If you prefer a simple look, check out the cabin plans featured on lsuagcenter.
14. Cabin With Basement/Loft
How about a small cabin with a basement and a loft? The multiple floors allow you to maximize the space. On todaysplans you can find detailed plans for the cabin and each floor section.
15. Cabin Design With Basement
Here’s another example of a cabin design that has a basement level, the main floor, and a loft area. The plans are similar to the ones shown above, with a few structural differences.
You can adapt these plans and repurpose the spaces to better suit your own lifestyle. Check out the details on todaysplans.
16. Guest Cabin Adult Loft
17. Lookout Cabin
If you’re ready to take on a big challenge, you’ll love this lookout cabin from Today’s Plans. This cabin is more like a small house than the traditional cabin style, thanks to the two-story design.
The PDF offers the plans and blueprints to get started.
18. Build a Cabin In The Wilderness
This 14 x 20 ft small cabin includes a sleeping loft over the porch for spending time in nature. While it’s certainly not a quick or inexpensive project, it’s a stunning design that you’ll get years of use out of.
Mother Earth News shares the plans to assemble this cabin and encourages you to work to the same standards as if you were building a full-size home.
19. Cabin On A Budget
Not ready to build an expensive structure? Instructables shows us that it’s possible to build a small cabin on a budget.
This 12 x 20 small cabin costs around $2,200 to build, which is a significant saving in comparison to purchasing a cabin kit.
20. Solar Powered Cabin
Solar-powered homes are more popular than ever, and there’s no reason you can’t apply this technology to your cabin project. Instructables shares this small off-grid cabin, perfect for a wooded setting.
21. Two-Story Contemporary Cabin Design
If you are looking for a contemporary small cabin plan, consider this guide from Pin-Up Houses. The Yvonne cabin is a two-story family home that has a living room, bedroom, and balcony. It’s perfect for year-round living or as a recreational cabin.
It offers an eco-friendly yet modern cabin design, and you’ll enjoy the incredible views from the living room. You can turn the balcony into a porch if you prefer.
22. Fancy Cabin Design
Drummond House Plans shows us how to make this small but contemporary cabin with their detailed plan. This one-bedroom cabin has three or four-season options. You’ll make the most of the space, building a bedroom and a shower room.
23. Modern Cabin Design
This small cabin from House Plans is reminiscent of a mini cottage. Inside, you’ll find an L-shaped kitchenette and a full bathroom. Making the most of the space, the design combines the living and sleeping spaces into one.
As well as acting as a guest cottage in your backyard, this would be an excellent studio cabin or office.
24. Build A Cabin in 55 Days
Many of the projects on our list would take the average person a year or two to build. We love this feature from Field Mag, which shares how to build a cabin in just 55 days. It’s a 240 square ft cabin, which is 12 x 20 in size. It’s the perfect home office or extra outdoor space, but you could also transform it into a guest bedroom.
25. Pallet Cabin
For anyone looking for a tiny cabin or shed for their garden, this DIY project from Easy Pallet Ideas is a great option. It’s the perfect solution for a workshop or office, but could also make a small guest bedroom.