need ideas for a small cabin

Sunrise Farms · February 21, 2012, 12:25:08 PM

Hi guys,
I'm wanting to build a small cabin in the woods for weekends and such, but want some ideas.
I know I can throw something together, but im sure thete will be a lot of hindsight.
Im looking for something around 12x14, maybe 12x16. Something like that.

If you guys had pictures of something like that it'd be great.
Thanks guys.

Raider Bill · February 21, 2012, 12:33:45 PM

Search for Stump Ranch posts by Jander. He built a nice place in the boonies.

metalspinner · February 21, 2012, 12:58:10 PM

Are you wanting to stick build it? Logs or timber framed? Use materials from the sight?

Will your wife be spending time out there or just you? :D

Stick framed and sided with live edged siding gives you the "log cabin look" without the investment of labor and skills neccesary for log building. Dragging building materials into the woods will be easier with a stick built structure, too.

Here's a little prototype I built a few years ago for the kids. It's 8x8.

Thinking things through, you might even be able to go modular on a larger plan so you have less building to do in the woods. That is my plan at some point...

Jeff · February 21, 2012, 01:06:09 PM

Here is one we built in our back yard as a guest house that is close to the size you mention.

A link to the topic as we built it:

And a more recent photo.

Axe Handle Hound · February 21, 2012, 01:25:36 PM

Jeff- I'm liking the live edge fascia boards you have on that building. Adds a nice touch.

Raider Bill · February 21, 2012, 01:49:11 PM

It sure is a nice porch to sit on with Friends! ;D

Sunrise Farms · February 21, 2012, 02:15:39 PM

As much as I like the looks of the logs, i'm a stick builder. I'll saw mostly white pine for the structure, just looking for ideas. I'm thinking something like the one with the porch, but make the overhang a little bigger for more porch space and a larger loft.

Hauling things in the woods isn't a problem, and building on site isn't either.

I'm pretty much looking for a set of bunks, wood stove is a must, porch, a loft for extra people, and kitchen table to play cards on and such

Sunrise Farms · February 21, 2012, 02:20:46 PM

How about inside layout? I'm afraid I'll build a cabin that looks nice from the outside, but isn't too functional on the inside

beenthere · February 21, 2012, 02:36:59 PM

What are the needs for inside the cabin?
Bunk beds? How many sleeping?
Kitchen including?
Wood stove center?
bathroom?
Closets?
None of the above?
Loft for how many beds?

Function and layout will depend on what you want in the cabin.

Radar67 · February 21, 2012, 03:52:31 PM

For just a little extra work, you can build a 16 x 24 like this and have plenty of room.

Don K · February 21, 2012, 05:49:47 PM

Did you ever get the rest of the siding on that shed?

Don

Dodgy Loner · February 21, 2012, 06:15:26 PM

Quote from: Sunrise Farms on February 21, 2012, 02:15:39 PM
As much as I like the looks of the logs, i'm a stick builder.

Then I guess this won't be of much use, but what the heck:

It's only 8x10. I built it to store random bits of wood for my woodturning hobby. It was also good practice in case I ever get a chance to build one big enough to stand upright in one day

Holmes · February 21, 2012, 06:54:52 PM

If you put an 8 or 10 pitch roof on you will get a usable loft. There is a company in this area that sells seconds of their SIPs panels, look on CL. That could be a good way to put on an insulated roof and even the side walls if you want to keep the cabin warm. A good thing about SIPs is it may slow mice entry down.

Lud · February 21, 2012, 07:21:12 PM

Here's a different idea that I've been playing with.......that could be incorporated with other cabin variations. Take advantage of today's tech.

I've been imagining a very steep A frame where the walls are made out of insulated garage door panels that I buy at a garage door auction that comes around to the local county fairgrounds every year . The panels are light and weather proof and cheap at $100 for a 10 x10 . One on either side,screwed to some hardwood boards and only hinged at the top; the sides could be swung up in the summer onto prop sticks for a nice rain shelter and a bug screen deployed for a nice evening sitting area. Sized right the A frame could have a door to allow access for a small winter camp cabin.

Haven't worked out all the details but the possibilities of an economicably cheap expandable space intrigues me. ;D

TreeWinder · February 23, 2012, 06:13:08 AM

Now that is one fine looking cabin. Great work Jeff.

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shortlogger · February 23, 2012, 06:45:34 AM

Be carefule not to build it to small you add a few buddies some gear ,table a place to cook and a bed and space gets tight quick. Seems I always end up needing more room than originaly planned.

Clark · February 23, 2012, 10:01:08 AM

If you want more of a practical, utilitarian plan, check out this link:

http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1214491/1.html

He lays out the entire building process for you and I think the design is very efficient but not that large which may or may not fit the bill.

Clark

metalspinner · February 23, 2012, 11:17:36 AM

QuoteBe carefule not to build it to small you add a few buddies some gear ,table a place to cook and a bed and space gets tight quick. Seems I always end up needing more room than originaly planned.

I thought we were trying to get away from all those things.

Magicman · February 26, 2012, 05:28:28 PM

Here is a 16X24 that won 1st place in one of last year's WM Personal Best categories. ;D

POSTON WIDEHEAD · February 26, 2012, 09:43:03 PM

MM, What wood species did you use on the exterior of your cabin? VERY NICE! I like how you put the baton on the band across the from of the porch.

Magicman · February 26, 2012, 10:32:51 PM

Poplar.

Woodchuck53 · February 26, 2012, 11:06:23 PM

MM where is that cabin, on your place or for a customer? I hope the wife don't ever see it.

pineywoods · February 27, 2012, 10:19:45 AM

Buck MM's personal cabin is even nicer. He has created a little paradise that continues to grow when he ain't off sawing...The envy of everyone who sees it.

Hilltop366 · February 27, 2012, 12:33:57 PM

Built a back woods camp once with some friends, when it came time to design it I had recently been shown that a square building has more square feet per foot of wall than a rectangular building so I convinced the rest that it was the best way to go, however after a while of using the camp and trying to get things arranged right we have decided that a rectangular floor plan would have been better to divide in to areas of different use like cooking, eating, sitting, sleeping and heating. I now think that a longer and narrower shape may work better.

Two things I did insist on was a door on the front and the back after recalling a incident with a friends hunting camp that caught fire and one guy almost never made it out, it only had one door but he did manage to break a small window out in the back and squeeze through it unharmed.
The other thing was out swing doors for two reasons, one would be ease of opening from the inside in an emergency and the other is the are a few black bears around the area and they can push a door in a lot easier than pull it open, so far the bears have not been able to get in the camp but they do claw and chew on the corner board once and a while.