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woodswoman
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# Posted: 29 May 2014 11:20 - Edited by: woodswoman
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Hi again,
So instead of working, I am dreaming up plans for my cabin this morning  .
Was hoping all you wise people could help me out. Although there is a lot of work to be done before our cabin is sound (mainly, we have to put a roof on it), I am just thinking ahead a bit as I check out yard sale finds and begin collecting furniture for the camp.
Our cabin is 10 x 20 with about a 15 x 20 extended roof that is roughly enclosed on 3 sides, with the long side being barely 6 ft high. We expect to use the 10 x 20 space for sleeping and staying warm around the fire when it gets too cold/wet/dark to stay outside. We will not be spending long periods of time in this space, since our house is only a few minutes away, but would like to sleep there a few times a year with our two kids (so 2 adults, 2 kids and 2 small dogs). No electricity, no running water, only a small wood stove for heat. Oh, and a portable toilet in the corner because kids don't go potty outside in the middle of the night!
I did up a rough floor plan (not exactly to scale, but a rough approximation - will take exact measurements this weekend). It will be hard to provide sleeping spaces for 4 people so I am thinking a single over double bunk bed on one end, and a futon on the other. I would have preferred putting a table under the large window in the front of the cabin with bench seating on both sides so we can all play cards late into the night - a favorite activity of my kids - but I need sleeping area. The camp is not tall enough to add a loft.
Since the roof covers a large, partly enclosed area, I would like to maximize this space as well. This will require putting in some floor decking since the whole camp is basically on bedrock (no soil) and it is really not level. I am thinking a large eating area and some shelving along the far side, where there are windows for ventilation, would fill the area nicely and allow us to use it quite a bit, especially if we can manage to screen it in. We do have a nice area for fires in front of the camp and would someday like to build a nice deck spanning the whole front of it. But that will not happen this year.
As for furnishings, everything I have purchased so far (used and cheap!) has been multifunctional, providing storage as well as seating/coffee table use. So what am I forgetting? How have you maximised your space? I see all kinds of tiny cabins on here and marvel at how you can make it functional!
So here is a pic and a floor plan for you to take apart!
camp_and_woodlot_009.jpg
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stickbowcrafter
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# Posted: 29 May 2014 16:40
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Looks like you have a good plan already. I am still building and look forward to hearing other ideas as well.
-Brian
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Just
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# Posted: 29 May 2014 20:15
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It's nice to have a small private spot to change , a draw curtain will do . we built a small bathroom into our first small cabin but soon a banded it do to noise and odor issues . moved it just out the door .
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woodswoman
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# Posted: 29 May 2014 20:30
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Thanks Just. I had bought a privacy shelter - those tents that are just the size of an outhouse - but it was stolen  Brand new, 50$ on Amazon.
We now use a "Luggable Loo" which is basically a bucket inside a small barrel with a seat. It comes with double bags containing a chemical which neutralizes waste and odor. We only close up the bag after a few people have used it (but for "solid" waste, every time). This wouldn't work if you wanted to spend a lot of time there, but for just a few hours at a time and the occasional overnighter, it seems to work. I bought a 5 ft tall wooden rack which is hinged in the middle, slipped some curtains over the top dowels and we now have a privacy blind. But honestly, so far everyone is always outside so anyone using the bathroom inside has the place all to themselves!
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Just
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# Posted: 29 May 2014 20:37
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didn't see that in the drawing , sounds like you have it covered ,best of luck,, nice little place !
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Gregjman
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# Posted: 29 May 2014 22:17 - Edited by: Gregjman
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You may want to check into some other threads on composting toilets. I would use my compost toilet bucket over a luggable loo any day. So would my wife. And you get a 7$ bag of peat moss that will last quite awhile vs overpriced bags that are not that fun to dispose of.
Don't want to turn this thread into a CT thread. There are others to check out. However a CT would surly lend it self better to being indoors in your situation as the odor is almost nonexistent.
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woodswoman
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# Posted: 30 May 2014 10:30
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Thanks Gregjman, I'll check that out! I do like my "loo" though, it is fine for the little use we put it through. There has not been any odour so far.
Once we have the cabin finished enough that we can spend a little more time there, we may want to invest in a more "permanent" toilet though.
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KinAlberta
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# Posted: 9 Jun 2014 22:36 - Edited by: KinAlberta
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The bed in the ceiling was really neat.
http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/2_4615_0.html
A new tight clearance stove with a heat shield might free up space. A small wood burning cooker might do double duty.
Maybe model your picnic table after the convertible table/beds used in RVs. (The newest RVs have really improved them.)
A layered panel/shutter system might create a new temporary room. (Put the toilet in there.) Think coleman stoves turned on edge. Essentially replace a window with a folding box. The lift up window shutter might form a roof for a "bump out" and then walls fold out and a floor would drop down.
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woodswoman
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# Posted: 11 Jun 2014 18:57
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I read about that bed in the ceiling KinAlberta - pretty cool! But possibly beyond our level of carpentry skills.
Yes, I'd thought of making some kind of table with benches that could double as a bed, like in an RV...sounds simple enough. THAT I can do!
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TheCabinCalls
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# Posted: 11 Jun 2014 19:20
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I personally wouldn't want the toilet there. I wouldn't use it if someone was sleeping there nor would I want someone going there while I was sleeping.
I would move the toilet outside on your covered porch area - just the other side of the wall from where it is. Make a room out there.
Then I would see if you can get two twin bunks to run parallel in that same space. That will sleep you four and leave you room for a living room.
Then I would have the door swing into the end of the bunk bed so you don't have wasted space for a door swing.
Just brainstorming...
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woodswoman
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# Posted: 12 Jun 2014 20:19
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Thanks TheCabinCalls... yes the toilet is always a prickly subject. It's just a porta potty so easy to move around, along with a 2 sided privacy blind. Was thinking we could move it to the other end of the camp at night. Outside is problematic. A lot of bears in the area. Maybe if we wall in the "covered porch" or, as you say, make a little room there. I hate outhouses, but a little bathroom might work.
Not sure I can fit parallel bunk beds in the space without blocking the door either. I need to measure the exact length of the wall on that side up until the door. All good ideas though!
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cbright
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# Posted: 13 Jun 2014 08:46 - Edited by: cbright
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To save space;
- Murphy bed on the side wall where you have the "Futon?"
- Or, the RV table/bed, which may work better for your setup. Probably could get one from a RV that is being trashed.... or just go to a dealer and makes some plans by measuring one theirs... might even be able to get the cushions from them?
- Use a direct vent propane heater instead of a wood stove... almost no footprint, cleaner to use, simple to use, easier to install... cheap to run in a low ceiling 10x20 space.
- Move the loo the the outside side of where it is... put a little door there and build a 4'x4' room that could be vented.
- Food prep area could be moved across to the building side of the overhang.... then have a window there so you could access the area from the inside. Kind of like a take-out window, but wider?
- Get the cheapest solar setup you can build... and then get surplus RV lights that run off 12v... Really simple to do RV lights take very little power.
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woodswoman
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# Posted: 1 Jul 2014 16:46
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Thanks for the suggestions cbright... but why solar? We don't feel we need power of any kind. Also, using a propane heater means having to lug propane to this remote location. We'd rather use wood off our lot to burn in a wood stove.
I do like the idea of getting an old RV table/bed, but if at all possible, I'd like to build one instead. Wood is so much nicer than chrome! Food prep area will definitely be outside the main building.
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Ozarker
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# Posted: 14 Aug 2014 19:19
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Wow, I'm in the same boat, sort of.
I'm about to be signle single, meaning the GF is leaving, LOL
Crazy idea, rent the house and move in the backyard, money made and live for nothing or as close to it as I can get.
Needs to be rather stealth like, but I know the rental rules and city regs, they won't like it but not much they can do spending a night in your outdoor structure.
I won't hijack further. I'm going to build hanging sheds for outside storage. I may use a bumpout but it can't extend past the edge of the existing roof line.
A deck will be added to the rear facing the woods, not sure of the deck flooring but it maybe solid with skid resistant paint making it a roof so that more storage can go below.
I'll need to skirt the building. I'm laying a heavy PVC tarp, actually an old pool cover, under the building and a good size access door, that will give about a 12x10 storage area as well up to 24" high, a crawl space.
What goes down there? Garden hose, BBQ patio stuff, garden tools, lawn mower can slide under there and I may build in a dog house area with walls for the dog during the day if I leave him at home, at night he'll be inside. In another boxed in side that will be vented, propane storage for stove and BBQ.
The building is a manufactured building, 12X18 I believe. I won't have a loft to live in, but a ceiling along the walls out about 18" under the rafters will provide more storage and display spots. The rafter will be painted and exposed for the feeling of a raised ceiling. Below the roof decking I'll insulate and cover. A couple 12V lights along the ridge beam should provide enough light. A few baskets hanging on the rafters might look cool.
I want the bed to be easily made (I usually don't make it, but should) but think a full size is big enough, then use pillows along the wall to use the bed as a couch during the day. My leather chair and autumn is probably where I'll plop down.
Under bed storage in roll out plastic tubs, holds shoes/boots in one, folded out of seasoned shirts/jackets, folded jeans/pants in another and misc/underware/socks in the third and sweaters in the fourth, I can oly fit 4 under the bed. The closet will be small for dress items, suits, sport/over coat.
I'm going to learn how to use drawer dividers and cabinet storage boxes, clips on the backs of doors and hooks, I know there has to be a place for everything and everything in its place unlike my large house living manners. Being in a small space will be motivating to learn.
3 folding wood TV tables slide behind my chair against the wall. A cedar chest will be the coffee table. TV hangs on the wall.
I have a bar type cabinet for the kitchen bar, it has a stainless steel top with a fold down extension and 2 bar stools go in front, that serves as a cooking and eating space. I'll probably find an RV stove and build it in on top of a 24" base cabinet next to a sink base. Shelves above the sink and an apartment size fridge.
That's it for now, good luck.
Bathroom, cabinet sink and a medicine cabinet should hold most bath items, small shelf. Above toilet shelf should take care of towels and misc. Attic space is also available.
I also have a John Deer room at the house that I may set aside that has no entry into the home. I may put my utilities in there with other stored items.
I have electric running out there, I could run water as well, sewer line maybe, need to check the drop, if not I may use an RV holding tank on wheels and dump in my clean out (don't tell anyone) but since the water used will be measured for the sewer bill that shouldn't be an issue.
My camping water storage is a PVC sewer pipe 8" I believe about 6' long painted black, it sits in the sun and takes care of showers for several days. Fine in mild climates. Otherwise, Jerry Cans.
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Henryd
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# Posted: 8 Sep 2014 22:24
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Buying a 16 by 20 cabin with a 4 by 16 side deck where entrance door is located. There is a dry basement that is about 6'.6 high enough to stand in. There is a solid double door that is the only entrance to the basement. I checked with the code officer and was told that I could enclose the deck and make it part of the cabin. It only has electric, no plumbling of septic. I can go up 20' but not sure from what point on the foundation because it is like a daylight basement. Thinking that a loft might be a good idea. This is my first post and I am learning how this works. I am grateful for any help or suggestions. Best, Henryd
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