Compact Cabins: How to Make the Most of Small Spaces

By Gerald Rowan
Published on September 20, 2010
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You’ll be inspired to create the cabin of your dreams with the exciting collection of 62 cabin floor plans in “Compact Cabins.” These creative cabin designs feature innovative storage, mix-and-match modular elements, and off-the-grid energy options — all in less than 1,000 square feet.
You’ll be inspired to create the cabin of your dreams with the exciting collection of 62 cabin floor plans in “Compact Cabins.” These creative cabin designs feature innovative storage, mix-and-match modular elements, and off-the-grid energy options — all in less than 1,000 square feet.
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A loft increases living space without increasing a home’s footprint.
A loft increases living space without increasing a home’s footprint.

Most of us dream of having a place where we can get away, and one of the most economical options is to build a small cabin. No matter your lifestyle or location, you can find the small cabin you want among the 62 creative floorplans in Compact Cabins (Storey Publishing, 2009) by Gerald Rowan. In this excerpt from the chapter “Design: Architecture, Logistics, Environment,” Rowan offers ideas for how to make the most of small spaces, as well as a small cabin floorplan that puts those ideas to use.

You can purchase this book from the MOTHER EARTH NEWS STORE: Compact Cabins.

Small cabins are small because they have a small footprint. Though cabins may have a small footprint, with good design, they can offer a comfortable living space. The challenge is to create that feeling of space in a small cabin. I find that, in particular, high ceilings and strategically placed windows are a good way to make the most of small spaces, creating a comfortable space in even the smallest cabins. (Take a look at a
compact cabin plan and
exterior design to see these principles at work.)

High Ceilings

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