≡ Menu

Couple Build 704 Sq. Ft. Cabin That ‘Fits Like a Glove’


This post contains affiliate links.

This is the story of a couple who decided instead of trying to find the home of their dreams, they would design and build the perfect cabin that would fit them like a glove! And that’s exactly what they did. At first, they considered going tiny, but they decided that it wouldn’t work out for them long-term. Very smart! “While we admire the people who live in tiny homes, we need a bit more room,” says the couple.

So they designed and built this perfect little 704-square-foot cabin on a foundation with a wonderful covered porch area. I just love it! Their goal was to cut their bills, become more energy efficient, and reduce cleaning and maintenance. Pretty smart, don’t you think?

Please don’t miss other incredible tiny and small house stories like this – join our FREE Tiny House Newsletter for more!

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly!🙏

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

Images © SimplyHomeNC

It looks massive in this shot, but this cabin clocks in at approximately 704-sq.-ft. inside!

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

That, of course, does not include the deck space.

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

It also doesn’t include the screened-in area.

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

Are you in love with this cabin yet?

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

Once inside, you can enjoy the tall vaulted ceilings.

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

Kitchen with full-size appliances to suit your everyday needs.

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

When you’re here, it just feels like you’re surrounded by epic views of nature… (Maybe because you are!)

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

A cozy little living room nook. It’s nicer to be outside, as it should… Netflix? Maybe after sunset.

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

Look at the view from the bedroom! And the built-in shelving. Super-cool!

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

Let’s go to the bathroom and see what that’s all about!

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

Even the shower has views. And why not!

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

The laundry center looks perfect to me!

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

A staircase that doubles as a book-shelf!

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

Which leads to this room. Hello, kitty!

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

A super simple, but super awesome design/build!

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

How would you like living in a small house like this?

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

Remember, you can’t have the rainbow without the rain/storm…

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

Here’s the floor plan and layout in case you are curious. They even shared the dimensions!

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

Our big thanks and huge congratulations to the couple who made this happen!

Couple design/build a 704-square-foot cabin that fits them perfectly! Images © SimplyHomeNC.com

Images © SimplyHomeNC

Learn more: http://www.simplyhomenc.com/

Sources

  1. Simply Home NC
  2. “LIKE” Simply Home on Facebook
  3. Hughes Construction on Facebook

Related stories

Our huge thanks to Simply Home NC for sharing!🙏

You can help us spread the word on this cabin by “Liking” on Facebook using the button below and re-sharing this story using the e-mail and social media re-share buttons below. Every share helps, including yours. And we’d love to read your best thoughts in the comments below. Thank you so much.

If you enjoyed this couple’s 704 sq. ft. cabin and simple living story you’ll absolutely LOVE joining our Free Daily Tiny House Newsletter with even more! Thank you!

This post contains affiliate links.

The following two tabs change content below.

Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 71 comments… add one }
  • Doris
    December 22, 2014, 1:37 pm

    How charming! Very happy for you. What great views and love that porch! Great use of space, no claustrophobia here, and the windows are wonderful. Looks like a wonderful place for family gatherings.

    • December 22, 2014, 11:34 pm

      Thank You. The windows are incredibly important to making the home feel much bigger than it is. We knew we had to splurge on that line item.

  • Cahow
    December 22, 2014, 3:29 pm

    Exceptional design! It looks VASTLY larger than the 704 sq.ft. And to quote Doris, “..no claustrophobia HERE..”, which is what I suffer from, greatly.

    Wally and Shawna did a bang up job on the design and their website is a rich source of information on their philosophy and themselves. LOVE the eaves bedroom!!! I had one identical to that on my Grandparent’s farm and was enchanted with the deeply sloping ceilings; I so loved that bedroom!

    I don’t know why it looks “tropical” to me; I had to really search to find out that it’s in North Carolina. Flawless execution and “Thank You” for building your home with the amount of square footage that YOU need, rather than caving into the more radical tiny house people that want to put strict limits on “What Qualifies as “true” Tiny House Living!” Just what we don’t need: more rules and pigeon holing of people, truth be told.

    • December 22, 2014, 11:39 pm

      Thank You for all the comments. We thought long and hard about what space we needed and built what works for us. Everything is relative and if a truly “tiny” house works for someone that is great. If someone can downsize from 3000 sq ft to 1600, that’s great too. If everyone lessens their impact, it benefits all of us.

      • Alex
        December 23, 2014, 10:21 am

        Thanks Wally!

  • Lisa E.
    December 22, 2014, 4:28 pm

    This is probably the first “cabin” I’ve ever really liked. It has everything from screened-in porch to laundry room. Would make a fabulous retreat for writers and lovers. I don’t really think it’s a “Tiny House”; more like a small house, but nicely done and the natural surroundings are a big plus.

    • December 22, 2014, 11:42 pm

      Some like to say that under 800 is a “tiny” house but I don’t quite agree with that. This is a mansion compared to one of those. We could stack several of them in here. If we lived in a tiny house, we would be stepping on one of our 5 pets every minute.

    • april hunter
      July 5, 2021, 8:55 pm

      Yep. I second that.

      • april hunter
        July 5, 2021, 8:56 pm

        (Meaning I think it’s brilliant, gorgeous, well done and would make an excellent home or retreat. And someone TALL could live there!)

  • liz n.
    December 22, 2014, 5:02 pm

    This one just became my favorite little house shown on this website! GREAT design!!

  • allen patin
    December 22, 2014, 7:20 pm

    Wonderful use of space and contemporary design. Where can we find out more info please?

  • Jamie
    December 23, 2014, 8:14 am

    My husband and I are going to be downsizing in a couple of years, and this looks perfect for our needs. We have been looking at park model homes, but really would like a little more space for our family to visit comfortably.
    We will have to work within a strict budget. Can we get a ballpark figure of cost on this beautiful cabin?

    • December 23, 2014, 6:02 pm

      Here in NC I can build this house, just as we did for ours, for about $115K. Depending on where you are and what finishes you want the price will vary, possibly a lot.

      • Karen Cotton
        May 9, 2015, 3:29 pm

        Awesome! I love this design. I am looking for a small but not tiny quality houseplan and I love this one. Land????

  • Sarah
    December 23, 2014, 12:10 pm

    This is truly gorgeous, maximizing on the views. My favorite though has got to be the stairs which also function as bookshelves. Genius!

  • Janice S.
    December 23, 2014, 12:56 pm

    Love the bookcase stairs ….. one less piece of furniture to mess with!!!

  • Sarah
    December 24, 2014, 2:31 pm

    This is great! I keep looking for small homes that have potential for a family (we have 3 kids) and this has given me all sorts of ideas. Thanks for posting the floor plans.

  • Enrique A. Cancino
    January 5, 2015, 10:16 pm

    My wife and I are constantly looking for efficient designs in homes that are smaller than 1600 sqft and don’t like too many of the ones we see and never in the size of this home, ever! What I love about the layout is that it can be finished in so many different ways, inside and out, but also the effective use of space is magnificent. It’s not a home for everyone, but it can easily be made “yours” with unique little touches in the finish and paint, both inside and out. Thanks for showing us the way Mr. and Mrs. Hughes!

    • SONIA SALAZAR
      July 31, 2016, 4:41 pm

      I’m sorry but I seen your last name that is Cancino. My last name before getting married is Cancino. Maybe we are related some how. My last name comes from my mother’s side. We are famous we’re we live currently because we are all musicians meaning my uncles play every instrument.

  • Lynnette
    February 18, 2015, 2:21 pm

    This is very nice. Spacious to the point of head room moving around yet small enough to take care of. Very nice!!

  • Kate
    May 7, 2015, 4:02 pm

    Don’t know how I missed this the first time around. This is nearly perfect. A home AND a vacation stay. Light and airy, practical, and still large enough for a dozen folks or so to come visit for the day/evening without feeling closed in.
    I think the one thing that impressed me was the water closet off the downstairs bedroom. With this place, the grandkids could come and have an adventure up in the loft.

  • Kelly Libert
    May 7, 2015, 10:38 pm

    Love, love, love that huge screened in porch.

  • Trish
    May 7, 2015, 11:16 pm

    LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. I absolutely love the bookcase stairs with the closed storage space. Looks like 50 to 75 books in there. This is definitely going in my idea file.

  • Susanne
    May 8, 2015, 12:24 am

    Very nice! Too rich for my blood, though… My house of a little over 2,000 sq ft was $130,000 when purchased it… So for now we enjoy the extra room…

  • Marcy
    May 8, 2015, 7:33 am

    Coveting, coveting.

  • Merryl
    May 8, 2015, 7:44 am

    This is very nice. I too love the bookcase stairs. And the bedroom. The one thing I would change is to bring the two kitchen walls closer together. Maybe use the rest of the space for a study or something. My grandfather built himself the most charming little office with a window, under the stairs.

    • Chel
      April 15, 2017, 3:13 pm

      Merryl I thought it was a long way to carry water from the sink to the cooker. I like the space they have though. Fitting the sink into the same cabinet run as the cooker would take care of amenities. Then a mobile kitchen island with prep space and cupboards would allow for flexibility. Putting a study space where the sink currently is would help to avoid distraction but still have the open feel. The floor space can be freed up when needed.

      • Natalie C. McKee
        April 17, 2017, 7:55 am

        Good points!

  • vee
    May 8, 2015, 7:49 pm

    Great job! Very, very nice!

  • ROSEE
    February 14, 2017, 10:48 am

    This TH has a great layout. An interesting contrast with the landscape. Very nice!

  • Drew
    February 14, 2017, 11:40 am

    I am absolutely enthralled with the Tiny Home movement! However, in Ohio it is rather limited! I do not want to do a THOW, and so seeing this 704sqft cabin is truly an inspiration! LOVED IT! It would be a perfect fit if I were able to find a place in Ohio that I could build. I would really like to talk to someone about what this project entailed, as far as costs and time line if possible!

    • Natalie C. McKee
      February 15, 2017, 6:35 am

      I’m so glad you found something you like 🙂 In some areas something like this that is over 400 sq. ft. can be built legally with normal permits! The couple has an email listed on their website, so you could get in touch! http://www.simplyhomenc.com/

  • DebD
    February 14, 2017, 3:01 pm

    Those bookcase stairs have to be the best idea I’ve seen in quite awhile!

    • Natalie C. McKee
      February 15, 2017, 6:30 am

      They are super great 🙂

  • Kathy
    February 14, 2017, 6:23 pm

    Another beautifully designed small home!!

  • Patricia Chang
    February 15, 2017, 2:44 am

    Lovely home. Lovely view.

  • susan
    March 5, 2017, 10:28 am

    Beautiful home. Beautiful location. Winner!

    • Natalie C. McKee
      March 6, 2017, 7:37 am

      Agreed 🙂

  • Nancy
    March 5, 2017, 2:37 pm

    Amazing!!! Love it. Thanks for sharing!

    • Natalie C. McKee
      March 6, 2017, 7:35 am

      So glad you like it!

  • ZACHARY E MOHRMANN
    April 14, 2017, 7:52 pm

    Not bad…!

  • Vicki F.
    April 14, 2017, 8:00 pm

    Love the floor plan and the main floor bedroom.

  • Rusty
    April 14, 2017, 8:39 pm

    Love this small home especially the floors, porch, and utility room.

  • Shirley
    April 14, 2017, 9:13 pm

    I love the small spare sleeping area. I would love sleeping on that screened in porch. What a beautiful tiny home. I’d like to see a small soaking tub in that roomy shower though. Does anyone know where to purchase those tiny soaking tubs?

  • Joseph
    April 15, 2017, 9:59 am

    Wow! Very lovely home and what a gorgeous view! The side of the building with so many windows is a great way to keep the house bright.

    • Natalie C. McKee
      April 17, 2017, 8:01 am

      Yes! Love the windows.

  • Gail
    April 15, 2017, 2:01 pm

    really love this. Lots of room, light and beautiful backyard. Where is this place?
    Very very well done. Love it.

  • Susie
    September 24, 2017, 3:39 am

    Love this place!

  • Sherry
    April 30, 2019, 12:55 pm

    Almost perfect for me, only one thing I would add somehow, a fireplace for winter time, curling up in front of a fire with the winter snow outside makes for heaven for me. I just love this house and the staircase is so thoughtful use of space. Thank you for sharing it with us.

    • Wallace P Hughes
      July 21, 2021, 9:34 am

      We did add a woodstove in the corner and I made a long slab table that now sits in the middle of the kitchen. Nothing like a real fire.

  • Kathi Edge
    April 30, 2019, 1:09 pm

    Almost perfect for me also. If I were to borrow this design, I would probably rework the kitchen layout and add the beloved fireplace or wood stove. Great size and use of space tho!

    • Wallace P Hughes
      July 21, 2021, 9:27 am

      We did want a wood stove but didn’t do it right away to keep down cost. We have rearranged, as we knew we would. We have a long table in the middle of the kitchen and a small woodstove sits in the corner where the table used to. Nothing like a real fire.

  • Linda Baker
    July 4, 2020, 11:26 pm

    I see you are not off grid by the ac unit shown outside but where is the hot water heater, elec panel and furnace? Are there any upper cabinets in the kitchen (none shown in pics) and the second toilet is nice but is the bedroom access through the closet area? How big is the loft area?

    • Wallace P Hughes
      July 21, 2021, 9:32 am

      We do not have any uppers. We have the pantry cabinet and lots of room in the closet area. It is our closet, pantry, laundry and the hallway to the bedroom. It’s nice having the washer and dryer that close to the bedroom. Take the clothes out of the dryer and toss them on the bed to fold. the bed sits on top of the drawers where the clothes go. The closet is very much a multi use area. We are on grid. Maybe someday we can get off grid. We positioned the house so we could generate tons of electric, if we can afford the panels. The loft is about 250 sq ft but it is quite short. It is about 6′ at the very highest. I have reworked that area with storage space and created a sitting and reading area that looks over the view.

  • Jane Ward
    July 5, 2021, 4:11 pm

    Ok, do you just gave me a new one in my top 3! The high ceilings makes it look palatial! I bet it helps draw out heat, if you have windows or vents at the top? Love it!!

  • vee
    July 5, 2021, 5:43 pm

    So very, very nice — looks so much larger than it is! I’d take it just for the endless windows, the bookcase/stairway and a super neat little laundry room!!!

  • cynthia r keller
    July 5, 2021, 9:14 pm

    It looks like a basement under it Is this correct? I love it beautifull

    • Wallace P Hughes
      July 21, 2021, 9:23 am

      We like to call it a cellar. It has a full height steel door with plenty of storage space underneath. It does not have access from the main floor and it has dirt floor covered with 6 mil plastic.

  • Ann
    July 6, 2021, 12:03 pm

    We too downsized from 2600 to 900 sq feet , wouldn’t live any other way now. Congratulations to the two of u on a well thought plan .

  • Maryann
    July 7, 2021, 4:10 pm

    I love this home How much to build it? Or did they have it built? Where is it ? The scenery is beautiful!

    • Wallace P Hughes
      July 21, 2021, 9:25 am

      We live near Lake Lure? Chimney Rock in western NC. I am a contractor and we built it ourselves. Cost is basically irrelevant as we built 7 years ago and costs have changed SO much. So much, that I am not building traditional homes and have started into Tiny Home on wheels.

      • Cathie
        January 1, 2022, 9:29 pm

        Love it… No where to put one in Texas though…

  • Pam J
    January 2, 2022, 9:17 am

    Your “Tiny House”, which doesn’t look tiny at all is Beautiful! Everything about it is great! I could sit on the porch all day. And talking about the view you guys have! Wishing I was there! Nice!

  • Sammie
    July 27, 2022, 11:40 am

    I LOVE THIS PLACE WHEN CAN I MOVE IN

  • Debbiemom
    July 27, 2022, 12:46 pm

    Love everything but the bedroom.

  • Doris clatfelter
    July 27, 2022, 3:51 pm

    I must be blind but I don’t see a “door” from inside the house into the downstairs bedroom. Looks like you go from the kitchen into a closet and the laundry and bathroom are there. The bedroom is in the corner and I see doors going out to the deck but not an inside door unless you go through the laundry area and closet area to get into the main house. Loved the screened porch and deck. That’s about the right size for what I will be looking for down the road.

    • James D.
      July 27, 2022, 8:02 pm

      Yes, that’s what the floor plan shows. Kitchen > Pocket Door > The Walk-In Closet/Hallway > Laundry > Pocket Door > Bedroom… Only Direct Access is from the Deck…

      The space between the kitchen and the bathroom is probably just a hallway, with the closet taking up the long section leading to the deck side, and the Washer/Dryer wouldn’t take up all that space, which means the hallways extends to the bedroom through there.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.