This 144-square-foot Maine cabin cost less than $11,000 to build
If you’ve ever dreamed of throwing in the towel on your nine-to-five and moving into the woods, Bree actually did it. She built this tiny, off-grid cabin in Maine with a friend, and the whole thing sits on just 144 square feet of space.
Keeping things simple
The cabin measures 16 by 9 feet, which sounds incredibly tight on paper. But once you step inside, the high ceilings and clever zoning make it feel surprisingly roomy.
Bree wanted three main things from this space: a place to bake, a spot to work out, and a cozy corner to just zone out and read.
A surprisingly functional kitchen
Since Bree used to work in a bakery, a proper oven was a non-negotiable. She found a slim 20-inch range that fits perfectly between the windows and runs entirely on propane.
The sink is another custom touch. Her friend spent a lot of time building a custom undermount basin right into the butcher block countertop.
Because there’s no running water, Bree pumps water from a well outside and stores it in a container under the sink. A simple foot pedal activates a pump to give her running water on demand.
To make building easier, she bought pre-assembled cabinets instead of making them from scratch. They’re topped with affordable butcher block that she cut to length herself.
Instead of bulky upper cabinets, open wooden shelving keeps the wall feeling open and makes it easy to grab bowls and plates.
Powering the whole place is surprisingly simple. She uses a portable Jackery power station to run her lights and charge her electronics.
Living in a snow globe
Maine winters are notoriously brutal, but the cabin stays warm thanks to a tiny cast-iron wood stove. It’s incredibly efficient and runs on wood they chop right on the property.
The living room
The cozy living area features a sectional sofa that serves multiple purposes. It has built-in storage underneath the cushions to keep clutter out of sight.
When friends stay over, the sofa pulls out into a bed. It’s positioned so you can lie back and watch the fire in the wood stove during winter storms.
The loft situation
To climb up to the loft, Bree uses a wooden ladder mounted to the wall. It pulls double duty as a workout bar for her daily routines.
The loft fits a full-size bed, which is plenty of room for two people. Bree intentionally kept the loft compact to preserve the high, open ceiling in the main living space.
And of course, she didn’t forget her cats. Her friend built small wooden steps on the wall so her cats can easily climb up to the loft to sleep with her.
Smart storage solutions
Living in 144 square feet means you have to be very intentional about what you own. Bree keeps her wardrobe simple, storing everything in a classic wooden dresser.
What about the bathroom?
One of the biggest questions people ask is how she handles the bathroom. For showers, she keeps a gym membership, which also lets her get a workout in.
On the property, they use a composting toilet system with pine shavings to manage waste simply and cleanly without plumbing.
The little village
Bree’s cabin is actually part of a small off-grid community on 40 acres of land. Her landlord, Alex, started building these cabins when there was no building code for structures under 150 square feet.
The property is also home to a variety of animals, including cows, chickens, and goats, which adds to the homestead feel.
A worthwhile trade-off
Building the cabin cost a total of $10,700, with a large chunk of that going toward the spacious wrap-around deck.
By living here, Bree has cut her monthly expenses down to just $300 to $400 a month, which she pays towards property taxes and basic living costs. It’s a small price to pay for complete freedom.
