This $75k Tiny Cabin Has No Loft — and a 10x10 Porch

Step through the 10x10 screened front porch and you land right in the heart of the home. The living room flows into the kitchen and dining, then a short hall leads past the bathroom and laundry to the bedroom. That exact path — porch, living, kitchen/dining, bath on the right, laundry, then the bedroom — is the footprint.

The cabin is built by Lancaster Log Cabins out of Gap, Pennsylvania.

It’s an English and Amish-owned operation using yellow and white pine throughout. Dimensions are 43 feet long by 12 feet wide, so there’s room for a real hallway.

Most-loved feature: the open concept that keeps the kitchen overlooking the living room, just like a much larger house they had before. That airy feel stays intact even in a tiny footprint. And yes, the no-loft layout skips the stash-and-hide approach in favor of everyday livability.

From porch to bedroom, it feels like a right-sized home, not a puzzle box. The wood shell also doubles as natural insulation, which matters later when we talk climate control. Bottom line: it’s a single‑story cabin built on a trailer chassis, titled as an RV.

Layout & Builder Details — what this home is (and why it’s special)

Coming from a 1,700‑square‑foot house, they worried that openness would be the first thing lost. Instead, this plan keeps the kitchen overlooking the living area. The vibe they loved in Austin carried over intact here .

Kitchen & Dining — compact but open and functional

The kitchen is standard-sized for this model, compact but not cramped. An apartment-size fridge handles daily groceries without fuss. The only wish list item is a bigger freezer, but they make it work.

Cooking happens on a standard electric stove that came with the build. Because the home is titled as an RV, keeping everything electric makes moving simple. If a lake lot calls, they can tow the cabin and plug in with no gas lines to worry about.

Storage shines: plenty of cabinets mean nothing feels missing. Everyday helpers include the over-the-range microwave and a huge sink. A dishwasher would be nice, but washing up hasn’t been a problem.

The walls wear their personalities on purpose — art and keepsakes are out, not hidden. The dining table is an Amish piece that comes mounted in this model. It doubles as catchall, morning coffee hub, and daily meeting spot.

Living Room & Storage — seating, mini-splits, and secret nooks

Shoes off, keys down — the living room is the daily landing zone. The room stays casual, with lounging and easy TV time baked in. The TV even pivots to the porch for outdoor movie vibes.

A surprisingly big three-seat couch fits, and both ends recline. Extra chairs slot in when friends stop by. Comfort is boosted by a Mitsubishi mini-split in here, with a twin in the bedroom.

The all-wood build helps the place hold temperature year-round. Wood naturally expands and contracts, and the system keeps everything steady. Result: the house sits at a “greatest temperature” year-round without fuss.

Storage stays intentional rather than hidden. A favorite “secret” is a moonshine jug that hides cords and knickknacks. Keepsakes from travels and Justin’s military items live openly as daily reminders .

Laundry & Work Nook — the Samsung all-in-one and plumbing notes

Past the kitchen, the hallway space was customized into a laundry room. The builder normally outfits this area with bunks and shelves. They asked to exclude those so laundry could take priority.

After van life, having in-house laundry was non‑negotiable. The Samsung Bespoke all‑in‑one both washes and dries. It’s ductless and runs on standard 120, so it just plugs in.

Plumbing still needed a tie‑in, but the factory layout made it easy. Water lines were routed to this spot after the fact without drama. The builder’s setup made the connection straightforward to finish.

Tools and supplies park here for now, away from the shed. A butcher‑block counter tops the units and doubles as a maintenance surface. With a cloth down, it becomes a handy little workbench.

Bathroom & Downstairs Bedroom — tub, vanity, and no loft

The bathroom is compact but comfortable, thanks to smart storage. A pine vanity offers real under‑sink space because the plumbing stays tidy. A matching wood mirror ties the look together.

The toilet sits opposite the vanity, simple and efficient. Biggest upgrade: swapping the standard shower for a tub. Having both tub and shower in a tiny house surprises people.

Moisture is kept in check with an extractor fan overhead. A window adds daylight and helps the room feel open, not cramped. Net effect: small footprint, zero squeeze.

The main‑floor bedroom centers on a built‑in Amish queen bed, mattress included. It arrived ready to sleep in on day one and didn’t need changing. There’s space for a king, but the queen keeps things appropriately tiny.

Nightstands flank the bed with outlets for phones and a blank wall reserved for art, not a TV. Climate stays dialed in thanks to the second mini‑split dedicated to this room. Clothes tuck into a big chest and cubes, with a full‑length mirror opening up the space.

Front Porch & Outdoor Living — the 10x10 screened patio

The 10x10 porch is their favorite “room,” hands down. It normally comes open, but they upgraded to screens. They spend most non‑sleeping hours right here, soaking up the view and skipping the bugs.

Pull‑down blinds block harsh sun and handle sudden rain. Ceiling fans in every room include one out here that keeps air moving. There’s actually more seating on this porch than in the living room.

It’s also the best seat for watching Justin take runs on his mini ramp. Favorite art pieces live outside too, including a custom sign from an Austin friend. Even the lantern hangs from a deer antler found on a nearby river paddle.

A cheeky “Wuang” welcome sign nods to their fandom. Porch life also doubles as an outdoor theater thanks to that swiveling TV. Screened in, shaded, and breezy — it’s the social zone of the house .

Budget, Title & Why They Went Tiny — costs, RV title, and savings

This model starts at $72,000 and landed at $75,000 with their upgrades. The add‑ons include screening the porch, a bathroom tub, and higher amperage. Shipping was $2,000 and included in that total.

Crucially, every Lancaster cabin rides on a trailer chassis and is titled as an RV. That means it can be rolled to new land and may help with local zoning hurdles. It’s exactly how they placed their home on family property legally and easily.

Monthly costs are tiny: electricity runs about $40–$50, and water comes from their well. With no mortgage after selling their Austin house, total living costs hover around $150–$180 a month. Compared to big‑city life with utilities, insurance, and fees, they’re saving at least $2,000 every month.

Their path here: high‑school sweethearts, Army service, Austin real estate, then van life. Downsizing in the van made the cabin feel like a mansion when they moved in. Their take: materialism is down, tiny living is up — find what makes you happy and surround yourself with it .