Into the woods: 8 cabins that will make you want to live off the grid

Whether we’re stuck in traffic on our way to work, or stuck in line waiting for our morning coffee, we’ve all toyed with the idea notion of escaping it all to live off the grid. To inspire you during these daydreams, and sustain you though hump day, we’ve gathered together some amazing huts where people have got lost on purpose. From a cosy cabin set in the middle of an Australian bush, all the way to an earthen hut in a Swedish forest; take a look at these ultimate escape pads which promise no meetings, no emails and no crowds – just you, a cabin and Mother Nature. 

1. The Old Brush Studio – Brunkerville, Australia

30 years ago, photographer Robert Bignell bought 16 hectares at Brunkerville, NSW with a view to creating his own private piece of paradise. Inspired by the surrounding birds, animals and an amazing diversity of trees and shrubs, Robert built two cabins (they’re available for rent!) and more than five kilometres of maintained walking trails that meander through the property. The Old Brush Studio features eight waterholes, a creek and wildlife that comes right to your door.

Photos: Robert Bignell

​2. Window House – West Virginia, United States

Made up of repurposed windows, this peculiar cabin in the woods cost a mere $US500 to build. Photographer Nick Olson and designer Lilah Horwitz​built their enchanting retreat located in the mountains of West Virginia. The varying sizes of windows gives the cabin an artistic flair that is somehow both rustic and modern. The creative duo escapes to this space from time to time, whenever they feel the craving to be amid nature.

Photos: Nick Olson

3. Garden Cabin Studio – Private Island, Finland

This project is a collaboration between architect Ville Hara of Avanto Architects and designer Linda Bergroth. The pair launched their garden shed kit in 2010, combining a green house with storage space, and it comes in readymade elements that can be assembled simply with just a screwdriver. Bergroth customised one of the prototypes to create her very own cabin retreat on a small island in eastern Finland.

Photos: Arsi Ikäheimonen

​4. Owl Cabin Hideaway – California, United States

Available for rent on Airbnb, this remote cabin makes for the perfect quaint getaway. Located in Albion, California, the listing prewarns its visitors of the surrounding wildlife: “Please note, you might find wildlife nearby including fox, bobcat, deer, bear, many species of migratory and resident birds,” the owners write online. “If you love Las Vegas, you most likely would not like it here…” If that doesn’t sound like a genuine forest retreat, we don’t know what does.

Photos: Airbnb

5. Contemporary Cabin Guest House – Poltava, Ukraine

Surrounded by a maze of trunks and needled ground, this Studio YOD guest house has been seemingly born from the forest. Despite thier modern appearance, it’s startling how well the little houses blends, reflect, and indeed wrap around the surrounding trees. The cool and contemporary cabins are situated in the Poltava region of Ukraine and prove that a structure doesn’t have to be rustic to feel at home within nature.

Photos: KNSTRCT

6. The Glass House – Wisconsin, United States

This charming glass-wall cabin in Wisconsin has been aptly named The Glass House. The enchanting retreat is just one of many offered for rent by Candlewood, a small venture operated by husband and wife Norbert and Susan Calnin. Featuring a patio area with a large fire pit, a whirlpool bath, a microwave, refrigerator, toaster, and a coffee maker – what more do you need for a weekend retreat?

Photos: Candlewood Cabins

7. Earthen Cabin – Smaland, Sweden

In the early 1800s a man named Little Jon built and lived in this earth cabin (otherwise known as “backstuga“) located in southern Smaland, Sweden. An earthen cabin is built partially buried in the ground, in this case there’s three walls of stone and one wall made of wood. People who lived in these cabins often worked for their landowners to make their living, however today a woman who inherited the cabin has, along with her husband, saved it from rot and restored it. 

Photo: Christoffer Castor

8. The Cinder Cone – Washington, United States

It’s no secret that we’re a big fan of tree houses, and The Cinder Cone is no exception. In the spring of 2014, a small group of close friends broke ground on a building project in Skamania County, Washington in the Columbia River Gorge. Their primary endeavour was a multi-platform tree house, but they also created a skate bowl and a wood-fired soaking tub. The crew came from all over the country and from a variety of backgrounds – some were professional carpenters, others learned on the job gaining experience along the way. It just goes to show you what you can achieve with a community of tight-knit friends.

Photos and Video: The Cinder Cone