Jamaica Cottage Shop

Hand-crafted cottages and sheds created by Vermont artisans in the post-and-beam tradition.
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Two dog house dormers were built on the roof of this Vermont Cabin.

You have seen them on cute Victorian cottages, traditional colonial homes, and other types of buildings. A dormer is a structure that is built projecting out of the roof of a building. It will usually have wall space for windows and might have a different pitch from the main roof, and/or a roofline that is perpendicular to the main roof. They are eye-catching and can turn a drab building into something quite fabulous. Let us take you through all of the reasons that dormers are so great.


Gain Headspace

Some of our designs, like the Smithaven cottage, have lower wall heights. Other cabins have lofts with just enough room to crouch in some spots. Including a dormer in your design provides extra vertical space. This gives you room to stretch, or at the very least, room to stand in. Tall bookshelves and closets built into a dormer create storage space for clothing, linens, books and other knick-knacks. Here is an example of a finished loft without a dormer, and one with a shed dormer.


Vermont Cabin loft without dormers
Vermont Cabin loft with a shed dormer

Bring in the Sunlight

Lofts usually have shorter walls, meaning the only available space for windows is in the gable end of the building. This usually results in limited natural light coming in. Are you using the loft as a sleeping area? A dormer will provide space for additional windows to remedy a normally darker space.


Add Some Pizazz

A standard, gabled-roof cabin provides a certain charm in its simplicity. But your cabin can get a double-take by adding one or more dormers. With this purpose in mind, the structural form of the dormer differs from the overall roofline, the architectural interest will catch most peoples’ eyes. Depending on the dormer style you add, you can make your building look more traditional or modern too.


Types of Dormers

If you are building a Vermont Cabin we offer two dormer types that work with the building kits when ordered and shipped at the same time.


Doghouse Dormer

  • Gable-Roof Style
  • One window can be installed in each dormer
  • People usually add two or three of these dormers on one or two sides of the cabin.

Shed Dormer

  • Shed-Roof Style
  • This wider dormer style can host several windows
  • Great for creating more usable space in a loft

Doghouse dormer on a Vermont Cabin
Custom Shed Dormer with Windows
Shed dormer on a Vermont Cabin

Other Designs That Utilize Dormers

While we only offer a dormer kit for the Vermont Cabin, we do have a couple designs that feature dormers as part of the overall design. The Smithaven is a micro cottage based off of our Hardware Shed. We lengthened the building and added a shed dormer on one of the bearing walls. Three barn sash windows, with a transom window above, adorn the heightened wall of the dormer. The result is an adorable tiny house with a lot of personality.


Our Dollhouse shed and Xylia cabin both have over-the-door dormers. The door dormers for both of these are visually appealing and functional. Both designs have steeper roof pitches resulting in shorter wall heights. Adding a dormer where the door goes makes it possible for a full-sized adult to walk through the door without bumping their head on the door frame.


  • Smithaven with cottage dormer
    The Smithaven is designed with a shed dormer built into it.
  • Dollhouse with above the door dormer
  • 12x16 Xylia with Artisan-blown Glass Roundel with a colorful swirl
    Xylia with above the door dormer

Conclusion

Those who want a building that includes design features that are functional and beautiful might want to pick out a design with a dormer. Additionally, dormers provide more useable space in a loft, where wall heights are usually on the short side. Last but not least, dormers provide a unique, simple style to your cottage. All in all the benefits of dormers are vast and we think they are pretty nifty.


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Everyone loves sticky, sweet maple syrup on their pancakes and mixed with ice cream. Others pour syrup in coffee as a sugar substitute. Production of this saccharine condiment takes place in most of New England, the Midwest, and Canada. If maple trees grow in your area, you can make maple syrup. While you may be able to DIY a small batch in your kitchen, you will also want a sap house if you plan on making batches to sell. Our post and beam Sugar Shacks make excellent space for small-time hobbyists or larger operations alike.

maple syrup production in an affordable sugar shack
An evaporator sits on the concrete slab foundation in this post and beam sugar shack.

Many people might think that they can just use any old shed for boiling sap. This misconception usually gets corrected after the first boil, but can be avoided in the first place. Heavy equipment for boiling means that the floor system needs to hold enough weight. Moisture needs to escape buildings filled with steam and smoke.

Here we walk you through four Sugar Shack building essentials and components that you will want to consider before construction.

Take a tour of a Sugar Shack in the process of being finished!

1. Floor or No Floor?

 We can cut to the chase here and say we don’t recommend getting a floor system if you are boiling sap. First, your evaporator is going to be very heavy. You will probably want to store some firewood inside for convenience, which also strains the floor system. And there will probably be some spillage. Nothing is worse than sticky wood floors! Instead, order the building with a treated sill plate, and your foundation will be the flooring. Many people settle for a gravel pad, a simple and affordable choice that works great. Concrete slabs will be stronger and easier to keep clean.

Run In Basic Interior
A treated sill plate sits right on a gravel pad or concrete slab for a fire-resistant ground.

When you order a Sugar Shack from us, the default option will be a treated sill plate. If you insist on having a floor system, we suggest upgrading the floor weight rating when you order. You may also want to install some kind of flame-retardant surface decking under and surrounding your evaporator too.

2. Vital Ventilation for your Sugar Shack

Boiling sap produces a LOT of steam, and this isn’t just regular steam. Sap condensation is tacky and can coat the walls and ceiling of your building. Add in the abundance of moisture build-up and you have created the perfect environment for rot. We have three components that combat these issues in your Sugar Shack:

• Integrated Venting Cupola
Cupolas are used on Sugar Shacks for maple syrup production.
These hinged vents can be opened when sap is being boiled so the steam can leave the building.

The cupola that comes with one of our Sugar Shacks is designed to integrate into the roof. We frame out a 4-foot-by-8-foot rough opening. Installing the cupola on the roof it creates a second structure that houses the steam. Vents, installed on the two long sides open and close using a rope system.

Our Sugar Shack design comes pre-framed for the integrated venting cupola. They come with aluminum flashing to direct water away from the rough opening. Our other sheds will not have the rough opening for the cupola pre-cut or outlined in our plans. Be sure to work with a contractor, in the first place, if you want to make this type of change to a building that is not one of our Sugar Shacks.

• Wood Louvered Vent

Wood Louvered Vents come with nearly all our post and beam Sugar Shacks, barns, and storage sheds. These small, square vents, built under the roof, and are installed on the back gable wall. They have hardware cloth, a mesh material, that keeps most insects out.

• Barn Sash Windows

Barn Sash Windows are offered hinged, which provides airflow when your Sugar Shack gets extra steamy and hot. Therefore, syrup producers will be grateful for them when they need a breath of fresh air.

12x16 Sugar Shack with door upgrade
A side entry door was added to the bearing wall of this 12x16 Sugar Shack.

3. A Grand Entrance, or Two

Obviously, a door is a prerequisite for any building. Here is why you need barn-style doors in a Sugar Shack. Large evaporators need enough width for accessibility inside the building. A set of pine, double doors will make wheeling in a cartful of sap buckets, and loads of firewood, quick and easy. Finally, being able to safely escape your building in an emergency is also a must. For this reason, adding a single door on the opposite side of the double doors is a smart move. If hinged doors aren’t your style, consider sliding barn doors instead.

6-Inch Wood Stove Roof Flashing
Our woodstove roof flashing may be installed on any of our sugar shacks.

4. Flashy Flashing

Sap boiling evaporators are basically oversized, wood-burning stoves. They have pipes that exit the building, usually through the roof. Cutting a hole in the roof for a chimney will expose the interior to the elements. We can install woodstove flashing or a wall thimble in any of our fully assembled sugar shacks. We also sell them separately to ship with pre-cut kits too. Flashing sits on top of the roof and sheds water and snow away from the chimney. This prevents water from seeping into the building.

Conclusion

Set your Sugar Shack up to be safe and efficient. A proper foundation and ventilation system will help you maintain your building for a long life too. If you are looking for more tips, we found this handy list of other provisions that you will need to stock your Sugar Shack up with for a productive season.

We would love to see photos of you at work in your Sugar Shack. If you’ve got ‘em send them to us via our photo-sharing form in your account dashboard.  

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When Jamaica Cottage Shop began its journey decades ago, our founder, Domenic Mangano wanted to create a product made from locally sourced lumber. Instead of choosing subpar building materials, he decided to take advantage of the great timber available in the Northeast United States. The reason being that these wood species are well-suited for the local climate and create rugged structures. Fewer chemicals in the treatment of the wood mean less impact on the environment too, which is why natural wood is better. Working readily available lumber into the designs meant that new buildings could exist in harmony with the traditional homes and cabins that pepper New England, and the rest of the United States.


Western Red Cedar shingles is a stunning choice for siding or roofing. And it's all natural!

What Does True-Dimensional Mean? 

If you have ever purchased lumber at a building supply store you might have wondered why a 2x4 is really only 1-3/4” x 3-3/4”. Trimming off rough spots and defects during the milling process results in thinner boards.

With true-dimensional lumber, the width and girth will truly be what the measurement states it is. While the lumber will have a rough surface, this is often preferable. For one, a true-dimensional board is going to be much more rugged simply because it is thicker. Measuring will be simpler because you won’t have to account for that variance that happens in conventional lumber. If you are going for a rustic cabin aesthetic the rough sawn hemlock framing will instantly achieve the look.

Hemlock

Our mortise & tenon cabin is built out of big 8x8 rough sawn hemlock lumber boards for the posts and beams.
Hemlock is mainly used for framing most of our buildings

Hemlock lumber is milled from the Tsuga genus which is part of the pine family. This evergreen tree is abundant in the Northeast and Canada. Because Eastern Hemlock is so common in New England it is relatively inexpensive to harvest.


Where we use Hemlock:  

• Floor Framing - Skids, joists and blocking

• Decking for Floors - for basic out-buildings including storage sheds and firewood storage

• Wall Framing – Posts, beams, nailers, and rough openings for windows and doors

• Roof Framing – Rafters, collar ties, and ridge poles

Eastern White Pine

Board and Batten is the most popular all natural wood choice for siding our post and beam garages.
Eastern White Pine lumber is mostly used for siding and trim on our buildings shells.

Eastern White Pine lumber is harvestable all along the East Coast of the United States and Canada. Because it grows so fast this means that it is also quite affordable to produce. The natural, light color means it won’t need as many layers of paint or stain compared to darker woods. Eastern pine does turn a silvery gray color over time for those looking to achieve a weathered look.


Where we use Pine: 

• Siding - Board & batten, log cabin style, Adirondack live edge, shiplap, clapboard, and novelty styles

• Trim – Corner, windows and doors, fascia and shadow

• Doors – solid wood doors are constructed with two layers of 1-inch pine

• Floor Decking – 2-inch tongue & groove is a popular flooring upgrade

• Interior Sheathing – Roof sheathing, wall sheathing, and ceiling sheathing can be finished out with pine in shiplap or rough-sawn boards.

Kiln-Dried Spruce

Kiln dried spruce is a natural wood that we use for framing out our fully insulated buildings, like this pond house.
This Pond House is going to be insulated, so was built with a KD Spruce frame.

Post and beam buildings generally will show off the framing as part of the interior. Because of this, the frame is built with green lumber that dries over time. Green lumber is great for post and beam because it is less prone to cracking. However, if you plan on enclosing your frame with wood sheathing or drywall, it is a good idea to use dry lumber. Doing so will prevent moisture from being trapped inside your building, which will decrease the chances that mold and mildew will develop.


Where we use Spruce: 

• Floor Framing – joists and blocking in 3 or 4-season buildings

• Wall Framing – Posts, beams, nailers, and rough openings for windows and doors in 4-season buildings

• Roof Framing – Rafters, ridge poles, and collar ties in 4-season buildings

Cedar

Cedar shingle siding looks and smells wonderful on this Harvester cabin. Cedar wood can be used to finish out the interior for saunas too.
White cedar shingles were installed on this Hobby House. This type of siding is naturally rot resistant and will ward off many pests.

 Cedar is a gorgeous option we offer for the exterior, and interior, finishing off of our buildings. Because it naturally repels bugs and is rot-resistant we recommend cedar for structures built near large bodies of saltwater or in termite-prone areas. We find that Western Red is a hardier species than Eastern White and only offer it for roofing choices.


Where we use Cedar: 

• Siding – Shingles, Shakes or Clapboard in Eastern White, or Western Red

• Roofing – Shingles or Shakes in Western Red

• Sometimes used as interior wall and ceiling sheathing in prefab saunas.

When Unnatural Lumber is Advantageous

Pressure Treated Lumber

Our treated ramps sit directly on the ground. They provide easy access into storage sheds for wheelbarrows, bicycles, lawnmowers and tractors.
Since our ramps sit directly on the ground we build them out of pressure treated lumber for a long life.

While we prefer using all-natural wood as much as possible, we won’t turn our nose up to pressure-treated lumber. In some situations, it is going to be a better choice. Anywhere your building comes into direct contact with the ground, or gets constant outdoor use, pressure-treated will be recommended. The chemicals used in treated lumber will reduce the time before the lumber begins decaying, and it will repel most insects who love chomping on wood.


Where we use Pressure Treated: 

• Sill Plates – buildings without a floor system utilize a sill plate

• Floor Framing – Skids, joists, and blocking. We do not recommend upgrading the joists to be treated in insulated buildings

• Decking for Floors – Only recommended for storage buildings or porches

• Ramps – All of our ramps are treated since they come in direct contact with the ground

This cute little cabin comes with CDX decking for the flooring. It can have other types of flooring installed on top of it like laminate boards, vinyl, tiles, or carpet.
CDX Plywood works great as a shed floor, or it can be a strong base for adding tile, carpet or other types of flooring on top.

CDX Plywood

Another type of lumber we use is CDX plywood. If you have ever visited a big box store with a shed display you may have noticed that they use flaky-looking plywood called T1-11. It feels pretty flimsy, and the sheets of thin wood peel apart over time. CDX is a higher grade of plywood with larger sheets glued together. This makes a great subfloor or is perfectly fine for the decking in a storage shed or workshop.


Where we use CDX:

• Floor Decking – in storage sheds, workshops, or as the subfloor in cabins, cottages, and tiny houses.
• 3 and 4-season buildings – to encase the insulation inside the floor joists

Conclusion

Picking out high-quality materials for your shed build will mean your building will last a long time. Natural wood choices have advantages like looking attractive and blending into the landscape much better than synthetic options. Rough-sawn, true-dimensional lumber is sturdy meaning your building won’t wobble when you walk inside. Long-lasting structures might cost a little more upfront. In the long term, you will save money and time. And did we mention how great pine and cedarwood smells?

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When we ship out our cottage and shed kits, we send some extra lumber, known on our cut lists as EL. This lumber, included for fixing mistakes or replacing broken pieces, is usually not needed. Kits, stacked on a wooden pallet, include temporary bracing. After you complete building your shed kit, you will most likely have the extra lumber, temporary bracing, and the pallet leftover with nowhere to go. So why not come up with some crafty project ideas for using up your extra wood and lumber? Tossing it in a landfill is expensive and burning the wood in a firepit feels equally wasteful. We prefer the sustainable choice of repurposing the extra lumber into functional pieces of art or furniture.

Here is a slick concept for using up your leftover wood. Try making some small raised garden beds or fence posts.
Pallet lumber can be crafted into raised garden beds or used for fencing.

What Wood Will Be Left Over

Extra lumber in a typical kit will usually include several pieces of 1x4 rough cut hemlock lumber for temporary bracing and one or two 1x12 rough sawn pine boards for replacing siding. Pallets are constructed of rough sawn hemlock and are exposed to the elements as the kit is transported to its destination. The pallet usually has two runners, then several shorter pieces, laid on top of the runners perpendicularly. Thinner strips of wood are used to fill in gaps in the stacked materials to keep the entire pallet stable. These strips, also called stickers, are not needed in the construction of your kit either. You will need the temporary bracing to hold up the wall framing of your kit as you build and can also be used as a substitute for broken or missing framing pieces. In other words, don't start these craft projects until your kit is built.

Workbench made out of rough sawn hemlock lumber pallets is a crafty idea for using up your EL (extra lumber).
Workbench constructed of pallet lumber.

Super Simple Stuff

When I built my 8x8 Vermonter shed kit, I had a couple of 2x4s, and a 1x12 left over. My building partner laid a piece of 1x12 pine lumber on top of the wall beams to create a temporary shelf. The shelf comes in handy for storing gardening tools, flowerpots, and other pieces of lumber. Or chop the pine into smaller lengths and attach it to wooden or metal brackets to build a narrower shelving system.

With a quick internet search, you can find oodles of easy and small woodworking projects. One of my favorites is a candleholder built out of a 2x4 and two horseshoes attached at each end. Another woodworker crafted a small wooden planter for hanging succulents on a wall. Frames for stretching artist-grade canvases are easy to make by cutting 45-degree angles in the 1x4 lumber. Then glue them together to form a rectangle or square. Do you have a drill gun with a variety of drill bits in various sizes? You can drill holes into a 2x4 to hold pencils, pens and paint brushes.  

Intermediate Crafty Projects

For those who are more daring, there are some slightly more challenging projects you could take on. This ergonomic footrest resembles one of our shed ramps yet looks easy to achieve. I found a garment stand built by crisscrossing two pairs of 1x4 boards and attaching a closet rod. Increase the stability of the clothing rack by making a shoe shelf on the bottom with a piece of 1x12 pine. While scanning Reddit I found this excellent YouTube video of a modern take on an Adirondack chair made out of pallet wood. The final result is a piece of furniture that mixes minimalist style with a rustic aesthetic that can be stored flat. Scan Pinterest to find all kinds of art projects mixing and matching various pieces of lumber blocks together to create geometric designs.

Let Your Creativity Run Wild

Once you have your craft project constructed sand it down and add some primer and paint. Practice wood burning or hand engraving to personalize with names, drawings of cute animals and plants, or repeating patterns. Modge podge cut outs from magazines, old books, or photocopies to create a collage on your woodworking project. Since this lumber is essentially disposable you don’t have to worry about mistakes or making your final product perfect. Now is the time to experiment!  

Rustic Architectural Details

Recently one of our community members sent us photos of a barn kit they built as an addition to their home. They let us know that they did not want to waste any part of the kit. They ingeniously took apart the pallet, stained the wood, and attached the runners to their ceiling for a faux beam. With the smaller pieces of hemlock, they created matching windowsills to tie the room together. The extra pine was attached to the windows outside to create custom shutters.

This made me think about other ways you could tie your extra lumber into your building so I came up with a few more ideas. Rough sawn brackets can be fashioned to mock the post and beam framing used in the interior of your building. Build two of these to attach a small overhang over your door. Or use them to build a mailbox post. Practice carving stickers into ornate shapes and add to the trim under your roof.

  • Custom Barn Interior used as a kitchen addition
    Pallet pieces were used to create faux beams in the ceilling
  • Pallet joists were recycled into rustic window sills.
  • Left over pine siding pieces have been converted into shutters.

Conclusion

Sustainability is one of our core values so we love any opportunity to reduce, reuse and recycle. Creativity and upcycling can go hand in hand to invent new arts and crafts projects. As a result these projects can decorate your home or be given as gifts to friends and family. Have you built something interesting with your Extra Lumber? We want to see your photos!  

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With remote working opportunities on the rise, it’s an ideal time to get set up with a home office. Create a separation from your work and household by converting your shed into a backyard office. Some people might choose to use a spare room, basement, or attic space. A backyard office is superior because it provides a little more distance from kids, pets, chores, the TV, and other distractions. If you have clients visit you will give them a professional environment when you convert your shed into a backyard office. Other perks include cutting out long commutes, creating a smaller carbon footprint, and potential increases in property value.

You can convert your shed into a backyard office like this Home Office design built for a winery.

When you are turning a shed into a backyard office there are a few things you will need to consider. Size, your comfort level, and how you are going to lay out the floorplan will all be important factors for creating a tranquil work area. Here are some tips for planning out the best space for you.

How Much Room Do You Need?

First of all, you are going to need to know if your shed is going to be large enough for your workspace. A telecommuter who mostly works from a computer can probably get away with a relatively small space. If you have clients visit or sell products you will want a sitting area and storage space. When your office doubles as a tiny manufacturing facility then you will really need to consider a larger area, an Equipment Shed perhaps.

Clean everything out of your shed so you can take measurements. If your existing shed does not accommodate the amount of space, you will need you can always buy a shed kit that will meet your requirements. Another option is to built a kit as an addition to an existing structure.

Insulate, Insulate, Insulate

This 12x14 Writer's Haven was set up as a backyard office with a built-in desk.
The four season Writer's Cottage includes plenty of double-pane insulated windows and a built-in writing desk with shelving.

You will probably be using your shed year-round. You will want to keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Loud noises like sirens, barking dogs, and screaming kids are disorienting when you are trying to run an online meeting or while chatting with a client. This is where insulation is going to be very important. Proper insulation will create an energy-efficient interior that will also dampen any outside noise.

Spray foam insulation installed in an existing shed is possible, but it will be a challenge. Swapping out shed doors and windows will also be necessary. You can save yourself some trouble and buy a four-season shed building kit or prefab structure custom-built to your needs. Either way, you will want to make sure the floor, walls, and roof are insulated, the walls and ceiling have some kind of sheathing, and the windows are double pane.

Light It Up

A solar panel can be installed on the roof of a backyard office for off-grid electricity.
Solar panels are great for powering lights or charging batteries in your workshop.

If you aren’t working by candlelight or using a typewriter, from one of our Writer's Havens, you are going to need electricity. Good lighting is essential for writing, reading, drawing or any activity where good visibility is required. Several outlets for your computer, printer, and other devices that need a charge can be placed in strategic areas. For safety, you should also have a CO/Smoke detector placed in each room. An exterior light will brighten up the outdoor area when leaving at night.

Often your electrical system can be tied into the grid, or you can see if a solar option will work for your needs. Whichever way you go it is always best to work with a licensed electrician. If you are planning on buying a fully assembled post and beam office, we can install a basic or custom electrical package that will fit your needs. Once you have electricity you can contact your local internet provider to get set up, or you can probably use the Wi-Fi from your home.

Other Creature Comforts

This small workspace could fit in nearly any of our sheds.
A tiny desk for a laptop means this tiny home has a work from home office solution.

In most cases, an outbuilding that has been insulated and has electricity running to it will be all you need to get started. But you might want to add a few more amenities for you, employees, and any other visitors. A moderate temperature can be achieved with a heat source and air conditioning. A heat pump can provide both heat and cool air and utilizes electricity for output. Wall-mounted propane heaters or wood stoves are other ways to get heat into your office.

Another area of interest might be plumbing. Usually, you can run into your home if you need to use the bathroom or wash your hands. There are plenty of situations where close-by plumbing could be beneficial though. You might not want customers or your employees tracking mud through your home. Or it might be more convenient to have a sink and bathroom nearby. Keeping your space and tools clean is easier with a sink nearby. If any of these scenarios apply installing plumbing is the way to go.

You could choose off-grid options (composting toilet or separate outhouse) or tie your plumbing to an existing septic or sewage line for a traditional setup. Work with a licensed plumber to set up a bathroom or sink to ensure fresh and waste water are installed correctly and follow local building codes.

Setting the Scene

Once you have your shed converted into a comfortable, insulated space start planning your layout. Get measurements of your office shed and draw the floorplan on graph paper. Think about traffic flow. Ask yourself how much storage you need, or if certain items will need quick and easy access. Draft out where your desk, shelving, and other furniture will be placed.

A Garden Shed can be converted into a backyard office like this artsy setting. Painting by Mindy Fisher and ceramics by Rising Forest Pottery.
Make a vision board of your ideal workspace by cutting out photos of furniture from catalogs and gluing them to a photo of your shed interior.

Another fun way to plan out the space is to create a collaged mockup. Take a photo of the inside of your finished home office. Find furnishings and décor that you like online, in catalogs, or take pictures of furniture you already have. Print and cut out the images and glue them to the photo or assemble the collage digitally. This will give you a rough idea of what the space will feel like. You can play around with different styles to get the right atmosphere before you spend any more money.

Finally, don't forget to finish off your cottage office with curtains, framed art, and house plants. Bins and baskets can be used to sort recycling. Carts can be moved around as needed, and racks can utilize wall space for hanging coats, sweaters and hats.

Conclusion

A backyard office can be a wonderful addition to your property whether you are using it for telecommuting, a small business, or a hobby. Setting up your space for comfort, utility and a style that flows with your brand will encourage creativity and productivity. As you finish out your space work with contractors who will keep you on track, will do the job right and follow local building guidelines. Visit this playlist on youtube for a selection of suggested building kits for home offices or workshops. If you have any tips for setting up the perfect backyard office space, we’d love to hear them.

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The Vermont Cottage as a beach house or ocean bungalow.
This Vermont Cottage looks at home by the oceanside or even the desert.

Waterfront property, as everyone knows, is highly sought after. Having a place by an ocean, lake, pond, or river to live and relax is invaluable. Easy access to a place for swimming, fishing, ice skating, and boating is a bonus for most people who are searching for land. Add in the potential for income with vacation rentals and it is no surprise that beach houses and ocean bungalows are in high demand.

Anyone lucky enough to own beach front property will want to create an inviting home for their families and guests to rest and gather. Post and beam cottages and tiny houses, with their rustic style, fit into any coastal setting quite nicely. Over and over again our customers show interest in our Vermont Cottage Option A. An uncomplicated design, with a bearing wall porch and sleeping loft, makes it optimal as a seaside abode.

OFF-GRID OCEAN BUNGALOW

The Vermont Cottage is an ideal design for setting up for off-grid living. This particular cottage kit, constructed by a desert dune, would easily look great as part of a seaside resort. The light gray paint job on the pine board and batten siding gives the building a coastal vibe. Amplify the oceanic style by upgrading to Western Red Cedar shingle or shake siding. Solar panels were installed nearby for an electrical source.   

Stepping inside the bright interior feels summery and many personal touches abound. The custom constructed staircase, made of a light-colored material, resembles driftwood. White walls reflect the natural light that pours in from the ample number of windows. Sliding glass doors open out to another uncovered porch equipped with a picnic table.

The layout of this cottage is striking and streamlined. One half of the cottage, dedicated to a well-laid-out kitchen includes a full-sized refrigerator, sink, and woodstove. Plenty of cabinets and counters provide storage and space to prepare meals. The custom staircase reaches up to the sleeping loft. Cubbies attractively hideaway clothing and linens. Under the cottage loft is a small sitting area with a sofa, chair, and flat-screen tv. Next to the living room sits a narrow powder room, with composting toilet, sink, and shower. Between the kitchen and sitting area, a small bar height table was added for eating or for working on a laptop.

This beach house interior has a custom built staircase to the lof.t
This beachy living room has a custom stairwell leading up to the sleeping loft with storage cubbies.
This small space is bright and airy, making it feel larger than it actually is.
This cottage interior is finished out with a, breakfast bar, kitchenette, and a woodstove.
This small desk functions as a workspace or a place to eat, while enjoying the scenery.
A tiny desk for a laptop means this tiny home has a work from home office solution.

RIVERSIDE RENTAL

This Vermont Cottage was featured on the hit TV show Tiny House Nation.

Nearly a decade ago one family purchased and built one of our Vermont Cottage kits. They owned a small boat rental business on a river in Tennessee. Instead of sinking money into an apartment rental, they decided to downsize and live closer to their growing business. This felt possible because they had preteens who loved being outdoors. They figured that later on if they outgrew the space, they could rent the cottage out. Eventually, that is exactly what happened.  

This Vermont Cottage was set up in a way that could sleep four people comfortably. Building the cabin in a warmer climate allowed many of the kitchen appliances to be placed under the porch. The open living area was converted into a sleeping area for the parents with a custom-built murphy bed. Up in the loft sleeping areas were created for the two children. A large, uncovered porch, built attached to the cottage, was furnished with comfy patio furniture. Extending the living areas outdoors made it possible for everyone to have room to stretch out.  

Now this cottage is used as a family-friendly retreat for vacationers. The family who built this cottage is earning money on their tiny home investment and can visit anytime it is not occupied. People near and far can benefit from their lovely setup and get a taste of river life in a tiny home setting. Watch the episode of Tiny House Nation this cottage was featured on.

The Vermont Cottage as a beach house or ocean bungalow.
If you live in a warmer climate you can build your kitchen under the porch.
The Vermont Cottage as a beach house or ocean bungalow. View the cottage interior.
Log cabin wall sheathing and a fireplace make this a cozy cottage.
The Vermont Cottage as a beach house or ocean bungalow. View the cottage interior.
For colder days a tiny kitchenette was built inside the home.

LIVING ON THE LAKE

The Vermont Cottage as a beach house or ocean bungalow. This tiny home was built near a lake.
The 16x20 Vermont Cottage A is one of or most popular cottage kits.

Some people love living near a lake or pond because they prefer bodies of freshwater nestled in a forest setting. Obtaining a piece of lakeside property can be rare since so much of it has already been developed. Building a small cottage can be a sustainable way to set up a comfortable place to relax within a small footprint. Bring summer camp memories into your adulthood by setting up your own camp building.

This customer kept their tiny home simple and built a Vermont Cottage shell without insulation. This cottage was going to be used during warm months only. The property did not have access to electricity or have a well, so it was set up much like a camp. The location was also tricky to get to, off an old logging road, so building a kit was a practical decision.

The Vermont Cottage as a beach house or ocean bungalow. View the cottage interior.
We love how the interior of this Vermont Cottage was decorated. The interior is minimalist yet warm and inviting.

Inside they opted to use the loft for storage. A simple wooden bed frame was placed inside, along with other seating accommodations, desks, and dressers. Baskets, blankets, and decorations were sprinkled throughout to design an enticing and warm environment. The hinged barn sash windows, installed with screens keep mosquitoes at bay.

CONCLUSION

As you can see the Vermont Cottage is a desired design for building near any type of body of water. Its simple design is appealing to most people. The rough sawn hemlock post and beam frame is strong and can withstand many climates. The porch extends the living space outdoors for added comfort and the spacious loft provides room to stretch. It can be built for year-round living, with insulation, or for seasonal use only.

If you have any questions about this design, please contact our design team. Or visit the product pages to start designing your small beach cottage.