Two Iowa College Students Built a Very Affordable Tiny Cottage

Inspiration Behind the Cottage Build

Even though it may not be the fanciest cottage ever, but it is a fully useable cottage especially for a quick getaway. Kudos to the two students who created this cute little cabin with their limited resources and no building experience. Amy Andrews and Ethan Van Kooten decided to try their hand at building a small cottage after a field trip in Costa Rica where they stayed in smaller cottages. They wanted to see if they could build something similar back at home. As students, they didn't have a lot of money to put toward building the cottage so they just used what they could find and made it work. They used a bunch of reclaimed building materials that they found from demolished buildings and scrap piles that were on their way to the landfill. This is such an excellent way to save money on materials which can be pricier than you'd expect.

Building Materials and Costs

They managed to find the materials for the walls, floors, and roof. They also were able to take the sink, countertop, cupboards and various other items from a home that was to be demolished. A salvaged wood stove heats the home. Besides the materials to build the house, they also had to learn to do all of the building themselves. A lot of the money went to the stove pipe for the wood burning stove and the plywood for the ceiling. In total, the entire build cost them under $500, and it took them 500 hours of labour in total which is pretty awesome. What they ended up with was a 250 square foot cottage that is rustic but very practical for a cabin.

Furnishing and Future Plans

They furnished the inside with used furniture from people they knew and thrifting. A candle chandelier can be lowered by a pulley system, and they also have battery-powered wall lights. Solar power and a solar panel system is planned for the future which is definitely the goal for most people building tiny houses and off-grid cabins. The home is located on family property, so they didn't need to go through the trouble of having to locate a place to build their tiny cabin or buy a property which can also be expensive. Their cottage build is the inspiration that goes to show us that one man's junk is another man's treasure. Or in this case, a tiny cottage.

Inspiration for Future Builders

If you've been considering building a tiny rustic cottage or even a shed on your property this project can offer you some great inspiration. You'll save money on materials by using reclaimed items that you can find in salvage yards and on buy and sell sites. You can also go to job sites in your area and ask if they would be willing to donate or sell you some of their scrap materials if the materials are just going into the landfill. To learn more about building a cottage you can read up online, watch YouTube tutorials and buy books on building. These students are proof that you can really do anything you put your mind to, even building your own small cottage.