The Compact Cabin That Feels Bigger Than It Really Is

A compact forest cabin showcasing dark timber cladding and modern design that blends into the trees.

Tucked deep within a lush forest sits a cabin that proves good design can completely change how a space feels, and that cabin is The Little House. Created by mw|works architecture + design, this modern home rests quietly among the trees of Seabeck in Washington State.

A compact forest cabin showcasing dark timber cladding and modern design that blends into the trees.

Built over an existing foundation, the 1,140 square foot structure begins as a modest, compact home but quickly feels much larger as you move through it thanks to clever detailing, thoughtful materials, and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape. Its exterior is wrapped in taut oxidized black cedar and blackened cement infill panels that give the cabin a strong presence while allowing it to blend naturally into the forest around it.

A compact forest cabin showcasing dark timber cladding and modern design that blends into the trees.
A compact forest cabin showcasing dark timber cladding and modern design that blends into the trees.

Step inside and the contrast is immediate. The social areas take over the main floor, where lightly painted panels and soft pine plywood brighten the entire interior. Large floor to ceiling windows pull in views of the trees and water, making the cabin feel far larger than its footprint.

Light warm interiors with pine plywood and full height windows that make a small cabin feel spacious and inviting.
Light warm interiors with pine plywood and full height windows that make a small cabin feel spacious and inviting.

The kitchen keeps to a white palette that reflects natural light around the room. Just above the dining table, three simple pendant lights add soft illumination without distracting from the view framed beyond the glass.

A bright white cabin kitchen with simple pendant lights and sweeping forest and water views.

The main floor opens directly to a patio that expands the living space into the landscape. On rainy days, the covered entry porch provides shelter, while sunny afternoons are spent relaxing on the open patio that reaches toward the forest.

A modern cabin with a patio and covered porch that offers outdoor living in any weather.
A modern cabin with a patio and covered porch that offers outdoor living in any weather.

Back inside, a soft wood staircase leads to the upper level that holds the bedroom and bathroom. In the bedroom, a skylight is positioned directly above the bed to bring natural light down into the bright white space. It creates a serene feeling that fits the cabin’s calm setting.

A soft wood staircase leads to the upper level that holds the bedroom and bathroom.
A peaceful cabin bedroom with a skylight above the bed and a softly lit white interior.

The bathroom also enjoys its own skylight placed over the shower. Long rectangular white tiles line the shower and wrap around to the vanity, creating a continuous and fresh look that stays visually light from every angle.

A modern skylit bathroom with long white tiles and a fresh, streamlined design.

The Little House may be compact, but it proves that smart design can create a sense of spaciousness that goes far beyond square footage. With warm materials, generous windows, and thoughtful touches from top to bottom, this cabin offers a lifestyle that feels beautifully connected to the landscape and wonderfully simple at the same time.


Photography by Andrew Pogue | Design: mw|works architecture + design | Interior Design: Avery Cox Design | General contractor: E&H Construction | Landscape architect: Johnson Southerland | Structural engineer: PCS Structural Solutions