The 12×24 Empire cabin from Stoney Ridge Country Store is the one-off most versatile and functional cabin shells that you can find in the market today. This cedar-stained and black-roofed beauty priced at just $25,977 comes as a fresh, weather-tight, and unpainted box—perfect for becoming exactly what you need, be it an off-grid retreat, a hunting cabin, a guest house, a home office, an art studio, or a weekend lake getaway.
The Empire cabin, with a size of 288 square feet, is a perfect example of how to get enough living space without the problems of too much complexity or cost. A full-size sofa, a dining table, and a kitchenette can be easily accommodated in the 12-foot width of the cabin, while the 24-foot length is sufficient to have separate living and sleeping areas. The cabin, which is delivered with 2×6 floor joists, LP SmartSide cedar-stained siding, architectural shingles over a black metal roof option, and a 36-inch steel entry door with window, is a 4-season cabin that can be used for years to come in any climate.
It is the simplicity of this cabin that makes it so practical. There are no built-in walls that limit the layout of the cabin—just open stud framing that is waiting to be your vision. If you want one large open studio cabin, you can leave it open.
If you need a bedroom and a bathroom, you can frame it in. If you are planning on living full off-grid, then the shell is suitable for solar panels, composting toilets, and rainwater systems. There is enough attic space or even a sleeping loft if you want, due to the 8-foot sidewalls and the steep roof pitch.
The cabin can be positioned anywhere and that is another of its advantages. Whether it’s hidden in the thick woods of the north, sitting on the southern mountain ridge, lying beside a tranquil lake in the Midwest, or being increasingly placed in suburban backyards as guest suites, this cabin is equally suitable for all these places. Because of its modest footprint, it is frequently under the local size thresholds which means that permits are not required and the classic cedar-and-black color scheme is compatible with almost every environment.
The list of practical uses is nearly endless. The Empire cabin is what hunters want as a warm and dry base camp that has enough space for some bunks and gear without the feeling of being cramped. Remote workers convert it into a gorgeous home office where sunlight streams in through the extra windows. Families use it as an overflow guest cabin that actually feels like a home rather than a shed. Artists and writers take it as a distraction-free creative retreat. Couples who practice minimalism complete it to make a fully-functional tiny home for less than $40,000 in total.
Finishing the cabin on a limited budget is quite a realistic goal through the accomplishment of which most owners manage to spend $8,000–$15,000 in total and end up with a living space that is fully functional. To mention a few, the work will include installing spray-foam insulation in the floor and on the roof ($3,000–$4,000), pine tongue-and-groove for the walls and ceiling ($2,000), luxury vinyl plank flooring ($1,200), and setting up a simple kitchenette using reclaimed or big-box cabinets. A used wood stove or a mini-split can be used for heating purposes, while a composting toilet and a solar kit can make utility bills disappear. To keep the costs down and at the same time add character, one can resort to second-hand furniture, Facebook Marketplace finds, and DIY built-in.
The open layout is a great way to stimulate creative ideas. One popular budget configuration could have a queen bed at the back, a small bathroom with a shower in the corner, a compact kitchen along one wall, and a generous living area up front. Another option that divides the cabin into a 12×12 bedroom and 12×12 great room with kitchenette is also a favorite. You can add a 12×12 front porch kit for less than $2,500 and thus you have a place for outdoor living which essentially doubles the cabin’s usable area in nice weather.
In different areas, the Empire cabin is quite affordable at $25,977 when you include delivery costs. The cost of building a traditional stick-built cabin of the same size would be well over $80,000 even before finishing. Instead, purchasers are given a weather-tight, warrantied structure that is ready for immediate customization—thus, the savings could be in the tens of thousands of dollars when compared to building on-site.
Whatever you dream of—seeing snow coming down while you rock on the chair by the wood stove, waking up to the sound of birds and having coffee on your private porch, or inviting friends to gather around the fire pit after a day spent at the lake—the 12×24 Empire cabin is the one that can do it for you without putting your finances to the test.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Size | 12×24 (288 sq ft) |
| Price | $25,977 |
| Siding | Cedar stain LP SmartSide |
| Roof | Black metal |
| Interior | Unfinished open shell |
| Builder | Stoney Ridge Country Store |
For current pricing, delivery availability, porch packages, window upgrades, or complete finish options, contact Stoney Ridge Country Store directly.
Source: ShedHub – 12×24 Empire Cabin by Stoney Ridge Country Store