These Tiny Cabins in Poland Offer Creature Comforts in the Woods

Set in the pine forests and beaches of Lubiatowo, these tiny cottages are an idyllic getaway.

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In the small town of Lubiatowo in Northern Poland, six cabins known as Szumilas ("Summer Houses") make up a holiday retreat. Owners Magda and Chris, both energetic 30-year-olds, sought a change of pace from city life. Inspired by their own travels—especially hostel experiences—and an appreciation of the great outdoors, they decided to invest their savings in building a series of holiday homes with nature at the forefront.

The holiday homes exude a charming, laid-back atmosphere.

They reached out to Raca Architekci to make their dream a reality. The small, two-story structures are designed with natural materials that harmonize with their surroundings.

The simple structures are a modern play on the traditional cabin with wood-clad exteriors and gabled roofs.

The gabled form of each house is clad with larch wood and topped with a black metal roof and chimney. Punched window openings, recessed deeply in the facade, add a contemporary twist to the traditional cabin.

A simple material palette of wood, steel, and glass clads the exterior of each house.

The tongue-and-groove wood boards are divided at the half-height by a contrasting, black steel plate.

An exterior deck forms the entry to the house, extending the living space and providing a platform for gathering with friends and family. Further blurring the lines between inside and out, the doors can be opened wide to increase the living room area.

Black-framed windows and doors tie in with the black metal roof and dark chimney.

Above the deck is a shade sail which provides protection from the elements. The string lights add a sense of playfulness and atmosphere.

Natural materials extend inward with exposed wood beams, plywood accents, and wood-paneled walls. The mostly white-and-gray color palette is accented with shades of green that draw from the surrounding forests.

A muted color palette of mostly whites and grays is accented by green hues and natural wood finishes, as in the exposed wood beams above.

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Merely 474 square feet, the homes seem surprisingly spacious. The ground floor includes a kitchen area, large bathroom, and living room, complete with a sleeper sofa and wood-burning fireplace.

A wood-burning fireplace is the heart of the living room, set off by a stacked tile wall in a soft green hue.

The kitchen may be small and compact, but it provides all the necessities for cooking. Lower birch cabinets combine with white lacquer board uppers, creating a sleek look. A metal-and-leather pendant light by Nordlux hangs above the dining table.

Adjacent to the kitchen is a full-size bathroom.

The bathroom is finished with the same green tiles as used in the chimney well. Large-format tiles imitating terrazzo line the bathroom floor and shower walls, including the built-in bench.

A custom-made, birch-and-steel frame cabinet with a marble top and ceramic vessel sink is accented by round mirrors.

Wood stairs lead to two bedrooms upstairs, each with its own framed view of the surrounding landscape. Scandinavian style is evident throughout. Clean, simple lines blend with contemporary furnishings, light fixtures, and custom-built pieces by Raca Architekci.