For 45 years, this little 7’8” x 7’8” room served as the cabin’s only bedroom. The queen bed fit tightly against the wall and a drafty single-pane window, making the space feel even smaller.

Wanting to maximize every inch and create as much usable space as possible, we kept the design simple and reimagined the room as a functional pass-through—connecting the bathroom and entry area to the main living space—while still serving as a catch-all zone for essential cabin storage.

The original hard-to-reach closet and the narrow 8-inch shelf that once held all the cabin necessities are now easily accessible from what feels like a much larger, more open room. The window was intentionally reduced in size—yes, made smaller—to allow for traditional wall cabinetry that provides far more practical storage.

This space now houses the second fridge and recycling, and a cottage-style curtain keeps coolers or miscellaneous items out of sight. Two laminate counters offer extra workspace for hobbies or food prep, removing that pressure from the kitchen table.

A key goal for the homeowners was not to “blow up” the entire cabin renovation, so the original kitchen on the other side of this room remains intact—refreshed with new flooring and an updated counter, but otherwise preserved. This approach allowed the cabin to grow and function better, while keeping its heart and history firmly in place.