Relaxshacks.com

Another Micro, SUPER AFFORDABLE. Treehouse Building Plan Set

2026-03-06T06:47:00.000-08:00

"MICRO TREEHOUSES AND OTHER ODD STRUCTURES"

You can STAY in a few of them at "Tiny House Summer Camp" in Vermont! Build with us!

I just love this photo (taken by Chris and Pam Daniele of @dirtandglass on instagram - their photo work is amazing). I look at it from time to time as I daydream about warmer weather and getting back to outdoor building. Winters here in New England can be rough.

In the spring as I get back to building treehouses for clients, this is one I'd like to offer up once or twice as a very affordable treehouse for kids. The plan set version is also large enough to snuggly fit two adults- and could be altered to be larger too.

THIS is also one of the micro shelters you can stay in while attending "TINY HOUSE SUMMER CAMP" in Vermont- a hands-on building and design workshop for beginners and those looking to frame, and discover alternative techniques in tiny house and small structure construction. This is the 15th year we're hosting this camp! Crazy! MORE INFO HERE

AND.... we also offer a simple-to-build planset for this style treehouse if you want to go the DIY route

TREEHOUSE PLANS CLICK HERE

And check out a few clips/video of another version of this treehouse

#tinyhouses #treehouseplans #treehouses #treefort #tinyhouseworkshop #tinyhousebuilding #cabins

Support a Human! Build a Tiny A-frame Cabin! (The plans)

2026-03-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

A transforming A-frame cabin from my Relaxshacks plans in a tranquil setting (or is it?- look closer)

Hey all! (Plans for the Transforming A-Frame Cabin HERE)

I haven't been blogging as much due to so many other projects I've been involved with (a touring band, filling in on drums for another touring band's overseas tour, a new book, traveling to do talks for our documentary film, etc), but truth be told, I kinda miss it. So here I am and I hope to continue to do more of it soon.

Anyway, I've noticed quite a few people ripping off my "Transforming A-frame Cabin Plans" lately on social media, and while there is often little I can do to stop it, I just wanted to thank those of you who have picked up the plans and supported a human (or at least supported the guy that actually built the cabin and drafted the original plans). A special thanks to those who have gone on to build the A-frame cabin and share photos with me too! Please keep sending those (and I'd love to feature them on my YouTube channel as well!)

I also keep seeing people posting fake AI videos and photo renditions of my cabins which is both odd and flattering at the same time.

On one hand I appreciate the fact that they dig it enough to create fake video content, BUT on the other, some of these people are claiming that these fake videos are of actual builds, and then further claim to sell plans for this build (they often don't and are just harvesting your info). That said, some of the AI renditions ARE cool and that usage does have its time and place I suppose (though I'm still not fully sure how I feel about it).

That said, again, THANK YOU for your support.

-One mere human

2026-01-06T12:58:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I'm REALLY into treehouses and building tiny things (houses, sheds, forts, she-sheds), but also into about 100 other things- one being antique bottle digging- aka mudlarking or "dirt fishing"

Feel free to screen-save this "Bottle or Dump Dig Bingo Sheet" and print it out for your own use!

AND Check out one of my OTHER channel's videos here:

THANKS!

What exactly is TINY HOUSE SUMMER CAMP in Vermont? Well, here goes...

2025-07-29T04:55:00.000-07:00

So what exactly IS TINY HOUSE SUMMER CAMP in Vermont??? Allow this little video here to give you a glimpse as to what you'll experience in Orleans Vermont if you come on out to camp and build with us! Live demos, ACTUAL BUILDING PROJECTS, guest speakers, tour actual tiny houses, campfire discussions, see treehouses, and much more! Feel free to show up a day early and stay a day late too!

ALL info can be found HERE

CLICK TO WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNFaOpm4f10

You're making a what? A light-up giant TROLL HEAD cabin for hipcamp?

2025-07-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

Build the "Troll Head Cabin" At "Tiny House Summer Camp"

So here is something we've been working on for a bit- AND something you'll see at "Tiny House Summer Camp 12" in Orleans Vermont should you want to attend and build with us, see tiny houses, tour cabins and treehouses, check out live speakers, and see live demos (and then some). Its September 13-14, 2025 (you can arrived the 12th to set-up, hang, meet people and build some if you'd like). Camp sites are free and other stay in nearby motels.

ANYWAY, this is something we're making out of salvaged materials- its a giant "Troll of The Woods" or "Witch Head Cabin" that eventually might be a very odd airbnb or hipcamp rental for people to stay in (though I'm not really sure if that is something I want to do- we'll see- prob not- lol). It has a mini loft in it that'll sleep two and the front window "mouth" is set so that you can lay down on cushions INSIDE the cabin and watch the fire outside. I thought that might be kind of fun.

We'll be working on this cabin some more this year at camp AND doing a few other builds on top of that.

So if you're up some adventure and would like to build with us CLICK HERE for more info.

Another Mini A-frame Cabin In Vermont- come check it out!

2025-07-08T14:55:00.000-07:00

My "Transforming A-Frame Cabin Plan Set" has been out for a little over a decade now, but even before THAT we built this tiny little "Sleeping Bag Getaway" in the woods of Vermont on the premises of "Tiny House Summer Camp". It's another one of the micro shelters that attendees can camp out in (IF they choose). This build was a project we were all involved with at one of our workshops. This year, as always, we have LOTS of live building planned as well as live demos, guest speakers, tiny houses your'll tour, treehouses you'll see, fireside talks, and much more.

No past building experience is required. And it's A LOT of fun- trust us. This is year FOURTEEN now!

If you might be interested while spots last- CLICK HERE

A FRAME CABIN PLAN SET- HERE

We have little micro pods like this dotted all over our 10 acre spread.

Tiny Houses AND Disc Golf? Yep- In Vermont THIS SEPTEMBER

2025-07-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

Perhaps it's my A.D.D. (ok it definitely is!), but we're ALWAYS working on new things up in Vermont on our "Tiny House Summer Camp" plot. Its 10 acres, all off-grid, and while we have FOURTEEN structures hidden in the woods (you'll get to see them ALL if you attend), we still have PLENTY of room left for a project like THIS. We've slowly been working on a backwoods, robot-themed, disc golf course. Sure it'll take the time to fine tune, but for all intents and purposes it's ready enough to play- and play we will at "Tiny House Summer Camp 12" this September 13th and 14th in the Orleans, Vermont region (2025)

HERE is a video on one of the unusual resettable targets we made, and aside from building and hands-on framing at this workshop, we might delve into some other fun DIY projects that tie in with the course (if participants choose).

MORE INFO ON TINY HOUSE SUMMER CAMP- Click HERE

"Odd Pods"- A Micro Treehouse Design for the Homeless!?

2025-06-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

Hey all! 'Been a bit since I dropped a blog post, but I intend to do them a little more frequently for awhile so as to show you a few things I've been up to. By now I'm sure you might have caught some word of "Tiny House Summer Camp" (after all we have been doing it for 14 years now!), but many don't know that while field camping is always free, we do also offer the chance to stay in the various mini sleep pods and micro cabins that we have scattered throughout the trails of our 10 acre spread.

CLICK HERE for the plan link AND for "Tiny House Summer Camp" info

Here is one of them- and something we all built a year or two back at the workshop (while also touring tiny houses, working on a legitimate cabin, hearing from guest speakers, and witnessing live tiny house building demos, engaging in campfire talks, and more).

This was originally a mini prototype for an easy-to-build, and VERY affordable homeless shelter. I was tired of seeing unsightly plywood box shelters and ones devoid of color and natural light, so I took a stab at a simple design that could be repeatedly built with little effort and minimal skill. It's very small and has a low height profile too (only 4' tall) so that it's easy to hide or won't be as visually obtrusive. This was the result. I later had no legal place to put it or set it into action, so we completed it in Vermont and set it on somewhat of a treehouse platform.

There is an easy-to-build plan set for this tree fort or sleep pod here if you're ever looking for a very simple and affordable treehouse for your kids, or for you to nap in, read in, and so on. It could even be used as a micro greenhouse or cold frame for starting seedlings. In certain climates I could be a chicken coop as well- a really cool looking one.

If YOU build one, DO share some photos with me through kidcedar@gmail.com

EASY to BUILD- A-FRAME Treehouse Cabin or Office

2025-02-05T12:27:00.000-08:00

Here's another one we built pretty recently- a budget build over two days in the Catskills. This little A-frame treehouse will also be featured in my new book "Treehouses- Within Reach", out in May (2025).

AND- we also have TINY HOUSE SUMMER CAMP 12 on the way! Build and Camp with us in Vermont! CLICK HERE for more info!

A Patriotic A Frame Cabin Built by this Texan Woman!

2025-01-21T09:43:00.001-08:00

This is our latest guest video on the "Transforming A-frame Cabin Design". I linked the plans below. Shannon Stout, a Texan woman and outdoor enthusiasts took on this project recently and absolutely nailed it. Thank you so much for the great tour Shannon! Check out the full video walk-through below!

And TINY HOUSE SUMMER CAMP in Vermont- 2025- YEAR TWELVE!!! Details HERE

BUILD Tiny Houses with us, SEE Treehouses, AND PLAY disc golf!

2025-01-17T08:44:00.000-08:00

Yep, Tiny House Summer Camp 2025 will be happening in September, and as always, we'll all be ACTUALLY building and the camp sites are free if you attend (and want to camp to save loot).

SIGN UP HERE

Aside from that we are working on a disc golf course on our 10 acres. If you've never played, we can teach you. The whole course weaves between hidden cabins and treehouses in the woods.

Here is one thing we're working on in the Boston area AND in Vermont on our land...

This year at camp:

-Live Building

-Guest Speakers

-Live Demos

-Guest Tiny Houses to Tour

-A Wild Edibles Walk from a Wilderness Survival expert

-Tour ALL our mini cabins and treehouses

-And MUCH MORE!

September 13 and 14th (and you are welcome to show up and set up camp and hang out on the 12th too!)

....and here's a shot of one of the disc golf holes in the works....

Several tiny house money saving ideas and approaches.

2025-01-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

Check out this clip here- this guy has the right idea! He bought a parcel of land in the mountains of Colorado for a mere $3500.00 and then proceeded to build this little "Step 1" cabin in the meantime through use of secondhand and found materials. It's tiny, sure, but it looks great, has a bathroom, and would be perfect to hold one over while building another larger cabin project on the land. This little "Shed In A Bed" could later serve as guest quarters of an Airbnb style rental. It would make a nice backyard office or she-shed/man cave too!

This guy has a few simple money saving ideas in his narration too.

Inspiring stuff!

AND TINY HOUSE SUMMER CAMP 2025 SIGN UPS..... HERE! Gonna be fun! Lots planned for this year!

We transformed a SHED into a TINY HOUSE guest CABIN!

2024-12-06T07:26:00.000-08:00

Above- one reveal shot of the two-day, no budget flip- with Alex Eaves of "Escape The Waste"

The budget on this one was almost NOTHING- 90% leftovers and salvaged wood from old dismantled structures, pallets, and more- even some of the paint was secondhand. The video explains all in more detail, but this is a SHORT TERM-stay cabin that we built for SONG OF THE ROBIN Animal Sanctuary. They needed a place where a work volunteer could stay without using up the bed and breakfast room they have on site and need to keep things running. They might even have a treehouse rental in their future as we have been in talks before. Their meals are all vegan too, for those interested. -Deek Diedricksen

The place is GREAT and located in New Lebanon, NY- DO check them out.

http://www.songoftherobin.org

TINY HOUSE SUMMER CAMP IN VERMONT has been announced for 2025 as well! Here is THAT link to sign up. https://relaxshacks.myshopify.com/collections/all

I'm kinda sick of "Millionaire Treehouses"- So here's a New AFFORDABLE treehouse plan set

2024-10-31T14:33:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong, some of those crazy-expensive Pete Nelson-style treehouses are total and absolute art, and I love them myself, but they lack one big thing- accessibility. I mean how many of us will ever be able to afford one of those- never mind the land they'd need to reside on. Very few of us.

So... for all us comparatively "poor" folks who need to keep it real, here's a TINY treehouse sleeper I designed that...

-Costs VERY little

-Is EASY to construct

-Is light enough in panelized form where you could walk each piece into the woods by yourself

-Is so incredibly small that it would be easy to hide- OR code/your town won't even care about it.

It could also be used as a tiny greenhouse, a cold frame (coldframe) for early season gardening, or as a modern chicken coop. And I'm sure there are other options or uses for it as well.

The one shown is more of a "stilt house" than a tree fort or treehouse, but you get the ideas and the new plans lay it all out for you.

It's all stock materials too, including the Suntuf Polycarbonate roofing that you'll use for the clear front wall.

You can find more on Suntuf here- https://www.palram.com/us/?redirect_info=US%2Cen%2CUnited%20States

THE PLANS- click HERE

(for fans of treehouse plans, treehouses, treehouse masters, tree forts, greenhouses, tiny shelters, homeless shelter, fort, kid's playhouse, playspace, small sheds)

TINY HOUSE SUMMER CAMP for 2025!

2024-09-27T07:40:00.000-07:00

After another successful completion of Tiny House Summer Camp ELEVEN, we've already picked a weekend for 2025- so mark those calendars!

Tiny House Summer Camp 2025 will be September 13 and 14th (a Saturday and Sunday)

As always, guests can arrive on Friday-Day and set up, hang out, and even start some activities with us- AND you're welcome to camp out all the way until Monday as well.

As always, there is a TON of hands-on, real-deal building involved. ALL skill-levels are welcome- ESPECIALLY those who have never built before.

TO SIGN UP/MORE INFO- CLICK HERE

Above: One of the builds we worked on this year (2024)

Where the heck has Deek been? (and Tiny House Summer Camp 2024!)

2024-05-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

I've seen this comment on YouTube videos and blog posts. Don't worry, I'm still here and we still have Tiny House Summer Camp in Vermont coming up- your chance to build and camp out with us on a 10 acre spread. We've been doing that hands-on weekend since 2010 and don't plan on stopping.

BUT.... I've also become more addicted to vintage and antique bottle digging- aka "dirt fishing". It's something that has occupied some of my time with my OTHER YouTube channel.

Just what the heck is Dirt Fishing? Well here is one little dig excursion we went on in search of 100+ year old glass bottles. I'll warn you, if you get into it, the hobby is addicting- AND one where you can't be afraid to get filthy.

Another tiny house PALLET WOOD build for glamping (and TINY HOUSE WORKSHOP!)

2024-03-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

So we've been busy with a few things outside of building and filming tours. For one I'm wrapping up work on writing (and now illustrating) my 5th book. This one will be on treehouses, and will more so focus on the slightly more affordable ones. No other books really seems to hone in on that so I wanted to give those type builds some exposure- after all, we aren't all Rockefellers. $$$$

We're also gearing up for two FULLY HANDS-ON BUILDING WORKSHOPS this year- one on Tiny Houses and the other on Tree Houses. Come hang out and literally build with us!

Hit the link here if you want more info, or to sign up. These workshops are FUN- action packed, and taught by multiples hosts. You're welcome to camp out for free too. One is in Vermont and the other will be in Maine.

I've also been doing some social media and photo work for "Leigh Acres" this GREAT glamming resort and art farm in Alabama.

Do me a favor and follow them on Instagram here- https://www.instagram.com/leighacres/

I'd hugely appreciate it. They have some very fun and creative stuff going on down there and their airbnb rentals are very inventive- one being a treehouse I build as well. Oh yeah, it's a giant robot!

AND....yeah, we've still be building, tinkering, and cobbling. Here is a tiny little glamping rental trail that we rehabbed for Leigh Acres recently. We did quite a bit of the work with free pallet wood, as you'll see in this video! Enjoy!

-Deek

TREEHOUSE BUILDING WORKSHOP Announced! Hands-on In Maine!

2024-02-27T11:44:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's been awhile, but because so many have asked, we're doing another treehouse-focused hands-on workshop in Maine (outside Augusta) in August. Hit the link for more details and to learn a bit about what we'll cover! It's going to be FUN! 18+, unless you sign up with an adult. Camping on site (if you wish to).

Taught by Derek "Deek" Diedricksen, former HGTV host ("Tiny House Builders") and author of the bestselling book "Microshelters".

If you haven't done much building before, this will be a great workshop for you and much of what is taught will parallel many of the principles of tiny house construction too! So you'll be off to a great start in both fields.

Spaces are limited (we're only accepting 20 students) so don't sleep on this one!

Come swing a hammer with us and learn a ton from the pros!

Look Towards Simplicity- When Tiny Houses Are Getting Overcomplicated....

2024-01-09T13:25:00.000-08:00

I hear the chatter more and more often- "Have Tiny Houses gotten too complicated? Too high end?". In a way I feel that they have and I've felt that the scene has changed quite a deal from what it once was ten or twelve years ago. Perhaps that is a discussion for another time. And SIMPLICITY and vernacular design is certainly something we'll focus on at Tiny House Summer Camp in September (It's fun!!! Join us!).

Link to this year's "Tiny House Summer Camp" HERE

In any case, in the sub-genre of "sheds as tiny houses" I came across this builder recently and thought that this cabin design of theirs was not only pretty darn sturdy looking, but was also a simple (yet large enough) footprint or floor plan that could be rather conducive towards a workable tiny house. So for all the shed conversion fans, here ya go!

Check out the video overview they sent us, and let us know your thoughts in the video comments....

This SMALL HOME is perfect for a family (and TINY HOUSE SUMMER CAMP!!!)

2023-08-18T14:28:00.002-07:00

On a recent jaunt to NY to build a tree house that was to be photographed for a book I'm curently working on for my publisher, we had the pleasure of staying this airbnb tiny house, or "Small house", rental in the woods of NY near the Catskills. In this video we give you a full walkthrough of the place and talk about some of its features and its very simple, yet effective, layout. You might be able to grab some small home layout ideas from this one!

And don't forget that TINY HOUSE SUMMER CAMP TEN(!) is coming up- you chance to camp out with us (or you can stay in a local hotel/motel), build, hear from guest speakers, witness live demos, tour tiny houses, and more!

Upcoming Workshops:

Sept 15-17th- Orleans, Vermont

November 18-19th- Yucca Valley, California

These are BOTH hands-on- you'll learn by doing! They're always fun!

CLICK HERE for more....

Tiny House Summer Camp TEN in Vermont- Come build and design with us! Sept 15-17th

2023-07-09T20:54:00.001-07:00

TINY HOUSE SUMMER CAMP- Sept 15-17th, 2023- YEAR TEN!!! Yes, you'll ACTUALLY be building and designing with us! Click HERE for MORE DETAILS and to SIGN UP!

Orleans Vermont- THREE DAYS (we'll catch you up if you can only make two). All on a ten acre off-grid spread!

Multiple hosts- all hands on- camping (if you'd like (free)), tour tiny houses and tree houses, and more!

Hosted by Deek and Dustin Diedricksen (former hosts, designers, builders for HGTV and the DIY Network).

---------------------------

THE CAT ART (Reused Vinyl Sleeves)- They are $40 each.

Or $550.00 for the gallery of ALL SIXTEEN (if still available)

If you're here because of the CAT ART at Red Eye Roasters in Hingham, MA- here is what we have left. We will X-out each piece as they sell.

A list of what piece sells to who/whom will be given to the shop, and WHEN the pieces come down (the showing ends), they will be available for pick-up at Red Eye Roasters. You will be notified by email. Make sure you include your ACTIVE email.

I can also MAIL them for an extra $12 for packaging and postage (anywhere in the US). You must add the $12 to the price of the piece.

Check out my other art on Instagram too- @DeekDiedricksenArt

I AM available for custom work as well- kidcedar@gmail.com

Desert Builder uses "Dirt, Sticks, and Salvage" to craft his Tiny House Creations

2023-01-03T18:05:00.004-08:00

Want to get a glimpse of a few building practices and approaches you might never have considered when building your tiny house or off grid homestead? Check this one out- its loaded with a tours of not one, but SEVERAL desert builds- and all ones that were built from, well, local dirt, sticks, and upcycled materials.

Meet Richard Ward from Terraform Together based out of Bisbee, Arizona. Richard, a longstanding dweller and member of the tiny house scene, has been hard at work on his off grid desert property that he purchased only a few years ago. As you'll see in this video, with the aid of some friends and willing students, Richard has created quite the desert homestead- one that includes (as you'll see in this tour) several earth built structures, and even a buried school bus guest house that serves as a student dorm. If you're into hyper adobe, earth bag building, solar power, mud construction, or looking to learn the ways of "building with what you have on hand", this one might be up your alley. Richard is very immersed in the world of reuse, salvage, and employing secondhand materials into his work, and you'll see plenty of that here! This video might give you a few ideas for your own builds, off grid homes, bug out shelters, budget building, tiny homes, Cobb building, and for desert living in general (reuse, recycling, repurposing, and salvaging in dwellings and buildings) #offgridliving #offgridhome #deserthomestead #homesteading 

They turned a SILO into a GORGEOUS Tiny House

2022-12-05T09:36:00.002-08:00

This is certainly one for the repurposing fans, and if you give the video tour a look (Thanks to Michael Hicks of the "Mike Does" channel on Youtube for the guest tour) you will see quite a few very cleverly thought-out hacks and repurposing approaches. The decor in this tiny house or tree house is also pretty stunning. If you like funky "flea market chic" and eclecticism then this one might be for you. It's also an Airbnb rental under the name "The Sassafras Treehouse", and it is certainly a place I would love to see in person at some point. Its a no-brainer- this one combines my love of tree houses, tiny houses, and reused and salvaged materials- all of which combine to make this such a unique and attractive build.

Be sure to check out the very creative Murphy bed, or "Captains Bed" that was custom built for this rental- also the old piano that they turned into an electric fireplace! So many upcycling ideas in this one!

How to make DIY Mud Walking Shoes- they're called "PATTENS"

2022-10-02T13:32:00.004-07:00

For all your explorers, seaside and swamp mudlarkers, and even those willing or wanting to traverse muddy territories (say, for instance, while looking at a parcel of land before buying it), these super easy DIY mud walking shoes might be right up your alley.

These were recently featured on my OTHER YouTube channel "Streets Shall Provide" (please check it out and Subscribe!) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ePK6dw_7L5dlmkGZ5vVnw

Here's what went down. Enjoy.

These are FUN to use, but being a pretty big guy, as you'll see, mine might need to be a little larger so as to work more effectively.

And...

Our real-deal TINY HOUSE feature film is done! The Debut..

2022-05-20T12:36:00.012-07:00

Yes, its true.

Yes, it took five years of planning, building, filming, and editing to complete.

YES- Our tiny house film is done and we have now announced our VERY FIRST PUBLIC SCREENING!

Ticket Link: https://stayvocal.com/collections/events/products/ti20220714

Aside from our full length feature film you will also get admission to the Fuller Craft Museum, AND get to tour the very house that the film is based on.

Oh yeah, BOTH directors/builders (myself and Alex Eaves) will be there to do a QnA afterwards.

Its a GREAT venue- half the proceeds benefit the museum and there will be MANY on hand from the tiny house scene to hang and schmooze with. Come join us!

Press/questions- kidcedar@gmail.com ("Attn: Tiny House Movie")