Buying or building your own country home from scratch might seem out of reach, but if you think outside the box then there are some cool, A-frame alternatives that could allow you to start living your dream. From rustic rural retreats that would make for awesome fixer-upper projects to kit homes that can be built in a flash, be inspired by these amazing – and affordable – A-frame cabins you can actually buy...

Available to ship anywhere in the world, directly to your building site, in as little as six weeks, this characterful cabin is an ideal option for those looking to create their own home quickly, sustainably and on a budget, since prices start from just £5,672 ($7.5k). Known as the DUO Series A-frame, the property was designed by Avrame, an Estonian kit home company that was founded in 2016 by Indrek Kuldkepp. 

Kuldkepp sold his house and set about building the most practical off-grid house he could – a project that led to the creation of Avrame. So far, the company has shipped over 100 A-frame kit homes to 22 different countries around the world, from the forests of Finland to the mountains of South Korea. The company has 15 different models for buyers to choose from and the DUO is available in four different sizes, the smallest of which spans 322 square feet and the largest 737 square feet. 

Whether you want a summer retreat, a guest suite for your backyard, the ultimate home office or a downsize-friendly house, this compact cabin could be for you. No matter which size model you buy, your unique and affordable home will come complete with a lounge, a dining space, a kitchen, one bathroom and at least one bedroom, positioned on a loft level above the main living space. The largest DUO, model 120, can sleep up to six and offers two bedrooms, making it suitable for a family. 

Chic, cosy and contemporary, every DUO is fully customisable and you can style it however you see fit. Once you've selected the right size home for your needs, you can work with Avrame to tweak your chosen model, before the company sets about producing a kit with everything you need to build your home. When it’s ready, they'll ship it directly to your building site and you can then hire a contractor to assemble the kit, or tackle it yourself – a process that should take less than 10 weeks.

If you have a slightly larger budget, and want a little more interior space, then Avrame's TRIO model might be a better match. Just like the DUO Series, this chic kit home can be shipped internationally in around six weeks, making it a speedy and affordable option.

Designed by Avrame, the off-grid home is available in five sizes, between 556 square feet and 1,495 square feet, with prices varying depending on which model you select. Structural kits begin at around €14,300 – that's £11,950 ($15.7k) – with packages available for interior kits and exterior additions, too. You can even pay Avrame to assemble the property for you, a task that can take as little as two days, depending on the model.

Amazingly, the largest of the TRIO kits comes with four bedrooms and can accommodate as many as eight people. While the sizes of the A-frame can't be customised, buyers can play around with the interior layout of their new home, so that it perfectly meets their needs. Don't like the floors? You can swap them out. Prefer less glass? That's an option, too!

What's more, every model is energy-efficient and durable, and Avrame has downloadable guides for those looking to self-build their own home, in order to save extra pennies. Thanks to the technology used, building one of these kits is fairly straightforward and almost like putting together a piece of flat-pack furniture.

If you're on a tight budget, the A-Frame Weekender from DEN could be within your reach. With a build cost of just £76,970 ($101k), the property spans 415 square feet and is the ultimate holiday home for those looking to escape the rat race.

This A-frame tiny house is simplistic in its design, but boasts plenty of gorgeous architectural details that make it feel luxurious, ultra-modern and entirely comfortable. Inside the petite property you'll find a dramatic 14-foot ceiling, an entire wall of glass and a highly efficient floorplan that can be utilised as you see fit.

The 415-square-foot home has three rooms and comes kitted out with a lounge, kitchen, bathroom and dining space – as well as a full master bedroom. Keeping the material palette chic but stripped-back, the house allows the natural beauty of wood to do all the talking, while its endless windows frame the view outside and draw plenty of sunshine indoors.

Amazingly, the property even has a gorgeous small bathroom, which utilises the distinctive A-frame geometry to create a stunning shower unlike any you’ve seen before. You can buy the complete plans for this weekender for £1,364 ($1.8k) and you can build it with DEN, using a contractor, or by yourself, for a mere £76,970 ($102k).

If you're looking to take on an affordable fixer-upper project that won't be too exhausting, then this cosy cabin might be for you. Located in the town of Greenwood in Oxford County, Maine, the traditional retreat is up for grabs for a mere £132,000 ($175k), but be quick as it's currently pending an offer. All it needs is a fresh lick of paint and a little TLC to bring it back to life.

The adorable tiny house, boasts a charming red façade and a 626-square-foot interior that's cosy and compact. Step through the front door and you'll find yourself in a snug open-plan space, complete with a lounge, log-burning stove, dining zone, kitchen, bathroom and mezzanine bedroom.

Although the interior is cluttered and old-fashioned at the moment, we're sure that with a lick of paint, some new furnishings and a clear out, it could be something really special. The bathroom and kitchen definitely need the most attention, but we're talking a simple makeover job, rather than a major renovation. What's more, ample windows allow plenty of natural light to filter inside, while the home's high ceiling, insulation and propane heater add to the home's plus points.

Plus, the property also benefits from a quarter-acre garden and a large wrap-around deck, both of which provide idyllic views over Twitchell Pond, a 169-acre lake that provides excellent fishing and hiking opportunities. Plus, because of the home's frontage, you'll gain water access without paying waterfront taxes. Oh, and did we mention that Mt. Abram ski resort is right around the corner? Whether you snap this house up for yourself, flip it or rent it out on Airbnb, your investment is sure to pay dividends. 

If you don't mind putting in a little work, then this cute A-frame cottage in rural Rutledge, Tennessee, would make for a fantastic investment opportunity. Yours for a mere £136,700 ($180k) via CabinHomes, the rustic retreat is in need of a little love, but with the right facelift, we're sure it could be something really special. Let's take a closer look...

Inside, the wonderful wooden home spans just 624 square feet, yet it appears far larger than that, thanks to its light-filled rooms, high ceilings and free-flowing layout. Space-wise, the cottage offers a living room, a full-size kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom on the groundfloor, as well as a master suite on the top floor, which boasts its own walkout balcony and dreamy views over the surrounding landscape.

Clearly though, the house is in need of modernisation. Built in 1977, its interior décor is more than a little outdated, but that's not to say that there aren't any plus points. We love the home's wood accents, rustic stone details and vintage kitchen cabinets, which could be upcycled to create a wow-factor new space for cooking and dining.

Outside, there's a 0.37-acre yard, complete with an open deck and a small storage shed that's ripe for conversion. What's even better, the cute cottage also comes with access to Cherokee Lake, which is considered one of the most beautiful bodies of water in Tennessee. Here, you'll be able to fish for bass, hike its 400 miles of shoreline or take the boat out for a lazy day on the water. We don't know about you, but we'd be quite keen to swap a city apartment for this rural gem.

Another fantastic A-frame kit house option is this striking model from DEN. The 1,000-square-foot property is modern, stylish and filled with natural light. Plus, it's incredibly affordable, making it a great option for first-time buyers or those looking to downsize and live a simpler lifestyle.

Spacious and carefully curated, the A-frame house was designed to fit the whole family, thanks to its open-plan living room and dining space, full kitchen with ample cabinets and worktop space, laundry closet, bunk bedroom, bathroom with a shower and lofted master suite. Decor-wise, the property is chic and contemporary, but it can be customized to suit your style. The exterior can also be modified to meet your local building code regulations.

Those looking to build their own home from scratch can simply download the plans for this gorgeous kit house, for as little as £263 ($349). With a Complete Package from DEN, you'll gain a license to build your chosen model and your engineer or architect will have everything they need to easily make changes to the design. Removing the guesswork, this package also provides you with every last detail, down to the position of the taps and light switches.

After you've bought your plans, you can hire a contractor to construct your new home, or use DEN's guides to take on the task yourself. This property costs just £184,500 ($245k) to build, including glazing, heating and cooling, insulation and interior fit-out. How's that for affordable?

Nestled on the banks of Lake Bob Sandlin, in Camp County, Texas, this waterfront retreat is truly one for lovers of outdoor adventure. On the market with CabinHomes for just shy of £246,800 ($325k), it's scenic, affordable and overflowing with potential. Let's take a look around...

The 1,030-square-foot home is modern and light-filled, with a snug open-plan layout that spreads across one-and-a-half floors. The front door opens into a bright living room, which leads through to a bathroom and galley kitchen, complete with a dining space. Upstairs, there's a loft bedroom that benefits from lake views.

Yet that's not all. For your money, you'll also gain a roomy garden and a standalone shed, which has already been turned into a home office. Yet it's perfectly large enough for a bed and kitchenette, meaning you could easily create a holiday rental on your new land.

That’s not it, either. Down by the water you’ll find a huge deck with a fishing pier, gazebo and outdoor entertaining space. There are two storage buildings with electricity, which could be turned into a home gym or WFH space, and a boat ramp for when you want to make a speedy getaway. Plus, who could forget about that view?

This one-of-a-kind home in the village of Innsbrook, Missouri, is another fantastic fixer-upper opportunity for a buyer with the right budget and imagination. Nestled on almost three acres of land, shaded under majestic oak and dogwood trees, the A-frame cabin is a short walk away from the picturesque 50-acre Wanderfern Lake, making this listing one for lovers of the great outdoors. What's more, it's on the market with CabinHomes for just shy of £265,800 ($350k).

Unlike many A-frame cabins, this one is actually rather spacious. Built in 1978, it benefits from a 1,250-square-foot interior, with vaulted ceilings, walls of windows, exposed timber beams and an easy, free-flowing layout. There's a lounge, a dining space, an office, a large retro kitchen, two bathrooms and three bedrooms. 

While two of the bedrooms lie on the ground floor, with access to the exterior deck, the master suite lies on a spacious mezzanine loft level that overlooks the living room below. Despite needing a little modernisation, this characterful cabin is certainly move-in ready. Plus, it recently received a new roof and septic tank, which will make any makeover works that little bit easier – and cheaper.

Yet, of course, it's all about what's going on outside. As well as more than two-and-a-half-acres of private land, the property also boasts a lake-front fire pit, a huge wrap-around deck for dining and relaxing, woodland walking trails and a stand-alone garage, which could be converted into an additional tiny home for keen vacationers. If you like what you see, act fast because we're sure this home won't be around for long...

From the outside, this might appear to be a teeny tiny home with a very limited interior, but it's actually a stylish, spacious and surprising property that you won't be able to resist. Located in the wonderfully named Mooney Mooney Creek, a suburb of the Central Coast region of New South Wales, Australia, this A-frame residence is one that shouldn't, and couldn't, be ignored.

Known as Hawkesbury House, the contemporary cabin is nestled on a stunning 40-acre plot, but it’s also just 20 minutes away from the charming township of Brooklyn, where the new owner can grab a coffee and feast on fresh seafood, making this the perfect place for both seclusion and convenience. Inside, the newly renovated A-frame is bright, free-flowing and entirely modern. There’s an open-plan living room, with a dining zone and a luxurious kitchen with stone countertops and high-end appliances.

Upstairs you’ll find a single bedroom – but it’s a beauty! Large and light-filled, the room benefits from a stunning ceiling and full-height glass doors that frame the leafy backyard and provide river vistas. What's more, the house was remodelled with sustainable living in mind and now features an upgraded solar set up, a woodfire heater and access to a private spring, providing you with fresh water all year round. 

Even the home's two bathrooms are perfect as they are, thanks to their walk-in showers and modern tiles. Outside, the pad comes with a lush garden, sprawling decks, a saltwater pool, a supersized BBQ, a private jetty and amazing hot water plumbed clawfoot tub that's nestled right next to the creek. If you've fallen in love with this gorgeous waterfront home, then it's currently on the market with a guide price of AUD$1.6 million, which equates to £914,100 or $1.2 million. 

Love this? Follow us on Facebook for more tiny home content