A Beautiful Off-Grid Retirement Bach and Garage at Sandy Bay, Motueka
Some homes are designed to impress. Others are designed to be lived in and loved. This retirement bach, built by Cosy Cabins for the Cliftons at Sandy Bay in Motueka, is both.
The project is a beautifully appointed 60 m² single-bedroom bach, paired with a 60 m² self-contained garage. Both buildings are fully finished and ready to move in. Inside the bach you will find a vaulted ceiling, a wood burner, plush carpet, custom lighting and a large 4 m feature door that opens the living area to the trees.
Cosy Cabins looked after the whole project, from consent and foundations through to delivery and sign-off, so the Cliftons could look forward to retirement without the building worries.
At a Glance
- Built for: the Cliftons, as a retirement bach at Sandy Bay, Motueka
- The project: a 60 m² single-bedroom bach and a 60 m² self-contained garage, fully finished and ready to move in
- Inside the bach: vaulted ceiling, wood burner, plush carpet, custom lighting, full-function kitchen, bathroom and laundry
- Feature: a large 4 m feature door that opens the living area to the forest outlook
- Services: off-grid, so the bach is self-sufficient on its site
- Setting: Sandy Bay, Motueka, surrounded by trees, with a green lawn
- Cosy Cabins managed: consent, foundations, delivery, installation and sign-off, with a difficult access to the site
1. A Retirement Bach and a Self-Contained Garage, Ready to Move In
The brief was to create a comfortable, low-maintenance retirement bach, with extra practical space alongside. We delivered two 60 m² buildings: a single-bedroom bach for relaxed everyday living, and a self-contained garage for everything else.
Both buildings sit on a green lawn at the edge of the trees. Everything is finished, so the Cliftons can move in and start enjoying it right away.
2. A Vaulted Ceiling, Wood Burner and Custom Lighting
Step inside and the vaulted ceiling gives the bach a sense of height and light that belies its footprint. White walls and large windows keep the space bright, while a wood burner sits at the heart of the living area, ready for cosy evenings.
Plush carpet adds warmth and comfort underfoot, and custom timber lighting hangs through the room, giving the bach a distinctive, welcoming character. It is a relaxed, Scandinavian-inspired space that suits retirement living beautifully.
3. A Large 4 m Feature Door That Brings the Forest Inside
The standout feature of the bach is a large 4 m door that slides open along one wall. It floods the open-plan living and dining area with natural light and connects the interior to the deck and the forest beyond.
On warm days the door opens the whole room to fresh air. On cooler days it frames the trees like a living painting, and the wood burner keeps everything snug.
4. A Full-Function Kitchen in Mint and Oak
The kitchen has all the function of a full-sized one. Soft mint cabinetry with oak accents, white benchtops and a modern cooktop and oven make cooking a pleasure, while a window over the sink looks out to the trees.
A breakfast bar with stools makes an easy spot for a quick bite or a chat with friends. The kitchen opens to the dining area and living space, so conversation flows and everyone stays part of the action.
5. A Restful One-Bedroom Retreat
The single bedroom is a calm, sunlit space with a vaulted ceiling and plush carpet underfoot. A blue patchwork bed adds a homely, welcoming touch, and a built-in wardrobe keeps everything neatly stored away.
It is a peaceful place to wake up, with trees outside and the quiet of Sandy Bay all around.
6. Full-Function Bathroom and Laundry
Daily essentials are all on hand. The bach includes a full-function bathroom and a dedicated laundry, so the Cliftons enjoy the same convenience as a conventional home, all under one roof.
Mint cabinetry with a white benchtop carries the kitchen colours into the bathroom, and an arched mirror adds a soft, elegant touch. A glass shower, a built-in washing machine and open shelving keep everything within easy reach, and a separate toilet room with a space-saving pocket door makes the most of every centimetre.
Having the laundry built in is a practical advantage for retirement living. Everything is close by, easy to use and designed for comfortable day-to-day routines.
7. Off-Grid Services, Consent, Foundations and Sign-Off
The bach runs off-grid, with independent services designed for the site. That gives the Cliftons freedom and self-sufficiency in a peaceful, private setting.
Cosy Cabins took care of every step, including the consent, the foundations, delivery and installation. When the work was complete, both buildings were signed off, so the Cliftons received a fully compliant, fully finished property that was ready to enjoy. One dedicated contact guided them through each stage.
8. Difficult Access, Delivered with Care
Access to the site was difficult. A winding forest road leads to the property, and getting two 60 m² buildings through it took careful planning, skilled drivers and plenty of patience.
The transport team and Cosy Cabins worked together on the route, and both buildings made it to Sandy Bay. It is a good example of what our cabins can do: we deliver throughout New Zealand, including sites where access takes some creative problem solving.
Dreaming of Your Own Retirement Bach?
Talk to Cosy Cabins about your project. One friendly team, from design to delivery.