What life is like for a family living off-grid in a 160-square-foot wooden cabin in the remote Swedish forest with no electricity or running water

Sophia AnkelJan 25, 2021, 00:25 IST

The Talasbuan cabin in the middle of northern Sweden.Talasbuan/YouTube

Mathias, Tova, and their son Ivar live in a 160-square-foot cabin in the wilderness of northern Sweden.
The family moved into their home, which has no electricity or water, eight years ago.
They spend their days working on their property while filming content for their YouTube channel.

Mathias, Tova, and their infant son Ivar live in no ordinary home.

The family moved into a tiny 160-square-foot wooden cabin in the middle of the Swedish wilderness eight years ago, and haven't left since.

Living completely off-grid - with no electricity or running water - the family spends their time looking after their farm animals, developing projects on their property, and filming content for their YouTube channel, called Talasbuan.

Insider spoke to the family to find out more about their search for a sustainable, and independent life, which is almost completely detached from the rest of the world.

Scroll down to find out more.

Mathias, Tova, and their son Ivar live in a 160-square-foot wooden cabin in a forest in northern Sweden.

Mathias, Tova, and Ivar. Talasbuan/YouTube

The couple met back in 2011 and one year later decided to move into the cabin, which is located on Tova's family land.

Mathias and Tova. Talasbuan/YouTube

The 80-year-old cabin was originally a "fäbod", which in Sweden was historically used as a summer pasture for the grazing of livestock.

The cabin during the summer. Talasbuan/YouTube

Historically, fäbod's were simple log cabins that were intended for summer use only, but Mathias and Tova live there all year round.

The cabin during the winter. Talasbuan/YouTube

The cabin is isolated from society. It's 2 km (1.2 miles) from the closest village and 100km (62 miles) away from a city.

The closest village. Talasbuan/YouTube

The couple spends their days taking care of Ivar, working on projects for the expanding property, and filming content for the YouTube channel.

Tova attends to the family barn. Talasbuan/YouTube

They also look after their many animals, which include sheep, pigs, dogs, cats, and chickens.

Chickens on a nearby barn. Talasbuan/YouTube

The cabin is completely off-the-grid, meaning there is no electricity or running water. Here it is in the wintertime.

An aerial view of the cabin. Talasbuan/YouTube

The family has a small solar panel and a battery to charge their phones or camera equipment, which Mathias uses to make the YouTube videos.

Mathias explains how the solar panel works in one of their YouTube videos. Talasbuan/YouTube

The family's only source of water is a nearby freshwater stream. In the summertime, they also shower there.

Tova and Ivar. Talasbuan/YouTube

Their toilet is outdoors and attached to the side of their cabin. Tova told Insider that it could be "difficult" to go to the bathroom, especially when temperatures are below freezing.

The outdoor toilet, which in Swedish is called "Dass" or "Utedass." Talasbuan/YouTube

Their toilet is outdoors and attached to the side of their cabin. Tova told Insider that it could be "difficult" to go to the bathroom, especially when temperatures are below freezing.

But inside the cabin, it is homely and cozy. Mathia and Tova have added books, picture frames, plants, and candles to decorate the place.

The family's library and dining room. Talasbuan/YouTube

Because there is no electricity, the family uses candles and an old kerosine lamp to light their home.

Mathias, Tova, and their son Ivar at their dining table. Talasbuan/YouTube

Their main source of warmth comes from a fire, which the couple lights first thing every morning.

Tova gives a tour of the family home. Talasbuan/YouTube

Winter is especially tough, as temperatures drop below zero and the family's cabin can be encircled by deep snow.

Mathias skiing with the couple's husky through the Swedish forest. Talasbuan/YouTube

In the winter it gets so cold that the couple can keep their refrigerated items in a kitchen cupboard close to the floor.

The family's fridge. Talasbuan/YouTube

But in the summer, they store most of their food in two holes they've dug in the ground, which keep a temperature of about 8 degrees Celcius (46 F).

The underground freezer. Talasbuan/YouTube

The family makes most of their food on their own. Nets in their roof store and dry different herbs they find in the forest.

The herb net used on the roof of the home. Talasbuan/YouTube

Tova can also make artisan cheeses while Mathias has knowledge in butchery, smoking meat, and fermentation - all of which they share with their followers on YouTube.

Tova making cheese. Talasbuan/Sweden

Tova and Mathias told Insider they rarely get lonely and have no plans to leave their cabin any time soon.

The outdoor bathroom in the summer. Talasbuan/YouTube

They have a long list of projects they want to complete in the next few years, including building a bigger cabin, a creamery to sell cheeses, and a sauna.

Construction of the earth cellar that will become the family's new fridge. Talasbuan/YouTube

Meanwhile, the couple hopes they can continue inspiring others to live more sustainably, while also teaching them about their way of life.

A lake close to the family home. Talasbuan/YouTube

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What life is like for a family living off-grid in a 160-square-foot wooden cabin in the remote Swedish forest with no electricity or running water

Mathias, Tova, and their son Ivar live in a 160-square-foot wooden cabin in a forest in northern Sweden.

The couple met back in 2011 and one year later decided to move into the cabin, which is located on Tova's family land.

The 80-year-old cabin was originally a "fäbod", which in Sweden was historically used as a summer pasture for the grazing of livestock.

Historically, fäbod's were simple log cabins that were intended for summer use only, but Mathias and Tova live there all year round.

The cabin is isolated from society. It's 2 km (1.2 miles) from the closest village and 100km (62 miles) away from a city.

The couple spends their days taking care of Ivar, working on projects for the expanding property, and filming content for the YouTube channel.

They also look after their many animals, which include sheep, pigs, dogs, cats, and chickens.

The cabin is completely off-the-grid, meaning there is no electricity or running water. Here it is in the wintertime.

The family has a small solar panel and a battery to charge their phones or camera equipment, which Mathias uses to make the YouTube videos.

The family's only source of water is a nearby freshwater stream. In the summertime, they also shower there.

Their toilet is outdoors and attached to the side of their cabin. Tova told Insider that it could be "difficult" to go to the bathroom, especially when temperatures are below freezing.

But inside the cabin, it is homely and cozy. Mathia and Tova have added books, picture frames, plants, and candles to decorate the place.

Because there is no electricity, the family uses candles and an old kerosine lamp to light their home.

Their main source of warmth comes from a fire, which the couple lights first thing every morning.

Winter is especially tough, as temperatures drop below zero and the family's cabin can be encircled by deep snow.

In the winter it gets so cold that the couple can keep their refrigerated items in a kitchen cupboard close to the floor.

But in the summer, they store most of their food in two holes they've dug in the ground, which keep a temperature of about 8 degrees Celcius (46 F).

The family makes most of their food on their own. Nets in their roof store and dry different herbs they find in the forest.

Tova can also make artisan cheeses while Mathias has knowledge in butchery, smoking meat, and fermentation - all of which they share with their followers on YouTube.

Tova and Mathias told Insider they rarely get lonely and have no plans to leave their cabin any time soon.

They have a long list of projects they want to complete in the next few years, including building a bigger cabin, a creamery to sell cheeses, and a sauna.

Meanwhile, the couple hopes they can continue inspiring others to live more sustainably, while also teaching them about their way of life.