This is a starting shelter I always build right at the spawn point on any survival map. It's built out of wooden logs, but it can just as well be made out of simple wood, or green wool, if you like a more "tent"-like feeling (link: http://www.planetminecraft.com/project/starting-shelter-tent-edition/)

This is a decent sized shelter, which you can build really fast, so it's ideal for late-builders. I normally put one of these at every stop I make when I go exploring as well.

It features a "safe" bed, meaning you won't be woken up by annoying mobs in the middle of the night. I contains a single furnace and workbench and a bunch of chests for storage.

Texture pack used is John Smith