Small Log Houses Design and Space Saving Tips
Small log houses offer an idyllic escape. Ideal as primary residences, vacation properties or out buildings – like any home they require maintenance and upkeep to remain functional.
However, you can reduce costs by employing clever space saving design tricks to maximize living spaces and cut expenses. Here are some expert recommendations: a.
1. Invest in High-End Appliances
Log cabin homes are popular because they provide cozy comfort without compromising modern amenities. But fitting everything you need into such an intimate design can be challenging; luckily, there are ways to save money while simultaneously expanding space.
Start off by investing in high-end appliances that can perform multiple functions, from refrigerators and ranges to dishwashers. Modern kitchen appliances feature sleek contemporary designs to complement the rustic charm of your log cabin home.
As your cabin grows smaller and feels larger, consider opting for an open floor plan to reduce the number of walls in it and create the feeling of more space. Open plans offer seamless transitions between kitchen, dining and living rooms and create a sense of grandeur and expansiveness through vaulted ceilings and large glass windows.
Choose energy-efficient insulation to reduce heat loss during the winter and gain during the summer, helping lower utility costs while increasing your home’s energy efficiency. Furthermore, install energy-saving windows and doors that will further lower heating and cooling expenses.
2. Plan Over Several Years
Purchase property and building a log home can be costly. To reduce costs, purchase land before property values skyrocket and plan to build over several years – starting with your main log home, then adding wraparound porches, garages and out buildings over time. This gives you time to enjoy your dream home while leaving some financial flexibility for expansion down the line.
Pre-cut logs from many log home producers can significantly lower labor costs on the job site and construction equipment requirements – potentially cutting your costs by as much as 20%!
Another way to cut log home construction costs is by opting for a prefabricated stock design over custom. Stock designs have already been tested multiple times, which helps eliminate construction errors that may cost extra in labor costs and corners. A rectangular shape also tends to be less costly.
Utilities and mechanical equipment can take up valuable square footage, but there are ways to regain that space. Installing a pantry in a loft area, adding closet space underneath a staircase or inserting shelving into knee walls are just three effective strategies that can free up extra square footage for vaulted ceilings or vaulted ceilings. Furthermore, stackable washer/dryers free up more room in master bathrooms while saving significant sums in utility costs.
3. Keep the Floor Plan Simple
Small log cabins offer a charming escape from modern life’s hustle and bustle, encouraging relaxation, rejuvenation, and greater appreciation of nature’s splendor. However, turning a small cabin into an inviting retreat requires careful planning with personal touches and efficient space-saving strategies in mind.
When designing a small log cabin, keeping its floor plan simple can save money and create the illusion that space is larger. Hallways take up valuable square footage; consider eliminating them for an open layout which allows kitchens, dining rooms and living areas to flow easily together without creating an overwhelming feeling of tightness.
Mechanicals (plumbing, wiring and HVAC ductwork) should take up as little space as possible. Lynn offers several creative ideas to regain some space occupied by these essentials such as adding sofa beds or futons that offer seating during the day and turn into cozy sleepers at night.
Finally, don’t forget to add storage spaces into the design of your home – this will prevent clutter from taking over and diminishing its functionality. Installing closets is one way of adding extra storage in small cabins; other ways include inserting shelving for books and collectibles within knee walls for creating hidden display areas that still provide ample display opportunities.
4. Maximize Natural Light
Natural lighting adds warmth and comfort to log homes, adding energy efficiency and creating an immersive connection with nature. Maximizing natural lighting in designing your space is important, as it increases energy efficiency as well as creating a sense of connection with its natural surroundings. To do this successfully, select window/door products, incorporate passive solar design principles, and personalize living spaces accordingly.
By replacing standard seven-foot walls with taller alternatives such as 8-10 feet walls, you can instantly make an interior appear larger without incurring extra costs. Furthermore, log walls absorb light rather than reflect it like drywall does and this provides you with additional lighting options.
Consider including more natural textures into the interior design of your log home. Woven area rugs, rustic-style curtains and rattan accent furniture all can add warmth and coziness.
Enhance natural lighting further with ceiling fans that blow air downward instead of upward, which makes a room feel larger. Track lights that can be directed in any direction also can add extra illumination, such as spotlighting an impressive stone fireplace, heavy timber ceiling or custom woodwork. Wall-mounted fixtures (also called sconces) may also work effectively as they allow precise targeting and don’t obscure views. For log homes this method works especially well as they don’t obscure views over time!
5. Utilize Storage Space
Storage space is always at a premium in any home, but even more so for smaller spaces such as cabins. Luckily, there are creative solutions to increase storage capacity without increasing square footage.
Keep clutter at bay in a small log home to maintain an orderly and organized atmosphere. Clutter can quickly make rooms seem cramped, but that doesn’t have to be the case; invest in some innovative storage solutions so your home remains organized.
Murphy beds tuck neatly away into the wall when not in use, freeing up linen closet space and making your bedroom more functional. Or you could use the space under your stairs as storage by creating a wheeled drawer to store off-season clothes, shoes and gear.
An efficient basement is an economical way to increase storage and living space in your log home, providing bedrooms, bathrooms and family rooms as well as providing space for mechanical equipment like washer/dryers, fridges and furnaces to be stored out of sight in one convenient place.
Furniture should complement and save space in your cabin when selecting pieces for decoration. A wood stove or fireplace can serve both as a focal point and additional seating during gatherings; drop-leaf tables that fold up against walls when not in use can also save space, as can wooden crates and trunks for storage purposes that fit seamlessly with the rustic aesthetic of your log home.
6. Make Every Square Foot Count
On a recent episode of Log Home Living Magazine, Brad demonstrated how adding a finished basement can add affordable square footage to your home. This lower level space works great as secondary bedrooms, bathrooms and family rooms – particularly if smaller ranges, refrigerators and stacking washer-dryers are chosen in order to lower costs.
One cost-effective way of making a small log house feel larger is removing hallways and walls that divide living areas, creating more functional open floor plans while decreasing energy use in your home.
If you are designing a small log home, select furnishings that celebrate its rustic aesthetic and embrace its natural atmosphere. Reclaimed wood furniture or stone accents may create an intimate space that feels connected with nature while lighting can further accentuate these features and set an atmosphere suitable for different moods.
Never forget to add sentimental items such as family photographs, heirlooms and travel mementos as personal touches in your home that reflect your individual personality and make it truly feel like home. Additionally, value engineering allows you to repurpose old furnishings and materials into unique decor pieces like statement headboards made from reclaimed wood or wall displays of treasured mementos for minimal budget outlays and maximum impact in terms of atmosphere – value engineering is an effective way of getting maximum return for investment in value engineering projects like these DIY initiatives!