The ABCs of Log Home Floor Plans

The floor plan for your log cabin is one of the most critical parts of development. You do not want to think of it as a draft, or as something that can be changed later. Changing it later can as much as double your building costs. So you need to think long and hard about your floor plan. Here are some tips for getting it right.

Make a list of essential parts of your log cabin. Why do you really want this cabin? Is it because you've dreamed of curling up with a book next to a fire in a stone fireplace, resting your eyes sometimes to look out at the woods through floor to ceiling windows? Or have you just wanted the simplest possible cabin to come back to after a long day of hunting... but you'll need a good sized kitchen counter and freezer space to be able to dress and store your prize? Perhaps you are building a little ski chalet, and nothing would be better than to come home to a little sauna to warm up in. Whatever the dream is, make a list of its essentials. This will make up your "must have" part of the floor plan requirements.

Next is to add things you want. For example, you need two bedrooms, and you want a loft. You want a back entry door with a good sized mudroom. You want a large pantry so you can store enough food to not have to be running to the rural grocery store every other day. Make a list of your wants. Some people make two lists because they have many things they want. Having a "really want" and a "kinda want" list can help with this.

Next, consider costs. If you obey the "four corner" rule and have your cabin designed to have only four corners (ie, its floor plan is a square or a rectangle), you will save a lot of money. Adding a second story, instead of making the first floor larger will also conserve cash because you'll save so much money by having a smaller roof. And if you use a pier foundation (provided your local building codes allow it) you'll save money again.

Scour the web and log home magazines for stock plans. If you can find a pre-designed plan you like, you'll save a lot of money over having something custom designed. In fact, you'll probably save enough to add a small jacuzzi for free.

Try to experience whatever floor plan you like as a reality. This may mean going to log home shows, or visiting rental cabins, or even laying out the floor plan of your cabin in your backyard using surveyor's tape to represent the walls. Whatever you have to do to envision it clearly is worth it. Of course, contacting the designer of the floor plan and asking for any pictures of the built floorplan would also help a lot.

How To Build A Log Cabin