Originally log cabins were built to shelter early settlers, hunters, fishermen and ranchers.
These hardy folks valued workmanship and practicality.
While modern people may yearn for a bit more comfort and civilization in their homes, it is a good tip to try to remain true to the classic earthy appeal of traditional log cabin floor plans to combine comfort with authenticity.
For example, choosing simple rooflines for your log cabin helps to keep your costs down as well as to retain the charm and integrity of the classic cabin look.
Dormers may help improve the livability of a log cabin, but designing complex rooflines inflates the building costs substantially.
This is also true of bump outs and exterior walls placed at odd angles.
The fewer complexities and corners that a log cabin plan has, the less expensive it is to build and maintain.
Another good idea is to make the rooms in your log cabin serve different purposes.
That way the interior doesn't require so much square footage, which also serves to keep building costs down.
For example, the dining, living, and family rooms can be combined and bedrooms can incorporate hobby or office space.
Perhaps the bathroom could also accommodate a laundry.
By doubling up the functions of the log cabin's interior divisions, building costs can be substantially lowered.
Also take into consideration the local building customs in your area.
By learning from the locals and designing your cabin house plans along traditional architectural lines and with the materials favored locally, you can be sure that your home will fit in visually and be best suited to the local climate.
This caveat applies not just to the outward shape of the building, but also to features such as small windows or utility spaces located on the north walls of houses; or perhaps awnings used to shade windows facing west.
By learning from the example of local builders and homeowners you can pick up some tips which will make your own cabin experience more pleasant.
Another factor to keep in mind is that unless you need all of your living to be on a single level, you will buy more space for yourself at a cheaper price by planning a two-story home instead of using one story house plans or a rambling ranch-style design.
The cost differential can be substantial, since long homes built on a single level require larger foundations, more roofing, and longer runs for plumbing, wiring, and ducts than do multi-level homes.
Generally speaking, you should squeeze your square footage as much as possible.
Measure the living spaces which you prefer in your present home and in friends' homes, and take into consideration what furniture you will use in your cabin.
In bedrooms and dining rooms especially, adding closet spaces can eliminate the need for chests and dressers.
Think about who will be living in the cabin, and what activities need what space.
While you don't want your cabin to feel cramped, building a cabin which is too big raises costs and undermines its simplicity and charm.
These hardy folks valued workmanship and practicality.
While modern people may yearn for a bit more comfort and civilization in their homes, it is a good tip to try to remain true to the classic earthy appeal of traditional log cabin floor plans to combine comfort with authenticity.
For example, choosing simple rooflines for your log cabin helps to keep your costs down as well as to retain the charm and integrity of the classic cabin look.
Dormers may help improve the livability of a log cabin, but designing complex rooflines inflates the building costs substantially.
This is also true of bump outs and exterior walls placed at odd angles.
The fewer complexities and corners that a log cabin plan has, the less expensive it is to build and maintain.
Another good idea is to make the rooms in your log cabin serve different purposes.
That way the interior doesn't require so much square footage, which also serves to keep building costs down.
For example, the dining, living, and family rooms can be combined and bedrooms can incorporate hobby or office space.
Perhaps the bathroom could also accommodate a laundry.
By doubling up the functions of the log cabin's interior divisions, building costs can be substantially lowered.
Also take into consideration the local building customs in your area.
By learning from the locals and designing your cabin house plans along traditional architectural lines and with the materials favored locally, you can be sure that your home will fit in visually and be best suited to the local climate.
This caveat applies not just to the outward shape of the building, but also to features such as small windows or utility spaces located on the north walls of houses; or perhaps awnings used to shade windows facing west.
By learning from the example of local builders and homeowners you can pick up some tips which will make your own cabin experience more pleasant.
Another factor to keep in mind is that unless you need all of your living to be on a single level, you will buy more space for yourself at a cheaper price by planning a two-story home instead of using one story house plans or a rambling ranch-style design.
The cost differential can be substantial, since long homes built on a single level require larger foundations, more roofing, and longer runs for plumbing, wiring, and ducts than do multi-level homes.
Generally speaking, you should squeeze your square footage as much as possible.
Measure the living spaces which you prefer in your present home and in friends' homes, and take into consideration what furniture you will use in your cabin.
In bedrooms and dining rooms especially, adding closet spaces can eliminate the need for chests and dressers.
Think about who will be living in the cabin, and what activities need what space.
While you don't want your cabin to feel cramped, building a cabin which is too big raises costs and undermines its simplicity and charm.