The Log Home Floor Plan Blog

With this year’s winter snow finally upon most of North America, we thought we would share with you five different floor plans that are perfect for snowy weather conditions. No matter where your personal Winter Wonderland may be, each plan has its own unique features that allow you to interact with your surroundings, even in the coldest of seasons!

The Winterpark

Popular for its classic cabin style look, the Winter Park is a plan that utilizes connected living areas and cathedral ceilings to create an open space that is perfect for a mountain getaway. With private balconies and large paned windows angled out toward the surrounding land, it is the perfect design to fully appreciate the wonders of every season from the comforts of your log home.

The Torino

Specifically designed to accommodate even the most avid of skiers, this floor plan features a ski-in ski-out section for easy access as well as a room dedicated to equipment that includes a sauna for warming up after a brisk day of hitting the slopes. With two master suites, a bunk room and open living spaces, this plan has the perfect layout for a secluded weekend skiing or a place for the family to gather from the winter’s cold.

The Hidden Creek

Getting family and friends together for a getaway weekend in the mountains under one roof does not have to be an uncomfortably cramped affair. The Hidden Creek includes multiple bedrooms on every level and open living spaces for a large gathering as well as a massive garage that can include a workshop or place to hold snowmobiles and snow equipment. With a mudroom buffering the garage from the rest of the home, it creates a great transition area from the outdoors to your home’s interior.

The Coeur D’Alene Lodge

Covered decks, a mud room, multiple bedrooms and a pull through driveway are not the only things that make this floor plan the perfect layout for winter conditions. Taking on the feel of a large mountain ski lodge, the Coeur d’Alene allows you to commune with nature as well as keep yourself entertained inside with custom features like a rec room, exercise room and wine cellar.

The Colorado

The Colorado offers a unique concept in timber home living. With three distinct sections, there is a place for everyone. Gather with family and friends in the open spaces of the main level, have plenty of room for company and kids to sleep in the basement and enjoy the seclusion of an entire second floor that is dedicated to your master suite. A mudroom and double-sided fireplace connecting the living room and the porch keep the beauty of the outdoors close at hand all winter long.

Customize any of these plans—Learn How.

It used to be that your bedroom was just a place you went when it was time to go to sleep. Today, a master suite can be so much more, and making the most of your master suite means considering everything from traffic patterns and closet space, to maximizing your views. Here are some things to think about when planning your master suite:

A Space for Everything
If the master suite is a place you’d like to spend time awake as well as asleep, consider a sitting area. This could be within the bedroom itself, perhaps set up within a bay or prow window, or an adjacent room that can be closed off with French doors - especially helpful if one of you is a night owl and the other is an early-to-bed type. Either way, a sitting area with a couple of comfy chairs will offer a relaxing place to read or enjoy your morning coffee.

A Room with a View
Maximizing the beautiful views of your property isn’t just for great rooms. Work with your architect to ensure you’re making the most of the views from within your suite. Consider including a balcony or adding private deck access. Be creative with the size, placement and shape of your master bedroom windows in order to capitalize on the exterior landscape, while being flexible enough to ensure privacy.

Buffer Zone
If your master suite will be adjacent to a more public area, consider configuring the space so the bathroom sits between it and your sleeping chamber. That way, activity in the great room or traffic in the entry won’t intrude on your sanctuary.

Copious Closets
Are you willing to share a closet, or do you prefer one all your own? Even a luxuriously large walk-in can feel crowded if two people are using it at the same time - especially if one is running late. Double closets can eliminate congestion and allow each occupant to maintain his or her own storage style. If you’re sticking with a single closet, consider two doors, one at each end, to reduce traffic tie-ups.

Atmosphere
Certainly decorating choices will affect the room’s ambiance, but architectural features need to be chosen and configured early on. A fireplace is a great bedroom element that can take up a whole-wall and serve as a focal point, or be tucked into a corner, offering the romance of a roaring fire and an efficient use of space. Built-in cabinetry is a striking feature that adds color, texture, and provides storage space that eliminates the need for an additional dresser, chest or bookcase.

Bath Time
As with closets, master bathrooms can make or break your morning. Consider which features, such as double sinks, a separate tub and shower or closet access from the bathroom might help the room function more smoothly for both of you. And don’t forget the views here, too - if your master bath has one or more exterior walls, work with your architect to incorporate natural light and scenery to make your master bath an oasis for body and spirit.

You spend too much time in the bedroom to let your master suite be an afterthought, so when planning your dream log home, be sure to tell your architect about your suite dreams.

Do you like the look of log homes? What about timber frame? If designed properly, a hybrid log and timber home can provide a unique look that you just can’t get with only log or just timber.

One great example of this hybrid log-and-timber approach is the Upland Retreat, a 2,260 sq. ft. home that offers nearly as much outdoor living space thanks to its 1,996 sq. ft. of decks and patios. The design combines rustic handcrafted logs and custom timber trusses. Its unique nature is evident even before you get inside. Four entryways, including the large covered patio, all feature timber trusses, supported by natural-profile logs. A combination of timber and stacked stone are seen on the patio. Inside, timber trusses and purlins are featured in the second-story bedrooms and the dramatic, vaulted great room. Whether log or timber, the wood elements of the Upland Retreat create beautiful frames for the expanses of glass that offer stunning views from every room.

When planning your log home, consider including timber framing to help express your unique version of mountain style. Visit our floor plan gallery for more examples of these dramatic hybrid log and timber homes.

One of the most important spaces in your timber or log home design will be your great room. Not only is the layout significant, but you should also understand how your great room will interact with the outdoors.  Most log homes are built in beautiful settings; some overlook lakes while others take in the surrounding forest.  Many  log home designs also include patios or decks that extend directly from the great room itself.  Therefore it is necessary to explore all aspects of your great room’s design, in order to get the most out of the total space.
A Traditional Log Home Prow

You have probably seen a number of log homes with a similar design to the Winter Park, pictured left.  The great room vaults in a triangular manner with trapezoidal windows and glass doors providing the magnificent open view.  This idea is very popular for a reason.  It provides a nice open space, which often has a loft above it, and lets everyone take in the incredible views.

A Timber Frame Variation

This timber frame home example, the Dakota, also has a vaulted great room with a wall of windows.  In this instance, the design goes beyond the triangular forms of a traditional prow by including angles that replicate those found through the rest of the design.  The custom timber frame trusses which span from the entry through the great room, extend out to the great room patio where square timbers frame the glass windows.

Modern Glass Walls

The Shenandoah concept, below, bucks the trend in vaulted great rooms.  However, this single story plan is still able to create a unique great room space through the use of glass walls. With handcrafted character logs as corner posts, the Shenandoah’s great room has a full glass wall with two half glass walls to each side.  When relaxing in the cozy living area, the outdoors are not just viewable, they seem to be a part of the entire space.

For anyone who wants to make an impression with the design of their great room, the classic glass prow, while still amazing, is not the only way to create an amazing space.  Visit our floor plan gallery for more great room design ideas.

How do you get the design you want? There are many answers to that question, but today we are going to focus on how to modify an existing floor plan idea or concept into a plan that has a layout which works for your family, is constructed from the materials that you prefer, and fits into your budget range.

In the Beginning. . . 

If you are going to modify an existing plan.  First you have to find the plan to work from.  There are three basic elements to your timber or  log home design: layout, architectural look, and the product (log or timber) used to construct it.  Try to find a design that meets your basic needs or desires in one or more of these categories.  The best option is to find  designs that come close to your needs in all three areas, even if you have to find three different plans.  If you can show your architect the type of layout, choice of material,  and a basic style preference, the design process will progress quickly.

Layout

Modifying the layout of a log home design depends on the quality of your architectural firm.  A custom home is not the same as a log cabin kit plan.  Let’s assume you are working with a group that is capable of making any kind of update you want.  If you have a layout that is close or contains the basic footprint of what you are looking for, modifying that plan to fit your exact needs is easy.  Below is an example of how a client of ours modified our Blue Ridge Floor Plan Concept.

Learn more about Adjusting the Layout of any Log Home Floor Plan.

Product Selection

The look of your home and the cost to build it will be greatly affected by the type of log or timber you choose as construction materials.  Do you prefer log, timber or a combination?  Do you like handcrafted or milled logs?  If you find a layout or style of home you like, that design can be redesigned using the product combination you prefer.  This is important to understand when you are searching through all of the floor plans.  For instance, don’t neglect a section of plans just because there were originally designed as timber instead of log. Here is an example of how a plan can be redesigned.  View more product options.

Complexity of Architectural Design

Most people think about the size of a plan and many understand that handcrafted logs, for instance, look differently and cost more than milled logs.  Complexity of design, however, is a concept that the majority of custom home builders don’t think about right off.  Complexity can be seen, but not easily articulated.  Comparing a rendering which shows multiple roof lines, angled sections and lots of corners has a different look and feel than a home with four walls and a single roof line.  Learn more about complexity of timber and log home designs.

Your Final Design

By better understanding what you prefer, what is possible, and how these changes affect your final home and it’s cost, you will be much more likely to get the design you really want.

When you first decided that you wanted to build a log home or timber frame home, you may not have considered what style of log home you would prefer. Log homes don’t all look the same, just because they are constructed out of wood.  Here are some plans that illustrate how a log home can be designed using different architectural styles.

Craftsman

The Craftsman style sprang from the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th century. The emphasis was on simple forms with complex finishes.

Features generally include:

• Low horizontal pitched roofs
• Use of pergolas or porches
• Exposed rafter tails
• Timber truss work at eaves
• Window banding

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Adirondack
Beginning in the 1880’s New York City’s wealthiest residents began to build upscale hunting and vacation retreats within the Adirondack Range. These luxurious and imaginative homes sparked a building trend that continues today.Features of Adirondack homes include:

• Rustic logs and siding
• Twig or herringbone guardrails
• Roofs with log overhangs
• Multiple roofs and levels
• Covered or screened porches
• Asymmetrical, rambling design

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French Country

For those who prefer a timber or log home with a sense of romantic charm, a French Country inspired design might be perfect.  Traditionally European country-side estates were built by artisans who used the local materials available. Today’s French Country designs continue the look by using mixed materials in their construction.

The elements of a French Country home may include:

• Elliptical or arched windows
• Use of hipped roofs and gables
• Narrow overhangs
• Stone accents
• Steeper roof pitches
• Courtyards

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NorthwestAs one of the newest styles, Northwestern homes have a distinctively modern appeal.  These designs have clean,  straightforward lines and use natural materials, like log and timber, for construction. A main focus is to blend the design with the home’s natural landscape.

Architectural features include:

• Deep overhangs and large windows
• Extensive outdoor living areas that flow from the interior
• High windows to let in sunlight
• Prominent use of wood
• Eclectic mixture of natural materials

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Western Log & Timber

Traditional ideas of log homes are generally categorized under the Western Log and Timber style.  These homes are designed to take advantage of mountain vistas and sprawling valleys.  Whether a rustic cabin or a captivating lodge, these homes helped to define the American West.

Features often included are:

• Expansive casement windows for unobstructed views
• Rustic, large-scale elements
• Sprawling design that stretch across the landscape
• Thick roof systems
• Large, open great rooms

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AppalachianAppalachian style homes reflect the simplicity of life in the mid-1,600’s. These log homes are generally more casual and designed for relaxed entertaining. Often these homes have been or look like they were added on to, over multiple generations.

Other feature example are:

• Stone chimneys
• Rough-sawn or hand-hewn timbers
• Functionally simplistic design
• Use of shed dormers
• Unobtrusive, rustic style

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ChaletThe idea of log or timber cottages in the Alps bring to mind the idea of a Chalet style log home or timber home.  Originally these homes were designed to withstand snow loads, and stand out amongst the snow, and now they include specialized ski rooms and saunas.

Features include:

•  Decorative trim and fascia
• Cantilevered decks on upper levels
• Shutters with decorative cut-outs
• Double-hung windows
• Scroll-sawn railings and eaves

As you search through hundreds of log and timber floor plans, you may find that many of them will start to look very similar.  In an effort to get your creative juices flowing, here are some of our most creative and “out of the log home box” designs:

The Cascade

The Cascade is not your typical timber frame design.  With tall timber framed windows that help to hold up the angled timber beams in the roof, this plan really makes a statement. The Cascade concept was inspired by modern Northwestern architecture and provides a great example of how timber frame home design can be pushed outside traditional boundaries.

The Idlewild

The growing trend in mountain style design has been to incorporate many textures and elements into the design of the home.  The Idlewild illustrates how a design can combine square log walls, round post and beam, vertical siding, shingles and stone to create a unique living space.

The Palo Verde

When you think timber frame home, you probably don’t think of the Southwest.  In this design, timber frame beams and trusses are used as the structure, while stucco is applied to the exterior and ceramic tiles are added to the roof.  This type of finish could be applied to the shell of any timber frame home, if you love the southwestern look.

The Clearwater

Again, modern architecture plays a part in the design of this timber frame home.  Modern lines and use of large windows is evident, however the incorporation of weathered siding and chinking add a rustic flair.  This is the kind of design that could easily be found in a resort town or development, as it effortlessly blends old and new.

The Upland Retreat

There are many aspects of the Upland Retreat design that could inspire your home: the curved entryway with metal roof; the combination of handcrafted log walls and custom timber frame trusses; or the glass walls that open to the patio.  If you are looking for unique design and one-of-a-kind homes, this is a great place to start.

The Washington Harbor

When thinking about the design of your home, don’t forget to think about the opportunities that outdoor living space can provide.  The Washington Harbor adds actual space to it’s layout by incorporating a large, covered outdoor space.  The outdoor living room and kitchen is completely covered, and has its own built in fireplace.  Entry is gained from the home through a glass Nana Wall system, while natural light filters down through the clerestory windows.  Outdoor living at its best!

Inspiration can come from anywhere.  Many people purchase their property because they were inspired by it’s views, amenities, and location.  For this Atlanta couple their property was only one of the inspirations behind the design of their custom post and beam home.  Find out what inspired them as they worked with Mountain Architects to design a home for their property on Lake Blue Ridge.  Then take a photographic tour of their custom home through an interactive floor plan.   Inspired Living - Adirondack Living, Georgia Style

Summer is finally here, and people are spending more time outdoors.  The Washington Harbor is a design that is perfect for melding indoor and outdoor living.  Mountain Architects designed this home with two clerestory windows to allow in optimal natural light.  The outdoor living space is complete with outdoor kitchen, covered patio and a dual sided fireplace.  The space allows you to entertain family and friends and easily transitions into the the living room when you open up the Nana wall.

The single level design flows from the large entry to the open living areas.  With a master suite and two additional bedrooms, friends and family can stay and enjoy this home with you.

As with all of our homes customize the Washington Harbor to fit your needs and lifestyle.  To view the Washington Harbor log home plan visit http://www.precisioncraft.com/loghomeplans/PacificNorthwest/WashingtonHarbor.html

Mountain Architects, PrecisionCraft’s design arm, announces the release of a new home design. Using the French countryside as inspiration, PrecisionCraft’s talented team of architects combine hipped roofs (also known as French Hips), narrow overhangs, delicate stonework and a mix of uniquely shaped windows, creating a one-of-a-kind design.

Log Home Floor Plan with Custom Timber Frame Accents

Together, square logs, stately timber frame and stone walls create a dramatic entry. While the exterior speaks to the casual, romantic charm of traditional countryside estates, the layout is open and inviting. Get more information and explore the Chaumont’s floor plan at http://www.precisioncraft.com/loghomeplans/FrenchCountry/Chaumont.html. After viewing the Chaumont design, discover more than 100 design variations at the Log Home Plans Gallery.

 

This custom log home, recognized in Country’s Best 2009 Design Awards, features a gourmet kitchen. Here are the features that make this kitchen truly a work of art:

• Seamless boundary between the indoor and outdoor living space.
• Opening, glass wall that lets the outside in.
• A convenient large pantry featuring an oven stack.
• Open design with the kitchen flowing effortlessly to the dining area.
• Two, separate sinks and work areas.
• Butler’s area.
• Expansive pantry storage positioned behind the appliances.
• Custom interior design elements include: a concrete sink laden with pebbles, stucco walls, and tile murals.
• Knotty alder cabinets.
• Kitchen island finished with barn wood siding.
• Cedar logs walls.

View our collection of log home kitchens at our Facebook Page or at our Log Home Kitchen Photo Gallery at www.PrecisionCraft.com!

A North Carolina couple falls in love with PrecisionCraft’s award-winning Crested Butte floor plan. Modified to fit their land and architectural style, this handcrafted log home meets their every need. A true second home retreat.

Crested Butte Floor Plan | Modified with Handcrafted Logs

Mountain Architects - Custom Mountain Homes

Custom Designed Handcrafted Log Home | North Carolina

Waterfront Log Home with Expansive Great Room Windows

Reminiscent of the old-style cabins of our American forefathers, this Appalachian style home features beaver tooth corners, long, covered porches, warm hued stone and rustic, metal roofing. Based on the Blue Ridge floor plan, this home is a stunning mountain home retreat in Colorado. Traveling to every client’s build site, PrecisionCraft’s professional stacking crew installs the log and timber structure on the foundation. From fabrication to installation, PrecisionCraft ensures top quality and excellent structural engineering value.

Blue Ridge Log Home Plan | A Custom Log Home Design by PrecisionCraft

Appalachian Log Home in Colorado | Luxury Living & Log Homes

A Mountain House Designed by PrecisionCraft Log Homes

Amid the foothills of the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, this log home is a variation of PrecisionCraft’s most popular plan and rendering - the Caribou Log Home Plan. This Pennsylvania home was modified to include a basement and to accommodate a sloping lot. Still under construction, this custom log home incorporates distinctive stone work, milled logs, character logs, and expansive windows. Truly a natural wonder!

Log Home in Pennsylvania Inspired by the Caribou Log Home Plan

Wood Design, A Classic Log Home - Custom Log Home Design

View more pictures of this log home on Facebook and see the process unfold from design through construction: http://www.facebook.com/#/album.php?aid=142758&id=75290931938&ref=mf 

 An Inspired Log Home Design

Mountain Architects’ newest design, the Idlewild, is inspired by Old Tahoe architecture, a style that represents the exquisite beauty of Lake Tahoe as well as the peacefulness of the wilderness surrounding it. Known for its rambling design features, Old Tahoe architecture blends harmoniously with its environment, intertwined with the granite cliffs surrounding the deep blue edge of Lake Tahoe. With the introduction of the Idlewild, Mountain Architects has captured the essence of this unique style and created a spacious home with an intimate feel and abundant character.

View the Idlewild floor plans and elevations.

Build the Idlewild in Two Stages!
The rambling architectural style makes it possible to build your dream home as your budget permits. Start by building the main house with the two bedrooms upstairs. Then, when you are ready, add the garage, luxurious master suite, and upstairs guest room.

Designed by Mountain Architects for PrecisionCraft Log Homes.