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How To Make A Small Log Siding Home Look Larger
Not everyone can afford to build or buy a large log home. If this is your situation, there are techniques to make a small log siding home look larger. It’s not as difficult as it sounds, and you can easily incorporate some practical ideas into your home’s plan.
These concepts also apply to a cabin that is not used for full-time living, such as a vacation home, weekend getaway, or rental cabin. The following ideas have proved helpful with smaller log homes and cabins.
Log Home Interior Design Strategies
To make a small log siding home appear larger, focus on creating an open layout with large windows and light-colored stain on the interior logs. Try incorporating vertical design elements to help create a sense of more living space. Here are some other ideas that help:
- Use light shades of stain to reflect more light in rooms making them feel larger.
- Arrange furniture to maximize space by placing large pieces against the walls.
- Avoid blocking pathways with furniture to create an open flow.
- Incorporate multi-functional furniture to reduce the amount of furniture.
- Do not use China cabinets, large TV stands, or coffee tables (small ones if you must).
- Install mirrors in strategic locations to create the illusion of larger spaces.
- Build a taller ceiling to provide more space in the great room or living room.
You can also use smaller bedroom furniture and artwork that lays flat against the walls. Keep the kitchen and bathroom counters free of clutter and avoid heavy drapes or curtains on the windows. Homes & Gardens magazine provides more useful ideas.
Exterior Design Strategies
The exterior of your home or cabin can appear larger by using a light-colored stain for the siding. Install log siding horizontally instead of vertically to visually widen the home. Try these architectural designs on the exterior:
- Dormers: Add dormers to the roofline to create a more dynamic larger look and add visual interest.
- Gable Extensions: Extend the gables slightly to create a more spacious appearance.
- Wide Overhangs: Use wide roof overhangs to shade windows and add visual depth.
- Windows: Install several large windows to open up areas.
- Garage: Build a one or two-door attached garage to make the house larger.
- Minimalist Design: Avoid overly cluttered exterior details and opt for a clean, streamlined design.
- Porches: Ensure the porches are well-proportioned to the overall size of the home, avoiding overly large or small porches that could disrupt the visual balance.
Explore more ideas from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
“Not everyone can afford to build or buy a large log home. If this is your situation, there are ways to make a small log siding home look larger.”
Log Home Landscaping Ideas
Strategic landscaping is often overlooked as a way to make a smaller log home appear larger. Place landscaping to frame the house and make it appear larger. Consider planting tall narrow trees or shrubs near the corner of the house to create a sense of width and height.
Use exterior lighting solutions that make the house appear larger, such as uplighting to make the house appear taller.
- Create clear pathways that lead to the entrance to guide the eye and emphasize the home’s size.
- Divide your yard into distinct zones, such as patio, flower, and vegetable garden areas.
- Regularly prune and trim trees and plants to allow light to reach the ground and open up the spaces.
Add A Garage To Your Log Home
Adding a single or double attached garage is a smart way to give the appearance of a larger home. Consider incorporating the following concepts:
- The added square footage can visually enlarge the house’s overall footprint from the street view.
- A garage design that aligns with the style of the house creates a cohesive look, making the house appear larger and well-planned.
- Using large windows on the garage door and side walls can bring in more natural light, making the space feel more open and connected to the house.
- A garage that is too small relative to the house can appear disproportionate and not add significant visual impact.
- Place the garage strategically to contribute to the overall appearance of the house.
- Place a tree or two on the side of the garage to provide a longer frontage to the home.
Why A Log Siding Home Is Better Than A Full Log Home
The two basic types of log home construction in America are log siding and full log. When working to make a small home look larger, it is much easier to remodel a log siding home. Plus, you get the full log look without the full log price. While the exterior is log siding, the interior can be full logs or knotty pine paneling.
We hope these recommendations prove helpful in making a small log home appear larger. For your siding, corners, trims, paneling, wood flooring, and stain needs, contact the Log Home Shoppe.
