Creating Space In a Smaller Log Siding Cabin

If you plan to build a small log siding cabin of 800 to 1200 square feet, you can create more space without a lot of extra costs. Put your thinking hat on when making plans to maximize the inside living space and the outside of the cabin. Tip: Bring your wishes into line with your family budget upfront and you will save time and money. We will show you how to accomplish this.

Typically, a larger log cabin or home is easier to design because you have more space to play with. That’s a major reason you need some efficiencies in a smaller cabin. You must be willing to consider advice from other people such as a contractor or home designer about room layout and size instead of only using your own ideas.

Contractors have the experience to point out the pitfalls, even for a smaller structure. You may need to make some sacrifices in your plans. They also understand the building codes and permits for your area that you and I overlook. Now let’s get started on that log siding cabin.

Pine Log Siding – Inside and Out – Top and Bottom

Log cabin siding is not just for the exterior of a cabin. It is used to advantage on the interior walls to give that full-log look and feel. One way to create more space in a small cabin is to build a sleeping loft and line the walls with siding.

Build a stairway and horizontal rails and you have it. Use this area for sleeping and storage. There can easily be room for 2 or 3 beds, a chest of drawers, and a dresser. Make them fit the available space. The heat from downstairs will rise to the loft to keep you warm at night. Follow these simple ideas to save space.

• Roof Design Makes a Difference–Make your cabin tall enough to create that loft and still be structurally sound. Obviously, you can’t use a low pitched roof. A steeper roof will allow the loft space that’s tall enough to stand up in the center area. It will also shed the snow better in the winter season.

  Make sure the loft is well insulated in the ceiling and roof. The color and type of roofing material will make a difference in heat retention as well as the type of insulation. Consult with an insulation specialist to get the right ideas for your cabin.

• Keep Your Window-to-wall Ratio High–Large panes of glass in a small cabin really open up the area by creating the appearance of more space. Install windows that are larger than conventional ones to bring on more light and more of the outdoors. Use windows that are durable and insulated to the max to conserve energy.
• A Half or Wrap-Around Porch–Build a porch to add additional living space. You can spend more time out there on warmer days. This takes the furniture outside that will open up the interior space. If the porch has a roof, you can use log siding or log paneling for the walls.

  Sitting on the porch is a cool way to escape the heat created by cooking in the kitchen. Having a porch door near the kitchen allows easy access. Two or more exterior doors create an easy path into several rooms. A porch provides an additional temporary place to move items out of the house when entertaining a larger group of people.

• Downsize Some Areas–Moving the sleeping area up to the loft eases the total space issue. You will most likely make a few sacrifices to create more room. Put most of the kitchen against a wall and eliminate an island. Use a smaller table for four people instead of six. Using the open concept will make the cabin seem larger inside.

  Create a smaller bathroom by having a shower instead of a tub. If you want a modern HVAC system, use a packaged unit where the furnace and air conditioner are both outside the home. This will eliminate a closet for a furnace and will help create a larger den area.

• Wall Hangers–Not Large Closets– Our pioneers used few closets because they hung clothes and cooking utensils on the walls. Assuming you use your cabin on a part-time basis this is not a real issue because clothing will be taken home when you leave. Have coat and hat racks by the front and rear doors.

You may need a closet for clothes and one in the kitchen area for a pantry. Keep your clothes in the loft area to open up more space on the ground floor. Use shelving to advantage in the kitchen area. Shelves can be used to reduce the number of cabinets. Check out these space-saving ideas for smaller cabins.

“A smaller log cabin clad in Pine log siding does not have to be cramped.”

Use Less Furniture, a Wall Desk, and Compact Kitchen to Save Space

To save space in a small cabin, avoid the temptation to fill it with a lot of traditional furniture. Furnish all rooms with either fewer or small furnishings to give the appearance of more space. Think about using a few fold-up chairs that can be put out of the way when not in use. These small cabin hacks to maximize space are worth reading.

Kitchen countertops can be smaller than normal if you increase the height of cabinets to the ceilings for more storage space. Save even more space by installing a compact-size stove, sink, and refrigerator. Use a small table for 2 -4 people instead of six. If you think there is no room for a desk, think again. Mount the desk on a wall or mount it with hinges to fold up out of the way. You can attach shelves above it for even more storage room.

Any room in your log cabin will look amazing with a collection of our log décor items.

Pine Log Siding Makes the Ideal Log Cabin

A smaller log cabin clad in Pine log siding does not have to be cramped. Use the ideas in this blog to create a cozy atmosphere in your home away from home. Do a little research and you will find even more ways to open up the living area

Leading companies like the Log Home Shoppe carry a complete line of siding, trim, and other high-quality log products you can install yourself. Our siding comes in three styles:

• Raw/Smooth Surface
• Hand-hewn (Peeled Logs)
• Pre-finished Surface

Our online service, prices, and quality are unsurpassed in the log home industry. If you are still in the planning stages, order our log home kit with samples of wood products at a nominal cost to help make some critical decisions before ordering siding and trim.

Sources and References

• Small Space Design
• Maximize Your Space