Log cabins are a symbol of humble origins and American patriotism. Having your own log cabin is an empowering and classic experience that many people long for but never accomplish.

If you’ve always dreamed of living in a log cabin like the place where Abraham Lincoln was born, don’t wait to start your project. Start creating your reality today. Read on to check out our tips for building.

1. Consider Multiple Smaller Cabins

There are many benefits to having multiple smaller cabins on your property instead of one large one. The most obvious is privacy.

If you want, you can set up one cabin to be the main living area with a living room and a kitchen. Then you can create smaller cabins that circle it to be individual bedrooms. Then everyone who stays at the cabin will feel like they have their own space.

2. Install Energy-Efficient Windows

The structural strength of using logs to build your cabin means that you will be able to have a large open floor plan. But that also means that you are going to need large windows if you want to be able to let in enough light. 

Some people even choose to create feature walls that are entirely glass. But your windows are a place where you can lose a lot of heat and your cabin can get cold quickly in the winter. So make sure you choose energy-efficient windows that will keep the heat in your potentially drafty space.

3. Choose the Right Site Location

Choosing where to put your cabin takes thinking about a lot of different factors. First, you have to choose a site that you can afford. 

After that, you will still need to consider how difficult it would be to get your materials to your chosen build site, what the building expenses are in that area, and how much you will need to pay in taxes for your build.

If you choose the wrong location, you can end up paying for a lot of unnecessary expenses and may have to cut your budget for other amenities. 

4. Be Consistent With Your Finishes

When you’re building a log cabin, you have a lot of options for how you want it to look. But if you want a charming and classic look, you should choose to buy your wood from a consistent company like Lodge Log and Timber. 

They can provide you with natural wood that you can use inside and outside of your cabin that will blend together flawlessly for a great final look. You can also use the same kind of wood for interior baseboards and crown molding for an extra special touch.

5. Leave a Limited Trace on the Environment

Building a log cabin is about connecting yourself with nature and the environment around you. To have the most natural-feeling cabin possible, try to leave a limited trace on the area around you. 

That means planning around large trees and building into the earth instead of excavating it.

6. Try to Build as Much as You Can Yourself

The more work you do on your cabin yourself, the more proud you will be of the final outcome. A log cabin is a chance for you to build something hands-on. Try to do as much of it with your own two hands as you can.

Doing work yourself is also a great way to save money on your project. Just make sure you hire someone for the electrical and plumbing work to be sure it’s done correctly.

7. Aim to Be Off-Grid

One of the best ways to save money and empower yourself is to go green. Not only is it good for the environment to go off-grid, but it’s especially great if you’re trying to build a home with low income.

By installing solar panels and a water reclamation system on your cabin, you can take strides toward making your home self-sufficient.

8. Choose Window Placement Carefully

If you want to make the most of your cabin, then you need to make sure you think carefully about how much light you will get and where it will come from.

Not only will you want big windows, but also ones that are placed well. Try to think about the way the sun will come in at different times of day while you are making your selection.

9. Create Multi-Purpose Functional Spaces

When you are building a log cabin, you most likely won’t have a lot of square footage. It’s best to build simply and think about all of the different uses you can get out of one space.

One way to do this is by installing loft sleeping solutions in your cabin, that way you can sleep more people and have more space for relaxation during the day.

10. Build Your Log Cabin for Your Lifestyle

Choosing the design for your log cabin isn’t about following the plan ideas you saw in a magazine or online. This is going to be a real space. You should design your cabin to fit your needs.

That means you could a crafting room for rainy days, have an outdoor kitchen for cleaning meat and game, or install an outdoor recreation area.

Take some time to sit down with your loved ones and talk about the kind of amenities that you want to have at your property.

How to Find the Perfect Cabin

Building your own log cabin is an exciting and rewarding process. But there are also a lot of ready-made properties on the market that are may be exactly what you are looking for. 

If you’re looking for the perfect place, check out my other posts for more advice today.