Many homeowners have revealed the greatest regret after building their log homes was not creating enough usable space. You can eliminate this issue by putting more creative ideas into your log home construction plans.
Most of us still have a lot of ‘stuff’ that we either use regularly or want to store for future use. You can create more usable space by incorporating some ideas others have found helpful:
- Create an open concept with fewer walls
- Add a second-floor or loft
- Build a basement
- Make storage efficient
- Add dormers and bay windows
- Eliminate unnecessary rooms
When making building plans, think about where you can store everything in these six areas.
Use Fewer Walls for an Open Concept
You can create more living and storage space by using fewer walls, partitions, and hallways. This move creates an open concept between the kitchen, dining, and great room areas. Your contractor can provide sufficient structural support for this larger area in the building plans.
Create a large great room area to take the place of both a living room and a family room. A room or two can be accessed right off this room without a lengthy hallway. An open concept is great for seeing and communicating when one person is in the kitchen and another in the dining or great room area.
Log Home Usable Space: Add a Second Floor or Loft
A loft can add adequate space when combined with an open concept. You may go for adding a second floor instead of that arrangement. Either plan allows more space without increasing the length and width of your home or lot.
Lofts and second floors are great places for bedrooms and additional bathrooms. More storage space is available with an efficient closet or two. Allow enough room for a stairway that allows easy moving of furniture and appliances. Check out these innovative ways to create more space.
Build a Basement: Partial or Full
Everyone knows about a basement but may not consider them. When made waterproof, they are splendid places for living and storage space. Like a second floor, you get much more square footage without increasing the length and width of the house and lot. Consider log siding or knotty pine paneling on the walls instead of drywall.
You can create any size basement that meets your needs. If on a tight budget, consider a half or third-size basement area with sufficiently tall ceilings. A dehumidifier may be necessary if you live in a humid and hot area. A basement is a better place for a central air and heating system than a crawl space under the house.
Make Storage Efficient
Creating more efficient storage areas is not as difficult as it may sound. You should look for ways to use every square foot of space for essentials without cluttering it up. Put at least one sizable closet in every room with efficient shelves, cabinets, and drawers. You can build them right up to the ceiling for maximum usage.
Use dormers, bay windows, and closet systems to maximize the available space. There are many helpful ideas online, and you may want to consult a closet and storage expert for advice. Keep the kitchen functional by using base cabinets below and upper cabinets or shelves above for effective storage areas. Add a useful pantry and some cabinets or shelves in a kitchen island.
Log Home Usable Space: Add Dormers and Bay Windows
Dormers are another way to create more useable space and let more sunlight in. Plan for two of them on the front of a smaller log siding or full log home and three for a larger home.
Dormers are like little rooms that can be used for odds and ends such as small furniture that you may not know where to put but want displayed.
Bay windows can serve the same purpose for displaying objects, a sitting area with or without a sofa or chairs, or a reading area. They can be placed in the great room, dining area, bedroom, or kitchen.
Eliminate Rooms You May Want But Don’t Need
Here is perhaps the best way to save a lot of money and help reduce the amount of ‘stuff’ and ‘clutter’ in your log home. Eliminate rooms you do not need and items that would be stored, displayed, or used in them. If any room would only be used occasionally, do you need it? This applies to the ground floor, second floor, or basement.
You should be able to use one or more of these ideas to create more useable space and reduce unnecessary space.
