A traditional theme in mountain-style homes is the focus on central gathering spaces. Great rooms, kitchens and dining rooms blend to create spacious, open floor plans for groups of all sizes to come together. While these spaces are very common within log and timber homes, here are a few examples of unique rooms that you may not expect to find in the average log home.

Exercise Room

From lap pools to saunas to personal gyms, the inclusion of dedicated exercise spaces are becoming more common.  People who build homes in the mountains tend to have an  active lifestyle. By including spaces for an indoor lap pool in the winter or a sauna to sit in after a long day of skiing, their mountain-style home allows them to bring their passion for exercise into every season, no matter their location. 

Animal Rooms

Birds, Cats and Dogs, oh my! By designing rooms for animals of all shapes and sizes, families are able to incorporate their love for their furry friend into their home.  One such client dedicated a room to her parrots, including a central drain and an old vault cage door in the design. Another client, tired of dog paws across the floor, added doggy doors and showers in the mud room to create a buffer between the home and the outdoor dirt. 

Secret Rooms

Building a new home should be an exciting and creative process. With all of the freedom to customize your log home, why not add private spaces of your own? We’ve created plans with secret playrooms in the back of children’s closet, studies behind swinging bookcases and even safe rooms for added precaution. There is no limit to the rooms we can include in your home to fit your unique lifestyle.

Western Log and Timber

This style of log home is what we like to call a true mountain-style home due to the typically large-scaled elements used in the design. The lodge-like charm of a western log and timber home includes large picture windows to take advantage of the vistas provided by their sprawling landscapes. The Big Sky is one such design concept that includes massive handcrafted log walls and trusses along with stone and glass to create the classic lodge appeal.

Adirondack

The Adirondack style of building originates from a rugged architectural style that began within the Adirondack Mountains. Distinguished by their rustic appearance, Adirondacks promote a natural look that is organic within its location. With lower pitch roofs, rough detailing of log and twig and stone foundations; these plans are both imaginative and comfortable. The Ticonderoga is a popular floor plan concept in this style due to its rustic appeal. While not as heavy or imposing as the Western Log and Timber style, the Ticonderoga is built with the unique character of a classic Adirondack, including twig designs in the porch and truss system.

French Country

In contrast to the mountain-esque appeal of the Western Log and Timber style and Adirondack style, the architecture of a French Country wood home is reminiscent of a traditional countryside estate. Known for their narrow overhangs, smaller windows and stone accents, these log or timber homes fit right into their surroundings while still retaining a stately presence. The Beaumont design concept features all of the attributes of French Country architecture, including smaller curved windows and custom truss work. The square log walls and timber frame accents create a provincial feel against the subtle pitch of the roof.

To explore more examples of these log home styles and others such as: Appalachian, Chalet, Craftsman and Northwest, visit the PrecisionCraft Floor Plans page.

Basements

Once you have begun the design process with your architect, it is important to let them know your needs for sleeping space. “Choosing to include a basement to your floor plan is a relatively easy  and cost-effective way to increase your home’s space due to the already laid foundation,” Celeste, Manager of Mountain Architects. An open basement area is great for children to pile in and roll out their sleeping bags or it is also an opportunity to put in an extra bedroom or two.

Lofts

A common element in many log and timber homes are lofts, which can add depth, perspective and architectural beauty to the home without creating a need for an entire second level. Lofts are also an opportune way to include more space for company. Choosing to build a guest room in your loft is one option, while utilizing hideaway beds or pull-out couches is another creative way to use the space for visiting friends and family.

Above Garage Space

If your log home plans already include a garage, using the additional space above for a bonus room is a good way to increase the number of rooms for guests. Whether you choose to make this room a common area or strictly a room reserved for guests, an above-garage living space is a simple addition to your floor plans that will offer a lot of opportunities.

Additional Space Savers

Another popular room in many mountain-style homes is a bunk room. You can choose to build your bunks into the plan’s design or simply place bunk beds within the room; this will make an area equipped with space for grandkids to squeeze in comfortably and can work for adults as well. Murphy beds are also a great idea for any room, furnish your office with a Murphy bed and desk combo or simply place them throughout the house, their fold-away abilities will allow you plenty of space for daily activities.

Whether you are building a lodge, fit for large groups of people, or a log home with just enough room for company to stay, a good architect can help you plan out your living spaces so that you can enjoy your home to the fullest with your family.

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.

The Crested Butte is a hybrid design that mixes log walls, timber, siding, rock, metal and glass. It is a true Mountain-style home design that has inspired many. Here are just a few adaptations that we have built over the course of the last few years:

North Carolina— Built on a North Carolina lakeshore, this version of the Crested Butte was built to emphasis the size of the plan. The homeowner chose large handcrafted logs, not typically available in their area, instead of hybrid log and timber construction. The finished product is a western-style log home that is complete with a walk-out basement leading to the lake and an open loft area within, making it a version of the Crested Butte that is one of a kind.

Colorado— Built amongst Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, this adaptation of the Crested Butte is nearly double the square footage of the original, but still remains the most representative of the design’s unique features. The essence of the Crested Butte’s western look and feel is seen in the hybrid style of the home, combining the advantages of the views of the surrounding landscape with stone, siding and wood to make a home that is one of a kind while staying true to the design aspects that so many like about the Crested Butte.

New Jersey— When people picture homes in New Jersey, they do not typically see a mountain-style home in that imagery. However, the Crested Butte, with its hybrid log and timber framing, fits perfectly into the landscape. The unique addition of a curved piece in the timber trusses that is repeated throughout the length of the home creates a distinct flair to this version of the Crested Butte.

Mediterranean— The Crested Butte is a design that has proven to be so versatile that its western architectural style has reached locations as far away as the Mediterranean. This version uses milled red cedar log walls and timber framing. Expanding the initial design to an impressive 8,000 square feet, this home brings the original look and feel of the Crested Butte to a new height in an exotic location.

Fernando and Sylvia were a couple with a distinct vision of how they wanted their custom made home to be. Inspired by the European architecture of their native Argentina, they dreamed of building a home out West that reflected and honored their roots. With the discovery of one of PrecisionCraft’s French Country themed floor plans and a meeting with Mountain Architects, the couple’s dream of bridging their European influences with Western style began to unfold. Click on the image below to read about Fernando and Sylvia’s inspired story of a home that brings their past and present together under one magnificent roof.

The garage is one such room that often gets overlooked, but it too deserves the attention to detail that you give to the rest of your home. While it may seem like just a place to put your vehicles, you will be surprised with what you can actually do with your garage space.  Here are some things to consider when designing your garage.

Above-Garage Living

Installing a living space above the garage is a popular way to create more room for your home without drastically changing your floor plans. This space is great for creating an in-law or guest suite for company, for giving your teen their own space or even for an in-home theater.  With all the possibilities of what you can do with this space, it is important to consider where you would like its entrance be located in relation to the rest of your home. Some people prefer to have the entrance to their living space located in the garage, while others may want an entrance in the garage as well as outside the home.

Drive-through

It’s not what you think, this does not mean including a fast food restaurant in your building plans. A drive-through garage is set up where there are two vehicle entries to allow for a car to pull through the garage upon entering and leaving instead of having to back out of one door. If you are someone who has snowmobiles or other recreational vehicles, you know how difficult it is to maneuver them in a small space. Having a drive-through garage, or even a “toy” garage for all of your extra vehicles, would eliminate this problem.

Heated Floors

While this may seem like an unnecessary luxury to some, heated floors are a great way to keep your garage warm, especially in colder regions and colder seasons. If you utilize your garage space for more than just storing your vehicle, for instance; you want to add a work bench for tinkering on cars, you need a space for your tools or you were thinking about a recreational area, heated floors would open up the possibility of using your garage year-round.

Mechanical Rooms

In larger scale homes, the inclusion of a mechanical room is a serious thing to consider due to the larger quantity of appliances and machines needed to run your home. Drafting your garage design to include space for a mechanical room or even just an area set aside for your furnace, water heater, etc, is something that will be important for the layout and functionality of your garage space.

Special Areas

The possibilities are endless with what you can do with your garage space. For those who live on the green or just love to golf; add a parking space for your golf cart, or if you really love to boat and you have a nice waterfront location; consider adding storage for your boat. If you are a lover of skiing, you know the mess your equipment makes once the snow has melted; adding an area with a drainage piece can eliminate that slushy mess. From adding an area to hide your garbage cans to creating a secure safe for your guns, the design process for your garage can be fun as well as practical.

Not sure you should include a garage?  Read our Including a Garage? article for help.

Create a Digital Scrapbook of Ideas

Visit photo galleries. Start collecting photos of the features you like, for each room in your floor plan. This research will help clearly convey your dream home to an architect.

Are Designs Copyrighted?

While dreaming is free, home designs may not be. Floorplans may be copyrighted. Any restrictions on duplicating plans are usually stated with the plans, on the website or at the beginning of the printed publication in which the plans appear.

Questions to Ask Yourself 

As you peruse designs, start to ask yourself some basic questions.
• What type of design do we want: single-story ranch, 1-1/2 story, split-level, two-story?
• How many square feet will we need?
• How many bedrooms do we want?
• How many baths?
• Do we need any special areas for our hobbies or toys?
• How about a home theater, a custom kitchen or exercise room?
• How much storage space will we need?

Break it Down by Area

• Make sure your floor plan includes activity areas for the following:
• Work Areas: home office, kitchen, laundry, pantry
• Sleeping Areas: bedrooms, bathrooms
• Living Areas: living room, dining room, family room, guest bath
• Storage Areas: basement, garage, out-buildings

Start a ‘Rather’ List

Create a “rather” list, i.e. “I’d rather have this, rather than that.” This will help establish priorities as you work on your design and budget.

Top three “must have these” features in my dream log home:
1.
2.
3.

Top three “these would be neat to have” features in my dream log home:
1.
2.
3.

Top three “love these, but my lender will likely disapprove” features in my log home:
1.
2.
3.

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.

A home’s mix of exterior finish materials and varied, rambling rooflines are two of the attributes that announce “mountain style” at first glance.  Mountain Architects’ new design, the Creekside timber home, says it loud and clear with a mix of stacked stone, wood siding, timber accents and metal roofing that recalls the old west.  This timber frame home is also a natural fit for a sloped lot, following the lines of the land as if it was part of the mountain itself.

The Creekside’s clever design accommodates generous living areas, a home office and spacious guest accommodations all in 2,521 square feet.  Its ceilings are higher than is typical, increasing the interiors’ volume and natural light and resulting in an open, airy feeling.  The open air itself is accessible on both sides of the house thanks to 636 square feet of patio and covered decks.

The Creekside’s great room features heavy timber trusses that flank the stone fireplace and enhance the view from the room’s wall of windows.  The seamless flow of the main living areas makes the Creekside an easy place to entertain, while its more private wing offers a quiet retreat for work or rest. Downstairs, the walkout lower level offers a suite with two bedrooms, laundry, a full bath and its own entrance.

The Creekside is a great example of a timber home plan that accommodates all of life’s activities in less than 3,000 square feet.  Its flexible lower level can be configured to your family’s needs as well as the topography of your land, and its foot print of just 41 by 61 feet allows you to take advantage of that breathtaking site that just happens to be narrow.  When planning your log or timber home, look for an architect who can design your dream home to meet the requirements of both your lot and your lifestyle.

Placement.  Yes, your mud room should be adjacent to a well used, informal entryway, but what if you have more than one of those?  If a walk-out basement is part of your log home plan, consider a mud room on the lower level in addition to one on the main floor.

Plumbing.  If your mud room shares a wall with the kitchen or laundry room, incorporating a small bathroom - or at least a sink - is a great way to ensure that dirt, pollen, and irritants like poison ivy are left at the door.  Accessible plumbing also facilitates perks like a dog washing station or potting area.

Flooring.  Perhaps the most important finish choice for a mud room is the flooring.  Durable and easy-to-clean should be your floor-shopping mantra, and eschew any material that becomes slippery when wet.  Rubber flooring is a great choice for mud rooms, and some homeowners swear by indoor-outdoor carpet.  In a rustic log home or log cabin, natural stone or matte-finish tile are serviceable choices that may also fit the home’s décor.  If your mud room will use the same highly polished wood or tile as the kitchen, consider a rubber anti-fatigue mat to keep the area slip-free.

Seating.  A place to sit down and take off boots is a must.  A bench is a great solution and can do double duty if there’s room underneath to keep those boots out of the way.

Storage.  A combination of open and closed storage spaces allow easy access to shoes, for example, while providing a hiding place for seasonal items behind closed doors.  Lockers or open cubbies are popular storage choices that allow each family member to have his or her own space.  Wall-mounted hooks are great for frequently used items that need to be grabbed on the run.

Schedules.  Since the mud room usually serves as a family’s main entrance to the house, it’s a great place to keep the calendar.  A bulletin board or white board is also a great way to keep everyone “in the loop” as they come and go.

The mud room may turn out to be the most-used - and hardest working - area in the house, so a little advanced planning will pay off in the long run.

When we’re dreaming and doodling a log home into existence, most of us focus on things like floor plan and traffic flow, log style and guest accommodations.  But you’re sure to want livable outdoor spaces, too, so planning for them early is a smart move that will help you get the most out of your dream log home.

The newly released Huntington post and beam log home plan from Mountain Architects is a great example of a home with clever, comfortable outdoor living areas.  On the first floor of this handcrafted post and beam home, the great room’s dramatic glass wall opens to more than 200 square feet of covered patio, allowing indoor activity to spill outside without having to contend with the beating sun or rain.  A second covered patio is conveniently placed outside the kitchen.  Designed as a dedicated barbeque area, this patio is also large enough that the cook can have some company. 

Don’t forget the second story when you’re planning your outdoor spaces.  The gem of the Huntington plan is the second story covered balcony.  Placed at the corner of the house, it capitalizes on the view due to both its height and its two open walls, while the two solid walls offer protection from the wind. Adding to the considerable romance of the balcony is its stone fireplace, which allows the space to serve as a three-season outdoor room.

When making your log home plans, consider where you might want to step outside.  Would a private patio off the master bedroom enhance your mornings?  Perhaps an outdoor extension of the dining room would facilitate the al fresco dinners you love.  Planning for outdoor spaces early on will help you maximize living space – and the enjoyment of your log home.

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.