With their rustic charm and nostalgic feel, it’s no wonder that so many people love log cabins. And even if you have a home in the mountains, there are a lot of models that don’t quite satisfy that lust for logs that we all get sometimes. Maybe you have a few logs, but it’s just doesn’t have that feel. Or your home is composed of smooth siding and you long to see the rustic look of logs there instead. Good news – you don’t need to put up a For Sale sign and start calling your realtors. There are a number of easy, budget-friendly projects that can take your existing home from simple to spruced up and get that cozy, inviting feel that only a log cabin can provide.

Porch Additions

If your home lacks entry appeal, a new porch can make all the difference. Not only does a well-designed porch help with curb appeal, it can increase the value of a cabin far more than the cost to build it. See an example of a recent simple porch addition we did for a home in South Lake Tahoe. It seamlessly fits into the home’s original design so it looks like it’s always been there. And it add visual appeal to the entry, while kicking up the log factor as well. Strong, attractive and practical, it’s a budget-friendly project that doesn’t take too much time as well.

Here’s another example of a porch addition that we did on an A-frame cabin. The log posts and accents really make a statement, and the design fits in with the original construction so well that it looks like it’s always been there. And it adds bonus protection from the elements for you and your gear. Or maybe just spending an afternoon relaxing and enjoying the view.

Exterior Log Siding and Accents

A lot of older homes in the mountains, especially those built in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, were constructed using T1-11 siding, a wood or wood-based siding product that was popular for its natural, wood-grained look. Today, though, homeowners want real logs. And it’s easy to do. You can turn boring siding into something special using rustic or milled logs. Or by adding log accents on ridges and log corners as well. The photo below shows how you can have different types of log siding on a  home that still blends together well and boosts the log cabin feel for your home.

Interior Log Accents

There are also projects you can do inside your home to add log cabin charm such as adding false rafters, trestle beams, and interior log siding. These kinds of projects are usually low in case and high in impact, dramatically updating your home and giving it an entirely new feel.

Here at Prolog, we have our own log yard and can make custom accents, trestle beams, posts, and more that will blend in perfectly for our client’s unique homes and projects. For ideas, check out the Portfolio in the About Page menu. And if you’d like a free consultation for your home, complete with our recommendations and ideas, please reach out to us at 877-477-6564 or complete our online log home restoration estimate form on the Request a Quote page.