Building a vacation cabin is an exciting undertaking. Having a home away from home in a peaceful setting is a dream for many people. Whether it’s a ski cabin or a lakeside retreat, building your own vacation cabin means you don’t have to compromise when it comes to design.

You’ll always have a private getaway that’s perfectly suited to your needs. No more expensive hotels and guest rentals. But there are other great reasons to build rather than buy.

Real estate is generally considered a sound investment, and the housing market has been on fire for the last decade. Unique properties (like log cabin homes) may command even higher prices if you decide to sell in the future.

And thanks to the skyrocketing popularity of vacation rentals, you may be able to earn considerable extra income each year by renting out your home when you’re not using it. Companies like Airbnb and VRBO make it easy to manage rentals.

These advantages aside, the most common reason for building a vacation home is simply to have your own private retreat to relax and unwind—a place where you can make memories with your family.

But first, you need a smart design that works for your needs. Here are some things to consider as you think about your vacation home design.

1: Choose a functional floor plan.

As you browse photos of different log cabin floor plans, think about how you want to use the space. For example, if you want to spend lots of time outdoors, look for a log cabin with a wraparound deck where you can enjoy coffee in the morning, barbeques in the evening, and everything in between.

If your vacations will be focused around specific activities like hiking or boating, consider a floor plan with a mudroom, where you can store boots, jackets, and other gear. And if you’ll be hosting guests with kids, a cabin with a loft is ideal.

2: Depart from your style at home.

Want huge picture windows in the great room? A loft for the kids? Now is the time to choose all the design features your primary home doesn’t provide.

Log homes are already an architectural departure from traditional stick-built homes. Why not choose décor for your log home that’s completely different from your primary home? Don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone. Being on vacation should feel different than being at home.

If your style at home is ultra-minimalist, try choosing cozier furnishings for your log home. Vacations are the perfect time to let go of formality and get comfortable.

3: Choose the perfect site.

At home you might be bound to a particular neighborhood because of work or your kids’ school. There’s a lot more wiggle room when picking a spot for your vacation cabin. You can choose a site that’s right outside of town or well off the beaten path.

How you plan to use your home is a key factor when deciding on a location. Is there a particular landmark or recreation area you want to live near? Would you prefer to be within a short drive of town for shopping and entertainment, or is seclusion more important?

If you plan to list your home as a vacation rental for extra income, you might want to choose a location that’s closer to town or near popular tourist spots.

4: Keep guest comfort top of mind.

Even if you don’t plan to host guests at your vacation home every week or even every month, odds are you’ll have overnight company at your vacation home at some point.

Flexible seating and sleeping quarters are a top priority. Choose modular furniture that can be reconfigured as needed. Bunk beds in a loft or guest bedroom are ideal for guests with kids, while sofa beds are handy for making up an extra bed in a pinch.

In terms of design, consider a floor plan with the master bedroom and guest bedrooms on separate floors or opposite sides of the home, which gives everyone more privacy. Finally, opt for easy-clean wood, tile, or laminate flooring in high-traffic areas.

5: Plan for recreation.

Vacations are all about fun and togetherness. Consider incorporating a dedicated space for entertainment into your design. It might be a loft with a pool table, a game room with a bar, or a home movie theater with recliner seats. The sky’s the limit.

Many eLoghomes designs feature specialty rooms for games and entertainment. Our Chimney Rock model includes a spacious game room on the second floor, while the Arlington includes a  media room on the first floor, perfect for a home movie theater.

If the eLoghomes model you’re interested in doesn’t have a dedicated space for entertainment, the design team at eLoghomes may be able to create a customized design for you.

Build Your Vacation Cabin with eLoghomes

Ready to build your vacation getaway? It starts with choosing the right partner.

eLoghomes is a leader in modern cabin designs. Our log home packages help streamline the home-building process, so you can start enjoying your vacation cabin even sooner.

We offer a huge variety of fully customizable log home models, from tiny cabins to spacious multi-story homes. Whether you plan to build a small fishing cabin or a second home for your family, we have a floor plan to suit your needs.

eLoghomes leads the way in energy-efficient log home design. Our platinum package includes structural insulated panels (SIPs) on all second story walls and gable ends, as well as the roof. SIPs help minimize air infiltration and provide exceptional energy efficiency, as well as environmental safety and comfort in your home.

Take a virtual tour of our most popular log home models, then search our models to find your perfect vacation home!