The term “great room” has roots that reach back centuries. In medieval castles and manors, the great hall was the main chamber—a single, large room where dining, entertainment, and daily life all took place.
Today’s great rooms carry on that spirit. They combine function, comfort, and visual impact into one open, welcoming space. In a log home, the great room is the central space where families gather, welcome guests, and make memories.
Whether you’re planning to build a log home as a primary residence for your family, a vacation getaway, or your forever home after retirement, your log cabin great room layout is key, since this space will serve as the main hub of your home.
Ahead we’ll explore some log cabin great room ideas and core features to help you plan your great room design.
Picture Windows
Large picture windows are a hallmark of log home great rooms. They let natural light flood in while framing the beauty of your surroundings—whether it’s forest, mountain, or desert views. Picture windows blur the line between inside and out, making nature feel like part of your decor. And they help your home feel brighter and more vibrant all year round.
Vaulted Ceiling
Pitched ceilings are another hallmark feature of log cabins. A high ceiling makes even small great rooms feel grand and expansive. The extra height draws the eye upward, adding drama and a sense of airiness. It’s one of the defining features that sets log homes apart from many traditional stick-built homes. Adorn your vaulted ceiling with elegant tongue-and-groove paneling and exposed beams for added drama.
Stately Fireplace
A fireplace is an important heat source, but it’s also the heart of your great room. Stone masonry that stretches to the ceiling makes a bold statement, while a handcrafted log mantle gives your hearth warmth and personality. Whether you’re gathering for a quiet evening at home or hosting friends for game night, the fireplace is a natural gathering spot.
Open Layout
Open-concept designs create seamless flow between your great room, dining area, and kitchen. It’s a signature feature in modern log home design and ideal for entertaining. You can cook, chat, and relax without feeling disconnected from the action. It also makes your space feel larger and more connected to the rest of the home.
Striking Chandelier
Add a touch of drama and elegance to your great room with a statement chandelier. Hung over the dining table or in the foyer, a chandelier becomes a striking focal point. Create a lodge-inspired vibe with an antler chandelier or bring a touch of elegance with a wrought iron design. A woven wood chandelier will fit right in with the rustic aesthetic of a log home.
Whatever you choose, a chandelier is a great way to reflect your style and make a bold impression.
Skylights and Recessed Lighting
Skylights bring in natural light and draw the eye toward the ceiling, highlighting your great room’s vertical space. They’re perfect for brightening the room during the day. At night, recessed lighting offers a soft, modern glow that complements the rustic elements of your home. Together, skylights and recessed lighting provide form and function.
Grand Staircase
Depending on your home’s layout, the staircase can become a standout feature of your great room, especially if it leads to an open balcony above. Use this feature to showcase craftsmanship with hand-carved wood railings or custom balusters. For a modern touch, consider metal railings for sleek contrast against your log walls.
Whatever you choose, a grand staircase is both functional and eye-catching.
Wraparound Deck
Create a seamless transition between your great room and the great outdoors with a wraparound deck. Decks and porches are practically ubiquitous in log home designs, for good reason. Connecting with nature is a huge part of the appeal of log home living.
A deck connected to your great room will become a central part of everyday life. Open the doors and let the fresh air in, or step outside to enjoy morning coffee with a view.
Choosing Your Great Room Layout
With so many log home models to choose from, you have lots of choices when it comes to your great room layout. Here are some options:
Classic Open Concept
This layout seamlessly blends the great room, dining area, and kitchen into one large, open space.
- Ideal for entertaining and family gatherings
- Keeps the cook connected to the conversation
- Often includes a central island or bar seating between the kitchen and the living space
Example of the style: River View
Central Great Room with Split Wings
With this layout, the great room sits at the center of the home, with bedroom wings on either side.
- Offers privacy and separation for sleeping areas
- Works well in ranch-style or single-story layouts
- Great for families or multigenerational living
Example of the style: Green Valley
Great Room with Loft Overlook
This is a popular architectural style for log homes, with a vaulted great room and second-floor loft above.
- Adds vertical interest and visual connection between levels
- Loft can serve as an office, guest area, or play space
- Staircases and railings become architectural focal points
Example of the style: Brentwood
Great Room Focused on the View
Everything in the layout orients toward a wall of windows or sliding glass doors.
- Perfect for scenic properties (mountains, lakes, forests)
- Often features a stone fireplace flanked by picture windows
- Deck or patio access becomes part of the flow
Example of the style: Courtland
Sunken Great Room
This layout drops the great room a step or two below the surrounding spaces.
- Adds a cozy, intimate feel while still keeping an open concept
- Ideal for showcasing a central fireplace or anchoring a conversation area
- Adds depth and architectural interest to your home’s interior
Example of the style: Casa Grande
Build Your Dream Log Cabin with eLoghomes
Still not sure which great room layout is right for your family? Get in touch with the expert team at eLoghomes. As one of the nation’s trusted log home manufacturers and builders, our team is here to guide and support you in finding your dream home.
Our catalog boasts more than 200 fully customizable log home models, from 400-4,000 square feet, and we offer optional construction services to make the home-building process even more efficient. Take a virtual tour of some of our most popular models, then call us for pricing.