17 Log Cabins We Love

The stately stone path snaking through the grounds of this peaceful property designed by Ellis Nunn Architects creates a defined perimeter around the log cabin that makes it feel less like an outpost in the West West and more like a modern home. Even so, the archetypal features of a traditional cabin remain hidden in plain sight—from the exposed beams that cover the patio to the rough-hewn wooden dining set and visually arresting faux antler chandelier that cements the rural aesthetic.

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Multiple dormers coupled with hand-hewn wooden pillars and staircases make this oversized cabin look like it leapt off the pages of a fairy tale. But as the design team at Mountain Log Homes & Interiors can attest, the creatively conceived cabin is no fiction but a real home made with authentic red cedar wood. The all-wood interior is just as charming and pairs perfectly with other natural elements like a stone fireplace and a faux animal bust over the mantel.

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When it comes to log cabins, the more unfinished the look, the more authentic the feel. To that end, Clark & Zook Architects didn't use a heavy-handed approach to remodel this 1820s-era wood cabin. Instead, they opted to adapt but not erase its aged visage, installing rough-hewn dogwood tree porch railings, salvaged wood doors, and an industrial-style outdoor ceiling fan in the exterior. Indoors, the elegant "chinked" effect of the chocolate-colored wood log walls separated by mortar, was kept intact but accentuated with floors, joists, stairs, and ceilings made from pine or reclaimed barn wood.

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Can't picture yourself roughing it in a tiny log cabin? BeDe Design has designed the perfect alternative accommodation. This spacious cottage set in the woods of Minneapolis boasts a chocolate brown facade of interlocking wooden slats that evokes the same feel of a traditional log cabin, yet with a contemporary touch. Indoors, the builders opted for the natural look with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and recessed ceiling beams that lend a homeyness that feels fresh and never precious or old-fashioned.

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If you're ready to take the plunge into dry cabin living, that is, living in a cabin without running water, you couldn't pick a better place to start than at this two-story cabin in Fairbanks. An outdoor RV-style shower and outhouse allow you to rough it, while an indoor kitchen with running water means you won't have to sacrifice much convenience. For outdoor lovers, the most noteworthy aspect of the property is undoubtedly its close proximity to the breathtaking beauty of Alaskan nature. Meandering trails, hay fields, and Creamer's Field Waterfowl Refuge are all but a short commute away from the secluded sanctuary.

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Though Transylvania is better known by tourists as home to the mythical Dracula, this magical cabin that calls the town home is anything but frightful. A 3,000-liter wood-fired hot tub and patio set bring a little luxury to the deck, while leaving ample room to barbecue within easy reach of the home's interior. Here, a sunny, open floor plan lets residents enjoy a view of the outdoors even while relaxing on the sprawling curved couch.

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You might never guess by looking at this Mexican-inspired cedar log cabin that the tiny abode is actually situated on the eastern coast of Australia. A cozy stovepipe fireplace, timber floors, and Mexican antiques hearken back to the hacienda-style homes of old to lend warmth and authenticity to the interior. Outdoors, a wrap-around porch transitions residents from historic Mexico to a modern-day down-under outpost.

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Straight and narrow though this tiny log cabin may be, it uses its every inch of its spare square footage to the fullest potential. At the far back of the abode, an alcove some might consider awkward is imagined as a cozy nook for a double bed, while cushion-topped wooden benches overlooking the tiny bedroom can double as seating or storage units. Functionality aside, the log cabin is worth a look for the classic exterior alone. Charming both in terms of its size and styling, the home hearkens back to log cabins of old with its dark exterior paint, gable roof, while a small deck brings a touch of modernity for those who cherish contemporary outdoor living.

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Ten scenic acres with clear views of The Olympic Mountains, The Cascades, and Mount Baker become your personal playground when you move into this Swedish-style log cabin in the Pacific Northwest. The imposing dormer over the front entrance is an architectural marvel to behold on its own, but step through the 100-year-old doors, and you'll be equally spellbound by the 30-foot pine ceilings and towering stone fireplace that await you indoors.

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The windowed walls that enclose this log cabin on Rock Creek River create an open ambiance that better connects cabin dwellers with the bountiful flora that surrounds them. Among the plant life you can glimpse from the inside or outside of the dwelling are towering redwood cedars, wild blueberries, and flowering dogwoods. Offered up alongside these natural wonders are a host of impressive creature comforts indoors, including stone floors with radiant heating and a waterfall shower to go with the real private waterfall that sits outside the property.

Though short and stout in stature, this cabin makes a big impression with its unconventional blue roof and yellow cedar wood facade. Log walls and ceiling beams on the interior maintain an equally sunny personality, where contrasting colors and shapes come together in a delightful portrait of nature's many hues.

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Discover and admire beautiful and innovative home architecture, from grand Victorians to quaint cabins and all the styles in between. Take a look at the latest images and inspiration!