From Rustic to Refined: Your Guide to Designing a Modern Cedar Log Home
Cedar log homes usually evoke images of rustic cabins and traditional lodges- perfect for mountain retreats or lakeside getaways. That cozy, timeless style, combined with the many benefits of building with cedar, are just a few of the reasons people love cedar log homes.
But while that classic log cabin aesthetic is here to stay, cedar is a surprisingly versatile choice and is equally at home in contemporary design. By rethinking a few key design elements, you can create a home that feels fresh, modern, and timelessly connected to nature.
Step 1: Rethink the Exterior
Traditional log home siding often utilizes rounded, D-log profiles that feel very rustic. While that’s a popular choice, it’s certainly not your only option. We offer a variety of log profiles, including many with straight, clean lines for a more refined, modern silhouette.
In fact, your siding choices aren’t limited to log at all. Any of our cedar log home models can be built with a wide variety of siding, like cedar shakes, clapboard, fiber cement board, and more. Our design team can help you choose the right siding (or combination of sidings) for your home.
Step 2: Lighten the Palette
Color plays a crucial role in shifting perception, and choosing a cooler, lighter palette feels more modern than the warm, honey tones often seen in log homes. Compared to pine, cedar is already a more modern choice in this regard, since it has naturally white tones that lighten with age instead of turning orange over time. More ways to lighten the look:
Whitewashed Cedar: A subtle wash maintains the grain of the wood while introducing a light, airy quality.
Mix Textures within a Palette: Pair cedar with sheetrock walls for contrast, or utilize crisp white tile to add a modern layer of texture that still feels tied to nature.
Step 3: Choose Simple Accents
The finishing touches make all the difference. Introducing simple, clean-lined elements throughout your home is a great way to keep the design contemporary and cohesive. A few examples:
Architectural Detailing: Minimalist corner boards or flush-mounted trim can replace rustic joinery, giving the home a crisp, tailored look.
Fixtures: Choose dark metal for stair rails and balusters, and opt for simple, sturdy materials for lighting and plumbing fixtures.
The Result: A Cedar Home for the Modern Era
A cedar log home is the ideal canvas for contemporary design. The timeless charm of wood keeps a modern look balanced and grounded for a fresh, clean aesthetic rooted in nature.
Even as you modernize, you don’t lose the inherent advantages of a cedar log home. The structural integrity, natural insulating properties, and resistance to damage transcend design choices, making cedar the perfect choice for any style.