There is no reason to wait until retirement to dwell in your dream house. Start looking into this alternative style of accommodation right now; and find your idyllic refuge.

10 Things people appreciate most about log home living

1. A log home is a retreat

A favourable escape from the accelerated urban sprawl is the rustic idyll of a log home. Indeed, most of them are located away from crowded urban areas and offer a peaceful retreat from the buzzy cities with their questionable air quality that city-dwellers have grown accustomed to. To make the most of a long summer evening or, for that matter any day with beautiful weather, they are often equipped with porches. This outside area of the house is ideal for relaxing or having drinks with friends while engaging in long scintillating conversations.

2. Wooden houses are eco-friendly

The environmental benefits of log home lodging are numerous. In fact, they are often praised as energy-efficient alternatives to traditional stucco-and-cement houses. The thick wood provides substantial insulation to keep residents toasty during the winter and comfortably cool during the summer. In a time when many people are looking to lower their energy bill, living in a log home can prove to be very economical. Furthermore, these houses are made with the most sustainable building material known to man, wood. From the forest to your house, the logs that are used do not have as much of a negative impact on the environment as other common building materials such as bricks, mortar or steel.

3. Stay close to nature while at home

For the hippie inside each one of us, a log home provides a oneness with nature incomparable to the alienating modernity of the city. Surrounded by lush forests, mountains, and other elements of nature, one gains an appreciation for wholesome natural beauty. The interior of a log home is deeply inspired by its natural surroundings. With stone fixtures such as fireplaces – commonplace in cabins – and intricately carved wooden railings and banisters, homeowners commune with the wondrous splendour of nature. These homes have personalized and unique interiors to surprise visitors. Whether you prefer a vaulted ceiling or a wraparound second story platform, you have a plethora of options to choose from.

4. Feel invited

A log home is notorious for its inviting warmth. Lavish creature comforts abound in cabins; lay down a bearskin rug and it will be a perfect complement to a ruddy oak floor. Curl up by the fireplace on a plush sofa or armchair and enjoy a classic novel; you will not be interrupted by street noise or pesky neighbours, since your house is innately and pleasantly soundproofed. Richly embroidered tapestries and classical baroque furniture are not oddities in a log home. For the less theatrical homeowner, modern stainless steel appliances and granite countertops are also suitable for these types of residence.

5. Enjoy the outdoors while you stay in

For the social type, a wooden house is the perfect location for a community barbecue or gathering of friends. A typical log home is wrapped by a vast and ornate porch elevated off the ground. It is the perfect spot for an outdoor kitchen or in-ground hot tub. You can relax on a comfortable porch swing while watching the sunset from your outdoor paradise. A log home is like a perpetual vacation. Bask in the natural light from the high windows of your living room or sunbathe on the balcony outside your bedroom.

6. A house that is nicely decorated

Log homes are renowned for their beautiful construction. Architecture of these houses is rich with delicately carved banisters and hanging wooden supports that give your home a comfortable, cosy feeling. Appreciate the wall hangings and luxurious art adorning your log home. The rustic charm can be augmented by gorgeous additions that emphasize the earthy nature of the lodge; recommended additions are tapestries in rich red velvet and pristinely oiled rugs.

7. A wooden house smells fantastic

The wood in a log home is durable and permanently imbued with rich earthy vibes. The scent of a log home is permanent. The appealing fragrance of fresh wood endows the cabin with a natural comfort befitting a vacation home. No car air freshener or scented candle can compare to the alluring aroma of natural wood. Pleasant scents are proven to be calming, if the reality of living the dream in a beautiful natural landscape is not enough to soothe you.

8. Excellent safety

These houses are not a fire hazard though that might seem counter-intuitive. The girth and durability of the logs resist fire in a very reliable way. An ordinary house is far more prone to collapsing due to a fire than a log home, making the latter a resilient lodging option. Should you be enclosed within a log home during a fire, it would not be difficult to escape. The numerous windows typically built into a cabin offer alternative escape routes to ensure your safety.

9. Maintenance is fairly easy

A properly constructed log home requires little upkeep. Aside from treatments to prevent mould and rot, a stain may be applied to the exterior of the cabin periodically, in mild spot treatments, to maintain the colour of the wood. And that is all you need to keep your house in top shape for many years if not generations.

10. You will impress your friends

There is nothing like a backyard barbecue to bring families and friends together. What better way to spend a summer afternoon than lazily sprawling on the front porch of your luxurious log home? Friends will be envious of your laid-back lifestyle and soon find themselves yearning for the simple life. You will have everything: the tranquillity of wide-open space and the comfort of a modern respite away from the hectic clamour of the city. The flats your loved ones reside in cannot compare.

There is no reason to wait until retirement to dwell in your dream house. Start looking into this alternative style of accommodation right now; and find your idyllic refuge.

Article originally published at Source by Goda Mackeviciute