Do-It-Yourself Log Cabin Kits

When we started creating the layout for our log cabin kitchen, we sat and discussed what was important to us. As a former chef, I wanted propane gas range. I like the control I have plus if the power goes out for an extended period of time at least we can cook on the stovetop. We opted not to have a dishwasher due to space limitations. A garbage disposal was taken out of the plan since they do not play well with a septic tank. My wife wanted stainless steel appliances to work well with the design she was coming up with. The cost of granite counter-tops made laminate look much more appealing to us.

You can get the idea — put your wishlist together and then modify it as needed to make it fit your budget. We started shopping for inexpensive pine cabinets only to find out that our local Lowes-type stores only had maple and oak. The could special order pine at a huge cost. We wanted pine if possible to match the pine flooring and logs. But not at twice the price of the other cabinets. Finally with some searching, we found a place in New Hampshire that made nice pine kitchen cabinets. We measured and bought them since that was delaying our kitchen.

One thing to mention on measuring and laying out a kitchen. There is something called a “Kitchen Work Triangle”. If you are laying out your own kitchen, make sure you consider that. A kitchen has three main work areas: the sink, the stove, and the refrigerator.  Don’t put those work areas far from each other or you will regret it when you start using the kitchen. And don’t put those work areas in a straight line (hence the triangle). If you have more than one person in a kitchen at a time, a triangle allows a flow of traffic. A straight line means you will be bumping into each other. Getting that hot pan from the stove to the sink with someone in between with the refrigerator door open is asking for trouble! So make sure those 3 stations are close but in a distinct triangle.

I was very glad we decided to build with flat logs on the interior rather than rounded ones. With rounded logs, you will need to either custom cut each cabinet to fit in place or anchor the cabinets and then cut boards to snug against the logs and hide that issue. When cutting those boards, be sure to leave some space for the logs to settle otherwise your cabinets will start to buckle. Also,  whether round logs or flat, when hanging your cabinets keep in mind that logs can settle so put the cabinet anchors at the top of the cabinets and then at the bottom, put a slot in there so some settling can take place without the logs ripping out the anchors.

I hope this helps give you some ideas based upon our experiences. Use the comments section below to share your own ideas or to ask questions.