Log Home Bathrooms

There are rooms in the house that don’t often get the glamor or the attention they deserve.  They may be small, and in general, we don’t spend a lot of time in them, but these are some very important rooms.  I am of course talking about bathrooms.

Bathrooms are where you go to get clean, get ready for work, and get ready for bed.  And while it’s generally regarded as a room for business only (no pun intended) there’s no reason why a bathroom shouldn’t feel just as cozy, welcoming, and beautiful as the rest of your log home.

Some considerations when designing a bathroom:

Can the materials stand up to kids?

Will your bathroom be subjected to bath time splashing (a.k.a. submarine fights and pirate ship battles)?  Then it’s probably going to be easier to maintain a tile floor and tiled wall, than it would be wood floors and drywall which can become damaged over time from water exposure.  Although, if you are set on the look of wood floors throughout, consider using bamboo floors in the bathrooms.  Bamboo has great resilience in moist environments.

Does it have exterior windows?

In general, bathrooms are small spaces that can feel cramped without proper lighting.  Windows are great for letting light in, but depending on where your log home is situated, they can also be great for letting people look right in.  On second-story bathrooms, consider using a skylight to let light in.  But, if you have a problem window, consider using a window film to obscure the view but still let light in.  You can also opt for sheer curtains that don’t darken the room too much.

Are the bathrooms and powder rooms on the main level in good locations?

One layout mistake that people make, and often regret later, is putting a guest bath directly off of the formal dining room or other entertaining space.  While everyone knows what goes on behind closed doors, most people don’t like being that upfront about it.  So, it’s better to allow guests to leave the dining room to use the restroom a bit more privately, without all the dinner guests watching (and listening).  A good place to put guest bathrooms on the main level is off the kitchen, right near the front door, or off the mudroom.