Here are some tips to help you narrow your search for plans for your new log home.

Use your old home to help you plan your new home One of the ways to help you decide on a plan for your new home is to take a look at your present home and use it as a reference point for your new plans. Treat your new home plan as an "adjustment" to your old home plan. Make a list of the features you like and dislike in your current home. Add features you don't have now, but would want in your new home.

Organize your plan selections Start a scrapbook that includes pictures and drawings of the styles of log home and features that appeal to you. Common features will start to appear in many of your selections. For example, if your scrapbook photos show mostly handcrafted log homes, you can concentrate your search on log home companies that specialize in handcrafted construction.

Start with a simple plan Draw a rough layout of individual rooms for your new home, with the rooms represented only by boxes. Use the dimensions of your old rooms as a reference. Arrange the boxes in the general pattern that you would want. Account for hallways, closets, and storage spaces. This will give you a good idea of not only your general floor plan, but also your overall home dimensions.

Use your computer as a design tool There are a variety of home design software products available that can make your planning easy and fun. Some are very simple and easy to use, although may not contain features that are specific to log homes. Others are more robust, more expensive, and more difficult to use. Use Google or other Internet search tools to find sources for this type of software.

Search for standard plans It's possible that there is already a home plan out there that closely meets your needs. The Internet is one of best resources. A seach for "log home plans" will result in a wide selection of plans, primarily from log home companies. Log home magazines are another good source for plans.

Modify standard plans Any log home floor plan can be modified to suit your needs. You don't have to choose one of the standard plans offered by log home companies. You can use the plan from one company as the basis for creating a plan to be used by another company. Plans for conventional homes can usually be adapted to log construction.

Your log home company can help Log home companies have in-house designers to help you create or modify a plan. They use sophisticated professional software for this purpose. Be aware that you may have to make a few compromises in your plans to accommodate certain log construction requirements.