Log store ideas can make a rustic-style feature if displayed correctly. The message from log stove experts is clear however, whilst aesthetics are important inside the home, it's important not to compromise the health of your logs and the safety of your home as a result.
If incorrectly stored logs can become unusable and pose a potential fire risk when using your log-burning stove. The recommendation is that you should store large amounts of logs outdoors in a suitably sheltered and well-ventilated spot.
But these innovative log storage ideas demonstrate that it is possible to make a feature of your logs indoors as well as out.
12 log store ideas for safely displaying your firewood
It's important to ensure that logs aren't positioned too close to open flames or heat from your log burner ideas, where they could be ignited by flying ash or embers.
When bringing logs indoors, we suggest you keep an eye out for pests such as wood termites and ants, and diseases like mould and fungus, which could be brought inside your home.
1. Make an indoor log store part of your home renovation plans
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If an open fire or log-burner is on your wish list for an extension or renovation, think about how you can incorporate log storage into your design plans rather than leaving it as an afterthought.
Built-in storage saves space and can become an architectural feature. This rustic brick chimney stack with a cut-out wall for brick storage becomes a focal point as well as a functional space-saving feature.
"You might already have an alcove in your brickwork that might be suitable for stacking wood or other useful items for your log burner," says Homebuilding website editor Amy Willis.
"When I switched from an open fire with a back boiler to a log burner in my kitchen, I helpfully had a little space beside it left over inside the brickwork that I could stack wood out of the way of foot traffic."
Amy spent over a decade in London editing and writing for The Daily Telegraph, MailOnline, and Metro.co.uk before moving to East Anglia where she began renovating a period property in rural Suffolk
2. Utilise shelving for your logs
As homeowners one thing we can never have enough of and that's clean and efficient built-in storage. Stephen Talbot, sales director at Logs Direct recommends shelving as a simple and cost-effective option for storing logs.
"Depending on the size of the logs, they can be heavy, so ensuring that the brackets are strong, whether you’re buying the shelves or building your own, is crucial to prevent collapse," advises Stephen.
“The best part is you can add to the homely feeling these shelves offer by adding things that aren’t just logs to them. These can be as simple as various plants to add a splash of green and natural vibes or a collection of your favourite paperback books,” he notes.
3. Choose a stove with a built-in log store
As our homes become more and more energy efficient, log-burning stoves might only be used in the winter months, in which case the best log store won't mean having a bunch of wood in the house to be an inconvenience for much of the year.
If you're storing your logs underneath or next to your freestanding log burner, be sure that the model you have is capable of isolating the heat from its area.
"The wood burner I ultimately chose for my kitchen had an additional metal wood storage unit underneath. This was perfect for my small narrow space as it allowed me to store wood that was easily accessible for the log burner but also tucked out of the way from other items in my kitchen," explains Amy Willis
Shop indoor log storage
Available in a variety of dimensions to fit in different sized spaces. Made from a robust powder-coated steel.
A 55L capacity basket, ideal for storing your wood. It's made of thick felt and has easy-grab wooden handles for transporting.
A woven wicker design, perfect for a Scandi or minimalist look. With separate sections for your logs and kindling.
4. A roof overhang is the perfect idea for an outdoor log store
Firewood of course needs to be stored where it is dry because burning wet wood can cause a lot of problems. So if you're looking for log store ideas in a self-build or extension project, perhaps consider including a sheltered spot outside.
A generous roof overhang not only adds architectural interest to this self-build it also offers a dry place to season wood. What's more, logs are easily accessible in winter months without fumbling to get your coat on.
There are also freestanding log stores, which can come in all sorts of designs, but look out for those with divided sections for different-sized logs and wood for kindling.
"Using a pallet or rack to keep the wood elevated to ensure airflow is a sensible option whether you prefer to keep your wood indoors or outdoors," advises Phil Wood, UK managing director of Contura Stoves.
Shop outdoor log storage
This log store, with additional lockable storage shed for tools and other bits and pieces will slot neatly against an exterior wall.
With something a little more ornate like this log house, it's possible to make a feature of how you store your logs.
A great budget-option which will work well in small back gardens offering shelves as well as open and closed areas.
Phil is managing director of Contura Stoves (UK) Limited. He has worked in the fireplaces, fires and stoves industry since 1985.
5. Use a log store as a central room divider
When looking at log store ideas for your interiors it is smart to consider how the overall room will look.
Warm wood furniture and exposed rafters blend the log store nook in this open-plan living, dining and kitchen space, adding character to the new self-build as well as helping to zone the space.
Adam Oldfield, director of StovesAreUs highlights that are practical benefits of having a place to store wood indoors before burning it in that the wood will get some additional drying out time.
If building a recessed indoor log store Adam advises it should be around 0.8m deep and 1.5-2.5m long depending on the space available.
6. Use logs to enhance the natural style of your home
A "living" wall of logs is a real statement piece for a rustic-style living room. However, there are practical considerations as well as safety measures to consider if choosing this style of log storage.
Firstly when stacking your firewood inside in this way, Phil Wood advises you to avoid straight, vertical rows and instead stack as though you’re building a brick wall. "This will ensure the stack is more stable – an even more important consideration if you have curious or active kids or pets," says Phil.
There is also the matter of ensuring there is enough air circulation to keep your logs in good order to light a log burner properly.
"It is essential to keep your stored wood in optimum condition for burning; therefore, do not pile too much wood into a tiny space without the opportunity for air to circulate. Allowing air to flow around your log store ensures that moisture does not build up which will cause mould and inevitably rot your wood," says Joanna Humphreys, fire and stove specialist at Direct Stoves.
7. Save space with under seating log storage
"We've seen our customers store their logs under benches or on shelving which can look quite effective and add to the aesthetic of a room," says Adam Oldfield.
Be wary of stacking logs in areas of damp or low ventilation, however. "Properly stacking firewood is the only way to ensure airflow and to keep your logs dry. Whilst this is important for all wood, it’s even more crucial for logs you’ve cut yourself - aka green wood," urges Phil Wood.
Check your logs regularly for damp as this can cause mould and other diseases which you wouldn't want inside your home.
8. Keep indoor log storage clean and minimal
Amy Willis explains that getting this right isn't just about selecting the right size and style of log storage, but also in where you position it.
"Ideally this needs to be close to your log burner but not so close that it becomes a fire hazard," she says. "Wicker baskets are stylish but placed too close to the fire, can easily burn and catch alight. Meanwhile metal storage might be less flammable but clearly there's still a risk given all the wood being stored inside. Your best bet is a good metre or so away where possible. If not, choose wood storage that can easily be moved closer when needed and stored out of the way when not in use."
9. Keep it simple with a basket
“Most flexible and popular storage options include wooden crates, wicker log baskets, and metal buckets. These are great as you’ll have at least one of them cluttering up your shed or garage that you can clean and put to good use, and they’re not relegated to one room or area," says Stephen Talbot, sales director at Logs Direct.
“These can double not just as a way of storing your firewood, but they’re great for transporting them directly from the pallet they arrive on to where they need to be. Stacking them too full can make them heavy, so if you need it, make sure you have someone to help carry the load," finishes Stephen.
10. Add a log store to your shed
"We recommend putting your wood store as close to your door as possible. After all, when there is a chill in the air and Winter has set in, you'll have to head outside to fetch your wood. You'll thank yourself later on those frosty nights when you really look forward to enjoying the warmth and ambience of your wood-burning stove,” says Joanna Humphreys.
"While a seasoned log will dry out in a few days if it gets rained on, prolonged exposure to water can turn good wood bad, meaning a less efficient burn that contributes more to air pollution. says Dan McCarthy, firewood expert and owner at Green Olive Firewood.
An outdoor log store also makes sense to have if you're using an outdoor log burner.
11. Keep indoor logs away from heat
"The key rule for indoor stacking is to make sure your wood is at a safe distance (at least half a metre) from the wood burner. Although it looks pretty piled up next to the stove it is incredibly dangerous as the heat transfer from the stove could easily set the logs alight," says Phil Wood.
"If you're unwavering about displaying firewood right next to the stove, there are models (like the Contura 300 series, for example) that incorporate log boxes that are specifically designed to isolate the heat," adds Phil.
12. Always store 'green' wood outdoors
Amy Willis says any newly cut wood should be stored outdoors while it seasons for a least a year. "It's only very dry kiln-dried wood with a low moisture content that will see any benefit of being stored indoors in the warm, plus this will be ready to use anyway."
"Don't try to burn your green wood either, it will produce a lot of smoke and not nearly as much heat as it will once properly dried out. It can also cause chimney fires as burning it can create creosote, which is highly flammable and will coat the inside of your flue as it is burnt."
FAQs
Should log stores have doors on?
"Log stores don't generally need doors, but they can be useful in some situations, especially if you live in an area susceptible to driving winds and rain. Our recommendation is to find a more sheltered spot in your garden for your log store to ensure the logs are kept dry by the store. Consider taking a good amount of your logs inside too so they get a little bit more drying time before you use them," suggests Adam Oldfield, Director of StovesAreUs,
What is the best way to store logs?
"An outdoor log store is our recommendation for storing firewood, if you've got the space in your garden then this is the way to go! However, to store firewood outside correctly, there are several best practices to follow including stacking it correctly, keeping it dry and allowing circulation around the fuel to help ensure the moisture content keeps below 20%," says Adam Oldfield, director of StovesAreUs.
"For example, using a slatted roof log store is one of the best, and most common, ways to keep your fuel dry throughout winter. If you have the space for a log store try to locate it 3 metres or more away from your property and find a sunny, sheltered spot. An outdoor log store will elevate your firewood off the ground allowing air to circulate around the wood and help it dry out."
Can I store logs in a garage?
"While completely possible to store logs in a garage, it isn't the best use of this often expensive-to-create space. Higher value items such as cars and bicycles are best stored in a garage rather than this much-lower value item," explains Amy Willis.
"If you have no choice but to keep wood in your garage, perhaps as a temporary measure, it's a good idea to put it on a tarp to avoid wet logs damaging your flooring."
Log stores and wood-burning fires are a great way to up the Hygge factor in your home. For more inspiration check out our cosy living room ideas.
EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this article included a quote from a purported expert whose credentials we have not been able to verify. The quote has been removed. We regret this lapse in our verification process and have updated our internal protocols to reduce the risk of recurrence.
