How To Make Your Cabin Decor Look Elevated And Chic While Still Keeping Its Rustic Charm

Whether you have a secluded cabin retreat in the woods that you've built yourself or simply prefer the warm, cozy feel of rustic decor in your urban dwelling, a few updates can take your space from stodgy to chic. Older cabins have some built-in issues like smaller windows that add to their old-fashioned feel, and when cabin style is shoe-horned into a modern home it can feel forced. Finding the sweet spot where rustic meets contemporary without clashing requires a little bit of self-editing and a few new design choices.

Cabin decor can look cluttered and busy. So, the easiest and most budget-friendly path to elevating your space is to subtract furniture. Keeping an overstuffed chair and sofa centered on the fireplace can make any room feel cozy, but you don't need two upholstered glider rocking chairs to go with them. Maintain the connection to nature with earth tones like browns and greens, but use solid colors — you can save the patterns for throw pillows and blankets. Additionally, keeping multiple animal trophies hung on the walls and hides strewn all over the floor doesn't make for the most chic environment. Instead, consider putting a single animal trophy in a place of pride, or opt for a more whimsical art piece that only resembles an animal rack. Meanwhile, a single animal skin — real or faux — in front of the fireplace can make sitting on the floor and enjoying the fire a seriously inviting prospect.

Older cabins can seem dark because of their fewer, smaller windows. Consider replacing an exterior door with sliders to let more sun in, but keep it chic with some light-colored drapes. Skylights add light and feel modern, but if you can't replace any of the doors or windows, use lighting to elevate the cabin's feel while keeping it rustic. Replace outdated light fixtures with recessed lighting and metal or metal-finish accent fixtures in warm colors like copper, bronze, or pewter. Opting for shinier options like stainless steel can feel cold and sterile. On a similar note, opt for simple glass shades or globes for a more elegant look. You can use the same metal colors and finishes on kitchen fixtures, go with the current oversized hardware trend, or choose playful cabinet and drawer pulls that resemble things found in nature.

You can replace ceiling fans with elaborate blades and fancy globes with a simple fan with undecorated wood blades. Spruce up your log cabin's kitchen by replacing outdated cabinetry with plain, stained wood cupboards, and carry the same design into the bathroom. Meanwhile, natural stone counters pay homage to the home's place in nature while upscaling the room.

Lastly, there's no need to ditch the comforts that come with cabin style. Rocking chairs are a staple, and a simple wooden rocker looks great in a stripped-back space. There's always room to add personal touches with things like artwork and accessories, just don't overdo it.