How Can I Decorate My Log Cabin?

Kathy Dodson, award-winning interior decorator and owner of Decorating Dens, suggests that you start out by referring to decorator magazines: "I encourage someone to find a couple of magazines that were about log cabins or rustic decorating." While decorating is a personal thing, she says that these magazines can provide some great ideas on which you can build. Some examples of log home decorator magazines include Log Home Design, Country's Best Log Homes and Log Home Living. You can pick these magazines up at your local newsstand or bookstore, or you can order them online from the magazine websites or through resources such as Amazon.com.

Dodson says that she envisions a log cabin being decorated in a very rustic and cozy style. She suggests using natural fibers, along with rustic metals. You can incorporate these items into your accessories, window treatments and floor coverings. When looking for these items, pick out what really appeals to you with this décor category. Many times, you can adapt what you might like in a traditional home into a more rustic style for your log cabin.

In order to make your log cabin look larger, study your surfaces, Dodson says. "I wouldn't touch the walls because they will most likely be logs. There are some limitations there. They will probably already be stained, and you wouldn't want to do much with them because they would be already pretty busy." Furthermore, walls made out of logs could also present some challenges in hanging decorations due to the uneven surfaces, so limiting your wall hangings can make your log home decorating much easier.

Dodson says that since your wall decorations can be limited, you have your ceilings, floors and open space that you need to think about. "Your floors and space can be used by your furniture placement and your area rugs. Thick upholstery and heavy rugs are going to absorb the space, and it will bring warmth to the room." These heavy materials can also help to add a very cozy feeling to your log cabin.

You can also carry the rustic feel through to your lighting in your log cabin. Lamps and overhead lighting with a rustic feel can certainly add to the log cabin ambience. These could be made out of rustic metals or even have a wood look to them.

There are a number of stores, both online and scattered around the country, that are dedicated to the rustic log cabin type of style. If you do an online search for "log cabin décor", you will find a number of these stores. They offer items from furniture to lighting to fabrics and accessories. Once you begin looking, you may be surprised by all that is available for your log cabin.