subject: How To Decorate A Rustic Log Cabin [print this page] Decorating a log cabin might seem to be an overwhelming project. But if you break it down into its design elements and go room by room, one step at a time, you can end up with a stunning rustic log cabin in considerably less time than you think.
Begin With a Theme
In order to integrate your design throughout your home you should start with a theme. A lot of people go with a traditional wildlife theme when they design their log cabins.
If you're leaning towards this, try to look somewhat into the future and visualize how you'll feel constantly being surrounded with the likes of bears, wolves, moose and ducks. Years from now you don't want to feel like you live in the middle of a zoo.
As an alternative you could consider designing your theme around a specific area or era. For example, it could be the Adirondacks of the early 1900s. You can have Adirondack chairs both inside and outside your home.
Or it could be a lodge look out of the Great North Woods. Or maybe you'd be happy living in a mid nineteenth century western venue.
Whatever you choose, make sure that you can find the furnishings and accents to build the mood you're looking to create before you begin.
Begin With the Smaller Design Elements
Once you've chosen your overall theme a good place to start would be with some of the smaller design elements that can have such a big impact. For example, unique fans or rustic lighting fixtures can be the visual focal points of your rooms.
Or you could focus on one of the dominating design elements in your cabin, such as a fireplace. A mantle made of stone slabs or reclaimed wood can set the tone of the room. Just make sure that if you decide to build a wooden mantle that you've taken into account the necessary clearances for flammable materials.
If you're designing your fireplace from scratch and want the look of a stone hearth without the weight you can use artificial or manufactured stone. Then you can add a wrought iron fireplace screen. Screens that look like pine trees or pine cones could be a visually exciting.
You Can Start With a Small Room
Another alternative would be to begin with one of the smallest rooms in your house. It can be easier to plan a small room, such as a bathroom, than it would be to plan a huge living room. You could incorporate wrought-iron towel bars and rustic light switch covers to help set the mood.
Choose Your Colors
You might like the look and feel of wood all around you or you could be overwhelmed by it. If your walls, floors and ceilings are all wood you may want to throw some bright colors in to offset the monolithic look.
As an alternative you may want some of your rooms to have drywall as a counterpoint to wooden floors and ceilings. Although muted earth tones might blend well, bright colors can lively up your entire home.
