It seems that the theme of rustic cabin and farmhouse decorating has gained a lot of popularity these days.
Picture yourself here: a rustic log home, standing among the pines, its steep metal roof dripping dew from the cool morning air, a swirl of smoke spiraling up from the chimney, the birds singing in the trees, the sun in the morning leaving the distant hill. A light breeze is blowing, just enough to set the wind chimes in a gentle, relaxing motion. The smell of the pines, the meadow alive with newly blooming wildflowers, in yellows, whites, and purples, the crystal blue sky, a hint of wood smoke in the air. You are sitting in your comfortable easy chair, looking outside at this regal beauty, a crackling fire dancing in the stone fireplace, sipping a steaming cup of hot chocolate, the golden honey tones of your log home, giving you a warm feeling. serenity and comfort.
For those of us lucky enough to live this lifestyle, there is no greater feeling. For those of you who simply dream of this lifestyle, there is hope. You don’t have to live in a secluded woods or by a remote lake to give your home’s interior a warm cabin feeling.
Not only are we seeing log homes become more and more popular, we are also seeing more and more contemporary homes decorated in the theme of cabin decorating.
There is NO single style of decoration that is perfect for a home. Your style should be the one that makes you feel comfortable and confident. You want a place to relax, a comfortable place to hang out, a place where you can feel at ease. Carefully consider your lifestyle and habits as this will play a big part in your decorating theme. Incorporate what you like best in your decoration.
Do you crave the cozy cabin feel throughout your home, or just want one or two rooms that reflect that rustic cabin charm?
There is one element that plays an important role in the rustic cabin feeling, this element is wood. Oh the joy of wood! Bringing the beauty of Mother Nature into your home. There is a wide variety of beautiful wood products to choose from, some of the most commonly used for interior decoration are: pine, aspen, maple, hickory, alder, cherry, oak, weathered barn wood and red cedar. Wood floors can create that country feeling, wood ceilings and wood walls add warmth and coziness to your home. And then, we have the furniture and accessories, coffee tables, side tables, dressers, dining room tables and chairs, desks, kitchen cabinets, wooden beds, rustic rocking chairs, and the list goes on and on. Wood, with its unmistakable splendor, gives a feeling of warmth to your entire home.
Other important aspects of cabin/lodge decorating are color, texture, and lighting. Introducing color and texture is essential. I have discovered that there are no borders here. I haven’t found a color that doesn’t complement the woodsy setting of a log home. Anything goes, from pale hues of sage green, buttery yellows, and pale blues to dramatic forest greens, rich purples, and deep reds.
Accent your home with the colors you love. Add braided rugs to the floor, place Indian rugs on the back of furniture. Brightly colored duvets can be folded at the foot of the beds. Include rustic touches by adding colorful plush cushions. Gather a bucket of pineapples and fill your wicker baskets. Strategically place pottery on tables and next to furniture. Place vibrantly colored placemats on the dining room table. Add handmade items throughout your home. Look for antiques and items from bygone eras at estate and garage sales. Think beyond framed art to decorate your walls, anything on the walls can be a captivating display. I have a seven foot aspen log on my bedroom wall above my headboard. I stripped it, sanded it, finished with a low gloss varnish and then added some greenery and pine cones. It looks remarkable. Curtains and window coverings can also help enhance the feeling of accommodation and can be done by hand for a fraction of the price if you have your own sewing machine. Choose materials of different textures and colors and design your curtains to complement your decorating theme. The walls can be painted in a variety of colors. A wall in a white room can be painted a deep, dramatic color for warmth. Plants and flowers are great accessories, whether real or artificial, they can add pops of color throughout your home. Remember, colors create moods, so let your imagination run wild.
And now we move on to the texture. You can create a rich blend of textures and add visual interest throughout your home with various materials. Something that has always been admired among cabin lovers is the look of the stone. Whether natural or manufactured, stone creates a warm and welcoming space. Some of the most used are: Marble, slate, granite, moss rock and river rock. If you’re lucky enough to have a massive, floor-to-ceiling rock fireplace in your great room, then you’re one of the lucky ones, so keep putting wood on that fire (think that grows on trees). . However, the huge stone fireplace is not the only option to enjoy a warm fire. Wood stoves come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and they create a great deal of ambiance in the cabin, while also giving off large amounts of radiant heat. If you don’t have a solid stone fireplace, but crave the look and feel of stone, there are several less expensive ways to add this distinctive look to your home. Adding a stone backsplash in your kitchen will add drama, or a slate entry on your front door can really bring out the rustic feel as your guests walk in. Marble countertops can give your kitchen that special country feel.
Another way to add texture to your decor is with the accessories of your choice. Select accessories that complement your decorating theme. It includes fabrics of all types, colors and textures. Animal skins, antlers, and leather also add to the rustic feel. I’m not suggesting you should overload your home with taxidermy and wildlife themes, but a rabbit skin on a coffee table, an antler chandelier as a centerpiece for the dining room table, a pair of leather chaps hanging from a peg on the wall or a ratty old straw cowboy hat sitting on a corner table always brings out the country cowboy in all of us.
Last but not least is the lighting. Lighting plays a very important role in any decorating theme. Lighting is basically divided into two categories, natural lighting and artificial lighting. Natural lighting is the light we receive from our windows and is essential to our homes, just like artificial lighting sources. First we will talk about natural lighting. Windows, windows, windows. Large windows, small windows, floor-to-ceiling windows, half-moon windows, a large wall of windows, windows to watch sunrises and sunsets. An abundance of glass, letting in that wonderful golden sunlight, all year long. We can enjoy an infinite supply of warmth and brightness, and it’s absolutely free.
Now I will focus on artificial lighting. Artificial light plays an important role when it comes to home decoration. Rare is the rustic home that doesn’t feature some pretty noticeable lighting accents. Lighting adds to a room’s appeal and can enhance the overall brightness of your home. You need to first consider how much natural light you have, and then consider how each room is used. Lighting can be a challenge when deciding where it will be placed. You may want a combination of lighting schemes in one room to make it bright and cheery, and in another room you may want softer lighting with a more romantic atmosphere. There are hundreds of options to choose from when shopping for rustic lighting. You can select from various styles, shapes and sizes from an extensive list of electric lighting manufacturers or you can design your own creation and place a custom order from an extensive list of artisan carpenters who design beautiful wood creations. So the first thing to do is decide what works best for your decorating theme, your lamps should complement your surroundings. Rustic lighting, such as metal wall sconces and finely crafted poplar or pine table lamps and floor lamps are the perfect lighting sources to complement your rustic decorating theme. A chandelier can make a bold statement in your grand entrance. Elk and deer antlers have become very popular with decorative lighting and look amazing with cabin decor. High ceilings are all too common in today’s homes, and this is the ideal place for a massive chandelier to illuminate your great room. Track lighting can illuminate a specific area. Handmade Poplar Table Lamps are a favorite of log home owners who appreciate the classic cabin look. Place handmade poplar table lamps on your side tables. Place a poplar floor lamp next to your comfortable chair for an overhead reading light. To add a touch of charm, you can decorate your lamps with handmade shades.
Another lighting suggestion is candles. Colored candles, candles of all shapes and sizes, scented candles in every scent imaginable. Candles in each and every room. The candles not only emit a soft romantic glow, but also come in a variety of scents and scents to heighten the senses and create a warm and inviting space. Oil lamps are also a great lighting suggestion and do the same thing as candles but their lighting is brighter and the oil in the lamp is odorless, however I found that it comes in vibrant colors of blue, red, clear and yellow.
The overall beauty of your home can be significantly improved with the right lighting.
Have fun with decorating and remember that your home is more than a place to live, it’s a place in your heart. Do what feels good to you, be creative, incorporate a part of yourself, add a touch of your lifestyle, and the results will be nothing short of spectacular.
About the Author
Cindy Clark is the owner of
http://www.imagineitwood.com
Visit this website for cabin decor and
Rustic lighting ideas for your home.