You finally did it. The vinyl log house siding is up, the exterior looks fantastic, and you’ve achieved that rustic Timbermill aesthetic without the headache of chinking real logs every few years. The neighbors are slowing down as they drive by, and you’ve probably caught yourself staring at the wood grain texture a few times too many.
But now that the outside looks like a mountain retreat, the inside needs to catch up. Walking through a stunning log-style entry into a room that feels like a standard suburban drywall box can be a bit jarring.
Let’s look at some unique ways to decorate your log cabin–style home and bring that Timbermill charm indoors.
1. Install Live-Edge Pieces
Just because you don’t have real wood on your home’s exterior doesn’t mean you can’t have it on the inside. In fact, with all the money you’re saving on timber and maintenance, you should treat your home’s interior to a few high-quality wood pieces. And what looks more rustic than live-edge?
Live-edge pieces preserve the wood’s natural, bark-lined edge, bringing organic movement and raw nature into your home. You can get live-edge tables, breakfast bars, countertops, folding stations, side tables, and more. All are functional pieces of art that bridge the gap between the wild outdoors and your conditioned living space.
2. Create a Gallery Wall of Vintage Posters
Artwork can be tricky in a themed home. You want to avoid the on-the-nose cabin signs at big-box hobby stores, but you might not know what else fits. If you want something unique and rustic, then vintage posters are a great idea.
The best part is you can often find these already framed at thrift stores! If not, you can print your own or buy them off Etsy and similar crafting marketplaces. These posters, whether you get them of local maps or different tree species, add character to your cabin’s walls.
3. Integrate Copper or Hammered Metal Accents
Most cabins have some sort of metal accent throughout, and it tends to be black iron. But though this metal is gorgeous and sturdy, it isn’t the warmest or most special option.
Copper is a good alternative for its cozy color and shine. Plus, copper develops a patina over time, which means it eventually adopts a golden, bronze, or green surface. This transformation happens gradually and tells the story of your home’s age.
Alternatively, any durable metal that you hammer can look amazing, thanks to its unique texture. Here are some timeless places to incorporate copper or hammered metal into your home:
- beam brackets (if the metal is strong enough)
- sink basins
- cabinet hardware
- pots and pans
- storage bins
- light fixtures
- etc.
4. Layer Rugs Throughout
One rug is good, but two—or eight—are better. Rugs soften a home both visually and audibly, so they’re essential for creating that cozy cabin vibe you’re after. Moreover, rugs let you introduce more color into your cabin-style home without painting the walls.
At the very least, your living room and bedroom should have one large rug each. However, you can go the extra mile by placing more throughout and layering. To properly execute a tasteful rug layering, put a smaller, softer, patterned rug on top of a larger, more neutral base rug.
5. Swap Standard Doors for Barn Doors on Sliders
Space-saving and stylish, sliding barn doors are a hallmark of modern farmhouse and cabin design. Though trendy, this design choice is practical and can look really good in the right space. However, don’t just stick to the standard Z-brace door you see everywhere. Get creative with the door itself, such as with these ideas:
- a salvaged door with peeling paint for a shabby-chic look
- a glass-paneled door to let light flow between rooms
- a custom door made from vertical shiplap
- a metal fire door for an industrial edge
These doors all feature a hardware track that is a decorative element in itself. Just be sure to invest in quality rollers so the door glides silently rather than rumbling.
6. Build a Stone Veneer Feature Wall
Since you’ve got the wood look covered on the outside with Timbermill’s vinyl log house siding, bring the element of stone inside. And you don’t need a mason to lay heavy river rocks; stone veneer is an alternative that is lightweight, easy to cut, affordable, and DIY-friendly.
Consider creating a floor-to-ceiling stone backdrop behind your wood stove or fireplace. You could also stone the back of a kitchen island, an accent wall in the master bedroom, or the wall behind your TV. The rough texture of the stone contrasts with smooth drywall and adds that necessary feeling of permanence and solidity that defines a cabin.
7. Repurpose Antiques for Daily Use
Instead of buying new furniture designed to look old, hunt for the real deal and give it a makeover. Consider these ideas:
- an old steamer trunk as storage for blankets
- a vintage wooden ladder to display quilts or dry herbs
- antique apple crates stacked for bookshelves or shoe storage
- an old workbench as a kitchen island or a sideboard
When you use genuine antiques, you introduce history and patina that modern manufacturing simply cannot replicate. It creates a lived-in atmosphere that suggests the home has been there for generations, even if the siding was installed last month.
8. Dress Your Windows with Heavy Textiles
Cabins are all about being a shelter from the wild forest elements. Even though your cabin-style home might live in suburbia, its window treatments can still reflect that protective coziness.
Ditch the cheap plastic blinds for substantial fabrics, such as floor-to-ceiling drapes in velvet, heavy linen, wool blends, or thermal weaves. And mount the curtain rods high—closer to the ceiling than the window frame—to make the ceilings feel taller. If you want a bit more light control, consider layering thinner linen or cotton weaves underneath the heavy fabric drapes.
Decorating your log cabin–style home to match its Timbermill exterior will result in a space that is refined, cozy, and quality from the inside out. If you apply even just a few of these ideas, you’ll make progress toward getting the full cabin experience every time you walk through the door.
