Winter Cabin-Inspired Design

6 ways of bringing a cozy cabin feel into your home

Photo Source: Loredana Bozzo. Interiors by Loredana

​I love all of our Canadian seasons…even the coldest one!  Lately I've had the itch to start planning a little winter getaway, and I can't stop thinking about my winter cabin adventure from last year.  

Last year my husband and I spent a few days in this tiny log cabin in the middle of the snow-covered woods.  This rustic winter experience prompted my idea for this blog post on Winter Cabin-Inspired Design.  Whether you want to go with a traditional log cabin look, or just incorporate a few rustic features in your modern home, there are a certain key elements that take their inspiration from winter cabins. 

6 key elements for creating a winter cabin aesthetic:

1. Wooden architectural elements 
2. Wood-burning fireplaces
3. Antlers, animal busts, fur and hide
4. Natural stone
5. A winter view
6. An outdoor living space 

1. Wooden Architectural Elements

​Perhaps the most notable feature of a winter cabin is the wood.  Timber is the most common material in cabin design, from the interior and exterior walls made of logs, to the wide plank flooring, and of course the exposed wood ceiling beams and posts.

Photo Source: Rocky Mountain Direct Architects via Houzz.com

This traditional log cabin features beautiful exposed log ceiling beams and walls.  The warmth of the wood makes this space so cozy and inviting. Who wouldn't want to curl up in this cabin in front of the fireplace with a warm blanket and a good book?

Photo Source: Dan Joseph Architects via Houzz.com

​How about cuddling up in this cozy cabin bedroom?  The log beams and wood clad walls create a relaxing natural retreat.  

Photo Source: Dalgleish Construction Company via Houzz.com

​I love theses distressed wood ceiling beams.  They add a rustic cabin-inspired touch to this otherwise bright and airy space. 

Photo Source: House and Home. Designed by: James Davie. Photo by: Angus Fergusson.

​Here's an example of how distressed wood beams can work even in a sophisticated formal space.

Photo via @thestylephiles. Designer/original source unknown.

​Here's a modern take on wood ceiling beams in this clean and minimal space. This proves that cabin-inspiration can be incorporated even in minimal modern design.
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2. Wood-burning Fireplaces

You can't think of a winter cabin without thinking of the warm crackling of a wood-burning fireplace.  So it's only natural that the next notable element of any cabin-inspired space is a wood-burning fireplace and a great firewood display. 

Photo source: Olsen Kundig Architects via @adesignersmind.

Although this is a modern space, the wood burning fireplace and stacked logs of firewood are nods to a more traditional cabin style. The organic material of the wood also speaks to that of the beautiful natural view.

Photo Source: D'apostrophe Design Inc. Via Houzz.com

I love the symmetrical firewood display on either side of this wood-burning fireplace. It, along with the exposed ceiling beams, brings some cabin-inspired charm to this modern bedroom.

Photo via @inspire_me_home_decor, original source unknown

A whole wall of firewood!.

Photo via @myinterior, original source unknown

This beautiful firewood display brings a touch of rustic to this sleek modern space. 
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3. Antlers, Animal Busts, Fur and Hide 

Before log cabins in the woods became desired locations for couples to spend romantic and relaxing getaways, and the escapes of city life that they are now, they were originally lodges for hunters.  The cabin aesthetic wouldn't be the same without this nod to hunting by bringing in some sort of animal material, such as antlers, busts, fur or hide.  But if using real animal product isn't for you, you can still achieve the same aesthetic with some great animal-friendly faux products.

Photo source unknown

The room pictured here definitely satisfies this category with the wall antlers, fur pillows and throws, and animal hide rugs. 

Photo source: Jillian Harris via @jillian.harris

Here's an example of using a faux deer bust to bring in some cabin inspiration. Faux animal busts are very hot in the design world right now and they come in some great colours and finishes.  My favourites are matte black, high gloss white and metallic gold!

Photo Source: original source unknown, via @myinterior

Have you ever seen anything cozier? The plush fur pillows and blankets really contribute to this warm and welcoming cabin-inspired look. 

Photo Source: Historical Reference Architects & Designers, via Houzz.com

This deer canvas is a great alternative to an animal bust, and still contributes a subtle cabin reference. 
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4. Natural Stone

Natural stone is a must for a cabin-inspired look. The natural material reminds us of the surrounding mountainous landscape and its rough texture is a major contributor to the rustic aesthetic so commonly associated with cabin-design.

Photo Source: Locati Architects, via Houzz.com

 In this space, the natural stone-clad fireplace completes this traditional cabin. 

Photo Source: Peace Design, via Houzz.com

Here the natural stone of the fireplace is carried over to the wall beneath the staircase. Also, can we take a moment and notice that fabulous pendant light? 

Photo Source: Peace Design, via Houzz.com

Stone isn't only for fireplaces. How about this natural stone-clad hood fan in this rustic cabin kitchen!

Photo Source: Sticks and Stones Design Group Inc. via Houzz.com

I love the combination of traditional cabin elements in this space (like the exposed wood logs of the walls and ceiling beams), with the sleek modern elements (like the linear floating walnut steps and glass railing). The stone feature wall helps to tie the two worlds together. 

Photo Source: Sage Modern Architects, via Houzz.com

Here's another modern space borrowing some cabin-inspired elements like the natural stone fireplace. 
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6. A Winter View

A cabin offers an escape from hectic city life, and a retreat in the tranquility of nature. Therefore, an important element in any winter cabin is a beautiful winter view.

Photo Source: Pearson Design Group, via Houzz.com

I am in love with this room and the view of those mountains! 

Photo Source: original source unknown, via: @inspire_me_home_decor

How about a romantic jacuzzi tub for two, with this gorgeous winter view! 

Photo Source: original source unknown, via @arqui_decor

Breakfast? Yes, please! Imagine having breakfast at this table and looking out at those breath-taking snow-covered mountains!

Photo Source: Edgewood Custom Log Homes, via blog.styleestate.com.

How about this for a winter view! The floor-to-ceiling windows of this grand log cabin allow the gorgeous snow-covered trees to be part of the decor. 
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6. An Outdoor Living Space

Going on a cabin getaway is not about staying cooped up indoors; it's about enjoying nature and getting outside...even in the winter! Thus, one of the important elements of cabin-inspired decor is an outdoor living space.

Photo Source: Pearson Design Group

This amazing outdoor living space does not compromise design!  The same design principles used for creating faboulous interiors should be implemented for outdoor living spaces as well, and this space proves that.

Photo Source: Pearson Design Group

Here's another angle of the same incredible outdoor living space from the previous photo. I absolutely love the fireplace, furniture and pendant light of this covered patio.  This space provides all the comforts and luxuries of indoor living with the benefits of being outside in the mountain air. 

Photo Source: original source unknown, via @arqui_decor

If you don't have a fixed outdoor living space you can create a temporary one! This perfect winter picnic features tree-hung lanterns and lots of cozy blankets to keep warm. 

Photo Source: original source unknown, via @cumba_selection

This outdoor living space is just pure fantasy...unless you happen to literally live on top of a mountain!

​I hope you enjoyed this post on Winter Cabin-Inspired Design. Would you incorporate any of the cabin-inspired elements into your home? I'd love to hear your thoughts! 

Thanks for reading!
Loredana