22 Modern Log Cabin Ideas for a Chic Outdoorsy Interior

By
Tessa Cooper
Photo of Tessa Cooper by Stained Glass Window
Tessa Cooper

Tessa Cooper is a lifestyle writer and freelance photographer with more than 6 years of experience writing for publications like Apartment Therapy, 417 Magazine, and Feast. She lives in an 1886 Victorian home in Springfield, MO, that she restored with her husband.

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Published on 08/24/23
Modern log cabin example

Design by WRJ Design Associates / Photo by Tuck Fauntleroy

Log cabins are quintessentially rustic, which makes for a great backdrop to contrast with modern touches. However, you don't need to complete a huge renovation to make a log cabin feel current with the times. If you want to give yours an updated look or simply want to channel their cozy energy in your non log cabin home, these modern log cabin ideas show how small changes can make a big difference.

  • 01 of 22

    Take a Minimalist Approach

    minimalist kitchen in cabin

    @this.old.river.cabin / Instagram

    A cluttered log cabin can feel dated. To combat this, keep things simple in terms of the amount of decor you display, but also in the types of shapes you choose. For example, a simple floating shelf will look more modern and sleek than a shelf with ornate support brackets.

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  • 02 of 22

    Choose Bright, Transitional Furniture

    transitional modern furniture

    Design by @berschback_design / Photo by @alyssarosenheck / Instagram

    Updating your log cabin can be as simple as switching out your furniture. However, you don't need to stick with solely modern furniture to achieve a modern look. For example, transitional skirted sofas with subtle curves can look modern in a rustic environment, but the key is to select a neutral color for the upholstery, such as white, gray, or black.

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  • 03 of 22

    Incorporate Modern Sconces

    Modern breakfast nook in cabin

    Design by @brantmcfarlaindesign / Styled by @jennyoconnorstudio / Photo by @nathanschroderphoto / Instagram

    Sconce lighting can lean traditional or modern, depending on its shape. You can add a cozy but industrial look to your cabin with sconces with long arms and exposed bulbs. Sconces make an especially cozy addition to a breakfast nook.

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  • 04 of 22

    Statement-Making Furniture

    Modern coffee table in cabin

    Design by WRJ Design Associates / Photo by Tuck Fauntleroy 

    Furniture can be a piece of modern art in itself, and this geometric coffee table is the perfect example. It breaks up the organic textures and shapes typically present in log cabins. We suggest finishing the look off by hanging large-scale modern art nearby.

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  • 05 of 22

    Create a Blank Slate With White

    Modern Cabin Ideas

    @lisastatondesign / Photo by @belathee / Instagram

    A dose of white paint in a log cabin can create an up-to-date and airy look. This especially works well if you want to decorate with more earthy and natural pieces, but you don't want your cabin to look too old and rustic.

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  • 06 of 22

    Leave a Little Natural Wood

    Cabin with white and wood

    @jennaborst / Instagram

    If you do decide to paint the log walls or shiplap in your log cabin, consider leaving a few natural wood touches. The ceiling beams are a great place to try this out. You'll be left with a fresh look with nods to rustic roots.

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  • 07 of 22

    Let the View Shine

    view of mountain in a cabin

    @rutgersconstruction / Instagram

    For cabins with a view, consider commanding attention to it with a dark trim. Using a stain that reads more chocolatey brown than orange will create a more modern look similar to steel.

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  • 08 of 22

    Add Geometric Overhead Lighting

    modern cabin with modern lighting

    @decorilla / Instagram

    If your log cabin has exposed vaulted ceilings, you can draw the eye up with statement lighting. This large circular chandelier with a copper patina is a great example of how marrying contemporary shapes with aged elements creates a timeless look.

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  • 09 of 22

    Play With Pattern

    patterned furniture

    @kamurphyinteriors / Instagram

    Mixing in organic and geometric patterns in a room plays off both modern and rustic log cabin elements. This room proves that an animal print next to a parallelogram pattern can look both playful and stylish against wood walls.

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  • 10 of 22

    Install Modern Amenities

    Double vanity

    @rekarch / Instagram

    Even if your log cabin sits tucked away in the woods, you shouldn't have to go forgo luxury entirely. This primary bathroom suite proves that it's worth it to allot extra space for an oversized double vanity situation.

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  • 11 of 22

    Select a Natural Finish

    Cabin with light wood

    @pluspuutalot / Instagram

    One way to give your log cabin a modern edge is by selecting either a natural stain or bleaching the wood. This will take out any potential orange hue in the wood that a previous owner may have chosen back when it was popular in the 90s.

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  • 12 of 22

    Achieve Symmetry

    cabin with symmetry

    alvarez / Getty Images

    To make your log cabin feel both modern and cozy, look no further than minimalism and balance. Keep artwork to a minimum, and try to create what's close to a mirrored image when deciding where to place your furniture.

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  • 13 of 22

    Go With a Bold Rug

    Modern cabin with statement rug

    @scoutpostretreat / Instagram

    Log cabins are notoriously neutral-hued. You can add a few primary colors to a textile accessory, like a rug, to add something a little unexpected and to create a focal point.

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  • 14 of 22

    Lean Into Warm Neutrals

    neutral cabin

    @villa_kuutti / Instagram

    Primary colors aren't for everyone, but luckily, a neutral color palette also plays well with a modern design style. You can hone a scandi-rustic look in your log cabin by sticking to warm neutrals. Look for muted shades of terracotta and shades of gray with a little added beige, which pair well with light-stained wood.

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  • 15 of 22

    Channel Coffee Shop Vibes

    Coffee area in log cabin

    @thewoodhousemuskoka / Instagram

    Sometimes, all you need to give a log cabin a modern look are some modern amenities. For example, a large espresso machine looks picturesque with its sleek lines and stainless steel touches. Think of it as a functional piece of decor.

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  • 16 of 22

    Panel the Walls

    Paneled Walls in Cabin

    @annaswain / Instagram

    If you want to go for a midcentury modern look in your cabin, consider adding paneled wood to areas with drywall. You can further emphasize the midcentury look with your lighting choices.

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  • 17 of 22

    Opt for a Sleek Tub

    modern tub in cabin

    @settlenorfolk / Instagram

    A freestanding tub is a modern feature that contrasts beautifully against rustic wood walls and floors. Opting for a version with simple lines rather than a clawfoot tub will read as a more updated choice.

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  • 18 of 22

    Merge Midcentury and Rustic

    Rustic modern Cabin

     Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    Never underestimate what a few modern touches can add to a space, and just take this room for example. The modern side tables and a table lamp prevent this space from looking like solely traditional. When you combine midcentury modern elements with rustic touches, you're left with a wonderful modern farmhouse design scheme.

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  • 19 of 22

    Create Contrast With Iron

    Modern Metal Bunks in Cabin

    Arbor & Co.

    Steel and iron elements make an appearance in the majority of modern spaces. These textures break up the more organic elements in a room. You can easily incorporate more industrial materials into your home through furniture, such as with a bunkbed set or side table with hairpin legs.

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  • 20 of 22

    Drywall the Ceiling

    Paneled Walls and Dry Wall in Cabin

    Design by Emily Henderson and Priscilla Frost / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    Log cabins can easily start to feel dark and stuffy. To breathe new life into the space, you can simply add some drywall to certain areas, such as the ceiling. Be sure to choose a light and airy paint color for the effect to really work.

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  • 21 of 22

    Hang Modern Art

    Modern art in cabin

    Arbor & Co.

    A little framed modern art goes a long way in giving a log cabin a personalized, polished, and updated appearance. When in doubt, a black frame with a white mat is always a good choice.

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  • 22 of 22

    Commission a Custom Stair Rail

    modern staircase in cabin

    Perry Mastrovito / Getty Images

    If your log cabin contains a chunky timber stair rail, you can take some of the visual weight out with a new railing. Consider finding a local fabricator to make a custom steel rail. This material is ideal for a railing because it's sturdy, but it takes up less visual space.