Let’s break down the key elements of mountain cabin decor, then look at 20 decor ideas you can incorporate to copy this cozy rustic style!
Last Updated: 06/29/24
I think just about every human on the planet has a part of their spirit that desires to live in the mountains. Their majestic beauty has the power to make any person feel at peace.
We are all victim to romanticizing living in a cabin in the mountains! It’s so hard to not feel like life would just be easier and more enjoyable in a mountain cottage.
The sad truth is, though, that since everyone desires this, most mountain cabins are actually very unattainable both in price and availability!
Don’t let this discourage you though. By bringing the mountain cabin decor to your home, you can still find that sense of adventure and peace in your daily life that you’ve been looking for.
The easiest way to get your house feeling like a cabin home is to understand the fundamentals of this rustic decor style. Mountain cabin decor is a pretty simple style to recreate when you understand the basics.
Mountain Cabin Decor Design Fundamentals
- Earthy Color Palette
- Natural Materials
- Natural Greenery
- Layers of Wood Tones
To achieve an earthy color palette, just stick to warm neutrals and greens when choosing decor and textiles. If you’re someone who really cherishes having bright colors in your home, just stick to colors you can find in nature like winter berry red or river water blue.
Using natural materials in your mountain cabin decor is absolutely essential. The charm to a rustic cabin is that it appears everything was made from scratch using natural materials. To emulate this charm, shop for woods, wools, wickers, jutes, cottons, and so on and so forth.
Natural greenery will truly make you feel like you’re living amidst nature in the woods. The easiest way to bring nature to you no matter where you live is with plant life and natural greenery. It doesn’t have to be extensive, but placing plants in your home will make a huge difference in your aesthetic AND your mood!
Some people will argue that all wood tones in a room should be the same color temperature, but when it comes to layering wood tones in your mountain cabin, I disagree with those people. I think all natural wood tones look beautiful when layered together. It adds depth, visual interest, and a warm feeling to any room.
Now that you understand the fundamentals, you should feel better equipped when beginning the design process for your mountain cabin decor. Let’s look at ideas for 20 places in your home to start the interior design process!
20 Mountain Cabin Decor Ideas
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1. Western Throw Pillows
Source: One Kin Design
Throw pillows are always a great place to start when incorporating a design theme. They come in so many different shapes, textiles, colors, and sizes making them a totally customizable design tool.
The best way to go for your home is to buy high quality pillow inserts, than only shop for pillow covers moving forward. You’ll save yourself tons of money and storage space by not buying full pillows everytime.
For your mountain cabin decor, consider throw pillows like these leather and hide pillows with fringe for a country western spin.
2. Plaid Area Rugs
Source: Kaitlin Madden
I’ve always believed that area rugs are the most transformative piece of decor you can use in a space.
They aren’t perceived as much as some staple furniture pieces, but the color or pattern can influence the way a person feels when entering a space.
I love this blue plaid rug and love anything plaid for cabins. Hide and skin rugs are also a great option!
When it comes to picking the size of your rug, a good rule to follow is that every piece of large furniture in the room can touch an edge of the rug. So before buying, be sure you know where your furniture pieces are going and that you’ve properly measured.
3. Raw Wood Table Lamps
Source: ID Lights
The great thing about table lamps and lighting in a space is that they’re fantastic eye catchers. This means they can truly make or break a design theme.
Antique stores and flea markets, I find, are the best places to shop for interesting and unique table lamps. Avoid shopping at places like Target because before you know it, you’ll be seeing the same table lamp at all your friend’s and family’s houses as well!
Source: Architectural Art Design
For your mountain cabin decor, go with something unique like a driftwood lamp or a repurposed flame lantern to emphasize the rustic charm.
I always use warm or amber colored bulbs in my additional lighting sources in my home. Using cold colored bulbs will kill the mood of the space and not feel like that cozy cabin lit by firelight.
4. Primitive Coffee Table
Source: Made By Carli
Oftentimes a coffee table will be the focal point of the primary living space in a home making it essential to get right!
I love this DIY simple wood plank table with dark stain from the blog Made By Carli.
Source: Frog Goes To Market
Another great option for your cabin decor is a vintage chest. You can find all kinds of unique vintage chests at thrift stores, flea markets, and even Facebook marketplace for any price range.
5. Wooden Beams
Source: Jaime Costiglio
If you want to truly commit to making your space feel like a mountain cabin, wooden beams is going to be the design choice to invest in.
I’m obsessed with the way wood beams add an instant rustic cottage feel to any room.
These thick cottage beams, though most likely in a higher price range, are STUNNING and will transport you and any guests of your home to the backwoods of the Appalachian mountains.
6. Colorful Patchwork Quilts
Source: Quilting Digest
Crochet has been making a massive comeback over the past couple years and I personally think it’s time for quilting to have the limelight.
Patchwork quilts are a fantastic way to add color and visual interest to your home.
Not only are they incredibly useful to have around, they look great draped on a bed or sofa.
7. Towering Stone Fireplace
Source: Mountain Living
Like wooden beams, adding a stone fireplace to your home will be a definite investment, but guarantees a huge impact.
Nothing screams cozy mountain cabin winters like a warm hearth beneath a great stone fireplace.
Source: Boxwood Avenue
If a full fireplace made of real stone is out of your budget, you can find really beautiful stone veneer for a fraction of the cost.
The fireplace above from Boxwood Avenue is made with stone veneer and you would never be able to tell the difference!
8. Vintage Wall Accents
Wall accents are an often neglected part of home decorating. Sometimes this is because it can be a really tricky thing to master.
A good rule of thumb for wall decor is to choose three items of different shapes and textures, and arrange them in a triangle like seen above.
Sconces are a beautiful wall accent that will bring a lot of value to your mountain cabin decor.
Lining hats on the wall is also a great way to kill two birds with one stone by creating a storage and decor solution!
9. Cozy Dining Table
Source: Dallas Magazine
The dining table is the heart of the home, so it’s important that its not only beautiful, but very functional.
I absolutely adore round dining tables and feel like they provide a better dining experience as everyone seated at the table is in full view at all times.
Source: Tiny House Talk
But for your cozy mountain cabin decor theme, going with an all natural looking rustic dining table is going to be the way to go.
Whether you have space for a full round dining table with antique chairs, or a small two-seater, the dining table is a great place to add some mountain charm.
10. Rustic Textile Bedding
I always have the most fun designing my sleep space in my home. It is your most sacred space and there’s so many great layering opportunities with blankets and pillows.
A bed is a great place to incorporate more of those natural materials that are lacking in the rest of the house like wool and fur pelt.
Source: Inspired By Charm
Don’t miss the opportunity to play with patterns and colors in your bedding.
The bed is automatically going to be the primary focus in the room due to the size of it, so play that up and make it something to enjoy looking at.
11. Raw Edge Counter Tops
Credit: @love_your_wild
The perfect way to add some natural texture to your kitchen is by installing a raw edge counter top.
Whether you switch out all of your counter tops or opt to just install it on an island like the home above, this look will transform your kitchen!
Just make sure to do your research on how to protect and maintain wood counter tops.
12. Antler Chandelier
Credit: @rochellelynnedesign
One of my absolute favorite mountain cabin decor ideas is to install an antler chandelier in one of the primary rooms of your home.
I think these chandeliers are so stunning, add so much rustic character, and are bound to be a continuous conversation piece for guests.
This chandelier would look great above a dining room table, as the centerpiece in a living room, or above a master bed!
13. Comfy Sectional Sofa
Credit: @nikolaskoenig
When decorating your log cabin, you want to be careful to balance beauty and function!
Don’t forget that the best part of spending time in a cabin, is getting cozy in some plaid pajamas, curling up with a hot chocolate, and reading a book in a big comfy chair.
I love using sectionals in family rooms because the design encourages people to sit close to each other, engage in conversation, and create lasting memories.
14. Zen Yoga Corner
Credit: @margaretaustin_photo
When I’m at the cabin, my favorite activities include anything that will help me to slow down and disconnect from the bustling world for a bit.
It’s important to me to have a dedicated space for my yoga practice that feels peaceful and welcoming.
Not only does this encourage me to get on my mat, but it allows me to feel more connected to Earth and the beautiful nature surrounding a mountain cabin.
15. Hanging Plants and Dried Flowers
Credit: @canadiancastaway
The best mountain cabin decor is the kind that feels in sync with nature. That’s why using plants and flowers is ideal!
I love using gorgeous sprawling plants with long tendrils of leaves as a decor piece. The vines can be manipulated and many different ways to change up your look.
Also, don’t let any wildflowers you’ve picked go to waste. Instead, hang the bouquets to dry them out and create a beautiful garland.
16. Go Without Curtains
Credit: @wkphotography
When the view outside your windows is literally mountains and woods, don’t even think to cover them up with curtains.
One of the best things about being in a cabin is the seclusion from any neighbors or other wanderers.
No need to protect your privacy when others aren’t around, so embrace the view and remove the curtains!
17. Natural Stone Backsplash
Credit: @scoutandnimble
When looking to make any renovations in a cabin, the more natural materials and textures you can bring into the space, the better.
I’m obsessed with this stunning stone backsplash for a modern cabin kitchen.
A backsplash is the perfect place to use stone veneer for a cheaper DIY option. Stone veneer when done well can look just like the real thing!
18. Entryway Cubbies
Credit: @audreyhallphoto
Having a mudroom area by your front door is great for two reasons.
One, it’s a place to store shoes and keep any dirt or mud from tracking inside. Two, it can also look super cute!
Place some of your favorite jackets and accessories on hooks or shelves to create a worn-in but cozy vignette for yourself when you walk through the door.
19. Prioritize the View
Credit: @creativecabinsllc
It feels like such a waste to gather around a TV when spending time at a mountain cabin.
Ditch the TV and instead turn your chairs and couches towards the windows to appreciate the view and reconnect with nature!
What decor could be more beautiful than the sprawling woods just outside your front door?
20. String Lights Inside
Credit: @nordlandcabin
My favorite way to spruce up a room in the cabin is to add some twinkly string lights.
I’m not an overhead light person. I avoid cool toned or bright lighting at any cost. Especially when I’m at a cabin and tying to relax.
Instead, light your space with string lights and make your cabin stay feel even more magical and whimsical!
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