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This cabin living room makeover completely transformed the space from basic and unfinished to warm, cozy, and modern.
With just a few simple updates, we were able to create a space that feels inviting, layered, and intentionally designed.
The good news?
You don’t need a full renovation to completely transform a space.
With a few intentional updates, this living room went from basic to warm and modern. I’m sharing exactly how we did it.
BEFORE: WHAT WE STARTED WITH
*On purchasing day, this is how we got it.
When we first walked in, the space had amazing bones:
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- High ceilings
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- Natural wood walls
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- A beautiful stone fireplace
But it also felt:
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- A little flat
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- Overly orange
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- Missing texture and contrast
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- More “basic” than cozy
There was nothing wrong—it just didn’t feel finished. So went to work clearing the space.
THE IN-BETWEEN STAGE
As we started to empty out the space, I knew I needed to start making a plan for the room.
The room needed:
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- To be more functional
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- Have a better layout
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- More warmth and depth
This is actually where the magic begins!!
Before I buy a single piece of furniture, I tape out the room. It sounds silly, but it’s one of my favorite designer tricks. It keeps me from buying pieces that are too large or too small for the space.
THE AFTER: A COZY MODERN CABIN
WHAT MADE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE
1-Add Warm Layered Lighting
The biggest mistake I see in cabins is relying entirely on overhead lighting. Adding just a few warm light sources can completely change the mood of a space.
SHOP THE LIGHTING-
SHOP my Linen drum floor lamp
SHOP my Warm LED light bulbs (2700k)
SHOP my Modern black wall sconces
SHOP my Accent lamps for shelves or side tables
2-Layer Cozy Cabin Textures
Texture is what makes a cabin feel luxurious instead of rustic and unfinished. I love mixing soft fabrics with warm wood tones.
SHOP THE TEXTURES-
SHOP my Chunky knit throw blankets
SHOP my Linen pillow covers
SHOP my Faux fur accent pillows
SHOP my Vintage-inspired area rugs
SHOP my Natural wood trays
SHOP my Woven baskets
3-How to Keep a Cabin From Feeling Too Orange
If your cabin has a lot of knotty pine or honey oak, don’t fight it. Instead, bring in warm neutrals to soften the space.
SHOP THE WARM NEUTRALS-
SHOP my Cream curtains
SHOP my Taupe pillows
SHOP my Olive green accent pillows
SHOP my Neutral artwork
SHOP my Large decorative bowl
SHOP my Candle holders and my Flameless candle sticks
SHOP my Ceramic vase and Faux greenery
4-Simplifying the Layout
A simpler layout made the room feel larger, more functional, and much more intentional. I chose fewer, larger pieces rather than filling the room with lots of small furniture.
SHOP THE LAYOUT-
SHOP my Leather sectional
SHOP my Round coffee table OR Square coffee table
SHOP my Side table
SHOP my Floor lamp
SHOP my Ottoman
SHOP my Accent Chair (green)
This made the room feel bigger and more intentional.
5-The Styling Pieces That Make a Room Feel Finished
It’s usually not the big furniture pieces that make a room feel cozy. It’s the layers.
SHOP THE FINISHING TOUCHES-
SHOP my Faux olive trees
SHOP my Battery-operated candles
SHOP my Decorative wood bead garlands
SHOP my Coffee table books
SHOP my Wood bowls
SHOP my Art Work (I LOVE these. Perfect size. Can be hung or put on shelf!
SHOP my Black picture frames
SHOP my Faux stems
FINAL THOUGHT
One thing I’ve learned after decorating cabins is that you don’t have to paint everything white or spend tens of thousands of dollars on renovations to make them beautiful.
Cabins are supposed to feel warm and inviting. By layering textures, simplifying the layout, and choosing a few intentional pieces. You can completely transform the way a space feels without losing its character.
Sometimes all a room needs is less clutter, softer lighting, and a really cozy blanket.
SAVE THIS FOR LATER
If you’re planning a cabin makeover, decorating an Airbnb, or just want your space to feel more cozy, save this for inspiration—you’ll want to come back to these ideas.
You can see more cozy styling ideas in my other post- How to Update a Log Cabin Without Painting It (Modern Rustic Dining Room Makeover)