Cabin Decorating Ideas

Photos by John Clark

Design ideas for cabins and vacation homes

Inspired cabin escape

This streamlined cabin was built on a 2½-acre parcel near Winthrop, Washington.

By keeping the materials simple and the layout of the 860-square-foot cabin uncomplicated, the owners succeeded in a creating a warm retreat that is also budget-friendly.

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Photos by John Clark; prop styling by Molly Hurd

Inspired cabin escape: Living room

Fir plywood gives this home a warm look for less than standard wood paneling.

The metal wall grids neatly hide the rough-cut edges.

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Dominique Vorillon

Jewel-like cabin

This family getaway near Twisp, Wash., is the perfect example of how to make the most of a limited amount of space. From outdoor living rooms to creative sleeping solutions, every square inch has been put to use.

Still the retreat feels airy and spacious.

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Dominique Vorillon

Jewel-like cabin: Kitchen

The open, well-lit kitchen is the central gathering spot in this house.

The appliance-free island was made from a stainless steel and butcher block workspace purchased at a restaurant-supply store, then covered on three sides with plywood.

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Photo by Thomas J. Story

Tiny DIY cabin

Mariah Morrow and Ryan Lingard make the 6-hour drive from Portland to their mountain cabin at least four times a year.

The cozy adventure outpost—just 130 square feet plus a deck—is the perfect jumping-off point into the wilderness near Joseph, Oregon.

Ryan Lingard and Mariah Morrow built their tiny cabin for $57,000, including the land. They call it The Signal Shed.

Thomas J. Story

Tiny DIY cabin: Inside

The materials cost about $10,000, with windows from a center that recycles building parts. Other thrifty choices include Ikea cabinetry and laminate flooring. They found the barn door hardware and the woodstove—the cabin’s only source of heat—on Craigslist.

See how they built this small cabin

Thomas J. Story

Modern Cottage

This prefab cottage from San Francisco-based firm Modern Cabana is a readymade solution—it could be used as a simple, sleek vacation home or as an easy way to add some square footage to an existing home.

Read more about this prefab cottage

Thomas J. Story

Modern cottage: Living room

Floor-to-ceiling windows give the living area a brightness and connection to the outdoors.

Space-saving furniture is a smart touch that allows the room to feel larger than it really is.

Read more about this prefab cottage

Thomas J. Story

Cutting-edge cabin

Some of the latest innovations in eco-friendly, energy-efficient design and materials were used in Tom Kelly's cabin near Oregon's Mt. Hood, making it an inspirational example of sustainable living.

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Thomas J. Story

Cutting-edge cabin: Dining room

All the action happens in one spacious room on the main floor of this eco-friendly cabin. This area is where family members gather to the cook, eat together, and hang out.

Large windows line the walls, framing spectacular views.

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Alaska cabin

When Jennifer Jenkins and her husband, Noah, bought this cabin in Alaska, it was literally falling down. The porch had collapsed, the basement walls had rotted, and a hemlock tree was growing through the roof.

The unbelievable remodel took three years.

See inside this amazing cabin makeover

Thomas J. Story

Alaska cabin: Staircase

The staircase is an example of how the Jenkins creatively incorporated seaside details into the design and decor of the cabin: Old salvaged oars become handrails and complement the white beadboard walls.

See more details from this amazing remodel

Thomas J. Story

Surf shack in the woods

This simple, geometric cabin overlooks a creek in central California's rolling, oak-studded ranchland.

Designer and champion surfer Andy Neumann used many eco-friendly and space-saving design ideas in his unique 800-square-foot retreat.

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Thomas J. Story

Flexible two-family getaway

This vacation home—built for two families to share—features separate master suites that allow privacy for each couple and plenty of communal space for hanging out.

Learn more about this flexible getaway

Thomas J. Story

Flexible two-family getaway: Bedroom

The kids bunk room, along with all the other rooms in the house, overlooks the water. When there are extra guests, the screened in porch can be used as another sleeping area.

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J. K. Lawrence

Reunion ranch

This Northwest retreat was inspired by the classic summer camp experience. A reconstructed barn serves as the bunkhouse and an industrial shed has been turned into a cookhouse and gathering spot.

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J. K. Lawrence

Reunion ranch: Cookhouse

The cabin's cookhouse is where everyone gathers to eat and spend time together. The unique arrangement of this retreat allows for plenty of space for group activites.

Learn more about this retreat

Photo by Nic Lehoux

Indoor-outdoor cabin

Who among us hasn’t dreamed of an idyllic cabin in the woods? Bohlin Cywinski Jackson has fulfilled that fantasy for the owner of this rustic-meets-modern two-bedroom getaway sited to maximize the sylvan surroundings, a two-hour drive from Seattle.

Indoor and outdoor rooms, linked by a “boardwalk,” frame gorgeous vistas of the Wenatchee National Forest from multiple angles.

Design: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Seattle office (206/256-0862)

Photo by Nic Lehoux

Indoor-outdoor cabin: Living room

The high ceiling helps the “winter” living room feel airy, and the steep slope of the roof keeps the area’s heavy winter snowfalls from accumulating.

Tiny Colorado cabin

The interior of this simple cabin consists of one sleeping/living room, with a simple kitchen and a bathroom alcove.

Design: Stephen Atkinson Architecture, Palo Alto, CA (650/321-6118)

Summer bungalow

Sunset's 2007 Celebration Weekend featured a vacation getaway created with tent cabins from Sweetwater Bungalows.

Create your own combination of tents, or put just one in your backyard for an instant outdoor getaway.

See what we did

Thomas J. Story

Off the grid cabin

Sometimes inspiration comes from unlikely places: This cabin in the Sierra Nevada was modeled after the utilitarian U.S. Forest Service maintenance buildings that dot the area.

Powered by an array of photovoltaic panels, the retreat is totally energy independent.

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John Granen

Waterfront dream home

Building this dream home was a long and ultimately rewarding process for Debra and Chuck Holland. The first step was locating the property along the Hood Canal. Then, slowly but surely, the rest of their plans took shape.

See how one couple made this dream cabin a reality

Great ideas for cabins & vacation homes

Design ideas for cabins and vacation homes

Inspired cabin escape: Living room

Jewel-like cabin

Jewel-like cabin: Kitchen

Tiny DIY cabin

Tiny DIY cabin: Inside

Modern Cottage

Modern cottage: Living room

Cutting-edge cabin

Cutting-edge cabin: Dining room

Alaska cabin

Alaska cabin: Staircase

Surf shack in the woods

Flexible two-family getaway

Flexible two-family getaway: Bedroom

Reunion ranch

Reunion ranch: Cookhouse

Indoor-outdoor cabin

Indoor-outdoor cabin: Living room

Tiny Colorado cabin

Summer bungalow

Off the grid cabin

Waterfront dream home