Cabin Remodeling Ideas: Tour Our Family’s Updated Log Cabin

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Professional photos by Christa Tippmann

When I was in elementary school, my parents packed us up on a snowy day and we made the drive up to Redfeather Lakes, CO to go hunting. House hunting, that is. My favorite kind of hunting.

We traipsed through heavy snow to check out a variety of cabins, and eventually, the family settled on a charming (if slightly outdated) traditional log cabin.

There were dozens of completed puzzles on the walls and wall to wall orange shag carpet. It was cozy and rustic and exactly what the adults were looking for.

For the next 30ish years, my dad’s side of the family shared the cabin, with each family using it a few times each year.

I spent my 10th birthday there with friends, a handful of unsupervised nights in my teenage years, and a few trips with my own family when I became a mom.

In short, this place holds a lot of memories!

Cabin Remodeling Project

The cabin was built in the 1970’s and looked somewhat like a time capsule. While kitsch can definitely be cool, it was starting to feel a bit dirty.

For years we talked about all the things we could do to upgrade things a bit, and last year the timing was finally right.

We made a huge list of potential cabin remodeling project ideas and got input from the various families about how they used the space and how they needed it to function.

Then we set out to do a mini-renovation that would keep what was good- and update what wasn’t working.

The main priorities we needed to tackle:

• Update the plumbing system and make the winterization process easier
• Replace the failing railing on the stairs/loft
• Fully enclose the bathroom area for privacy and update the fixtures
• Remove the carpet and replace it with waterproof flooring
• Declutter and refurnish the space with versatile, space-appropriate furnishings

The Cabin remodeling Process

In July we tackled a MASSIVE clean out. We got a dump trailer and took out everything that was old, worn out, or broken. Which was 95 percent of the contents of the cabin.

I can’t even begin to tell you how much bleach we used and how bad I needed a shower when I got home each day!

Knowing that preserving the vintage cabin elements would be the key to helping things feel “the same” after the update, I tried to salvage everything possible for styling and decor.

We filled heavy-duty tubs with any kitchenware, textiles, or art that we could reuse and tagged furniture that was still in good condition to repurpose when we made the furnishing plan.

Design Concepts

Once everything was clean, we got to work on designing.

You can flip through the gallery below to check out the room-by-room concepts I created!

Sweat Equity

The goal was to focus on decorating and cosmetic updates as much as possible to save money and avoid unnecessary construction.

We did as much of the work ourselves as possible. My sister and her husband did a lot of prep work. My brother did the framing and built the kitchen shelves in addition to fabricating a new stair railing.

I have minimal construction skills but I did do a lot of cosmetic projects like painting the walls, refinishing the furniture and applying the wallpaper.

For reference, we started the project started in July with our clean out day and we had our photographer friend, Christa shoot final pictures the following May.

This cabin remodeling project took almost a full year of work from start to finish.

It’s about an hour and a half drive from home, so I logged a LOT of miles throughout the process. Overall though it was so fun and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to help carry this special retreat forward for the next generation.

Keep reading to see photos of the completed spaces and hopefully get some fun cabin remodeling ideas to inspire your own future projects!

Cabin Remodeling Ideas: Kitchen

In the kitchen we focused on increasing functionality. We kept the existing layout to avoid plumbing and electrical work, but we added a few comfort upgrades such as a dishwasher, a huge sink with a built in drying board, and a new gas range.

We pulled the fridge out of the corner and relocated it on the opposite wall to open up the space and give a bit more counter to work with. And I found the perfect wheeled vintage table to flex as an island workspace/dining table (when rolled into the entryway).

I’m going to include the contractor details in case anyone is looking for cabin remodeling ideas in Northern Colorado and is looking for someone local who can work on this type of project. I have used these businesses on my personal projects for years and they have been reliable, professional, and have given me great quality results.

• Backsplash tile is Celine 2″ x 6″ from Bedrosians in Matte Taupe and was purchased from Northern Colorado Carpets
• The counters are an amazing Black Pearl leathered granite (which was was a stock selection from Stoneworks in Loveland)
• Cabinets are custom built by DPC Painting. which is also in Loveland
• We selected Pewter Green by Sherwin Williams which balanced out the orange tone of the logs nicely.

The items displayed on the shelves are a mix of cabin-y decor saved during the clean out (like my mom’s 1980 Noritake wedding dishes, an old popcorn maker, a pasta pot/strainer, the lamp, and the ram) and new items I sourced from the flea market (picnic basket), Amazon, and local home stores.

Cabin Remodeling Ideas: Bar

When we did our cleanout day, this closet was by far the worst offender. It not only held a bunch of stuff that was hard to access, but it was absolutely overrun with rodents. GROSS!

When I noticed the logs in the back, I knew this had the potential to be something better- so we decided to create a multipurpose “bar” area here.

We had cabinets built with drawers (one for tools, one for a utility drawer) and cabinets that were fully encapsulated (to prevent rodent access). Inside the cabinets we’re storing extra TP, paper towels, and cleaning supplies (most of them protected in plastic drawers for a further barrier to entry).

I’ve been really inspired by a designer named Max Humphrey and his Americana meets wilderness style for awhile (if you aren’t familiar with his work you should definitely check out his portfolio for more cabin remodeling ideas).

I knew that I wanted to incorporate one of his wallpapers somewhere in the cabin. There is very little drywall in our cabin (it’s all logs!) but luckily this little area was the perfect place.

At first I had decided on Cowboy Toile, but switched to this print at the last minute because the green tones went so well with the cabinetry.

I am not the best wallpaper-er in the world so I did the peel and stick and I’m happy with how it turned out!

Cabin Remodeling Ideas: Living Room

Besides replacing the carpet, the living room didn’t need anything but new furnishings.

To maximize sleeping space, we started with a new (small scale) Queen sized sleeper sofa in a performance fabric from our local La-Z-Boy. It’s SO pretty and comfy in person. We also purchased a chair from the same store in a coordinating charcoal blue and tan plaid fabric and they let us make the throw pillows out of the same fabric to tie everything together!

We added flexible cocktail tables that work for playing games/eating but are also easy to move out of the way when it’s time to pull out the bed.

The mustard poufs can be footstools or additional seating.

A vintage style cooler serves as a FUNctional side table and we salvaged the retro lamps, shades and all from the original decor.

I put together a shopping board with some of the sources for the cabin living room decor we used. Click the number in the caption for the link!

Cabin Remodeling Ideas: Under Stairs Daybed Nook

Before the remodel, the area under the stairs was what I call a “pain point” with my organizing clients. It was the place where stuff collected because of the small size of the cabin an the lack of storage. In the video you can see that it housed loose electrical cords, the Traeger, a shop vac… just a lot of things that you don’t really want to see first thing upon entry to our cute log cabin.

We toyed with the idea of adding doors to enclose it as a storage area but my heart wanted a cozy under stairs daybed nook. We talked to our cabinet maker about doing a built in bunk bed with some storage drawers underneath… but ultimately we decided that we needed to keep things flexible and removable in case we decided we needed the space for something else down the road.

DIY Daybed

Because of the slope of the stairs, I had to find a VERY low profile bed frame. I searched online and found an inexpensive black metal frame which was the perfect base for our diy under stairs daybed nook!

We topped the twin bed frame with a mattress covered with a removable daybed cover. A king sized headboard pillow across the back wall made a cozy backrest and protects little heads from the scratchy logs!

There isn’t a light (and we didn’t add one because adding electrical is hard with log walls). A vintage style, rechargable LED lantern that hangs on a hook was the perfect solution. This one is BRIGHT and lasts a long time on a single charge. I use them in my home as my emergency lighting for power outages. Plus they are so cute!

Cabin Remodeling Ideas: Bathroom

The bathroom remodel was pretty straightforward.

We replaced the old vanity with a small custom wood vanity and topped it with a Taj Mahal quartzite remnant.

A small copper vessel sink and a fun organic wall mirror add some cabin character to the tiny bathroom.

How great is this bear painting? It’s an amazing print from one of my favorite artists, Jeff Weir Oilworks. It’s one of the only art pieces I purchased for the project since I used so much vintage. If I’m honest… it barely made it into the cabin because after looking at him sitting in my office for months, I really wanted to keep him!

I pulled a hint of the grey-blue from the colors in the artwork and carried it through to the wall mount sconces. I think it adds an unexpected pop of color in the otherwise neutral room and it repeats the blues that carries through all the other spaces in the cabin.

Because of the mice we were in a bit of a dilemma- we needed storage but didn’t want to create any extra places for furry friends to hang out.

Some solutions:

• Lots of wall hooks to keep things up off the ground.
• Open shelving above the toilet to hold extra TP
• A hanging wall basket for guests to stash their personal items while visiting the cabin

Hotel style wall-mount toiletry dispensers help save space in the shower as well.

Cabin Remodeling Ideas: Bedroom

The improvement in the master bedroom of the cabin is a testament to the power of space planning and furniture placement.

We did very little “work” in here aside from adding a barn door to the closet. But with the right furniture layout and the proper scale of furniture the new space feels SO MUCH bigger.

Here’s what we did:

• Brought in a storage console to add additional storage from supplies that were displaced when we removed the hall closet.
• Mounted a small tv
• Added LOTS of wall hooks for guests to store things up off the floor during their stay
• Angled a floor mirror in the corner to reflect light and brighten up the dark room
• Hung a no-wire ceiling light by hanging a vintage-style plug-in fixture from a hook in the corner
• Selected a soft, upholstered bed to protect from logs
• Found very small scale side tables to accommodate the narrow space
• Attached plug in sconces to provide additional reading lights and compensate for the lack of overhead lighting

Cabin Remodeling Ideas: Game Loft

While the game nook wasn’t a priority in terms of allocating our furnishing budget, there was one thing we did choose to invest in here.

Since there isn’t an actual dining area downstairs, we wanted this space to have a high quality table that could be used for dining AND playing games.

The only problem? The space is tight.

After looking at a LOT of options, we decided to go with this table, and when it arrived I was so glad. It is well made and the heavy metal base is gorgeous. I also really love the grain and color of the wood top. At 36″ it was the perfect small space solution.

We kept the vintage brass light (I actually really love it…those scallops!) and the pub chairs. Most importantly, we weeded out the old board games and replaced them with new designer “bookshelf” editions of popular favorites. Now we have all the pieces!

The old wood bookshelf was my grandmother’s in the early 60’s and is still in remarkably good condition. Again, I love the scalloped edge. But I wanted to SEE the detail without it getting lost among all the other wood tones.

So I selected a smoky blue-grey paint (Laboradorite by Sherwin Williams) and painted it with my paint sprayer. I was so happy with how it turned out… it gave the shelf and the whole area a new life.

Never underestimate the power of paint!

Cabin Remodeling Ideas: Sleeping Loft

The most important thing here was decluttering. There is no way that this space is big enough to hold 4 queen beds. It felt way too tight!

This gorgeous custom fabricated metal and wood horizontal railing designed by Summit Design and Fabrication and my brother, Zac sets the tone as you enter the now peaceful sleeping loft.

Loft Design Plan

Since we wanted the loft to be able to accommodate adult couples (and a lot of men in our family are on the taller side) we opted for a pair of California king beds on simple wood platforms. To soften things up, we hung leather headboard cushions agains the logs and layered on the pillows.

The classic Pendleton camp blankets on each bed were the color palette inspiration for the whole project. The bedding matches a stripe, the dresser paint matches a stripe, the ottoman fabric matches a stripe, and the downstairs cabinetry color was chosen specifically to coordinate with the green wool.

Color Palette

Space Savers + Other Details

Once again, we employed the same space saving tricks as we did in the downstairs bedroom: pairing wall mount plug-in sconces with very small drink tables.

You can’t see it, but each bed has a plug-in power strip with charging ports and additional outlets for phone charging.

I also included more green stools up here that can be used as side tables, extra seating at the game table… they are flexible furnishing workhorses!

We went light on the decor in this space to keep it feeling uncluttered and minimal, but it COULD NOT pass up this vintage fan when I was browsing the flea market.

You better believe we kept the old light fixture, the taxidermy, and the walking sticks!!!

In addition, we relocated the freshly painted dresser (Real Red by Sherwin Williams) from the bedroom and filled it with all the tools, lightbulbs, and miscellaneous supplies leftover from the lower level storage closet we removed.

Of course there are MORE wall hooks for storage and a pair of matching folding luggage racks to keep bags up off the floor.

Finally, the ottomans in the middle were the best find. Because they easily convert to chairs OR twin bed sleepers – which means this space can still sleep 6!

Did you Enjoy The Cabin Tour? Want More remodeling ideas?

That’s a wrap on this post, but if you love DIY decorating projects like this, there’s more where that came from! You can check out my portfolio here for more fun project ideas.

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As a thank you, I’ll send you my shoppable list of 101 online sources that I use when selecting home decor items for projects like this one.

Thanks for stopping by, I’m happy you’re here!

xoxo,