Fall bedroom decor didn't have its own search volume on Pinterest last October. It does now, and a lot of what people are saving looks like a cabin: wood walls, plaid, a view of trees.
The cabin bedroom is the most natural fall bedroom there is, because nothing in it is seasonal. Knotty pine paneling, a plaid wool blanket, an iron bed, a sheepskin. It looks right from the first cold night in October to the last one in March, and there's nothing to put back in a box.
Wood on the walls
The walls are what make a room feel like a cabin. Options:
- Knotty pine tongue and groove, the classic. Honey-toned and warm.
- Shiplap or board and batten stained a warm brown.
- Reclaimed wood on one wall behind the bed.
- Paneling painted a deep green or brown, for a moodier cabin.
Even one wood-paneled wall behind the bed changes the feel of the whole room.
Plaid wool
A red, brown and cream plaid wool blanket is the single most cabin thing you can put on a bed. Pendleton-style blankets, tartan throws and buffalo check all work. Keep the rest of the bedding simple: cream linen sheets, cream or oatmeal duvet.
An iron or log bed
A simple black or dark iron bed looks right in a cabin. A log bed is the full lodge look, beautiful but heavy. A plain wooden bed in a warm stain also works.
A lamp with a pleated shade
A small table lamp with a pleated fabric shade, in a tartan or a plain warm color, on a wood nightstand. Cabins are lit by lamps, not overhead lights.
A sheepskin by the bed
Wood floors in a cabin get cold. A sheepskin beside the bed is warm and looks the part.
The window
If you have a view of trees, keep the window treatment minimal to frame it. Simple linen curtains or a wooden blind. The view is part of the cabin feeling.
Cabin details
A few small things finish the look:
- A wool rug with a simple pattern.
- A stack of firewood or a basket of logs, if you have a stove.
- Antlers or a vintage landscape print, one only.
- A wooden peg rail with a flannel shirt on it.
Making a city bedroom feel like a cabin
You don't need a log cabin. In an apartment:
- Peel-and-stick wood planks on one wall.
- Plaid blanket and flannel sheets.
- A pleated lamp and warm bulbs.
- Plants and a landscape print in place of a real view.
Installing pine paneling on one wall
Tongue-and-groove pine is a very manageable DIY project:
- Find the studs and mark them.
- Start at one corner with the groove facing the corner, and nail through the tongue into studs at an angle. The next board covers the nail.
- Check level every few boards.
- Finish with a clear matte water-based sealer to keep the honey color, or a light amber oil for a more classic cabin look.
A single 12-foot wall takes a weekend.
Seasonal swaps in a cabin bedroom
Even though a cabin room needs nothing seasonal, small swaps keep it fresh:
- Fall: plaid wool blanket, a vase of dried oak leaves.
- Winter: flannel sheets, a sheepskin on the bed, evergreen cuttings.
- Spring: white linen sheets, a jug of branches with new leaves.
- Summer: lighter blanket, windows open.
What it costs
- Knotty pine paneling for one wall: $150 to $400 in materials.
- Plaid wool blanket: $80 to $250.
- Iron bed frame: $200 to $600.
- Sheepskin: $50 to $150.
Mistakes to avoid
- Too many cabin props. One antler or one print.
- Cold lighting.
- Themed bedding with bears and moose.
- All the wood the same tone. Mix honey walls with darker furniture.
Cabin bedroom FAQ
How do I make my bedroom look like a cabin?
Add wood paneling or planks on at least one wall, a plaid wool blanket, warm lamps and natural textures like sheepskin and wool.
What colors are used in cabin bedrooms?
Honey wood, red, forest green, cream and brown.
What bedding goes in a cabin bedroom?
Cream or white sheets, flannel in winter, and a plaid wool blanket.
Can I do a cabin bedroom in an apartment?
Yes, with peel-and-stick wood planks, plaid textiles and warm lighting.
