What you need for a cozy log cabin kitchen

You don’t necessarily need to live in a cabin in the woods in order to achieve that homey, cozy feel that comes from log cabin interiors. Now is the perfect time to do a little kitchen remodeling, because winter isn’t too far away. Here’s how to pull off a log cabin look in your kitchen:

Weave nature’s elements into your kitchen
Wood should be the featured material in your kitchen. It can be used on your floors, countertops, ceiling beams and cabinets. But you should also intersperse other raw materials in your decor, like stone, brick and metal. Stone and brick are usually your best bet for a backsplash or an accent wall because they offer a stand-out texture. Use pendant, recessed and under-cabinet lighting to really highlight the beauty of all the natural materials used throughout your kitchen.

Add a fireplace
If your kitchen layout allows, consider installing a brick fireplace. This way, you can dine by the warmth of the fire. The flames help make your kitchen more intimate and inviting. Plus, you can never have too many fireplaces in a log cabin (consider a fireplace in the bathroom as well).

Install an apron sink
An apron sink, otherwise known as a farmhouse sink, is perfect for a log cabin-inspired kitchen. Instead of opting for the typical cast iron material for your basin, warm things up with hammered copper or soapstone. Pair your sink with wall-mounted kitchen faucets that have a similar rustic finish, such as oil-rubbed bronze or copper.

Choose the right colors
In log cabin designs, you rarely see bright colors being used. Instead, homeowners stick to a palette of subdued neutrals to keep the focus on the beautiful materials like stone, wood and granite.

Mix dark and light
Log cabin homes obviously contain a lot of wooden elements, from floors and cabinets to walls and countertops. Instead of using one type of wood, you can blend both dark and light varieties to create visual interest throughout your kitchen. The same goes for other elements, like stone and brick. A brick fireplace or accent wall painted white still reflects a log cabin design, but offers an ambiance that’s a bit lighter and airier.

Put pots and pans on display
Hanging pots and pans from a rack on the ceiling helps give your kitchen a more authentic, homey feel. You can also display your cookware by hanging it on wall hooks above your stove. These two storage options contribute to the vintage, log cabin feel, but allow your pots and pans to be easily accessed as well.