There is nothing quite like escaping to a remote cabin surrounded by woodland, a destination that allows you to unwind, relax, and experience the luxury of slow living. 
As with any summer escape, the time you spend there will feel fleeting. 

Instead of counting down the days until you can return, with styling and affordable DIY, you can turn a room in your home into the same kind of escape every time you open the door.

Decide on the room 

Creating a cabin retreat at home starts with choosing a room to transform. Whether it is your dining room, where you can bring friends and family together, a bedroom, inviting guests to a mini staycation, or even a bathroom, to create the ultimate place to unwind. 

Choose a colour scheme 

There are both expected and unexpected choices when it comes to deciding on a colour palette for your at-home cabin room retreat. Earthy tones such as green, beige, and brown work seamlessly with natural textures and help recreate the calm of nature. Or stay true to your personal taste and choose your favourite colours—even if that means a vibrant pink. 

Any colour can work in a cabin retreat, as the purpose is to appeal to you and be relaxing in a way that feels like an extension of your home. 

Incorporate natural textures 

Now that your colour scheme is decided, turn to soft furnishings and decorative items to create the feel of a cabin. 

Opt for pieces in natural textures, such as a rattan lampshade, wool blankets, and wooden furniture. Layering different textures will add depth and warmth to the room, bringing an extra layer of cosiness to the space. 

Slat panels are an effective and inexpensive DIY to replicate the rustic wooden interiors found inside log cabins. 

Add personal items 

One of the most exciting parts of creating a cabin retreat at home is that you have full creative freedom. Taking inspiration from cabins you’ve stayed in or visited is a great start, but turn to your own taste to truly cultivate a space of your own. 

Display photographs from your past vacations—whether of people or scenery—that will immediately transport you to a memory. Add trinkets and souvenirs you’ve collected, and artwork that captures the mood or area you’re drawing inspiration from.

Flowers and plants are a great way to bring the feel of nature indoors, and they can be dotted around the room to emphasise its beauty. Books are also both decorative and practical, as they’ll encourage you to cosy up in an armchair and get lost in a story for hours. 

If you’re looking to create a more rustic feel, try thrifting in antique stores for pieces that make the room feel like a step back in time. Or, if you want the space to encourage socialising and conversation—like during a cabin retreat holiday—consider adding a pool table (if space allows) or a collection of board games. 

Creating a cabin retreat at home is possible, even if you live in a small apartment or a pristine new build. The key is to add character and charm through styling choices that feel authentic to you. Will your new at home retreat become a space for socialising with friends and family, or a quiet escape that offers the same sense of escapism you’d find in a cabin the moment you step inside.