Your dream has come true: You’re now the proud owner of a cozy cabin. Anticipating frequent trips to this secluded retreat, you jump online and start adding equipment, insect repellent, and new duds to your shopping cart.
But don’t put the cart before the horse. To properly enjoy your cabin, you want to carefully consider your purchases and furnish each space correctly. This includes the important areas outside the house that serve as the transitional settings between your new home and the woods beyond. Read on to learn how to outfit your cabin with durable furniture built for the great outdoors.
Identifying Outdoor Spaces at Your Cabin
Most secluded cabins aren’t as big as traditional beach and vacation homes. No matter your square footage, you can create distinct areas for lounging and entertaining outside.
Front Porch
Quintessential cabin furniture is typically found on the front porch. A deep seating swing provides padded comfort for leisurely afternoons enjoying the breathtaking view, while a rocking chair set is a traditional and dependable choice that maximizes space.
Conversation Area
If you have a back deck or balcony, furnish it with Adirondack chairs where you can relax with a drink and breathe in the fresh air. Before making any purchases, measure your designated area to determine how many chairs are practical without overwhelming the space.
Dining Spot
If your cabin is the go-to family vacation home, seek a spacious dining set to accommodate a large number of guests. However, if you only have a small breakfast nook, opt for a cozy bistro set that takes up minimal floor space, leaving room for post-meal activities.
Outdoor Fire Pit
What’s a cabin in the woods without a roaring fire for s’mores and ghost stories? Reserve a section of your outdoor space for a fire pit table and surround it with Adirondack chairs. When shopping for one, look for a low-maintenance model that’s easy to clean. You’ll spend less time on upkeep and more time enjoying fireside chats with family.
Weather Considerations for Outdoor Furniture
Perhaps the most important aspect of your cabin furniture is the construction material. Cabins are immersed in raw nature, meaning your deep seating furniture and porch swings will have to withstand a variety of environmental factors without succumbing to wear and tear.
Rain and Moisture
Morning dew, sudden spring rain, and rolling mist sound magical, but they can damage unprotected wood or metal furniture.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) lumber avoids warping, discoloration, and rust when left in wet climates year-round. It’s also not prone to splinter, crack, chip, peel, or rot.
Cold Weather and Snow
Cold temperatures and wet or snowy winter days can be trouble for most types of outdoor furniture. Wood and natural wicker materials are porous, meaning they absorb moisture. Melted snow or rain can seep into the material and freeze, causing the water to expand inside the furniture. This can lead to cracks, warps, and even mold when the weather warms up.
While you can cover up or store your furniture in extreme temperatures, higher-quality materials like HDPE are designed to endure cold temperatures without contracting or becoming brittle, ensuring a resilient product.
Dirt and Grime
When your cabin sits under a canopy of trees, your furniture will inevitably get covered in leaves, twigs, sap, bird droppings, and other debris. Constantly cleaning this filth off your furniture is exhausting.
Take time to choose materials that resist staining and clean easily. Furniture that only needs an occasional wipe-down will allow you to focus on fun activities instead of housework.
Cabin Furniture Style Tips
Most cabin decor styles can best be described as “natural” or “rustic.” Unfinished, rugged wood plays a big part in the aesthetic, but the larger sense of rustic style contributes to an overall casual and inviting feel.
Best Color Schemes for Cabin Furniture
Neutrals: Most cabins have an intimate feel even without much square footage. Natural, lighter colors like white and tan reflect more light to open up space and make your seating areas feel bigger. Plus, these colors pair wonderfully with most types of wood used in cabin construction and decor.
Earth tones: When selecting cabin furniture colors, stick to rich earth tones that reflect the hues of nature. Deep greens, warm browns, and soft blues create a cozy, grounded atmosphere that complements the surrounding landscape.
Prioritize Comfort and Personal Taste
When selecting outdoor furniture, emphasize the comfort of cabin living by choosing pieces with curves, generous seats, and wide slats. These design elements echo a cabin's rustic, relaxed feel and offer support for long hours of relaxation in the fresh air.
Cabin furniture should feel inviting while capturing your personality, so don’t shy away from cozy textures, soft cushions, or colors and finishes that reflect your style and bring you contentment.
Need help decorating your cabin patio? Use our outdoor furniture planner to design your dream space. We’ll ask you a few simple questions about your space and provide you with up to three furniture set results.
