Lighting Tips for Your Log Cabin

While Log Cabins might initially suggest the feel of rusticity, back to mother nature does not mean that the lighting inside a log cabin needs to be quite so primitive. Just because the wooden browns and deep earth tones tend to be somewhat dark or drab doesn't mean your interior lighting design needs to be. Consider some of these wonderful and unique lighting ideas.

Antlers

Nothing says Log Cabin like a few antlers. However, forgo the taxidermist and try some unique antler lighting instead of mounting a deer head to the wall. What's nice about antler lighting is that depending on the size of the antlers and the way the lights are arranged, it can offer a variety of possibilities to have multiple layers of light illuminating specific areas. While a small antler chandelier looks nice over a dining room table, or a pool table, a larger chandelier would look great hanging down as a centerpiece in a large living room where it could easily be the central focal point of the entire area. Antler chandeliers connected to a dimmer switch offer greater lighting control as well.

Rustic Log Lighting offers some wonderful antler lighting options which look like whitetail, elk, or moose antlers. Though these fixtures are lighter-weight than the real deal, these antlers are carefully crafted and finished by hand to achieve the genuine outdoorsman look and feel.

If you're a fairly handy do-it-yourselfer or if you have a large collection of antlers lying around that you'd like to proudly show off, consider making your own antler chandelier. Kits are available online at Antler Lighting Kits.

If you have the antlers but prefer not to hassle the actual lighting construction, then let the folks at Rugged Mountain craft a perfect lighting fixture just for you. With more than 20 years of experience turning antlers into lighting creations, they are one of the few places that still endeavors to preserve your treasures and make them into something useful.

Punched Tin

Punched tin adds creative and primitive touches to any Log Cabin's lighting decor and can be incorporated in a variety of different ways.

Punched tin nightlights in the shape of a heart, star, or wagon wheel are delightful accents in both bedrooms, bathrooms, or hallways. Particularly during the daytime, it's nice to see these small delights glowing in rooms that might otherwise appear darker than usual.

Punched tin sconces are also great ways to light up hallways and staircases. Again, Rustic Log Lighting offers a good variety of rustic and unique sconces.

With nightlights and sconces try to select bulbs that simulate natural light. This will help give the illusion of sunlight in a home that is naturally darker due to the focus or emphasis on wood.

FindGift.com suggests some really neat punched tin hanging star lights available in either a silver tin color or a bronzed tone. These can be displayed either indoors or outdoors, and several grouped together across a fireplace mantle would look just lovely inside a Log Cabin! They have a similar look to the vintage hanging stars and if you can't find a bunch of vintage ones these are just as adorable.

Spot lighting

A great way to bring attention to details (or certain wall trophies) is with spot lighting. Since a Log Cabin is naturally darker it is important to consider task lighting and spot lighting so the lighting is both practical and welcoming. Task lighting, recessed lights, and track lighting offer several interesting possibilities to complement the ambiance of a Log Cabin.

Online, Rustic Lighting and Fans offers some very unique solutions for track lighting. They have a huge selection of recessed cans and specially designed lighting for Log Cabins or for individuals who do not want to detract from the overall ambiance of a more natural or woodsy interior design. Many of the products they carry are only offered here. This is a fantastic starting point for examples, assistance, and for finding your own unique design solutions.

The ambiance of a wonderfully lit Log Cabin will instantly help energize and reconnect you and your guests to the de-"light"-ful basics of life.

Resources:

www.rusticloglighting.com

www.antlerlightingkits.com

www.antlerchandelier.com/index.html

www.findgift.com

www.rusticlightingandfans.com