A massive 5-year report found that as many as 101.6 million Americans participate in hunting, fishing, and other wildlife activities. We can see this in the value of the hunting and trapping sector, which was worth $900.5 million in 2020.

Hunting has become an experience that carries certain expectations. It’s an opportunity to escape our repetitive, modern society by returning to nature to run wild with some of our most primal instincts. 

And nothing completes the experience quite like a hunting lodge!

But if you don’t know anything about interior design, how can you make use of dark colors to get that rustic appearance? What cabin features should you include in a hunting lodge? What furniture should you buy? To discover the answers to these questions and more, keep on reading!

Location and Orientation

If you don’t currently own a log cabin or a hunting lodge, you may feel inclined to build one from scratch. And if that’s the case, you’re going to need to put thought into the location and orientation.

Choosing the right location can be difficult as you need to ensure it meets the following requirements:

• Is in an area with an abundance of animals to hunt
• Is in an area where it’s legal to hunt
• Is accessible to friends and family all year round

Most people will choose somewhere in the woods as this adds to the atmosphere of the hunting lodge experience while also offering the nearby game. Being surrounded by a hunting area makes it easier to set up and check traps.

Orientation is the next thing to consider as one simple decision can help keep your cabin at a comfortable temperature.

If you’re in a colder area, you want as many windows as possible to be facing south to allow as much of the winter sunlight to enter the lodge as possible. If you’re in a warmer climate, then you would want to do the opposite.

Flooring

When you’re choosing the right flooring for your hunting lodge, the key thing to consider is practicality. Solid wood floors are always the safest bet as they are sturdy and match the aesthetic of the lodge.

Some people choose to install stone tiles in certain parts of the lodge.

Provided you avoid fragile tiles and laminate flooring, you should be fine as neither of these will last long in a hunting lodge!

Just remember that your floor will need to withstand muddy boots, blood, sweat, and a combination of food products and alcohol spillages!

Furniture

The interior design of a hunting lodge is going to be very different from your home. Any furniture you select should be durable, big, and heavy! For example, you don’t want a delicate, fragile-looking coffee table.

Most hunting lodges are made from wood and possess that log cabin appearance. If the interior of the lodge shows a lot of wood, it might be a good idea to get furniture made from metal or other materials. Otherwise, an overly woody interior can become a bit overwhelming!

Some solid examples of furniture that will add to the look of your hunting lodge include:

• Leather or tweed sofas
• Dark and rustic cushions
• Rugs
• Gun display cabinets
• Furniture or décor made from previous successful hunts
• A fireplace
• Framed photographs of animals, guns, or previous trips

Imagine that this hunting lodge represents your hunting journey. You want to display your trophies while highlighting your relationship with the wildlife. Is your lodge going to feel basic, or will stepping inside feel like stepping into your mind?

You’ll also need to consider practical matters, such as sleeping arrangements. How many people will usually be staying in the lodge? Will you install standard beds or rely on more temporary sleeping arrangements, such as pullout beds, inflatable mattresses, or hammocks?

Color Scheme

Designing a log cabin with a rustic look can be simple, but doing the same with a hunting lodge can be more challenging. To nail that rustic appearance, you’ll need to focus on using dark colors. Some great colors to include are:

• Rustic reds
• Dark reds
• Dark blacks
• Hunter greens
• Browns

If the color reminds you of the woods, then you’re on the right track. In comparison, there are some colors you should avoid:

• Bright yellow
• Blue
• Purple
• Bright orange
• Bright reds
• White

Your color scheme will be influenced by the design of your hunting lodge and the various pieces of furniture within it.

Lighting

One key feature of any hunting lodge is natural lighting! Making use of big windows and a large, open fireplace will add to the rustic appearance. You can use antlers to construct chandeliers or candlesticks to help decorate and light the lodge.

Of course, you should also install some standard lighting. Try to find some options that fit with the rest of the lodge.

You don’t want anything that appears too modern or provides too much artificial light. Use small, dim lights to add to the atmosphere; otherwise, your hunting lodge will begin to feel like any standard house or apartment.

Ready to Buy a Hunting Lodge?

Designing the perfect hunting lodge can seem tricky, but if you focus on the interior design, appropriate furniture, and dark colors, you can give it that perfect rustic appearance! By adding some trophies from previous trips, your hunting area will be complete!



Are you interested in purchasing a custom, hand-crafted log cabin? Contact Overlook Homes today to schedule a tour or place an order!