What exactly did you have in mind? We don't see much of the rooms and pictures taken at odd angles. Are you replacing the furniture to give an updated look to the home? we really need more information and also more pictures preferably of each wall, keep in mind we're not in your room.

I don't know what a contemporary log home means to you, or more to the point, what does it mean to your in-laws. If they still live there this should be up to them. It's hard for me to imagine older folks wanting a complete redo of their house.

Log home/post and beam; it is what it is. You can add a wall; you can remove a wall, but in-laws still have the same structure.

Consider instead, an interior refresh with new paint on doors and walls, and, definitely, new furniture. Go white:

https://www.decorilla.com/online-decorating/log-cabin-modern-interior-before-after/

Exterior, yellow log siding? It can be fixed to look a bit more contemporary.

BTW, are in-laws on board? $$$$ endeavor, for sure.

Check back in on this post with a confirmation that your in-laws are on board with your post. They are the bank.

Otherwise, we are spinning wheels.

What is the scope of work? Replacing windows and doors? Refinishing the exterior logs, painting the outside trim? All new furniture? Also, are they in on this too and wanting a change? Will they continue to live there?

For simple changes - remove the curtains. Remove the window grids if they pop out easily. Paint everything that is sage either cream or deep dark navy.

What is your idea of updated? Better yet, what is your in-laws idea of updated?

The log home, itself, does not need to be updated. It’s a log home. And it looks to be in good condition.

Curtains, lamps, a few battery operated wall sconces - things of this nature can change the look and feel of the space. Mainly, just simplifying the things in the space.

I have friends who built a log home many years ago. They ended up sheet rocking over a few walls on the interior to lessen all the wood and lighten and brighten things. The house you pictured doesn't look like real logs but manufactured logs that are milled to sameness? If so, it would be even easier to add some sheetrock in some places.

If they are tired of the log look on the exterior, that one shot you posted looks like it would look wonderful if covered with shingles. I don't think changing the color of it as it is would update it much.

Declutter, get rid of frilly valances on the windows, new furniture and new area rug.

Who is "we're"? exactly, and what is the budget? What does "update" mean to the folks who will be using the space. Are the inlaws moving out?

Post pictures, minus the people . Minus any clutter.

Define the look you're after and WHERE? and for whom. Is it tone of orange walls, all new furnishings? Inside, outside, what?

Check out Sarah Richardson's body of work. Youtube has them. She white washed the inside of a ski chalet that may be your answer.

Please clarify: Who is going to live there? Are you updating the house at the in-laws' request because they are going to keep living there? Or are they moving out and you are moving in?

What is the budget range for the current round of changes?

Light is needed. Better/more lighting. Fewer or different window coverings. Light colored furniture/textiles/art.

Decluttering never hurts.

Without crucial information and clarity:

Exterior - a warm paint combination will do wonders.

Interior: What rooms are being updated and their level of changes? Will furniture be replaced to suit? How much disruption are they open to and what’s their budget. You need a comprehensive plan before moving forward. For cosmetic ideas, suggest looking on line for ideas and share with your in-laws, so they can narrow down what they would like.

Just based on the room shown (and assuming new furniture) here are two ideas. To really help though, need a floor plan and dimensions/pictures of rooms being updated, and requirements from a functionality perspective.

Until I get more information on the interior, here's a creamy white trim for the exterior giving the home a fresh Scandinavian rustic vibe.

Good to share the pictures... it's a large house. You still haven't told us what you mean by "updating to a contemporary style". Are your in laws willing to replace most of the furniture, replacing window treatment, lighting fixtures, etc.? You have a wide open question that's difficult to address without more information. Are your in laws aware of your request for ideas?

It's pretty dark. I'd start by painting the ceilings, but not the beams white to brighten it up a bit. It's very hard to understand the spaces. There appear to be mismatched couches all over the place. I'd define the spaces you need --- a living room, maybe a study, a playroom for the kids --- and then look at what spaces to assign to those needs and what furniture is needed.

I think the color of the wood is beautiful.

Since this is a large house with what seems like a lot of mismatched items, going room by room is a great idea. But still waiting for some feedback on my questions as well.

I have to ask. What is with the vent piping on that woodstove? Is that to code? I have never seen smaller pipe going to larger pipe going to silver piping. Just curious.

Are you sure your in-laws actually want "contemporary style". Nothing in that cabin says anything close to contemporary-rolling pins on the wall, roosters, old timey tools etc. Are you sure they are not just looking for updated as opposed to contemporary?

Don't have much to go on but here's a start for the living room...

Something similar to this for the kitchen... first declutter, a black tracklight for better lighting, under cabinet lighting, a roman shade on the window, painting the base of the table and the chairs in black with cushions.

@vinmarks I would guess the black pipe is uninsulated to maximize the heat distribution from what goes up the chimney and it looks like the pipe passes close to a beam so they switched to an insulated pipe to reduce the clearance from combustable materials. Tho in looking again, it looks like the black pipe is very close to the railing and doesn't look like it's insulated.

I think the wood is beautiful and venture the entire cabin is lovely and cozy -- it's just hard to see the beauty of what is there through all the shi...er...STUFF. There is STUFF everywhere -- on the walls, on the floor, on the furniture, on the counters, on top of the cabinets, on the table, hanging here and hanging down over there.

First step? Get rid of 80-90% of all that excess junk and clean up/put away the remaining clutter and that cabin will look very different. In a much improved way. After that, reassess. Purging all that clutter may be all that's needed outside of a few touches here and there.

agree ^ decluttering makes a huge difference and is totally *free* which is the best :)

Sorry didn't specify much. My in laws are moving to a in laws suit in the basement that was where my wife's grandparents were living before they passed.

Mostly color pallete is what we want to do, window shades, adding windows.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Thanks for info. Start by picking a new color palette. This article with photos gives great suggestions.

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/11-terrific-paint-color-matches-for-wood-details-stsetivw-vs~9025200

When you are ready to start removing decor to paint, that's a good time for your in-laws to decide what to move to their basement suite, what you want to re-use, and what can be donated. If they are indecisive, sort it into things you want to re-use and things you don't want to re-use, box it all up neatly, label it, and move it to a storage closet. It doesn't have to come out of storage after painting, especially when a baby's toys need the space.

The house has some great curios but an awful lot of dusting will be needed on a regular basis. New families and empty-nesters have different priorities and uses for their time.

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"My in laws are moving to a in laws suit in the basement that was where my wife's grandparents were living before they passed.

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This is a great site for many things. This is to bite off more than you can possibly chew in ideas. You will have a ten thousand comment thread of far too many ides. Add windows WHERE?

You need an interior designer. You need a contractor. You need a lot less furniture ! You need a doo dad purge. You FIRST Need a plan for the basement that ensures the comfort of the in laws.

Get an interior designer. Go through the house and be prepared to give up some furnishings. This isn't a window treatment/Color palette project......: ) It is all a buggy way too far out in front of the horse.

I think if you painted the walls white, then you would not feel the need for more windows.

You could screw in 1/4" sheetrock for a finished look...would allow a future generation to reveal the wood.

A white area rug and white walls made a big difference in our wood cabin. We used Kelly Moore Swiss Coffee23.

Rough sketch to show concept, not a paint color.

Showing the living room area with the ceiling planks painted as well as the staircase wall,, I tried to find furniture similar to what you seem to have just to show how simply decluttering can make a big difference and, as someone said above, doesn't cost anything.