You may have heard the word rustic crop up when discussing interior design styles. But have you ever wondered what rustic decor signifies?
Rustic interior design came into being when early settlers in the US put together homesteads using materials they found in the vicinity. As most of the furniture was hand-hewn, it was rough and rustic.
Well, the settlers had no other option, but today, rustic home interiors are a favourite with designers and homeowners alike. This trend is never going out of style!
So, What is Rustic Decor?
If you want the feel of the outdoors in your interiors, then rustic decor is right up your alley. So how do you add a rustic vibe to your decor? Here’s how!
The elements that define rustic decor are:
- It’s rugged and has a natural beauty to it
- Natural materials such as wood, greenery, and stone are its defining elements
- Rustic style decor uses natural elements such as knots in the wood, and rusted metal in fittings to highlight beauty in things
In short, gorgeous chandeliers, plush carpets, and plastics are a strict no-no.
Rustic Home Interiors
Giving your home a rustic ambience is not difficult. Not only does this look work in any area of your home, but it also works wonderfully in your kitchen.
Want to check out the different ways in which you can make rustic home interiors your theme? Let’s go for it!
Flooring – What’s it to Be; Stone or Wood?
Wooden planks laid out on the floor give your home a rugged rustic appeal. Railway sleepers have a perfectly worn and tarnished finish and are excellent not only for the flooring but as tabletops too.
Red floor tiles are great too, and look amazing in a kitchen. You can pair this flooring with wooden cabinets and beams, if the height allows. Otherwise, some wooden shelving will give the right look.
Wooden Panelling Works all the Time
Yes, you are aiming for a raw and rustic ambience. But hey, it’s ok to give a modern twist to the style!
A play of vertical and horizontal panels is not uncommon. But how about adding a grey tint to your panelling?
It doesn’t take anything away from the rustic theme, but adds an interesting element to the decor. The contrast of brown on grey defines the bed area, making it take centre stage. It’s taking the rustic theme to a whole new level! You can go with light tones of polish, or even go for a whitewashed look as a contrast to your wooden tones.
This concept is not only excellent for your master bedroom, but can be perfect for your kid’s room too!
Go White with Your Walls
Okay, paneling isn’t in your budget. That’s fine. Because whitewashed walls work just as well. Open brickwork is also an option to accentuate the rustic theme.
You can add wooden flooring to your rustic home interior to complete the look. Or you can keep it simple by adding a few rustic add-ons, such as wickerwork furniture or cane baskets.
Open brick walls with complementing white walls are ideal for living room spaces too.
The Beauty of Wooden Beams
Beams on your ceiling give your room decor a decided edge. Thick, wooden girders on the ceiling are a class apart. Go natural with your polish for authentic rustic decor. You can pair this look with exposed brick walls or go with a splash of white paint.
The add-ons? A comfy couch, a few easy chairs, and maybe a rustic wooden cabinet with plenty of visible knots will do the trick. You can use beams in the kitchen and the bedrooms too, if your area is roomy. Beams in small spaces can dwarf the place.
If you want beams in your small rooms, opt for thinner slats of wood for your ceiling.
Natural Colours
Earthy colours such as rust, dark browns, moss green, and beige are excellent for a rustic home interior. To get a handle on this colour scheme, check out the fallen leaves, the bark of a tree, and the colours of the foliage. Avoid sharp greens as they will defeat the purpose. You can use these shades in the stone of the flooring, the rust shade of an exposed brick wall, the wooden furniture, and the handwoven throw rugs.
Animal Prints
Faux animal skin can add that extra oomph to your rustic home decor. However, it needs a subtle touch. Let’s face it. Zebra stripes on the cushions are not going to feel comfortable with a leopard print in their midst. You can almost see the cushions scooting for cover!
Sheepskin rugs are an option. Faux leather couches are great too. You can embellish the animal print theme by adding a single piece to the decor. Let it do all the talking.
Decorating your home is always an exciting adventure. Rustic home decor is not hard to achieve, even with your modern furniture design. What’s more, it doesn’t cost a bundle to put up a bit of panelling and amalgamating rustic elements in your decor. Seems dicey? Check out the HomeLane blog; it may have some more interesting ideas up its sleeve that are just perfect for you!
