Rustic Interior Design Style Guide: 5 Elements of Rustic Style

Rustic interior design emphasizes organic materials and natural elements. Many associate this interior design style with the rustic look of log cabins, country style, or farmhouse-style homes, though rustic doesn’t have to be any of those things. A rustic style can be mixed with, and applied to many other design styles, including boho, coastal, and even French country.

Unlike the luxe elements of other interior designs, rustic decor style is simply unpretentious. A rustic vibe will not rely on ornate centerpieces or chandeliers. Instead, rustic interior styling may include throw pillows made out of burlap, cowhide rugs, and wood walls or side tables. The main element of designing a rustic home is to create a space that is warm, inviting, and as natural as possible. From a stone fireplace to a mason jar to countertops with raw edges, a rustic touch is soft, natural, or both.

This style is most apparent in the affluent country houses of the United States and Europe, though any home can also include rustic elements. From wood floors to coarse and raw materials, rustic design ideas often combine mountain and ranch-style living with vintage elements.

Rustic style elements are derived from the lifestyle of United States homesteaders in the early nineteenth century. Their homes were simple and focused on creating warm, inviting spaces they could relax in after a long day of work.

Modern rustic styles have increased in popularity, and it’s common to hear homeowners request rustic home decor on home makeover television shows. Restaurants are, surprisingly, at the root of the modern rustic trend. Their casual use of reclaimed wood shelving, neutral paint colors, barn doors, chalkboards, and other rustic kitchen elements led the way for entire rustic style homes.

These rustic spaces, though timeless, promote the ideals of ecodesign and conservation-minded living in one’s own home. This design style is great for those who desire to rest among natural beauty and bring the outside in. Rustic interior design is also wonderful for those who love to DIY, as this style favors handmade statement pieces.

Natural materials and natural beauty are the main inspiration for rustic interior design. Home decor ideas include soft linens in the bedroom, a wood slab dining room table, or a tree stump coffee table. Here are five characteristics of the interior design style:

1. 1. Earthy colors: A brown, gray, green, and red color scheme can make a space more comforting. Try to keep your color palette monochrome and muted, and look to natural plains or the forest for inspiration.
   
2. 2. Raw material: Incorporate rugged materials such as terracotta and stone, or softer materials such as plaid blankets or furs to create a rustic living room. Hang some metal sconces, use shiplap paneling, or purchase a bookshelf made from recycled materials. You can personalize your rustic interior by repurposing items, for example using an old door as a dining table. If your home already features details like exposed wood beams in the entryway, make those details a focal point.
3. 3. Animal Inspiration: Nature-inspired statement pieces such as antlers hung above the fireplace, or animal hide rugs in your master bedroom or living room bring the outdoors inside. For a more subtle look, a leather couch or chair can also help create a more rustic vibe.
   
4. 4. Greenery: Live plants will open up the space adding a pop of bright color, and also create a woodsy feel. Consider hanging vine-style plants above your kitchen cabinets for a cascading look or hanging a wreath to enhance the greenery of your wall decor. Whether you choose to plant in mason jars, old crates, pallets, or small jute material pots, greens are a seamless way to bring the outside in.
5. 5. Warm ambiance: A rustic living space should be cozy and inviting. Build a crackling blaze burning in the stone fireplace, or just light a cinnamon wood wicked candle. Make scent or sound a focal point of the decor to bring the feeling of nature into your rustic bedroom or modern farmhouse.

Rustic furniture and decorating ideas can be found in a multitude of places. Whether you choose to DIY or work with an interior designer to create a dream rustic farmhouse, consider taking a visit to your local flea market, consignment store, or estate sale to find items and decor ideas.

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