Rustic style wholeheartedly embraces the natural beauty of the outdoors. Materials are left as raw and unadulterated as possible, with exposed wood beams, brick and stone; big, comfy furniture; and warm, cozy textiles. Inspired by woods, plains, rivers and lakes, rustic style can be as simple and pared-back as a one-room log cabin or as jaw-dropping as a ski lodge perched on a mountainside. And while rustic style is inspired by the past, today’s interpretation can lean contemporary with more streamlined furnishings, depending on your personal design sensibility.
Rustic style is:
- Rugged. Furnishings are hardy and made to stand up to heavy wear. Materials are tough and weathered — pieces that look better with age fit right in.
- Cozy. Rustic style embraces the home comforts we crave after a day spent outdoors, including fireplaces, overstuffed armchairs and warming textiles.
Rustic style is not:
- Complicated. Rustic style is about getting away from it all, not complicating life with fussy decor. Keep it simple and straightforward.
- Trendy. Tradition and heritage are rustic style’s strong suits. Leave the passing fads in favor of pieces that will stand the test of time.
- Polished. Think softly gleaming wood, not highly polished chrome, and you’ll be on the right track.
In rustic spaces, wood is a key ingredient, not an afterthought. Whether you opt for wood beams, wall paneling, floors, counters, furniture or all the above, you can’t go wrong with natural wood in a rustic home.
Rustic homes tend toward colors pulled directly from nature — think of the rusty red of a fallen autumn leaf, not glossy fire-engine red. Echo the hues of natural materials like stone and warm woods with paint colors and accents in similar shades for a rich, cozy look.
Great shades for rustic-style spaces:
- Neutrals. Buttermilk, cream, straw, wheat, stone
- Earth tones: Chestnut, mushroom, umber, terra-cotta, sepia
- Spicy hues. Cinnamon, saffron, pumpkin, chile pepper, baked apple
Furniture that looks as strong as an ox will feel right at home in a rustic space. Look for solid wood coffee tables and leather armchairs and sofas. Solids make up the bulk of upholstery, with texture playing a larger role than pattern — think of buttery leather, soft velvet, nubby linen or even burlap, with classic details like tufts and nailhead trim.
A chandelier offers just the right balance of big statement and soft glow for a rustic space, whether it’s a classic candelabra fixture, a wood wagon wheel or a naturally shed or resin antler fixture. For maximum ambiance, be sure to include a dimmer switch.
Express a love and respect for nature and the outdoors through carefully chosen art, textiles and accessories that bring to mind the creatures, landscapes and traditions of your region and envelop you in cozy comfort.
Classic accessories for rustic spaces:
No way. Rustic style is about embracing the beauty of the outdoors, no matter where you live. In fact, incorporating a rustic look into a suburban or urban home can be a wonderful way to feel connected to nature, even if you can’t get away to the mountains as often as you would like. Case in point, this inviting rustic-style space is far from the mountains in Austin, Texas.
With a tumbled slate backsplash, a copper farmhouse sink, a live-edge counter and lots of knotty lumber, this room is a spot-on example of a rustic kitchen done right. Rich with natural materials and exuding comfort and warmth, a rustic kitchen has wide appeal.
Features of rustic kitchens:
- Brick and stone. Natural materials are a must, and the less polished the better. Consider slate, soapstone, brick, stone veneer or even a brick oven or kitchen fireplace.
- Natural wood. Exposed wood beams, wood flooring, knotty wood cabinetry, a farm table, butcher block and other wood accents bring warmth to a rustic kitchen.
- Soft lighting. Of course you need good, bright task lights over your work surface. But in a rustic kitchen, it’s also nice to have the option to turn down the dimmer a bit and bask in a warm glow.
- Weathered hardware. Go for cabinet pulls in antiqued brass, hammered copper or oil-rubbed bronze. Or opt for something more whimsical like twig- or stone-shaped hardware.
This content was originally published here.