Rustic decor gives an emphasis to a homespun, unpretentious beauty that’s filled with natural elements and earthy colors. The result is a warm and organic look that is homely and charming, a style that almost everyone can appreciate and is easy to love.
The rustic, farmhouse design is also a timeless look and is rather easy to create compared to other styles. Here are some ideas to give your home that rustic feel.
Natural Wood Furniture and Antique Hardware
Compared to shabby chic design which favors distressed finishes, country chic is more about the natural state of things. As such, consider not painting those wooden floors, walls, and furniture. Rustic decor is all about texture, and feeling every knot and grain of the wood and seeing their various tones will contribute greatly to the look you’re going for.
When it comes to hardware, antique or at least antique-looking is the way to go. Antique drapery hardware like bronze or wooden curtain rods and wall hooks, cabinet handles, and doorknobs are among the easiest elements to incorporate. If you’re not a fan of the antique look, you can opt for rusted-looking or non-shiny metals.
Quilts or Hand-Sewn Blankets
Rustic homes have a lot of wood, and the best way to “lighten” the look is to use quilted blankets, throw covers, and pillowcases. Consider hand-sewn pieces or those that are at least made to look like they are hand-sewn. You can choose either light or dark colors, as long as they stand out against the wood. Many people go for frilly, dainty patterns like florals, but some avoid these and instead stick to big, bold patterns like plaids and stripes. And nothing beats a vintage crazy quilt!
Jute and Sisal Accessories
These fibers have rough textures that match perfectly with the rustic theme. You can find various home accessories that incorporate these materials, like braided rugs, baskets, storage bins, and even table runners. Search sites like Target and TJMaxx for keywords like “wicker”, “seagrass”, “jute”, and “banana leaf” to find decor items with this look that’s essential to farmhouse decor.
Nature-Inspired Accents
Since country chic is all about nature, incorporating pieces that are inspired by nature are perfect choices. Think of driftwood lamps, log stools, and countertops hewn directly from tree trunks. Even small details like drawer handles that are designed to look like tree branches can make a big impact in achieving a rustic design scheme.
Wood-Paneled Walls
This is a huge architectural element that anchors the country chic look. Cedar is a popular choice for wood paneling, along with oak, teak, and walnut. If you can’t incorporate paneled walls to your interior design, perhaps due to some structural constraints, white or off-white paint provides a blank canvas to accommodate rustic decor, which at times can look a bit dark. There are also faux wood panels that look like the real thing (if a little too polished at times) at a fraction of the cost. Just be prepared to do a bit of DIY weathering to achieve a rustic texture.
An Inviting Fireplace
No country chic home is complete without a cozy fireplace that’s made of heavy, natural elements like rock, stone, or brick. A thick mantle, usually made of wood and decorated with more natural or nature-inspired accessories like wood carvings, candles, faux deer antlers, and wood-framed photographs, is also an essential element in a rustic living room or family room.
The country chic style also looks wonderful outdoors. If you don’t have a lot of space, focus on incorporating larger elements, like a wooden chair with wagon wheels, instead of using several small items which might end up looking cluttered. This would help the design flow seamlessly from the outside in, completing your home’s rustic look.
