Rustic is defined as simple and artless or even unsophisticated. The term is used in a slightly different capacity, however, when referencing a style of interior design. Rustic homes possess a charming coarseness that is growing ever more popular, being chiefly influenced by nature. The style is inspired by French, English and Swedish country looks, and is rugged and full of textures and lovely natural colours. Rustic bedrooms incorporate sun-washed shades and muted tones reminiscent of earth and wood. If you want to create your own rustic hide-away, here are some ideas to help you.
Walls – Walls should appear textured. Rough, bare stone and wood both help to enhance rustic décor, bringing the outdoors inside. Plaster walls should be painted. Roll the paint on lightly and unevenly to create an aged look and feel. Traditional hunting lodges – the absolute epitome of rustic style – traditionally feature animal hide rugs and wall mountings, so if you really want to go the whole hog, mount faux animal heads, or search your local antique store for the real thing.
Floor – Your floor should be timber or stone for a natural, earthy feel. If you want to soften the space and make it a little cosier pick up some imaginative, woven rugs from a thrift shop or have a go at making your own. Use vivid contrasting colours to really highlight the glossy patina of wooden floorboards and furniture.
Colour Scheme – A rustic colour scheme should be natural and earthy. Look for tones of slate, green, tan, brown, amber and grey. To make the room feel warmer and look brighter incorporate caramel tones and shades of cream. This palette should be used for all furnishings. Walls which are not stone or wood should be painted a light colour, with perhaps one accent wall in a shade taken from your colour scheme.
Wood Burner – A wood-burner instantly adds a rustic look to a living room, and can save you a lot of money on your heating bills in winter. During the colder months, your home will feel warm and cosy, and the firelight will lend a rich reddish shade to your wooden features. Check out a retailer like Fireplace Products to look at a wide selection and choose the perfect piece for your home.
Décor – In a rustic-style home, the key element should be wood, so absolutely fill your space with wooden furnishings. If you know someone who’s good at DIY, save money by buying some logs and having them transformed into tables or seating. Pine is probably the best timber to use for your décor, stained with a mid to dark tone to really enhance the rustic beauty of your home. The rustic look should be layered through with rough timber accessories, fur or woollen fabrics, and soft lighting evocative of the cosy feeling of firelight playing on the walls should be used.
You can add a further interesting twist with metal worked furniture. Try having metal seats at a wooden table, softened with cushions which match the rest of your colour palette. The materials work together to enhance the wood in the rest of your home, and their deviation really draws the eye, making them fantastic centre pieces. Make sure that the metal is a subtle tone, as the neutral shades will complement each other and provide a harmonious feel to the space.
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