interiors

Interior design is a reflection of the homemaker. Consider this – you enter a home and immediately fall in love with the furniture because it screams ‘you’. The colour palette personally speaks to your psychological cues, whether you prefer cool shades for serenity or warm and hot shades to reflect your passion. The design styles made from natural materials make you feel connected to nature and an array of DIY items and home decor makes you feel closer to your spirit animal or simply your inner thoughts. Now, wouldn’t this be a lovely home for you? Rustic interior design, in particular, holds a special natural beauty that cannot be mimicked with modern and contemporary interior design ideas. The repurposed natural wood, DIY decor ideas, neutral colours, not to mention the stone fireplaces can all bind together exquisite styling and home design. They bring about a rustic feel to the house which makes the entire space seem cosy and comfortable. It is a never-ending vacation for the senses.

In this traditional sense, rustic design might seem heavy and dark. Today, however, a more contemporary style has emerged with a fresh and light aesthetic. Lovers of all things natural are bound to enjoy cosying up in a welcoming rustic interior. The unfussy, casual beauty of rustic interior design satisfies more than just the senses, it also soothes the soul with its comforting ambiance. Whether you’re looking to add some rustic appeal to your home or create a cabin getaway, this style has a place in any setting. Below are some rustic style elements and decorating ideas to get you started…

Raw, natural materials

Start by stripping your home back to its original features. This could include natural wood, tile or stone floors, exposed wood beams on the ceiling, brick walls, fireplaces, or wooden doors and window frames. If your home doesn’t have any of these features, you can create a rustic look by installing wide plank wood floors. These are simple and solid in appearance and provide the perfect foundation upon which to create a rustic style.

Comfy and weathered furniture

Large, solid pieces of furniture are more complementary to rustic interior design. Mixing furniture made from reclaimed wood, with repurposed and vintage pieces will add visual interest and a beautiful, cosy rustic charm. Furniture best suited to a rustic home interior has a little roughness – think raw wood frames, carved stone, textured linen pillows. There is also a great sense of reusing and repurposing in rustic interior design. As a result, worn and weathered tables and couches – those that come with a story or are beautifully ornate – are not uncommon. That said, the pieces that last are the sturdiest, practical, and easy or comfortable to use.

Textured, organic textiles

Once your floors and key pieces of furniture are in place; natural, unprinted, textured fabrics, throws and rugs will add a rustic warmth and cosiness to your space. Canvas, burlap, wool, linen, jute and sisal are perfect rustic home decor choices.

The colour palette is, predictably, natural

The colour palette swings heavily towards neutral, but there is room for bold, so long as it keeps to earthy tones. Greens, browns, and greys are common, and it favours warmth, so it doesn’t feel too cold and stark. Colours of nature are perfect for a rustic house interior. Often an earthy, nature-inspired colour scheme translates into neutral and subdued tones, but that’s not always the case. There can be bold pops too. The outdoors not only have greens and browns but also feature many other hues, from reds to blues. However, when in doubt, stick to a muted colour to ensure a warming interior.

It gets a little gritty

Rustic furniture and fabrics have a bit of a roughness to them. The design is never perfect, as much of it is made from raw woods and stone, so it feels a bit undone. A variety of shapes, textures, and colours from the natural materials ensures that the pieces are unique. You want to feel as though your materials have been roughened up a bit by the elements, so you’ll often find reclaimed wood or driftwood. As for textiles, go for rawer fabrics such as jute or animal hide.

Warm and inviting

Just as with the warm colour palette, the design seeks to create an atmosphere that’s comfortable and inviting. An oversized fireplace will often be the centre of a living room, and even though everything is a bit raw, the warm colours, texture in the form of woven baskets or rugs, and natural textiles make it feel particularly homey.

But you don’t have to go full rustic to get that cosy vibe. The best designs are those with an element of surprise. Rustic elements can be incorporated into any design style, as long as it’s calculated and well-measured.

Rustic interior dos and don’ts

Quite simply, a rustic home interior feels lived-in and inviting. However casual the look may be, rustic interior design still has a few rules to abide by if you want an updated home interior. Keeping to these dos and don’ts will set you on your way to perfecting the look.

Do add natural elements: A rustic house interior is an ode to the natural world, so bringing the outside in with natural materials is a good idea. These can include wood, clay, stone as well as living greens. An arrangement of potted herbs, for instance, is well at home in a rustic house.

Don’t rely on contemporary materials like plastics: Since a relaxed, natural air is at the core of rustic interiors, sleek and ultra-modern pieces can look out of place in a rustic setting.

Do opt for a neutral natural colour scheme: Any hue found in nature is perfect – think mossy greens, olive, earthy browns, and pale blue.

Don’t incorporate contrasting colours: Too much contrast can detract from the peaceful atmosphere so characteristic of rustic interiors. Use the outdoors for inspiration and as a guide for your colour palette.

Do play with oversized furniture and fabrics: A grand pillow back sofa, for instance, can make the most welcoming basis against wide-panelled wood walls or plank floors. However, keep the scale of your furniture in mind and use oversizing in moderation.

Don’t go for glossy finishes: Matte and weathered finishes are key to a rustic house interior because they speak to the core of the style. Instead of shiny surfaces, choose brushed brass, wood, or iron.