A rustic exterior is a classic look that you can never go wrong with. There’s very little room for error and it’s very hard to mess up. You can claim practically anything that’s half done or a little rough around the edges as rustic and receive no complaints from anyone. But if you’re looking for that very specific rustic look, you do have to put in more than a bit of effort.
Thankfully, achieving a rustic exterior isn’t that hard to do and if you’re lucky, you might already have all that it needs. So here are some tips to help you achieve that rusting look in your home.
Use a lot of wood
Natural wood is probably the first thing you think of when you think of that rustic look. And you’d be right. Wood is a primary material in rustic design. Going rustic is all about that natural look and you can’t go more natural than wood. The good thing about wood is that it’s very versatile. You can use it in many components and it’ll still look good on everyone, though of course, that would depend on the type of wood you use and how you use it.
An easy way to achieve a rustic design with wood is through wooden furniture. Chances are, you already have some lying around the house. Choosing a wood that looks a little rougher or not as smoothed out actually adds to that rustic look and feel. Even better if you’ve got actual log furniture.
Another way you can incorporate wood into your design is through wood panel walls or wood siding. It gives that simple yet elegant look and works great as accent walls. And yet another way is by having synthetic wood shingles that perfectly imitate the look and texture of actual wood.
Of course, using real wood in your house comes with the risk of it rotting if it gets too moist and accumulating mold and mildew, but thankfully, there are many imitation wood sidings, wallpaper, and shingles that you can use instead while you can still use real wood for furniture.
Make use of stone too
What’s more natural than wood? Stone, of course. The mixture of wood and stone, in fact, is such a natural and go-to combination when it comes to the rustic design. You can complement wooden doors and furniture with stone walls, or have your very own stone garden or decorate your front lawn and backyard with stone paths. It’s hardy, it’s elegant, and with the right uses, it can improve how an entire room looks.
Wood is all well and good, but too much of a good thing is still a bad thing. Break that monotony by incorporating a little variety and using stone in combination with your wood.
Have wicker furniture
Another great way to give a room a more rustic feel is by having wicker furniture. As mentioned earlier, too much of one material in a room creates monotony and just isn’t as exciting, or just makes the room dull. In addition to stone and wood, you can add some wicker in there too. You can have wicker armchairs, stools, ottomans, coffee and side tables, and of course the classic wicker basket. Go for that nice handmade look and make a room feel more cozy and comfortable by adding wicker details, especially artwork and decor.
Bring out the antiques
One of the stars of rustic interiors is antique furniture. Antiques fit right in with the rustic design. It could be one of the few design choices where antiques really shine. If you’ve been wondering where to make grandma’s old wardrobe or ancient armchair look more natural inside your house, look no further. If something still doesn’t seem to fit, you can repurpose it to not only give it a new look but also a new life and purpose.
Warm and earthy colors
As much as possible, limit your coloring scheme to neutral and earth tones. Meaning lots of brown, beige, green, and everything in between. The good thing about an earthy color palette is that it’s very warm meaning that even though it’s more subdued, it doesn’t seem uninviting or cold. With enough creative use of colors, such as in accent pieces or texture, you can still achieve a warm and welcoming interior with even the smallest range of colors.
Aim for simplicity
Rustic design, much like minimalism, prides itself on being more on the simple side of things. It’s all about appreciating natural materials and making do with the bare essentials. That’s not to say, of course, that you can’t achieve rustic with maximalism. If you’re a maximalist, you can definitely still use natural materials and fixtures while maintaining the ‘more is more’ philosophy of maximalism. But for the most part, a rustic design aims for simplicity and making something look effortless and organic.
A rustic design is one of the easiest design choices you can make for a home, which makes it the perfect choice for anyone who isn’t much of a designer or doesn’t have that big of a budget. Follow these tips, find a good balance between materials and colors, and you’re on your way to having your own little cabin in the woods vibe at home.