Whenever you hear the words ‘rustic home,’ you may immediately picture a log cabin sitting in the woods with snow all around it and a fire burning in the fireplace inside. Yes, this is an idyllic picture for a rustic home. However, the rustic design actually applies to anything from rustic decor to the modern farmhouse style to actual log cabins in the woods. 

With all of the uses of the word ‘rustic,’ there are actual concepts to consider when planning a home design or a remodel that includes a rustic design. Rustic components are essential to utilize to create the right ambiance to your home when seeking out a cozy, warm feeling to each room in your home. 

Why Rustic?

When talking about rustic home design, then the terminology can be very vague. What is considered rustic, and what isn’t? Rustic can encompass many things, but the overall consensus for what makes something rustic is that it is a particular design type that adds many components to it. 

Some of the elements that define a rustic design include casual yet warm. Other components include natural but rough as well as aged but cozy. Many styles can be defined as rustic such as a rustic cottage or a rustic lodge. Of course, there is also a minimalistic modern design that has one farmhouse-style piece as a focal point. 

Many people choose this style to create the perfect, simplistic look for their home that emanates warmth and coziness. A rustic design works with natural materials and utilizes open spaces while also making the house warm and inviting. This can also include opening up the basic features of your home, such as wood flooring that may be hiding underneath the carpet and exposing brick that may be behind a wall. This design also means utilizing awkward spaces in your homes, such as old kitchen cabinets or a nook that you haven’t used before. 

How To Go Rustic

There are several things to consider when it comes to creating that perfect rustic appeal in every room of your home. You’ll want to consider a wide variety of aesthetics that fit in with the terminology. Listed here are ways to keep your home rustic:

1. Using Natural Materials 

Of course, when you think of the term ‘rustic,’ then you likely think of a lodge, farmhouse, or a log cabin. These are both typically made out of natural materials. When creating a rustic look for your home, then you’ll want to use natural materials as much as possible. This can mean anything from using wood throughout your flooring in your house to highlight any wooden beams in your house. This can also encompass wooden furniture or wooden accents around your home. 

Another natural material to consider using for a rustic home design is stone. Stone is an excellent option as it can be used for many areas around your home. You can use it in your shower design as well as your fireplace design. You can use flagstone flooring for many rooms in your home as well. 

2. Utilizing Appliances and Fixtures 

When it comes to creating the perfect rustic kitchen, then you’ll want to properly assess how you use appliances and fixtures in your kitchen. The pros over at farmhousesink.com recommend using a smart farmhouse sink design for your kitchen that will fit with the size and layout of your kitchen while keeping with the rustic kitchen design at the same time. You can also consider using metal in your kitchen, such as your light fixtures and wall fixtures. This can include utilizing copper, iron, and brass to give you a look that you want for your rustic kitchen. 

3. Color 

When planning the color patterns for a rustic home, you want to keep everything neutral and straightforward. Any appliances, decorations, and rustic wall hangings that you find, together with exposed areas of your home, such as exposed brick, should maintain a similar tone. Any pale or neutral color will look great with the wood furnishings and exposed beams that you’ll end up using, so don’t fret over these simple colors. 

4. Eclectic Design and Furniture

You’ll want to be sure that you aren’t worrying too much about everything matching or having the same furniture throughout your house. You can manage this by getting creative with your space and creating the open, cozy feel you want while collecting or refurbishing old flooring or furniture pieces. You can also find new pieces that will fit in with a rustic look. It’s also good to avoid any form of cohesive lines when applied to rustic home design. This means that you want to showcase any imperfections on the beams, wood, or furniture in your home instead of hiding it. Natural materials are certainly not perfect, and it is important to showcase those flaws. 

5. Purpose 

When creating the right rustic feel to your home, then you want to ensure that everything that you use has a purpose. The rustic look is practical. It also contains things that have a function to them, rather than just looking nice or taking up space. You can include lots of cozy furniture and decorate with warm blankets. Trinkets around the living room can include anything from lamps to rustic trunks that can serve as a storage space. When decorating a room for functional use, keep in mind that everything that goes into it can be used for some reason or another. 

With all of the elements that you can take into consideration for embracing the rustic look while designing any room in your home, then you’ll want to keep these tips in mind at the same time. The main things to remember are to embrace all that is natural in terms of materials used and materials displayed in the room. You’ll also want to use natural fabrics such as canvas or a burlap rug to really enhance the rustic vibe in your home. When going rustic, seeking out the earthy vibe and raw materials are the best way to start.