rustic If you hear the term “rustic décor” and instantly think of a log cabin deep in the middle of the woods, you might want to take another look at the genre. A rustic interior design style doesn’t necessarily require branches gathered straight from the forest, or repurposed furniture from garage sales, to accomplish its earthy, effortless vibe. The rustic style is also not reserved only for homes in the mountains, or country. When done right, rustic décor has a very natural appeal that can be applied in any home — and while you certainly can craft your own decorations from twigs and branches you find outside, you can also pull off an alternatively elegant rustic décor style that brings sophistication to your space with a natural feel. Here are just a few ways to make your home elegantly rustic:

Open Floor Plan

You know the feeling of that natural high that accompanies spending time outdoors? It seems to flow into you straight from the fresh air itself, the blue skies, and the feeling of no boundaries. In order to mimic that same feeling of freedom and space in your rustic décor, seek open floor plans wherever you can. Instead of using walls to designate spaces, use the décor itself – like pieces of furniture, rugs, or lighting. It’s okay if one living space blurs into another; that’s how Mother Nature does it, after all. Avoid rigid boundaries that limit the flowing, airy feel of your living space.

Natural Color Scheme

Perhaps the best way to invoke a connection to nature, aside from directly planting a tree in the middle of your bedroom, is through color. You can find inspiration in the lively forest flora, the acorns of an oak tree, a sparrow’s feather, spring blossoms, and gorgeous skies. Shades of greens, brown, white and blue can add rustic appeal to your home, whether as paint on kitchen walls or throw pillows in the living room. If you’re looking for an extra pop of color, consider the orange and yellow hues of a sunset for accent pieces. A natural color scheme allows you to feel the calm of the outdoors right in the middle of your living room.

Exposed Architecture

The old-school definition of rustic décor includes exposed wood beams, and unpolished wood flooring. While these elements definitely still have a place in modern rustic design, there are other contemporary ways to give your space the same feel. If you don’t like the look of unpolished flooring, or you’re simply working in a space with walls and floors already finished, you can find alternative ways to embrace this aspect of rustic style. Find ways to make your home feel more open, or to reveal elements of the building. Consider exposing vents, ceiling lights, and other architectural elements of your home. Opt for higher ceilings, even if it means seeing the rafters. This takes away the “boxy” feel of some rooms, lending to the open space concept of modern rustic design.  

Large Windows

Natural lighting will brighten up your rustic décor, and is the most direct way (aside from simply having no ceiling) to connect your home to what’s happening in the outside world. Install larger windows if you can, or hang curtains with a light color and fabric over your existing windows to brighten them up. Letting in that light not only perks up the aesthetic, but natural lighting is a proven boost to health, happiness and productivity.  So go for the big windows and skylights, and open blinds and drapes whenever possible. These permanent architectural choices are timeless, and will support any décor changes you make going forward — even if you stray away from rustic in the future.

Stone Accents

While rustic décor traditionally uses a lot of wooden elements, the sleek and smooth texture of stone is also a great way to bring nature inside. The right stone features can elevate the elegance of your home tremendously — this is true for both interior and exterior elements. For an elegant take on the rustic design style, identify anywhere you could use brick materials, and consider stone instead. You might incorporate a stone fireplace, stone steps at the front porch, or a stone driveway. The trick with stone is to make it a highlight — not a major design component. Too much stone will make your interior space feel cold, but the right stone accents will emphasize its positive impact on the rest of your modern rustic décor.

Animal Hide

You’ve thought about nature-inspired materials like wood and stone, but don’t forget about an important living aspect of nature: animal life. Whether it’s woodland critters, mountain dwellers, or ranch residents, there are hundreds of animals who can lend inspiration for interior design. The natural beauty and peaceful aura of many animals can bring a lot of intrigue to a space. Cowhide and sheepskin are two trending animal materials in rustic spaces. These fabrics are sophisticated, classic, and have a suave way of making everything seem more expensive. If you are ethically opposed to using real animal materials in your home, look for faux leather and fur designs — there are plenty available that encompass the beauty and feel of patterns and textures we see in the animal world.

Modern Furniture

The modern design aesthetic focuses on clean designs and solid colors, for a look of simplicity and timelessness. Modern rustic design builds on this by incorporating natural materials, like wood and various types of leather. The build and functionality of furniture is often more important than the aesthetic, when it comes to a rustic space. Avoid prints or bright colors, and focus instead on the comfort and quality of your furniture. Furniture should not stand out, but should seamlessly integrate with the other rustic elements of your home. Creating a modern rustic home takes some sophisticated thought. It’s about so much more than wood flooring and a stone fireplace. With the right combination of color scheme, furniture, fabric choices, lighting and space designation, your take on the modern rustic aesthetic will bring natural joy into your home.