Rustic Style Interior Design Ideas

Get Back to Nature: How to Incorporate Rustic Style into Your Interior Design

By Interior Designer, Tracy Svendsen | Updated August 2023

Rustic Style Interior Design Ideas: Are you yearning for a home that reflects the simplicity and beauty of nature? If so, incorporating rustic style into your interior design might be the perfect solution.

Rustic style brings the natural elements of the outdoors inside, creating a warm, inviting, timeless, and cozy atmosphere. With its emphasis on reclaimed wood, earthy colors, and textured fabrics, rustic style is a versatile design choice easily tailored to any home.

Whether you live in a cozy cabin in the woods or a modern city apartment, adding rustic touches can create a sense of tranquility and connection to the natural world around you. In this article, we will explore the various elements of rustic style and provide tips on incorporating them into your interior design.

From choosing the right furniture and decor to embracing natural materials and finishes, you’ll discover how to create a truly rustic and inviting space that brings the beauty of nature into your home. Get ready to reconnect with nature and transform your living space with rustic style. 

In the featured image above, this log home, designed by East Coast-based decorator Pauline Pitt, features views of the Rocky Mountain’s Pyramid Peak. The home has Navajo-style carpets, antlers fashioned into chandeliers, and a strong focus on sentimental details. Image courtesy of Architectural Digest

What is Rustic Style in Interior Design?

Rustic style is a design aesthetic that draws inspiration from nature and the countryside. It embraces organic textures, natural materials, and a warm color palette to create a rustic yet refined space.

This style often incorporates reclaimed wood, stone, and wrought iron to create authenticity and connection to the outdoors. In a rustic interior, you’ll often find exposed beams, rough-hewn wood, and a mix of earthy colors like browns, greens, and neutrals. The goal is to create a cozy, lived-in space in harmony with nature.

Interior design by Pauline Pitt 
Image courtesy of Architectural Digest

Interior design by Pauline Pitt 
Image courtesy of Architectural Digest

Benefits of Incorporating Rustic Style into Your Home

 Incorporating rustic style into your home has numerous benefits beyond its aesthetic appeal. One of the main advantages is the sense of tranquility and relaxation it brings. Using natural materials and earthy colors can create a soothing environment that helps you unwind from the stresses of daily life.

Another benefit is the timelessness of rustic style. Unlike trends that come and go, rustic design has stood the test of time. Its timeless appeal means that your home will always feel warm and inviting, regardless of the current design trends.

Additionally, rustic design often emphasizes sustainability and eco-friendliness. By using reclaimed wood and other recycled materials, you can reduce your environmental impact while creating a beautiful space.

A Luxurious Yet Rustic Aspen, Colorado, Vacation Home
Image courtesy of Architectural Digest

Rustic Style Elements and Materials

One of the key elements in rustic interior design is using natural materials, such as wood, stone, and leather. These materials add warmth and texture to the space, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Reclaimed wood is a popular choice for rustic interiors.

It brings character and history to your space and a sense of sustainability. You can use reclaimed wood for everything from flooring and furniture to accent walls and ceiling beams. Another essential element of rustic style is texture. Textured fabrics like burlap, linen, and wool can add depth and visual interest to your space. Consider using these fabrics for curtains, throw pillows, and upholstery.

Modern Montana Home Puts an Elegant Spin on Rustic Living
Image courtesy of Architectural Digest

Interior designer Madeline Stuart and architect David Lake of Lake|Flato Architects collaborate on an enlightened home that settles gracefully into its pristine prairie landscape

Color Schemes for Rustic Interior Design

Think of earthy tones and natural hues for color schemes for rustic interior design. Browns, greens, and neutrals are the foundation of a rustic color palette. These colors mimic the natural world and create a sense of harmony and tranquility.

Consider using warm browns and rich earth tones for a cozy and warm feel. These colors can be found in natural materials like wood, stone, and clay. You can also incorporate pops of color inspired by nature, such as deep greens or warm oranges.

Consider pairing these earthy tones with lighter neutrals like whites, creams, and beiges to create contrast and add visual interest. This will help balance the space and prevent it from feeling too heavy or dark.

Rustic Style Interior Design: Modern Rustic Living Room
Image courtesy of Architectural Digest

Bonetti/Kozerski Studio renovated the New Paltz, New York, residence of Los Angeles–based filmmaker Shawn Levy. The living room features a sofa and cocktail and end tables by Restoration Hardware.

Furniture and Decor Ideas for a Rustic Look

Opt for pieces that reflect the natural world when choosing furniture and decor for a rustic look. Look for furniture made from reclaimed wood or distressed finishes. These pieces will add character and a sense of history to your space.

Consider using upholstered furniture in textured fabrics like burlap or linen for seating. These fabrics add warmth and comfort while still maintaining the rustic aesthetic.

Regarding decor, embrace natural elements like branches, antlers, and dried flowers. Use these pieces to create unique wall art or table centerpieces. Mix and match different textures and materials to add depth and visual interest to your space.

Rustic Living Room
Image courtesy of Jake Arnold Design

Rustic Lighting Options

Rustic Lighting: Lighting plays a crucial role in creating a rustic atmosphere. To achieve a rustic look, opt for warm and soft lighting. Avoid harsh overhead lights and instead create a cozy and inviting ambiance.

One popular lighting choice for rustic interiors is chandeliers or pendant lights made from wrought iron or weathered metal. These fixtures add a touch of elegance while still maintaining the rustic aesthetic.

You can also incorporate table and floor lamps with fabric shades to create warm, diffused light. Consider using vintage-style Edison bulbs to add a nostalgic touch to your lighting.

A Laguna Beach Retreat Becomes a Rustic and Refined Family Getaway
Image courtesy of Architectural Digest

Rough stone walls and exceptional views add drama to the great room. The oak-frame armchairs were custom-made; the club chairs, upholstered in a Loro Piana linen, are by Hancock & Moore.

Creating a Rustic Kitchen

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, and incorporating rustic style into this space can create a warm and inviting gathering place. Start by choosing natural materials for your countertops and backsplash, such as stone or wood.

These materials add warmth and texture to the space. Choose distressed or reclaimed wood finishes for cabinetry to add character and a sense of history to your kitchen. Open shelving can also be a great addition to a rustic kitchen, allowing you to display your favorite dishes and accessories.

Consider incorporating rustic-inspired fixtures like farmhouse sinks and vintage faucets to tie the space together. These details will add charm and authenticity to your kitchen.

English Country Kitchen
Image courtesy of Architectural Digest

Rustic Bathroom Design Ideas

The bathroom is a space where you can truly relax and unwind, and incorporating rustic design elements can enhance this experience. Start by choosing natural materials for your vanity and countertops, such as stone or reclaimed wood. These materials add a touch of nature to your rustic bathroom.

Consider incorporating a freestanding bathtub for a truly rustic and luxurious feel. You can add warmth and texture with a wood-paneled accent wall or reclaimed wood shelving. Choose fixtures and accessories with a rustic or vintage feel to complete the look. Think exposed plumbing, antique-style faucets, and vintage-inspired lighting.

Farmhouse Primary Bathroom in a Suburban Los Angeles Residence
Image courtesy of Leanne Ford

This striking rustic master bathroom, designed by Leanne Ford, has rustic sliding barn doors, handmade tile, and a concrete bathtub. The tub and the matching Morro Sinks are handcrafted with a breakthrough combination of natural jute fiber and cement known as NativeStone.

The warm wood and rich textures contrast beautifully with the white bathroom paint. Ornaments have been kept neutral and minimal and include patterned towels and cushions, rustic wooden stools, and dried flowers.

Rustic Style Interior Design Ideas: Conclusion

Incorporating rustic style into your interior design allows you to bring the beauty of nature into your home. By embracing natural materials, earthy colors, and textured fabrics, you can create a space that is both timeless and cozy.

From furniture and lighting to kitchen and bathroom design ideas, there are endless possibilities for incorporating rustic elements into your home. So, return to nature and transform your living space with rustic style.