25 Rustic Bedrooms with Cozy Design Ideas
By Interior Designer Tracy Svendsen | Published on July 02, 2019 | Updated on March 13, 2024 |
Rustic Bedrooms: If you’re a fan of rustic design, then you’ll love the following rustic bedroom decorating ideas that will make your room feel cozy and comfortable all year long. With the right mix of natural textures, warm colors, and cozy accents, you can create a bedroom that feels like a luxurious retreat in the heart of the wilderness.
I’ve included images of beautiful and well-designed bedrooms in traditional and modern rustic style, along with tips on incorporating warm tones and natural elements, iron bed frames, wood beams, and rustic decor into your home. So, whether you’re looking to update your current bedroom or create a new space from scratch, I hope these rustic bedroom ideas inspire you to create your own oasis. Feature Image courtesy of Architectural Digest (WRJ Design).
Rustic Bedroom Ideas | Photo by Laura Moss
Image courtesy of BHG
What is a Rustic-Style Bedroom?
Rustic design in its most traditional sense may appear heavy and dark to some, but a modern rustic style has emerged over the past few years that takes a fresh and clean approach. The term ‘rustic’ is rather broad, and many styles fall into this category. Its most basic definition describes a natural, rough, aged, and casual aesthetic. The defining characteristic of rustic bedrooms is the use of natural materials.
Rustic bedrooms have a sense of connection to the past that’s hard to resist. They recall a simpler time in life and celebrate the art of repurposing. In short, rustic design is to “return to the forest .” Rustic design emphasizes the natural, utilizing wood, wrought metals, stone, and plenty of plants.
Here are a few decorating ideas and design elements for a rustic-style bedroom:
1. Begin the Design Process by Choosing the Colors You are Drawn To
When I’ve designed rustic bedrooms for my clients, I find inspiration in the colors in the surrounding landscape of the home. I begin by choosing a piece of large-scale artwork the client is drawn to, which is a great way to develop a cohesive color palette. From there, I incorporate various shades and tones into the room to create a well-balanced design. This creates a foundation for selecting wall color, bedding, area rugs, window covers, and accent pieces.
Rustic Bedroom with Wood Floors & Beams & Stone Fireplace
Image courtesy of Peace Designs
2. Work With Warm, Earthy Tones to Develop a Color Scheme
A well-designed rustic bedroom incorporates earth-tone colors found in nature. Think of colors like beige, cream, brown, rust, sage green, and mustard yellow. These hues create a cozy and inviting atmosphere perfect for a rustic-style bedroom. Layer additional colors you are drawn to with accent pillows, throw blankets, artwork, area rugs, and window treatments.
Warm, Earthy Hues in a Rustic Bedroom
Image courtesy of Amber Interiors
3. Incorporate Natural Wood
One of the key elements of rustic interior design is using natural elements. From wood to stone, natural materials create a warm and inviting ambiance in any space. Consider incorporating natural materials in your furniture and decor for your bedroom.
Reclaimed wood is a great starting point because the outdoors inspires rustic bedrooms. Furniture should have a handmade feeling. Rustic furniture uses various recycled or upcycled materials that provide this look. It has no defined lines but instead resorts to the patterns of nature.
Use wide wood planks on the bedroom floor to give your home a more modern rustic style. The simple and solid appearance of large plank floors provides an automatic foundation for decorating your bedroom in a rustic style.
Rustic Bedroom with Wood Ceiling
Image courtesy of Norfolk Builders of Montana
Choose wood pieces for your side tables or dressers. For a rustic touch, add a wooden bench or ladder. Add wooden wall decor like a wooden sign or clock to add texture.
These pieces add character and charm to your bedroom and create a natural feel. Use a repurposed barn door as a one-of-a-kind headboard. Wood is not limited to furniture—use twigs and branches to create organic forms. Add a wooden tray or bowl to your dresser or bedside table.
4. Stone Accent Fireplace and Walls
Incorporating stone elements, such as a fireplace or stone accent wall, adds texture and visual interest to a rustic bedroom. Stone adds a touch of ruggedness to the room, making it feel more connected to nature.
Stone accents are ideal for creating a focal point in the room and adding a unique and timeless element to the overall design. Additionally, stone is durable and long-lasting, ensuring that your rustic bedroom will stand the test of time.
Stone Accents in a Rustic Bedroom
Image courtesy of Alder & Tweed Design
5. Rustic Light Fixtures
Rustic light fixtures are a great way to enhance the ambiance of a rustic bedroom. Wrought iron, brass, and aged metals are ideal for rustic light fixtures.
Lanterns or Edison bulbs can create a warm and cozy atmosphere. Consider adding rustic chandeliers or wall sconces to create a focal point in the room. Whatever you choose, make sure that the lighting fixtures complement the natural elements in the room.
Rustic Light Fixtures
Image courtesy of Ryan Street Design
6. Vintage Touches in a Rustic Theme Bedroom
Adding vintage touches to a bedroom is a great way to create rustic charm and a sense of history and nostalgia. Vintage furniture pieces, such as a distressed dresser or weathered bedside tables, add character and charm to the room.
They also give the space a unique and personal touch that modern, mass-produced furniture can’t achieve. I like to use rustic vintage pottery in a rustic bedroom to add warm tones, texture, and visual interest. Place rustic pots on dressers, nightstands, a fireplace mantel, or in the corner of a room with a large plant.
Adding Vintage Elements
Image courtesy of Denman Construction
7. Incorporate Greenery, Floral Arrangements and Tree Branches
Many interior designers recommend displaying tree branches in rustic homes. Tree branches add verticality, movement, and a lovely organic quality to a space.
I recently wrote an article on decorating with tree branches if you’d like to see the difference they can make to a room. Tree branches can be replaced seasonally to bring in the colors of early spring and fall. Plants and floral arrangements are another way to bring in color and add a natural feel to the room.
Decorating with Branches
Image courtesy of Betsey Brown Design
8. Embracing Natural Light
Rustic design is connected to nature, and having gorgeous views of the surrounding landscape is always a good idea. Lightweight window treatments allow natural light to filter in. Sheer curtains or simple blinds work well in a rustic-style bedroom.
Consider adding a skylight or large windows to let in more natural light. This will brighten your space and create a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a cozy retreat.
Cozy & Inviting Rustic Bedroom
Image courtesy of JLF & Associates
9. Warm Lighting Options
Lighting is an essential element in any bedroom, and in a rustic bedroom, the goal is to create a warm, cozy, and welcoming environment. Start by choosing warm light bulbs with a soft yellow or orange hue.
For your bedside tables, choose table lamps with a warm glow. Opt for lamps made of natural materials like wood or ceramic. To add a rustic feel, consider adding string lights or fairy lights.
Rustic Bedroom Ideas
Image courtesy of Locati Architects
10. Natural Materials for a Rustic Look
Using raw natural elements is one of the essential components of rustic-style primary and guest bedrooms. Choose bedding and curtains made of linen or cotton to complement the wood elements and add texture to your bedroom. Add a natural woven or jute rug to anchor your space. These rugs add warmth and texture to your bedroom and create a natural feel.
Cozy Log Cabin Bedroom
Image courtesy of Cathedral Mountain Lodge
11. Farmhouse-Inspired Details
To enhance the rustic aesthetic, consider incorporating farmhouse-style bedroom elements like vintage textiles, rustic wood furniture, barn doors, shiplap walls, or exposed wooden beams.
Farmhouse style also often incorporates lighter, brighter colors that balance out the darker tones commonly found in rustic design, creating a more inviting and welcoming space.
Rustic Farmhouse Bedroom
Image courtesy of Amber Lewis Interiors
12. Pile on the Layers
Adding comfortable layers and textures to make a bedroom feel cozy is essential. Mixed materials like a down-filled duvet, blankets, and knit throws create a warm and inviting bed. Enhance a rustic home with a gorgeous quilt. Quilts are available in many colors and patterns, supporting a rustic bedroom’s look and feel.
Rustic Bedrooms: Cozy Log Cabin Bedroom Design
Image courtesy of Shelter Interiors
13. Mix and Match Textures
In a rustic bedroom, you want to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere; mixing and matching textures can help you achieve that. Start by choosing bedding and curtains made of natural materials like linen or cotton.
These fabrics add texture and create a warm and inviting space. To add texture, layer your bedding with a cozy knit throw blanket or a plaid blanket. You can add a few accent pillows made of wool or faux fur.
For your walls, consider adding a woven wall hanging or a tapestry. Lastly, consider adding a natural woven rug or jute rug to anchor your space.