When it comes to decorative trends, there are many alternatives to break away from conventional canons, and one of them is the rustic style, which has recently merged with other industrial, minimalist or vintage trends.
We are talking about an aesthetic inspired by nature and based on the use of natural materials in floors, walls, furniture or accessories to create peaceful environments.
But the rustic style goes much further: the use of natural wood, fibers, ceramic tiles or natural stone allows us to create a unique look for each home, emphasizing its architectural elements and betting on imperfection as a form of expression and differentiation.
Characteristics of the rustic style in decoration
The word “rustic” has several uses. One of the most common is to use it to talk about things “from the countryside or related to it”. We also use the term “rustic” to refer to elements that are “unrefined or unpolished”.
In a way, the rustic style in decoration makes the best of both ideas, generating infinite possibilities around two fundamental premises: inspiration from the rural world, on the one hand, and the use of materials from nature, on the other.
Despite this, it is important to note that the rustic style is not exclusive to rural homes and interiors or located in country houses, but we also find it in urban environments.
In houses with rustic style decoration we can see bathrooms with exposed stone walls, wooden floors, fireplaces and kitchens with tiles or skins wallpaper that remind us of traditional country houses. But, do you know what are the main characteristics of the rustic style?
We have summarized them in four tips:
Materials
Since the architectural context has a great influence on rustic environments, this decorative style is inspired by the materials of this type of construction.
Therefore, in houses with rustic decoration it is common to find wooden beams or stone walls. For floors, both wooden floors and those made with pieces of terracotta, as well as natural stone (sandstone, slate or aged marble) fit.
Decoration
Rustic style houses are characterized by their casual, balanced, comfortable and cozy decoration. In fact, the rustic style is perfect for adding warmth to interior spaces by bringing us closer to outdoor nature.
Even so, in the more modern rustic style, cooler materials, including metal and wrought iron, are allowed to create a sense of contrast.
Colors
The colors that best suit rustic decoration are warm and neutral. Therefore, this decorative style features a color palette with beige, sand, earth or stone tones, which you can contrast with details in green, maroon or orange.
Personality
The rustic style makes imperfection a virtue: unique materials and textures are sought, some of them even with imperfections, with the purpose of bringing greater authenticity to the space.
We can apply the rustic style to floors (using wood flooring with striking veins) and walls, but also to furniture (usually rough and large) or decorative elements (lamps, mirrors, etc.).
→ You may be interested in: Tips for adding a nordic style to your home.
Rustic style: a world full of possibilities thanks to the “charm of simplicity”.
Thanks to its beauty and harmony, the rustic style has reached homes and buildings all over the world, imposing itself over other decorative trends.
This success is largely due to the fact that rustic can be adapted to different geographical areas, adopting local patterns or aesthetics, and generating interesting “hybrid” styles full of possibilities.
For example, the rustic style with a more Mediterranean character, which we can observe in the Balearic Islands or Greece, is based on the use of light natural woods and stones, with wicker carpets, transparent or bluish glass vases, and with small details in green or blue.
In the Nordic rustic style, the great protagonist is white, which shares a color palette with grays and pastel shades. This is completely different to the Italian rustic industrial style, which is much more intense and inevitably takes us back to Tuscany. In this case, the most prominent material will be stone and ceramic tiles in reddish tones, with wrought iron accessories and green or red checkered patterns as great signs of identity.
In the case of the British rustic style, the most characteristic material will be hardwood, present in ceilings, walls and floors, although, in this case, with darker tones.
Finally, in the modern rustic style, luxury is expressed through materials and simplicity. With light and spaces as the main protagonists, in this case wood is left in the background to give priority to stone, present, for example, in pieces such as sinks.
This same approach is also followed by the so-called “industrial rustic” style, whose key is the combination of dark wood and metal (in black) in lamps and elements such as chairs or tables. In this case, the typical brick walls, natural or with a wallpaper help to subtract coldness to the space.
Thinking of renovating or changing the decoration? Here are 5 simple ideas for introducing modern rustic style into your home.
- Sturdy hardwoods have noticeable imperfections which are perfect for bringing a rustic touch to your home. Even so, remember to choose different wood tones depending on each space: lighter for small rooms, increasing the feeling of spaciousness, and darker in large spaces to create comfort.
- A good idea to enrich the rustic decoration of the house is the use of hydraulic tiles and traditional patterns. Terracotta is another alternative for floors in rustic vintage style homes.
- In modern rustic style, ceramics and wrought iron fit perfectly in furniture or bed headboards. You can also use these materials in the decoration of the bedroom and bathrooms.
- The color of the walls can vary according to your taste and style. White will always fit with natural materials, although you can go for darker tones, such as gray or maroon to counteract the effect of wood or stone, both on walls and ceilings. Of course, remember that if you choose a darker or intense color, you will have to simplify the decoration so that the space is not too loaded.
- Finally, don’t give up on prints. Sometimes, prints on fabrics or walls will give a more personal touch to the rustic style. The most common in this type of decoration are flowers, stripes and embroidery, which you can incorporate on the walls through wallpaper.
Find the best materials to give your home a rustic atmosphere at L’Antic Colonial.
