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If you finding yourself yearning for a simple design, yet filled with character and style, try giving your home a rustic feel. Rustic design evokes a sense of timelessness and natural coziness, and mimics traditional cottages and farmhouses of the past. However, you don’t need to move to the countryside to achieve a rustic look. There are a variety of ways in which you can easily adapt and mold your space to get the right atmosphere. The following tips can help you find inspiration for the right rustic look for your home:
Choose the Right Materials
When it comes to creating a rustic look, the design relies heavily on the use of natural materials. For example, individuals will utilize a great deal of salvaged wood and stone, along with non-shiny metals and cotton fabrics. In addition, texture is also a vital quality, as rustic design rarely features smooth, flat surfaces. Instead, you’ll want to choose furnishings that add character through aged, textured wood and stone.
Find a Color Scheme
Each color adds it own flavor and style into a home, so understanding which adds to a rustic look is highly important. In general, you’ll want to go with earthy tones such as brown, tan and reds. However, if you want a rustic, yet light atmosphere, then you may want to integrate neutral colors for an airy feel. Keep in mind that adding color doesn’t require a new coat of paint; furniture, accessories, and fabrics go a long way in infusing a space with color.
Fill with Lighting
Lighting is an important element in any design, and a rustic style is no exception. For fixtures, lamps, and scones, you’ll want to choose a style that incorporates a rural design. Nature and plant motifs are a popular choice, along with materials such as leather, antler, and wood. Try to find lighting that fills the room with a warm glow, illuminating the rustic atmosphere of a room.
Add Accessories
Once you create the foundation for your rustic design, you can enhance the overall look by adding accessories. Fabrics are a vital addition for any space, whether in the form of a patchwork quilt or a shawl on a leather couch. One great theme that adds to the rustic atmosphere is nature, such as flowers, branches and bowls of stones. In addition, centerpieces such as wooden sculptures and antler racks such as these can give a room character and elegance.
Do It Yourself
Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you have to limit your space’s potential for design. One of the main characteristics of rustic design is the salvaged, homey feel, making homemade creations a welcome addition. There are a variety of resources that can help you find easy DIY projects for your home. For example, Craftgawker is a popular site for DIY projects on a variety of crafts and accessories, along with Craftzine. Regardless of your skill level or resources, there are endless possibilities in which you can create a personalized, rustic environment for your home.