What Is Rustic Design?

Rustic design is frequently mixed with other interior design styles, but is an entire style on its own as well. While it might be easy to point out the rustic parts of other designs, narrowing down what “rustic” truly means can be difficult. Here we will go over the key elements of rustic design so you have a better understanding of the term and how to apply it to your own home decorating.

Here are the important features in rustic design:

Real Wood

Rustic design favors actual wood over artificial alternatives. Wide-planked wooden floors, barn doors and exposed beams are all key elements you’ll find in rustic inspired spaces. Wood pieces that are weathered or slightly distressed are a great choice, as the style celebrates the gritty and imperfect aspect of the material. Going for wood with obvious grain, knots and other unique markings and imperfections will get you on the right track to rustic design.

Handmade

Another key aspect of rustic decor is the focus on handmade and reclaimed pieces. A rustic design interior should have major furnishings that are unique and maybe a little rough around the edges. If you love to DIY, you’ll love exploring this aspect of rustic style. Obviously, not everything has to be handmade, but the more focus you can put on the handmade aspect of your style the better. Using reclaimed materials is a great way to further enhance the aesthetic, especially if you go the DIY route.

Heavy

Rustic style pieces are heavy. Tables and seating will have large, thick legs and broad silhouettes. The furnishings themselves may be literally quite heavy as well, especially if made from solid wood. For fabrics and softer aspects of the style, you can still find a lot of weight. Common materials include wool, dark leather and jute. Go for sturdy fabrics and anything else that evokes a strong yet low-profile feel.

Texture

The more texture you have in a rustic design space, the better. Unfinished wood with knots and grains is essential. You might also want to include other textured pieces like jute rugs or distressed leather. Raw stone and brick make great choices for features like fireplaces and kitchen accents. As long as you avoid anything especially smooth or shiny you’ll be within the realm of rustic style.

Exposed Beams

Wooden beams are an iconic aspect of rustic design. This goes both for interior and exterior aesthetics. Think vaulted ceilings with exposed beams that evoke the same feeling as a barn or lodge. Even if your ceilings are low or flat, decorative beams that give the appearance of being structural are a pure rustic charm. Regardless of the architectural style of your home, if you have any exposed beams you’re already on your way to rustic design.

While these are the basic tenets of the rustic design style, there are no rules. Mixing in contrasting materials like glass, polished metallics and softer textiles will still work in a rustic space. Use these tips as broad guidelines and let your creativity determine how to make this style work for you.

DIYs with paint for your home

If you want a creative project that won’t break your budget, consider DIYs with paint. Painting an entire room or house can take time and effort, but smaller projects can be accomplished in a single weekend. You can even make your own custom decor by upcycling items you already own. Here are some budget-friendly DIY ideas with paint to try:

Decorate your coffee cup

Bring new life to your old cups and mugs by adding some paint. There are many kinds of paint you can use depending on what the cup is made of. Acrylic paints will work on most surfaces, but check the label to make sure it’s suitable for glazed ceramic, glass, metal or plastic. For a simple and modern geometric DIY paint project, try making angles and shapes with painter’s tape. Opt for metallic gold or silver to add a bit of shine.

Paint your chalkboard wall

Another fun DIY with paint is creating your own chalkboard wall. You can buy chalkboard paint at any craft or home improvement store and use it to transform any surface in your home. For a simple chalkboard wall DIY, section off a rectangular space on the wall with painter’s tape. Fill in the space with a solid coat of paint, adding more if the included directions recommend it. Once it dries you’ll have a perfect spot for doodles, lists and pretty cool inspiring messages.

Add color to drawers and cabinets

If you have dressers, cupboards or cabinets with drab, unpainted drawers, try adding a fresh coat of paint to the inside surfaces. You can add fun pops of color to the inside of dresser drawers and even the backs of shelves. The color choice is completely up to your preference, whether you want something bold and bright or neutral. Even a coat of bright white on the inside of a drawer can refresh the entire piece and make the storage space seem larger.

These are just a few of the best budget-friendly DIY ideas with paint. Try these and other paint projects to add new life to your existing walls and furnishings.

Dining Room Decorating Tips to Try

Does your dining room need a makeover? There are lots of ways you can show your personal style while maintaining a room’s important functionality. If you’re looking for some decorating ideas for your dining room, here are some suggestions to help:

Follow the Architecture

The best place to begin is with the design of your home. Try choosing wood styles and fabrics that mimic the existing elements in the room. For example, bring out the color of your crown molding, complement the carpet color with upholstery and choose a table shape that follows the flow of the space.

Consider Scale

As with any room, it’s difficult to know what scale of furniture you should buy for your dining room. There are some measurement guides available for different tables depending on the size of the room and the amount of chairs you want to include. No matter what, keep the scale analogous to the room itself—avoid a small round table in a long, expansive room, for example.

Mix Furniture

While it’s common to buy dining room tables and chairs together in a set, consider mixing it up. One easy option is to use matching chairs but a different table. If you have a long, rectangular table, try matching the two seats at each end of the table. This is an especially good idea if you’re wanting to create an eclectic and comfortable vibe with your design.

Find the Perfect Rug

An area rug can make an enormous impact in your dining room. It’s crucial to find the right style, shape and size of rug to go with your table and chairs, however. The best general rule to follow is to use a rug large enough for the entire table and all the chairs to be on it. This will look more cohesive in the space and avoid the annoyance of trying to move chairs over the edges of the rug.

Don’t Forget Lighting

The dining room light fixture is the perfect finishing touch to your design. There are many styles of chandelier or pendant style fixtures you can choose from, no matter what your design preference might be. Opt for a fixture that creates generous ambient light without adding glare or causing a distraction. Try out multiple options in the space to see which makes the best focal point for your dining room.

The next time you want to give your dining room a stylish refresh, keep these tips in mind. Even minor changes can have a major impact on the entire space.