What is Rustic Decor?

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Break out the dark wood stain, we’re going rustic. If you’re looking to find out all about rustic decor, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s break it down so you can add a rustic home decor flair to your decorating:

Rustic Decor Definition:

A hat tip to our ancestors, a love of all things warm and cozy, a hatred of the shiny. Rustic decor is a style of decorating that makes use of unpolished, raw materials like wood, metals, and organic shapes. Paint is usually scarce, and may sometime have a distressed or crackled appearance, similar to Shabby Chic decor.

Think nature, but old ancient nature, like California redwoods and cabins in the forest. Barn weddings are also a great example of this decorating style, as they often use natural elements, low lighting, and avoid bright or contrasting colors.

Color Palettes:

The color profile for rustic decor is predominantly dark, and can vary from cool to warm, depending on your preference. Try to look for hues found in nature and stay away from high gloss paints. Here are a few colors that fit the bill.

Key Features of Rustic Decor:

This style features mostly organic materials and a muted color palette. Finding thrift store finds that have been banged up a little, but are still in good condition can be a key feature to decorating with a rustic style. Think of chipped paint, or sometimes even dinged up edges. Repurposed objects are also a staple of this decor style.

Floors are usually left bare, or painted in a muted tone and walls are painted in eggshell or matte finishes, or using wood where possible

Things to Keep in Mind:

This is home decor style not for the IKEA fans, or at least out-of-the-box IKEA fans. Shiny, clean, and new are antonyms of this decorating style. Remember that if it’s worn but working, it’s perfect. This can also be a DIY-heavy decorating style, so if you’re looking for minimal effort to create a rustic decor look, you may need to think outside the box. If you’re a farmhouse decor enthusiast, rustic can also be a good compliment.

Tools You’ll Need for Rustic Decor DIY Projects:

• Sand Paper or a Power Sander – For getting off the lacquer or sheen on wood floors, cabinets, and furniture
• Wood Stain – Dark wood or gray woods are best for this decorating style
• Miter saws – If you’re going to build your own furniture or remodel a thrift store find, a basic miter saw is your best bet for getting started. Later on you can upgrade to a compound miter saw, which is AMAZING.

A Few Favorite Examples:

Architecture Art Designs

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iD Lights

Lindevegen

Get Started with These Rustic Decor Accessories:

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Similar Styles: Industrial | Steampunk | Shabby Chic | French Country