Rustic Decor Brings The Outdoors Inside
If you’re an outdoor person and always long to be surrounded with nature, you will love rustic home design.
There’s more to creating a rustic design than merely Adirondack-style furniture. It takes a clear understanding of rustic design components and a willingness to choose a style and stick to it.
Rustic decors may be centered on earth tones and wooden pieces, but the variety in the ideas that you can use are plenty. You can choose among the cabin log look, in the middle of the forest or clearing, mountainside dwelling, cattle and ranch style of the Old West and the Wild Wild West.
You don’t necessarily have to use wood as material if it will cause you hassle in doing so. You can just use paint that is reminiscent of a wood paneling. Shades of tan, cream, beige, off-white and browns will work nicely. Wallpapering is an option if you do not want to paint your walls. Choose a wallpaper design with a background that depicts nature or the outdoors.
Next, continue the rustic theme with wood accents. Wrap grapevine wreaths with berries rather than flowers. In fact, avoid flowers altogether unless they’re real wildflowers arranged in a pitcher or rustic vase. Instead, use wooden bowls as decor accents and fill them with aromatic pinecones or wood shavings. A wooden bowl full of apples makes a wonderful hospitality gesture.
Fabrics that are true to nature’s beauty will make the design more realistic. Corduroy and denim are ideal for a rustic look. Applying a rustic design will ask for some sacrifice though. That is, getting rid of wall-to-wall carpeting. Wood is the flooring of choice. If you prefer the Western ambiance, then Southwestern-style tiles will look great.
For the floor, wood is definitely in and so are braided area rugs. Enhance the theme with Indian rugs and drapes.
What’s the outdoor like without animals? Therefore, bring them in! Animal images on the walls or miniatures are pretty accents for this home theme. It’s like always being in the outdoors in the presence of beautiful animals.
Display your collectibles and vintage items for a more personal touch.
For instance, quilts are one of the few accents that work well in every rustic style except for Native American. Even cowboys had quilts back at the ranch house, as long as they are done in a style that reflects their culture. Smaller quilts make wonderful throws for couches and chairs. Larger quilts can even serve as art objects or wall coverings. However, make sure that the quilt style and pattern complement your Rustic decor choices.
Take your cue in decorating from the things you use in your outdoor activities. Highlight a specific idea, say cattle and ranch lifestyle and use objects that depict it. Mixing and matching is also okay as long as you don’t transform your home into a warehouse-like place. Decorate moderately.
You may be inside the house or outside of it, but as an outdoor person, you will never be lacking of the surroundings you so love.
Our best hint for Exterior Home Decorating, is to use area rugs – and the outdoor area rugs will suit any modern furnishings.
