Category: Design Styles

Few living room interiors are more welcoming than those featuring rustic decorating ideas. Rustic style is cozy, comfortable, and casual—the perfect combination for everyone’s favorite room.

Rustic interior design has evolved from its simple origins into modern, traditional, and farmhouse versions. We’ve compiled 72 of our favorite rustic decor ideas to illustrate how natural it is to include this friendly style in your living room and beyond.

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1. Elevate Your Bathroom with Rustic Charm

The bathroom is a good place to try out rustic home decor since it’s such a small space. Try replacing standard doors with sliding barn doors, and put shiplap or wood paneling on an accent wall. Replace standard tile and flooring with tile that looks like stained or whitewashed hardwood.

Look for rugs and window treatments that have strong rustic textures, such as burlap rolling shades and chunky sweater knit rugs. Rustic wall decor like animal skulls and wrought iron candle sconces complete the look.

See more rustic bathroom ideas here.

2. Cozy Up Your Bedroom with Rustic Touches

Your bedroom will instantly feel warmer when you introduce rustic style elements into your decor. Wooden beams on the ceiling add a strong dose of rustic charm. If your home doesn’t have exposed beams, you can have someone install hollow prefabricated beams that provide the same rustic look.

A rustic bedroom needs a country style headboard as the room’s focal point. Look for an antique metal bed frame or a headboard made of reclaimed barn wood. Any type of reclaimed wood can be transformed into a gorgeous headboard for rustic decor, as shown in this DIY video:

3. The Perfect Blend: Boho and Rustic Home Decor Fusion

Boho and rustic home decor share a lot of similarities. They are both warm, casual, relaxed approaches to interior design. Both rely on natural textures, warm wood finishes, and repurposed pieces.

Bohemian home decor includes cultural design touches, so look for global decor that has a rustic flair. This could be an antique metal globe, or a pair of carved elephant candlesticks. Macrame wall hangings are a mainstay of boho decor that also help soften the sometimes harsh edges of classic rustic design.

4. Embrace the Casual Charm of Country Living

Rustic country style doesn’t mean making your home feel like a barn’s interior. Country living is casual at its heart and rustic touches have always been part of this interior design style. Walk into any Hobby Lobby store and you’ll see plenty of decor that will work in a rustic country living space.

Color is one of the main differences between rustic and country home decor. While rustic color palettes focus on earth tones, neutrals, and muted hues, a country color palette eliminates no color option. Pinks, blues, yellows, and reds frequently appear on textiles, furniture, and accessories. A lace table runner and floral or plaid fabrics work great in country-rustic decor.

5. Rustic Decor Essentials: Lanterns, Crates, and Wood Slices

Your table, shelf, and wall decor choices all help bring your home decor together into one cohesive voice. Rustic decor ideas include metal lanterns, wooden crates, and stacked wood slices. On the walls, metal words, chalkboard art and quotes, and framed bucolic scenes all mesh well with rustic style.

At the holidays, keep true to your home decor style by sticking to rustic Christmas decorating ideas. A live tree is a must. Replace glitzy garland with simple strands of wooden beads. Buy rustic Christmas ornaments, such as galvanized steel cutouts, plaid ribbons, painted wood slices, and twine balls.

6. Reclaimed Wood and Industrial Flair in Your Dining Space

The dining room is an excellent space to showcase rustic and farmhouse decor. A big reclaimed wood dining room table grounds the center of the space, especially when surrounded by mix-and-match dining chairs. Hang a large metal industrial chandelier over the table, but soften the look with a twig basket centerpiece overflowing with fresh lavender.

Replace a couple of your dining room chairs with a long bench for a rustic farmhouse vibe. Use a vintage dresser in place of a traditional buffet and consider adding faux brick or shiplap to an accent wall. Merge modern and rustic decor by placing velvet midcentury modern chairs around your rustic table.

7. Embrace the Urban Aesthetic in Rustic Decor

Industrial style is a trend inspired by abandoned factories turned into city loft apartments. As such, it’s based heavily on giving new life to salvaged and recycled materials. Industrial decorating ideas turn mechanical and functional parts, such as gears and copper pipes, into creative decor elements.

Industrial metal light fixtures are an excellent rustic home decor idea. They provide a dash of edginess that doesn’t take anything away from your warm rustic wood or other natural element textures. Metal fixtures against exposed brick walls create an industrial foundation softened by rustic wooden furniture.

8. Elevate Your Kitchen with Rustic Farmhouse Charm

Rustic farmhouse decor is an excellent choice for many kitchens. Combine white walls and natural wood cabinets with dark metal accents. Install textured wall decor, such as beadboard or faux brick wallpaper to add an instant rustic flavor to the kitchen.

Extend the casual rustic vibe with wicker chairs around your wooden kitchen table and top it with woven rattan placemats. Although white is the classic wall color for farmhouse style, the rustic element means you can use deeper wall color choices. Think sage green or slate blue for a cool, rustic farmhouse decor touch.

See more rustic kitchen ideas here.

9. Transform Your Living Room with Rustic Comfort

A rustic living room will feature some of the most comfortable decor ideas, such as weathered leather sofas and chairs, a stone fireplace, and plenty of warm wood furniture. If you can install wooden beams on the ceiling, try to as they add so much rustic ambience to the living room.

Wainscoting or chair rail paneling is another great architectural element that adds rustic or farmhouse charm to the living room. If your rustic living room is more industrial, consider corrugated metal for your wainscoting material. Otherwise, shiplap or beadboard are excellent living room wall additions.

See more rustic living room ideas here.

10. Create Rustic Ambiance with Reclaimed Barn Wood

Anything made of reclaimed wood will fit into your rustic farmhouse decorating ideas. Whether it’s a vintage trunk turned into a living room coffee table or a distressed-finish wood window frame hung over the porch rail, these highly-textured accents are the epitome of rustic decor.

Reclaimed barn wood or siding makes an exceptional accent wall covering. Leave each plank its natural color or lightly whitewash the finished wall, depending on whether you want a more rustic cabin vibe or a white farmhouse feeling. Use reclaimed wood posts to build a simple console table or shelf unit—it’s  a great decorating idea for a rustic living room or office.

11. Add a Touch of Rustic Beauty to Your Scandinavian Space

Rustic Scandinavian decorating ideas merge the two design styles into a clean, welcoming interior. Traditional Scandinavian decor conveys a simplicity mindset through minimalism and functionality. Adding rustic design ideas means mixing old and new pieces together, opting for reclaimed wood instead of highly polished surfaces, and including natural textures such as wicker and rattan.

A classic Scandinavian color palette relies heavily on light neutrals, with smaller pops of color. Pale blues and greens dominate. But when you add rustic ideas to this design style, warmer rustic hues are welcome. Try to include gold, dusty pink, or coral along with darker hues of blue and green.

12. Infuse Vintage Charm into Your Rustic Decor

At its heart, rustic interior design is already somewhat vintage. It focuses on comfortably worn items and reclaimed pieces that convey a welcoming vintage aesthetic. You can increase the old-fashioned vibe by displaying any antique collections you may have, such as plates, metal signs, or farm tools.

If your rustic style has a cottage or boho flavor, vintage macrame or lace will feel at home, displayed as wall hangings, plant holders, or framed art. Old doors and windows are other great vintage pieces to incorporate where you can. For instance, an old door makes a charming headboard. Prop an antique window frame on the mantel for a dimensional background behind your favorite knickknacks.

13. Create Intimacy and Simplicity with Wabi-Sabi Rustic Design

Wabi-sabi decor has been around since the 15^th century when the Japanese philosophy arose to contradict the dominant tendency for lavish overdecorating. “Wabi” is defined as being one with nature and living with simplicity and humility. “Sabi” refers to accepting things in life as they are—flaws included.

Wabi-sabi’s focus on finding the beauty in imperfection is one that many people embrace, and it fits in well with overall rustic design concepts. Intimacy, simplicity, and warmth are created through the use of warm wood tones, interesting textures, and natural elements.

14. Start Decorating Your Walls in Rustic Style

Rustic wall decor is often the finishing touch any rustic room needs. From framed photos to woven tapestries, from candle sconces to wire baskets, rustic wall decor options abound. Real mounted animal skulls—or paper mâché versions—add an instant rusticity to any space.

Some types of wall decor bridge the gap between traditional farmhouse and rustic style. Examples include floating shelves, antiqued wooden signs, and vintage architectural elements such as windows and doorknobs.

Enjoy the calming colors of the ocean no matter where your home is. Decorating with coastal living in mind will give your home a relaxing yet sophisticated feel.

Creating a coastal look is about more than just using tiki torches and Hawaiian flowers. These are tacky and cheesy.

Instead, look for coastal decor ideas that will help your home look like an elegant yet humble beach house. Sometimes, all it takes is the right color scheme and a few well-placed decor pieces to create a coastal look.

These coastal decor ideas will get you inspired to turn your home into a coastal getaway.

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1. Transform Your Bathroom into a Coastal Paradise

It’s easy to create a beachy vibe into your bathroom when you’re already surrounded by water. Create a mini beach oasis in your bathroom with clean white subway tile on the walls and a deep ocean blue vanity.

Or you could embrace the colors of the ocean and create a turquoise shower with handmade fish scale tiles.

The colors of the tile are random and varied, just like the colors of the water. Use pebbles or stones to create a natural floor for your shower.

Use beach theme decor to create a tropical feel in your bathroom. You could hang photos, paintings, or pressings of tropical flowers and leaves. Wrap nautical rope around the vanity mirror for a subtle nautical touch.

2. Create a Coastal Bedroom Retreat

Turn your personal space in a coastal bedroom with aged white shiplap on the wall behind your headboard. Start your beach theme with a new headboard and bed frame.

A woven rattan, wicker, or cane headboard will create a coastal feel. These are all good for adding natural materials and texture to your bedroom.

For a classier feel, consider a beige upholstered headboard. A tufted look will elevate the feel of your coastal bedroom.

Then dress the bed with a bold patterned comforter that’s a vibrant blue and crisp white. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a nautical pattern, but it would reinforce the theme.

3. Incorporate Coastal Blue Accents

The easiest way to add blue to your coastal is with an accent wall. However, this isn’t the only place you can add blue to the room.

Do more than just choose a blue paint color. Use the blue in your color palette throughout the rest of the room.

You could have an area rug that uses blue in the pattern. Or you could have accent pillows on the seating that feature blue. Don’t be afraid to use blue in unexpected places.

The chandelier you choose could have blue glass. Or you could have a decorative plant with blue flowers. You could add an African Violet, Hyacinth, or Blue Glow.

4. Blend Coastal and Bohemian Decor

The coastal and bohemian decor blend well together. Rattan furniture that you would use in your bohemian room will also look good in your coastal room.

You could use similar wall decor for both rooms, which makes decorating your coastal boho room easy.

Look for handmade pieces and use either a coastal color scheme or have elements that are reminiscent of the water.

Perhaps it’s a pattern that mimics waves. Or it could be a macrame wall hanging that looks like an ocean sunset.

5. Set Sail with Nautical Dining Room Decor

Create a nautical theme dining room by replacing the standard fixtures and decor with coastal decorations.

The interior design of the room could be reminiscent of a ship. Mount shiplap on the walls. Use polished brass fixtures.

You could even use elements that are taken directly from a ship for an authentic interior design.

Use a ship’s wheel as the chandelier. Mount sconces that are traditionally used on boats. You could even mount a giant Swordfish or Mahi Mahi on the wall. Hang glass orbs that are encased in knotted nautical rope.

6. Design a Playful Nautical-Inspired Kids’ Room

Create a whimsical nautical-themed kid’s room. Create a beach cottage feel with bold dark blue and white stripes.

It could be on the walls or a pattern on the fabric for the bed and curtains. Skip the standard nautical home decor and look for more whimsical designs.

It could be a bed frame that’s shaped like a boat. Or you could hang whale art or paddles on the wall.

A string of nautical flags can be draped across the wall or from the ceiling. Finish the room by spreading an area rug on the floor. It could have a fish or anchor theme.

7. Infuse Coastal Elegance into Your Kitchen Design

Create a coastal vibe in your kitchen by using deep sea blue tiles for your backsplash. Line the other walls with beadboard.

Place nautical decor throughout the kitchen for a beach or seafaring touch. Replace your flooring with a polished wood plank that resembles the wood used in old ships.

Some decorating ideas focus on the fixtures, such as lanterns for the pendant light over the kitchen island.

Others create a coastal vibe with the items that are placed on the kitchen counters. It could be an octopus that holds coffee mugs. Or try a fruit bowl that’s shaped like a fish or coral.

8. Create a Coastal Living Room with the 60/30/10 Rule

Consider using the 60/30/10 rule when decorating your coastal living room. Your primary color could be white, with a blue for the secondary color.

Then use either a bright sunny yellow or rich red for the accent color. This elegantly uses traditional nautical colors.

Look for living room ideas that use this approach when arranging the throw pillows, a coffee table, and candle holders.

Don’t be afraid to go bold with your coastal decor. Perhaps you have a peak or vaulted ceiling.

Use this open space to hang a canoe, kayak, or even rowboat. This makes a statement, sets the tone, and doesn’t take up valuable living space. You can then continue this theme by mounting retro all wood paddles on the wall.

9. Harmonize Coastal and Modern for a Relaxing Space

Coastal designs and modern trends blend together beautifully. You can use primarily neutrals to create a calming place.

Modern interior design doesn’t typically have blues and greens. Leave the walls white or white soft cream color. Then use natural materials throughout the room.

Wicker or rattan are good options for beach decor. Look for furniture that’s made out of these materials or teak. It should have a simple design that isn’t overly ornate to give it a modern feel.

To keep the furniture comfortable, look for furniture with deep seats that have large white upholstered cushions.

10. Create Authentic Coastal Vibes with Natural Materials

To give your home an authentic feel, use plenty of natural materials throughout your coastal-themed home. The best options are wicker, rattan, jute, and teak.

Wicker is actually a style of weaving when making furniture. Rattan is a type of wood that grows as a vine. You’ll also see palm leaves and other plant materials that are woven into a wicker pattern.

A jute rug is a bit rough and looks like a flatweave of fibers. It’s incredibly durable and perfect for high-traffic areas.

Teak is a hardwood that’s traditionally used in high moisture areas. This makes it commonly used on ships and boats. Using it in your home will give it a coastal feel.

11. Neutral Palette with Nautical Accents

Many coastal decorating ideas embrace a neutral color palette. This helps the room to have a universally appealing and calming feel. Luckily, you can find many nautical elements that are naturally neutral in color.

Seashells are a perfect example of this. Linen and canvas are fabrics that look beautiful and give your home a nautical feel. You could use them to upholster the furniture and dress the windows.

To keep your neutral room from looking too bland, add colorful accent pieces. This could be a brightly colored side lamp placed next to the sofa. Or it could be a bold chandelier that proudly hangs in the center of the room.

12. Outdoor Coastal Paradise in Your Backyard

Turn your backyard into a DIY beach spot that’s complete with a small pool and sand. Plant large palms and lush greenery around the area for your own coastal oasis.

If water isn’t a possibility, then build a fire pit. You could have soft white sand filling a large circular area. In the center, place a firepit. Then arrange Adirondack chairs around the firepit.

If you aren’t ready to turn your entire backyard into a mini beach, you can still celebrate the coastal style. Try a more elegant coastal design with large outdoor sofas and accent chairs arranged on a spacious hardwood deck.

Place a coffee table in the middle. Build a pergola overhead or have large umbrellas creating shade.

13. Elevate Your Home’s Comfort with Rustic Coastal Decor

Give your home a comfortable, lived-in feel with rustic coastal decor. This could be reclaimed or salvaged wood.

You could even find old ship wood to use. Perhaps you use the wood to create a decorative accent wall. Or you build a new mantel for your fireplace.

Use large beams on the ceiling to give your home a coastal interior. You could place a vintage coffee table in your living room that has sea life carvings. A vintage area rug in your bedroom will add a natural, lived-in feel.

14. All-White Room with Chic Beach Style Decor

Creating a beach style for your all-white room is a smart approach. All-white rooms can look bland and sterile.

Using beachy decor for your interior will add natural materials and texture to the room. This creates depth and visual interest without losing the all-white aesthetic.

Try using light wood for the furniture with white upholstery. Or you could have driftwood mounted on the wall.

You could have window treatments or throw pillows that are a white on white embroidery design that features sea life, shells, or coral. The embroidery creates texture, while the white on white color scheme keeps the design subtle and elegant.