How can I make my living room look rustic? It’s a question often asked by amateur interior designers who are just beginning to explore the possibilities presented by the early American country style. Although there are many ways in which you can use rustic and contemporary decor, you might find it useful to think about using some or all of them in your home as you begin to plan your interior design style. You may even find that the way you decorate your living room comes naturally.
Look for inspiration in the architecture of the area you live in. Is the architecture patterned or distressed? Do you find striking windows with a history of historical significance? What era does the architecture reflect? All these aspects can help you decide how you want to decorate.
How can I make my living room reflects a rural, country, or Native American style? The first thing you should consider is the color scheme. While contemporary homes have a wide range of colors to choose from, rustic homes tend to be bolder and more neutral. So if you want to decorate in a style that is bolder but not so bold that it appears jarring against your current furnishings, you would do well to choose tones such as light yellow, tan, and white for your contemporary furniture.
When it comes to color, the shades you choose will depend on the predominant hues of nature you find in your surroundings. If you live in a warm, sunny climate, you would probably choose shades of red, orange, and yellow to decorate in a rustic style. On the other hand, if you live in a winter climate, then you might be better off with earth tones such as blue and green.
The finishes you use in your contemporary or interior design projects should also be in keeping with the accents you already have in place. For example, if you currently have wood accents such as wooden chairs, then using similar wood tones, such as brown or beige, will look extremely natural. However, if you have metal appliances, such as a modern black microwave, you can go for finishes such as grey, flat black, or black oxide. This is just one of the many tricks you can employ to achieve the look of rustic without being tacky!
Another question you might ask is, “How can I make my living room look rustic when there are so many contemporary home furnishings?” One answer would be to choose pieces that have a primitive style to them, instead of the more modern pieces with sharp, gleaming finishes. One such antiques you can choose to incorporate into your contemporary home design is the log style dresser. With this kind of dresser, you have the rustic wood effect without the modern design flaws. You can find log dressers in a wide array of sizes, styles, and finishes, which means that you can easily find one that suits the look you are going for. Just choose one or two pieces from this style, and then embellish them with an interesting item like carvings or knick-knacks.
Some people wonder how can I make my living room look “rustic” when they are surrounded by contemporary materials and furniture. The answer is that you can incorporate the rustic style without having to sacrifice contemporary items. Instead, try to find ways of using both styles together.
You can add in a few rustic accessories, such as a knick-knack or a ceramic figurine, as well as contemporary items, such as a vase or a coffee table. Find ways of coordinating all of these items, while still emphasizing the interior design theme you have chosen. For example, place an area rug in the middle of a room to give it a natural feel. You could also place some stone objects in front of your couch to set it in an old-fashioned cabin type of appearance. These ideas will help you achieve the interior design you want, no matter what you interior design style is.