Contemporary Chic: How to Design a Modern Rustic Living Room
Love natural, rustic style, but want to keep it contemporary? Take a look at these design ideas
Modern rustic is a clean take on natural living; a style that mixes traditional materials with contemporary lines and shapes. Take a look at these rooms for design inspiration and see how to bring in a homely, comforting feel, even if you’re in the city.
Stick to an earthy colour palette
A modern rustic colour scheme is earthy and natural, drawing heavily on soft tones of cream, stone and polished timber. Colour is brought in via natural materials such as wood and wicker.
By keeping colour and pattern to a minimum, as shown here by Jute Interior Design, the textures and qualities of the materials are allowed to take centre stage. If your living space flows into another area as part of an open-plan layout, following this restrained colour palette right through into the connecting rooms will ensure the scheme feels calm and cohesive.
A modern rustic colour scheme is earthy and natural, drawing heavily on soft tones of cream, stone and polished timber. Colour is brought in via natural materials such as wood and wicker.
By keeping colour and pattern to a minimum, as shown here by Jute Interior Design, the textures and qualities of the materials are allowed to take centre stage. If your living space flows into another area as part of an open-plan layout, following this restrained colour palette right through into the connecting rooms will ensure the scheme feels calm and cohesive.
Accessorise with vintage rugs
Although a modern rustic scheme draws heavily on a muted colour palette, visual interest can still be introduced via one standout piece, such as a vintage rug.
Choosing a rug in warm tones of orange, pink or red, as in this scheme by Stafford Bensen, will complement any natural wood in the room, as well as adding that essential layer of visual warmth and interest. The key to making this work is to keep all other elements pared back and allow the rug to be the main element of pattern in the room.
Distressed Decor: 10 Gorgeous Shabby Chic Spaces
Although a modern rustic scheme draws heavily on a muted colour palette, visual interest can still be introduced via one standout piece, such as a vintage rug.
Choosing a rug in warm tones of orange, pink or red, as in this scheme by Stafford Bensen, will complement any natural wood in the room, as well as adding that essential layer of visual warmth and interest. The key to making this work is to keep all other elements pared back and allow the rug to be the main element of pattern in the room.
Distressed Decor: 10 Gorgeous Shabby Chic Spaces
Pile up the textures
Natural textures are an important element of a rustic living room, and a pared-back scheme can still be cosy if you concentrate on layering luxurious natural materials in neutral colours and contrasting textures.
In this beautiful room by Ard Bia Interiors, a plain cream sofa piled with natural textiles adds that all-important layer of warmth, while the raw wood wall behind brings in a rustic contrast.
Looking for some help with your own design project? Find a local interior designer today.
Natural textures are an important element of a rustic living room, and a pared-back scheme can still be cosy if you concentrate on layering luxurious natural materials in neutral colours and contrasting textures.
In this beautiful room by Ard Bia Interiors, a plain cream sofa piled with natural textiles adds that all-important layer of warmth, while the raw wood wall behind brings in a rustic contrast.
Looking for some help with your own design project? Find a local interior designer today.
Celebrate a live edge
Live edge furniture is where the original edge of the wood is allowed to remain, rather than being planed or sanded down. As the table in this room by Design Shop Interiors shows, a live edge can bring an instant connection to the outdoors, as well as adding a unique element to your room.
You can also get live edge wooden bowls or boards if a table isn’t an option.
Live edge furniture is where the original edge of the wood is allowed to remain, rather than being planed or sanded down. As the table in this room by Design Shop Interiors shows, a live edge can bring an instant connection to the outdoors, as well as adding a unique element to your room.
You can also get live edge wooden bowls or boards if a table isn’t an option.
Bring in raw panelling
Wood panelling is an important element of a rustic scheme, but if you want your room to feel more modern than traditional, keep it clean-lined, like the horizontal panelling in this room by Becker Home Improvement.
By edging the panelling in crisp white and only using it on two walls, it allows the timber to be the standout feature, while everything else in the room is pared-back and pale-toned.
Wood panelling is an important element of a rustic scheme, but if you want your room to feel more modern than traditional, keep it clean-lined, like the horizontal panelling in this room by Becker Home Improvement.
By edging the panelling in crisp white and only using it on two walls, it allows the timber to be the standout feature, while everything else in the room is pared-back and pale-toned.
Add indoor plants
A link to the outside is an essential element of a rustic scheme, and indoor plants can instantly bring a breath of fresh air into a living room, as in this design by Studio McGee.
Choose large plants (or small potted trees) and celebrate their simple, sculptural shapes by just having one or two large specimens, rather than lots of little plants dotted about.
A link to the outside is an essential element of a rustic scheme, and indoor plants can instantly bring a breath of fresh air into a living room, as in this design by Studio McGee.
Choose large plants (or small potted trees) and celebrate their simple, sculptural shapes by just having one or two large specimens, rather than lots of little plants dotted about.
Introduce woven materials
Choosing tactile accessories in woven materials such as rattan will add another element of the outdoors, and bring in an important extra layer of texture. Look for woven baskets and boxes in which to store blankets, throws and books, and scale them up for extra impact, as shown here by Robertson Lindsay Interiors.
Choosing woven natural flooring, such as seagrass or sisal, will also bring in texture underfoot and add subtle visual interest.
Tell us:
Which elements of modern rustic style would you bring into your home? Let us know in the Comments.
Choosing tactile accessories in woven materials such as rattan will add another element of the outdoors, and bring in an important extra layer of texture. Look for woven baskets and boxes in which to store blankets, throws and books, and scale them up for extra impact, as shown here by Robertson Lindsay Interiors.
Choosing woven natural flooring, such as seagrass or sisal, will also bring in texture underfoot and add subtle visual interest.
Tell us:
Which elements of modern rustic style would you bring into your home? Let us know in the Comments.
Natural timber is a staple of this trend, and wood-framed armchairs like those in this room by Acanthus Architecture will instantly set the tone for the rest of the room. Look for simple designs in light-toned wood for a contemporary feel.
By keeping the upholstery simple in a natural shade of cream and adding a few striped cushions, the room feels welcoming without being overly fussy.