Rustic Decorating Ideas
for Relaxed Living

Rustic decorating ideas are for those of you that want a comfortable living space that connects with the outdoors.

This charming style of decorating is very well received and really has been around in one form or another for quite some time. So in a way you could call it timeless because it will always be well received and loved.

And you don’t have to live in the country to enjoy this style of decorating. It is all about making do with what you have and in large part drawing from the elements of nature.

In fact the furniture is sometimes made of twigs but definitely of rough-hewn wood and never polished. The wood used in the furniture is weathered in natural or of a worn painted finish in milk paint of gray, blue and green that allow the natural grain to show through.

Knotted pine is used often without much ornamentation or detailing of any kind (if any), just the beauty of the wood and any imperfections only adding to the beauty.

Some rustic decorating ideas, uses a plank top table in the dining or kitchen area with long benches instead of individual chairs or maybe the use of a captain chair as the host chairs.

The upholstered furniture used in this relaxed style of decorating is oversized, casual and comfortable in a color palette that is often neutral, with fabrics mostly in natural fibers of wools, linens, and cottons offering much texture with animal motifs, wood scenes, and plaids among the patterns being used.

Colors in a rustic setting decor are warm, natural and "earthy" and ones you would associate with the outdoors. Grass green or deep moss or evergreen, autumn colors of reds, yellows, oranges and golds and grays and browns that you might see in rocks.

Seating arrangements are defined with the use of area rugs of rag or braided and some chairs may be a pair of rocking chairs or Adirondack chairs.

Accents play an important role and in large part make the room what it is. So naturally any accessories in this case are going to reflect a country charm and hold lots of character.

They will look old or actually be old is better, but never appear new even if they are. The best rustic decorating ideas are ways to display them, so they are unexpected, giving even the everyday items an element of surprise.

Galvanized tubs can hold magazines or firewood, blanket chests (can never have too many) can be used as your coffee table, at the foot of the bed, or side of a sofa and double for storing things you don't need all the time such as pillows or blankets, or shoes at the back door. I have off season purses in mine.

Pretty patchwork quilts showing different patterns and all representing a history are used plenty as bed coverings, casually thrown over the back of a sofa or chair, railing or hung as a wall hanging.

Bring in a bit of the outdoors and fill bowls with pine cones and acorns.

Use animal patterns and wood scenes’ motifs on accents such as pillows and dinnerware, and picture frames are a rough wood and maybe a pen and ink drawing of the outdoors in one.

Hang decorative tin signs, board games of chess or checkers or Parcheesi.

The flea markets hold a treasure of these rustic decorating ideas and other antiques of any kind, things like clocks and old mirrors that may give you inspiration for hanging on the walls.

Planked and recycled floors from old barn siding have a place for this casual style (also good for the environment). Others options for floors that offer great texture are slate, flagstone and unfinished granite.

The floors are typically left bare and covered with an occasional braided area rug or rag rug for color and warmth or an animal hide.

Also prevalent to this style of decorating if you are so lucky is a big fireplace with a chunky wood mantel and a stone hearth. This makes for a great focal point too.

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