Character-filled rustic style is warm and welcoming from the moment you walk in. Earthy hues, cozy oversized furniture, and timeworn accents make guests instantly comfortable. A rustic space has a sense of history and timeless charm. Rustic decor works well with other styles, from rustic-modern to rustic-farmhouse. Our stylists share tips to get this timeless look below.

Rustic Basics

• Distressed or weathered finishes.
• Soft leather furniture with simple lines.
• Rough-edged wood furniture or accents.
• Neutral and warm-toned colors.
• Hand-stitched fabrics with a rich texture.
• Exposed natural elements, like stone, brick, or wood.

Rustic Color Palette

From cabin-style wood paneling to supple, tan leather armchairs, rustic style is all about warm, inviting colors. Take your cue from Mother Nature's neutral palette with a mix of soft grays, browns, beiges, tans, and muted blacks. For a pop of color, incorporate dusty earth tones like brick red, adobe orange, or fern green into your home.

Opt for mostly solid-colored pieces, and accent with interesting textiles like a hand-stitched quilt, Southwestern-motif pillows, or patterned area rugs.

Rustic Materials & Textiles

Weathered materials are the cornerstone of rustic style. From distressed wood and galvanized metal to broken-in leather and frayed rugs, worn finishes evoke a homey feel, as if the house and everything in it has been well-loved for centuries.

Rustic Decor

Start small with weathered wood frames and accent tables and move on to rustic wood floors and cabin-worthy leather chairs when you're ready to commit. Create a collected mix of timeless accents with new pieces that already feature charming scratches and dents, or comb through antique stores and flea markets for vintage finds.

Bring the outdoors in with faux antlers or hunting-style heirlooms, plants or plant-motif wall art, and nature-inspired accents (birch logs or branch-style lighting).

Rustic Architecture

Brick flooring, exposed wood beams, and stone accent walls bring the outdoors in, and lend homespun charm to rustic homes. Fireplaces, often covered in stone or brick, create cozy gathering spots, while metal details on stairways and lighting add a utilitarian, industrial feel.

Lots of large windows allow the panoramic views to become a part of the decor, and high ceilings create an open feeling that echoes the great outdoors.

Rustic Furniture

You'll find a leather club chair, often featuring rolled arms and nailhead detailing, in nearly every rustic-style home. The epitome of stay-awhile-relaxation, a leather armchair only gets better (and more comfortable) with time. Each mark of wear and tear adds a unique character, signifying that the chair (and the home) is lived in and loved.

Oversized accent chairs (maybe even one built for two!) are right at home in a large space and adds to the coziness of cabin living, while a more modestly sized chair can fit in any-size space. Try pairing with textured pillows, throws, and rugs to contrast the soft, smooth leather.

Rustic Style Tips

• Warm up wood or stone floors with cowhide, kilim, or jute rugs.
• Add patterns with cabin- and Southwestern-inspired motifs.
• Fake it with faux brick, stone, or wood wallpaper.
• Industrial-style lighting keeps the look fresh.
• When in doubt, decorate with antlers and woodsy accents.

Ready to decorate?