Modern Rustic Home Dcor Ideas

Country style is gaining momentum as increasingly more people turn to a simpler way of living as a reprieve from their hectic technology-filled urban lifestyles. However, contrary to popular opinion, this style is not reserved for big, open pastures and idyllic farmland settings – it can also perfectly complement the most contemporary of city homes. 

Bring in lots of natural light, pale neutral walls, limited embellishments and sheer curtains to ensure that the abundance of wood and leather doesn’t become overwhelming and heavy.
Ryan Beattie from Alpine Lounge says over the decades, the country look has evolved to incorporate more modern styles, adapting to the urban environment without losing touch with its roots. 

Ryan shares tips on how to put together a rustic and refined look in your home… 

Elements of a country-styled home 

1. Wood 

Without a doubt, wood epitomises the rustic home. It keeps the look firmly entrenched in nature and is reminiscent of many rustic activities. 

Traditionally, country-style homes would have exposed wooden beam ceilings, wide plank floors and a scattering of wooden furniture and accessories. The modern home is not different - it is just executed with a more refined finish. 

2. Leather 

Think browns, off-white, rust, cream and grey to inspire a rustic sense of calm.
Homes with country flair tend to have lots of heavy leather seating scattered around the various living areas. Whether offering traditional or contemporary design lines, the strong, genuine leather reference keeps the décor firmly rooted in nature. It also adds a certain timeless elegance and an inviting sense of comfort to the spaces it graces. 

3. Soft lighting 

Candles, lanterns and low-lighting create a cosy atmosphere that harks back to the days of no electricity. 

4. Metal 

Hardwearing industrial elements nod to the practical pared-down nature of a rustic farmhouse. To get the look, buy sofas with metal finishes like metal feet or stud detailing. 

5. Neutrals 

Country style is all about creating a sense of luxurious comfort - an inviting and warm place where you can relax and unwind.
Think browns, off-white, rust, cream and grey to inspire a rustic sense of calm. A dash of dark red, which is a country classic, creates a feeling of natural richness and gives focus to the space. 

6. Personal artifacts 

A country home is filled with memories from current and previous generations. In such settings, you’ll often find unique collections and loads of old photographs that speak to this sense of heritage. 

For a more modern rustic appeal, these collections must be kept to a minimum and displayed in an organised fashion. Furthermore, old pieces can be juxtaposed with new, streamlined items for a more dramatic overall appeal. 

7. Comfort 

The rustic country cottage has always been a place of peace and quite, and since there’s not a lot of external stimulation, the surroundings tend to focus on casual comfort. 

Be sure to make the details count by bringing in elements that evoke the outdoors. A stone-clad fire surround, leather poufs or an antler coat hook, for example, can all add to a modern woodland scheme.
This concept of standing as a retreat from the fast paced urban lifestyle is similarly duplicated in modern rustic décor. It’s all about creating a sense of luxurious comfort - an inviting and warm place where you can relax and unwind. 

Think plush seating and bedding, a steaming cup of coffee, cosy nooks in the sun for reading, a roaring fireplace and thick woolen socks in the winter. 

Various ways to add country appeal to your home 

1. Introduce layers of natural, unprinted materials such as linen, burlap, wool, hessian and animal skins. Ryan says a modern leather couch with minimalist lines can easily be given the country touch with the addition of linen scatter cushions, a sheepskin and a handmade throw. 

2. Add candles to the space and turn down the dimmer switch for a snug atmosphere that will make people want to sit around and chat for hours. 

According to Ryan, it’s all about giving the space a cosy, warm and inviting atmosphere, so make sure the seating you choose is comfortable as possible. For this reason, motion seating is a great choice, he says. 

3. Incorporate raw, unvarnished wood in structural and decorative elements throughout your space. “A wall clad in salvaged wood makes for an affordable statement headboard or feature wall, while a set of old worn wooden stools and chairs balance a slick contemporary kitchen.” 

4. Bring in lots of natural light, pale neutral walls, limited embellishments and sheer curtains to ensure that the abundance of wood and leather doesn’t become overwhelming and heavy. 

Ryan says nothing can bring the outdoors inside quite like being able to view an appealing outdoor scene from inside – think large expanses of windows and seamless fold-a-side doors for a modern rustic aesthetic. 

5. Make sure your underfoot experience is soft with animal furs and worn Persian or Kelim rugs layered over large jute, sea grass, sisal carpets or wooden flooring. 

Rugs help define open-plan spaces, creating rooms within rooms, says Ryan.

When layering rugs, he says it’s best to place an organically-shaped animal skin over a more structured rug, allowing the contrast in form to complement one another. 

6. Curate collections of your favourite items and display natural curiosities. It tells a story and adds layers of personality. 

“Taxidermy and bleached animal skulls may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but it can make a striking display in a modern rustic home. Alternatively, natural prints, arresting modern prints or photography of natural scenes or animals, and interesting artifacts found on walks such as shells, pebbles and so on, can be used to create interesting displays.” 

7. According to Ryan, whether you’re hand-picking them yourself or buying them at the supermarket, arrange your flowers loosely in a ceramic jug or glass bottle, giving it a casual just-picked look. 

Be sure to make the details count by bringing in elements that evoke the outdoors. Ryan says a stone-clad fire surround, leather poufs or an antler coat hook, for example, can all add to a modern woodland scheme.