Classy Rustic Living Room Design Ideas Interior Vogue
45 Modern Rustic Living Room Ideas We Want to Copy
Easy ways to make your living room look more rustic include adding natural or reclaimed wood accents in the form of barn doors, live edge tables, or accent walls. You can highlight existing wood beams or add decorative beams on a living room ceiling to add a rustic touch.
Mixing in vintage and industrial pieces such as antique trunks, tables and storage pieces with a well worn patina, or old tools as wall decor can add a rustic touch to a modern living room.
Adding nature-inspired pieces like chandeliers made of real or faux antlers, cowhide rugs, and sheepskin chair covers and candle-powered sconces add a rustic feel.
15 Farmhouse Living Room Ideas for Cozy, Laid-Back Hangouts
Whether or not you actually live in the countryside, you can still design the farmhouse living room of your dreams by taking a cue from spaces that have fully mastered the look. Below, were sharing 15 inspiring farmhouse living room decor ideas from top interior designers across the nation. These spaces prove that you can easily embrace the farmhouse aesthetic with thoughtful furniture selections, a timeless neutral color palette, and intentional decor. Were also answering all of your questions about farmhouse living rooms, including how to design one, so you can get ready for the compliments to roll in.
What is a farmhouse living room?
Farmhouse living rooms are typically the gathering spaces youd find in a farmhouse style home. Theyre conducive to large hangouts, contain plenty of seating for guests, and are often polished but unstuffy. Architectural features commonly present in farmhouse style living rooms include working fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, shiplap walls, built-ins, and exposed beams.
How can I design a farmhouse living room?
There are many ways to design a farmhouse living room. First, consider your desired outcome, whether you wish to embrace a modern farmhouse look, incorporate a coastal farmhouse aesthetic, or include French country influences. When implementing the style, designers usually include some sort of chandelieroftentimes one that is a wagon wheel shapea wooden coffee table, brass light fixtures, and textiles featuring a striped or windowpane design. Furniture is generally a neutral color.
Still wondering how to nail the look? Consider these 15 farmhouse living room ideas.
40+ Designer-Approved Rustic Living Room Ideas
Wood Works
Materials matter, and the more attention you can pay to the detail of your wood grain, stone, and metals, the better. This living room by Purple Cherry Architects lets these elements shine, with an exposed wood ceiling and a towering stone fireplace.
Window Walls
Rustic living rooms can often feel very dark and moody, so wed recommend juxtaposing that with a lighter elements. The best way to bring that sensibility, of course, is plenty of windows to let the sunshine in. Interior designer Anne Hepfer added this look to her cottage in Ontario, Canada: I loved the look of a modern, Belgian-inspired feel with black windows, clear white oak floors, and a neutral palette, she says. Keep it simple and clean so that you dont distract from the natural beauty outside.
Get Modern
Just because you want to go cozy doesnt mean you need to rely on taxidermy and rough-hewn surfaces. Take a cue from designer Tobias Petri, who created this minimal Alpine retreat for his family using materials found on-site. We used larch wood from the nearby mountains, concrete, and the [found] stone. Thats it. Nothing else, Petri says. No fancy materials. No fancy tiles. Simple and local.
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Add a Pop of Color
Traditional rustic is often thought of as being rife with earth tones, so change up the formula a bit by adding a bright red, green, or yellow, like in this space by Hattie Sparks. We went with a darker paint to envelop the homeowners and provide a contrast to the greenery outside, says Hattie Collins, the firms owner. And we kept the windows bright and open to help the room feel even more connected with nature.
Patterns Please
We love a rustic look that takes liberties with the genres traditional formula, like this space by interior designer Robin Gannon, which plays with color, pattern, and greenery. We accented the reclaimed beams with beautiful natural grasscloth wallcovering, woven shades, reupholstered blue mohair Womb chairs, an antique rug and of course, the antler chandelier gives the space a modern rustic touch, she says.
Enjoy the View
Sometimes less really is more. Regan Baker Design gave this living room a clean, bright, straightforward look so the jaw-dropping views can take center stage. We kept the color palette simple with earthy highlights so the eye doesnt have to adjust, she says. And we sourced loungy sectional and swivel chair that face both into the room and out to enjoy the view.
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Old School
If youre lucky enough to live in a home with historic details, then your living rooms interiors should frame and complement these old-school aspects rather than competing with them. The white-painted wooden slats allow you to see the beautiful stone fireplace and actually appreciate the original details, like the hay feeder and the stall door from this carriage house, says Liz Caan, who designed this rustic space.
Soaring Ceilings
One of the best ways to make a statement in a rustic living room is with a bold, sky-high ceiling made with reclaimed wood. We love this space by the Wiseman Group, which features a jaw-dropping upper section. As in nature, the timbers in this mountain retreat start low and reach high to create a wooded canopy above, says James Hunter, the firms design director.
Soft and Light
Rustic isnt a one-look-fits-all sensibility, so theres room for those with more traditional tastes to get into the aesthetic as well. This space by Chandos Interiors, for instance, pairs subdued blue hues with an all-white backdrop for a lighter look. The organic textures and reclaimed ceiling beams really make the transitional style workgiving it a little patina so those modern touches dont feel too cold, says founder Chandos Dodson Epley.
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Get Outdoorsy
If youre the type who spends a lot of time exploring nature, then a rustic living room is a great space to bring in some of that sensibility. Take this space as an example, which GordonDunning designed for someone who loved fly fishing and hunting. We wanted to create a space that felt rusticbut with a layer of sophistication, say cofounders Cate Dunning and Lathem Gordon. The house gives us royal hunting lodge vibes, and were all about it!
Just Beachy
Not all rustic living rooms have to be situated in a cabin in the woods or a man cave in the mountains. This particular space by Noor Property Group is on the water, so it immediately conjures up beachy vibes. My intention was to create an airy and minimal space that felt calm and clean, says principal Amalia Graziani. I heavily emphasized natural materials and rough fabrics but kept a pared-down palette so the water views and surrounding nature remained the focal point.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Heirloom or antique furniture that has a bit of a worn feel, or reclaimed materials like recycled wood, feel right at home in a rustic living room. Source things that reflect the colors and textures found in your natural environment, says Sean Anderson of this living space from his moody Memphis bungalow. Seek out items with a patina, things that had a life before you found them.
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California Dreamin
This space by Workshop APD masterfully balances an exposed wood ceiling with warm, beachy hues for the ultimate rustic California retreat. Perfect for a staycation, or for those who arent overly fond of the tried-and-true antler chandelier.
Sleepaway Camp
In Wisconsin, interior designer Bruce Fox transformed a Boy Scout camp into a generational family compound. The room is populated with many different styles of furniture from wicker to midcentury, giving it a laid-back yet sophisticated feel, allowing our client to relax and live a less complicated life while at camp, he says.
La Dolce Vita
You dont have to go for a woodsy vibe to get the rustic lookthe rolling hills of Puglia can work just as well (if not better). This living space by James Thurstan Waterworth combines a stone fireplace with iron sconces to create the perfect Call Me by Your Name aesthetic.
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Add Cozy Layers
As the winter months approach, youll want to curl up somewhere comfy, so creating a rustic living space that feels warm and inviting should be top of mind. This particular spacea Tahoe, California, retreat designed by Marea Clark Interiorsbrings exactly that energy. Our goal was to speak to the mountain setting and incorporate wood and other natural materials but make it suitable for all seasons with a sophisticated palette, says Clark.
Try a Modern Touch
Sometimes, marrying a modern sensibility with a traditional rustic living room can yield the best results. Here, Tom Stringer Design Partners added a few subtle accents to keep the space from adhering too closely to the rustic playbook. I always make sure to add a touch of modernity to the room, whether its a clean-lined cocktail table, modern lamps, or contemporary art, says Stringer. Rustic is nice, but if not balanced properly, it can become overbearing.
Opt for Moody Hues
This home in Stamford, Connecticut, brings the drama without being overbearing. Interior designer Ryan Lawson added a rug from Marrakech and a sculptural table by Egg Collective to create a rustic vibe that still feels contemporary.
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Modern Rustic
From a wood vaulted ceiling to eye-catching stone-covered walls, this space with architecture by Mark P. Finlay Architects is a lesson in rustic design.
Glossy Detail
A white high-gloss ceiling adds a dose of drama to this elegant living room by interior design firm Gauthier-Stacy Inc., featuring wood paneling.
Helena Madden is ELLE DECORs associate market editor, and covers all things product and trend, from flatware and furnishings to kitchen and bath. She previously worked as a staff writer at Robb Report, where she covered luxury news with a focus on interior design.
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19 Rustic Living Room Ideas (Create a Cozy Retreat)
Rustic living room ideas are all about embracing natural materials in their most natural state finishes, colors, and shapes of materials are kept as natural as possible and even the imperfections of these materials are left alone.
Rustic Living Room Designs
Old is the new New. The classic style of natural finishes, massive furniture pieces, and heavy textures make a comeback in the interior design scene, in fusion with more contemporary styles to create a luxe yet homey feel.
Most importantly, rustic interiors give a homey & cozy ambiance. It should feel relaxed, at home, casual and unrestricted. Forget about your OCD with symmetry, perfectly-pressed fabrics, and spotless surfaces, as rustic interiors embrace the signs of use and age on their furnishings and finishes.
The rustic style is perfect for people who want a laid-back and fuss-free living room design that has a lived-in feel, incorporating elements such as natural materials, character, and furnishings. It should have a very relaxed atmosphere and often reflects the personality and taste of its owner.
For those who love collecting various items from their travels, rustic style interiors are a good choice as they basically let you embrace eccentricity & eclecticism. The beauty of this style comes to life in various country settings and cozy places.
Key Takeaways of Rustic Living Rooms
- A warm and homey atmosphere has that lived-in look
- Emphasis on the use of natural materials wood, stone, etc.
- Natural or wear-related imperfections are left alone as part of the look
- Usually uses large/bulky classic or vintage style furniture pieces
- Color palette is often based on creams/browns/beiges
- Perfect for old houses with naturally-aged wood
- Warm lighting for a cozy ambiance
- Often features exposed wooden trusses
Rustic Furniture
When choosing furniture for your rustic living room, consider the following important features:
Upholstery Often uses warm-tone colors such as browns and beige or any muted/grayed-down color.
Prints Prints can also be used, but usually use classic tapestry patterns.
Fabrics Fabrics can range from linen to cotton, suede, and even leather. Textured fabrics are often preferred. Rugs can be used as accents.
Wood Most furniture pieces would probably made from wood or at least have a wooden component. Chairs and table legs are often made from wood, often with a bulkier/heavier silhouette.
Metal Metal can also be found used on furniture pieces, but instead of stainless steel or chrome-plated finishes, you would usually find blacked bronze, brass, antique gold, and wrought iron.
Stonework Stone and brickwork are hallmarks of the rustic style. These rooms often feature large stone or brick fireplaces that become the focal point and are finished with rich reclaimed wood mantles.
Silhouette Antique shops and second-hand stores would be your best bet if you dont have existing old furniture to use. Look out for any of the following features when selecting your furniture, as they are common in rustic style designs:
- Scroll armed sofas and chairs
- Camel-back
- classic furniture legs turned, cabriole, Jacobean, etc
- ball & claw foot
- nailhead details
- textured upholstery
- bulky massing, but looks comfortable
- Wooden pieces such as coffee tables, side tables, and console tables are also often bulky & heavy and made from solid wood.
Rustic Decor
The decor for rustic living rooms often comes in the form of art pieces, pottery & ceramics, chandeliers & lamps, pillows, and area rugs.
Whats great about rustic-style interiors is that theres no need to bother with a strict color scheme and even symmetry when it comes to decor and accessories. To help guide your select decor for your living room, here are some common decor items:
Lamps chandeliers, floor lamps, and table lamps are the usual lighting features of rustic living rooms. They are often made from metal or wrought iron in various finishes such as blacked bronze, brass, burnished gold, etc.
Wood and colored glass can also be used. They usually have a more organic and curved silhouette. You can also opt to use candle holders/candelabras as well.
Area Rugs Traditional style area rugs are preferred, but natural woven rugs such as jute rugs can also work for rustic-style living rooms.
Pillows play around with patterns and colors. You can use velvet, chambray and basically any fabric and pattern you want. Dark reds and greens often work well with this style.
Accessories antique style accessories are often found in rustic designs, and you can also use natural items such as shells, unique rocks/stones, rattan balls, handwoven fabric throws, etc. Candles, plants, and paintings are also common accessories used in this design.
Rustic Room Paint Colors
Often, the walls, floors, and ceilings of rustic interiors use texture-heavy finishes such as reclaimed wood, ceiling beams, and natural stone finishes; therefore, walls are often kept plain, clean, and warm.
Here are some paint color suggestions from popular paint brands. You can also try to find their equivalent colors in your locally available paint brands:
- Benjamin Moore
- simply white, swiss coffee, white wisp, white dove, china white
- Sherwin Williams
- extra white, eider white, pure white, alabaster white, creamy
- Dunn Edwards
- swiss coffee, Navajo white, silken pine, trite white, oatmeal cookie, limestone
You can also explore taupes, warm-toned grays, and other similar colors to match the mood you want to achieve.
Below are some great examples of rustic-style living rooms you can take inspiration from.
Rustic Style Room Ideas
Going for a log-cabin inspired look, this living room uses cut logs as a finish for the wall to create a faux log wall. You can also see the use of natural wood flooring, as well as exposed wooden trusses for the high-sloped ceiling.
Standing in the middle of the living room is a massive fireplace clad in natural slate stone with a weathered wood mantel. Furniture pieces are classic-style pieces with notable characteristics, such as scroll arms and solid wood pieces with turned legs.
The color scheme is mainly brown-toned because of the walls, floors, and ceiling, so to add a bit of contrast, an emerald green traditional area rug and green-upholstered sofa were used.
Going for a more elegant look, this rustic living room boasts of its elegant marble flooring and fireplace, as well as a high-sloped ceiling with decorative wooden trusses made with reclaimed wood.
The walls are painted in an off-white shade similar to Creamy by Sherwin Williams to give it a bright and light ambiance, while furniture pieces also use muted cream colors.
High ceilings and large windows definitely make this living area look bright and welcoming. It uses a light off-white color for the walls and natural wood-framed doors and windows, paired with a birch wood plank ceiling and solid wood trusses.
Because of the light-colored wood finishes used in the space, it doesnt look too heavy, and the high, sloped ceiling with skylight keeps everything balanced.
The massive fireplace is still the focal point of this room, as its natural stone finish stands out against the other finishes. The furniture has a simple and casual layout, using beige and taupe upholstery with bright-colored throws and pillows for accent.
Plain white walls and curved corners and edges make this rustic Spanish style living room very much reminiscent of Mediterranean interiors. The walls are decorated with patterned concrete tiles and have a built-in bench and fireplace, making it blend with the wall surface.
Instead of an actual sofa, the bay window bench serves as the seating area, adding a few pieces of pillows and a large window to make it feel more cozy.
The terracotta flooring gives the space a very rustic appeal, while the traditional area rug gives it a pop of color that matches the colors on the concrete tiles.
The brown wingback leather armchair, an essential item on our list, placed by the stone-clad fireplace definitely gives this Craftsman living room a very classic gentleman feel, but with the nicely weathered wood finishes, it gives a more casual and laid-back vibe.
The warm colors and lighting, along with varied buying choices for pillows and other accents, make you want to sit by the fireplace and read a good book.
This rustic living room has a modern tropical aesthetic inspiration. The texture and color of the thatched roof are left exposed to add more color and texture to the space, while the black-painted metal trusses give a nice contrast balance that also matches the door and window colors.
Exposed solid wood beams and planks on the ceiling give this living room much more depth and personality. The living space has an Empire-style influence with its furniture pieces but keeps a light, neutral color palette to complement the white and marble finish of the room. Golden satin and some light yellow gold accessories add more elegance to the whole look.
This living room is a modern take on the rustic living room look. The attic sitting room has a nice sloped ceiling which was finished with wood planks to mimic the exposed wood ceiling of older structures.
Natural stones were also used for the mantle of the fireplace, but the fireplace itself is a small gas fireplace that conveniently fits into the small space.
The elegant high pitched roof gives the living area a feeling of a bigger space, despite its actual small size. The large windows, coupled with white walls, also help balance out the strong color of the cherry wood finishes on the floors, walls, and ceiling.
The furniture pieces opts for a very simple and casual look, upholstered in white with a massive solid wood coffee table for accent and some plants to go along with the nature backdrop.
The aged oak ceiling and massive beams and trusses already set a nice rustic mood for this living room. Because the massive beams paired with wooden flooring look a little heavy, the walls were simply painted in white, helping create a balance that makes the room look big and bright.
Furniture pieces are composed of two modern sofas upholstered in white, an antique Spanish coffee table with a glass top, and a matching antique wingback chair with a nice yellow leather upholstery placed right by the limestone fireplace.
Rustic Modern
If your current interiors/architecture is more on the modern side, or you simply prefer the cleaner silhouette of modern designs, you can still add a few touches and details to give it a more rustic look.
Adding ornamental solid wood beams to the ceiling mimics the typical ceiling look of rustic interiors. The slate fireplace also helps put together the whole look, as well as the rustic-inspired decor, such as the dried flowers, candles, and the neutral-colored furniture pieces.
By adopting the right colors and textures, this modern living room captured the ambiance of classic rustic interiors.
A neutral color scheme with wooden flooring, taupe walls, and rustic wood ceiling, combined with the beige and brown tones of the velvet and leather furniture pieces, as well as distressed wood pieces really come together well.
The stone element in the room and the warmth of the chandelier hanging from the high ceilings add to the appeal and coziness that the family can appreciate and enjoy.
Rustic Contemporary
The massive fireplace is definitely the focal point of this living room, as it takes all your attention with this rough, solid masonry finish.
The living room has a nice cozy and casual feel, using contemporary furniture silhouettes with a rustic-inspired material palette of velvet chocolate brown and beige suede.
The pitched ceiling with light pinewood finish also helps complete the rustic look but gives a more contemporary appeal with its lighter wood finish. This is the perfect place for the family to retreat and enjoy memorable moments together.
Despite being rather small, the open floor plan makes this contemporary living room still feel bright and spacious. The fabric and wood textures used on the furniture pieces really give a very casual rustic vibe because of its more modern silhouette. Having a welcoming atmosphere, its a great spot for the family to kick back, relax, and discuss the things that matter most to them.
More playful and bold with its color selection, this rustic-inspired contemporary living room successfully combines the modern retro color scheme with rustic finishes. The solid wood floors and pitched ceiling, paired with the stone-clad fireplace, give it a very rustic vibe.
The furniture pieces have a more modern silhouette and a bolder color scheme of browns, dark blues, and oranges, giving it a more youthful appeal. The added warmth from the familys favorite chandelier creates a cozy atmosphere that they can enjoy and cherish.
Rustic Farmhouse
For those who prefer a more farmhouse-like rustic appeal, the trick is going for more washed-out/weathered finishes paired with simple, mostly white pieces.
The solid wood ceiling trusses have a washed-out coloring that is perfect for the farmhouse look. The walls, doors, and windows are also all in white, and to add a bit of color, suede brown armchairs, and rustic wood tables were added.
This living room features an interesting mix of antique French furniture pieces paired with rustic wood finishes on the floors, walls, and ceiling. The dark oak wooden floors have a very natural, worn-out look, while the walls are finished with vertical wooden planks with a weathered white paint finish.
Solid, weathered wooden beams can also be found on the ceiling, complementing the worn-out appeal of the floors. The white French furniture pieces, on the other hand adds a touch of elegance to the space, creating a very romantic, shabby-chic appeal.
