Rustic Designs for Bathrooms & Kitchens

Gingham-lined baskets add a rustic touch.

Decorating in a rustic style is an inexpensive and innovative way to decorate kitchens and bathrooms while making a home feel cozy and inviting. Use items you may already have such as bandannas and gingham tablecloths. Select a natural color scheme and develop the style by adding rustic lighting and organic textiles.

Color

Start with a color scheme that blends with the outdoors. Choose from earthy colors such as sky blue or olive green. Neutral colors in the tan and gray families also work well as a backdrop. Deep colors such as burgundy or forest green add warmth, setting the stage for the rest of the design. Add one or two accent colors and you have a great starting point for a rustic design.

Theme

Select a rustic theme such as an animal or the great outdoors. Consider a summer lake-home theme or a forest theme. Include elements such as tents, canoes, oars, outhouses, fishing poles, guns and rustic signs. Choose decorative accents featuring bears, moose, deer, fish, birds, dogs, raccoons squirrels or mice to add to the theme.

Texture

Create implied or expressed texture in the space. Select roughly textured woods and fabrics. Service Magic recommends using woods or dark metal that won't reflect light. Apply embossed wall coverings or paint a rustic design on the walls. Select from rich stone such as marble or granite for countertops and sinks. Stainless-steel sinks are another option. Use woods for cabinets that have a noticeable wood grain such as pine. Use reclaimed wood from old barns for the most natural look. Weather woodwork by applying creative paint techniques, such as whitewashing or crackling, to cabinets and other wood surfaces. Make or find furniture pieces made of logs or large sticks.

Textiles

Bring in the look and feel of the outdoors with textiles such as towels, curtains, tablecloths and shower curtains. Use natural fibers such as burlap, canvas or muslin. Other fabrics that add color are bandannas and gingham checks. Find printed fabrics with your theme or find fabric to make your own curtains and valances to match the décor. Use some woolen throw rugs to add texture and warmth.

Accessories

Finish the look by adding accessories such as stone crocks or baskets as containers. Crooked Creek Country suggests using potpourri and pine cones. Swap metal or wood switch-plate covers for plain ones. Replace cabinet knobs with pewter or decorative knobs such as pine cones or oars. Add rustic lighting such as an antler chandelier, pewter lanterns or candles.

References

• www.crookedcreekcountry.com: Rustic Home Decorating Advice
• www.servicemagic.om: Ideas for Rustic Décor