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30+ Rustic living room ideas – modern, farmhouse and chic decor

By Elise Hodge

Updated: June 9th, 2022

Add warmth to your living room with rustic accents and design.

Do you like warm, cosy spaces that embrace rugged, natural beauty over polished finishes? If that’s you, then you’ve come to the right spot because I’ve put together my favourite rustic living room ideas that you can add to your home.

When you think ‘rustic,’ your mind might instantly turn to old, vintage or timber pieces. But that doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, rustic living rooms can embrace modern elements and chic décor. The key to nailing the rustic style is to embrace a variety of shapes, textures, and colours that make your space look unique.

Rustic living rooms usually use organic tones and earthy colours to create warmth. So using warm tones when it comes to choosing paint and warm light globes instead of cool tones are small decisions that make a room instantly cosy.

But the most important thing is to focus on design elements that create a charming, rustic space that you love to live in.

1. Exposed beams

If you’ve got exposed beams in your living room, use them to your advantage. By keeping them in their natural colour, you add a charming touch to your rustic living room. You can tie in this warm colour with beige and timber tones throughout your furniture.

rustic-living-room-beams
Source: Photo by Collov Home Design on Unsplash

2. Use a vintage statement piece

The good news is that you don’t have to completely overhaul your living room to achieve a rustic look. You can do it by trading one modern piece of furniture for an older, vintage choice. For instance, the addition of a simple wooden coffee table can provide a great contrast to a mostly white or light neutral room.

3. Add a round wooden mirror

It’s the most simple touches that can make the biggest difference, such as adding a lovely round mirror. There are so many benefits of adding a mirror to your space. Apart from being a lovely addition to your existing décor, mirrors create the illusion of extra space, which is especially helpful in a tiny room.

rustic-living-room-pop-of-red
Source: Photo by Joey Banks on Unsplash

Don’t forget that you can always get someone to help with your picture hanging and also hanging that heavy mirror to make sure it’s supported correctly.

4. Farmhouse style

Whether you live in an actual farmhouse or you wish you lived in a farmhouse, you can embrace the design trends that go with this kind of home. Combine stone with natural wood, use plenty of grey in your furniture and your wall paint, and add touches of black and white all around.

5. Let the light in

Rustic living rooms can get a little bit dark, so it’s really important to keep the light flowing through in. You can achieve this look with large floor-to-ceiling windows – just remember to keep the draping curtains open wide in the daytime!

6. Keep the fireplace burning

If the weather is cool enough, and you’ve got a fireplace in your living room, turn it on! There’s nothing more cosy than the sound of a crackling fire. It’ll add a rustic touch to your space and will provide the perfect ambience for hosting guests.

rustic-living-room-fireplace
Source: Photo by Krystal Black on Unsplash

Don’t have a fireplace yet? Or maybe you want your wood-burning fireplace converted into a gas one? There are multiple options that you can pick and choose between but when it comes to getting put in, get a professional to take care of your fireplace installation.

7. Stick to a theme

No colour scheme is cosier than one that is made up of warm neutrals. While you don’t have to stick to these colours to create a rustic living room, it certainly does help. A colour palette of soft browns and greys lays the foundation for comfy furniture and gentle fabrics. Whatever colours you choose, just make sure you stick to a theme. Because consistency really is key in creating a finished space.

8. Vintage leather

Shop around for a statement piece of furniture, like this vintage leather sofa. The worn-in look makes it feel very rustic. Surround it with gorgeous lush potplants to add a touch of colour and life.

rustic-living-room-stone-flooring
Source: Photo by Krystal Black on Unsplash

9. Blue and timber

You don’t have to keep things all one colour to create an effective rustic living room. Your design might incorporate blue to add life and fun to the space and it’s the perfect style for a coastal escape. Incorporate blue with your couches, stools, and décor.

10. Light timber beams

Light timber and white are a match made in heaven. So, if you have a lot of white space and exposed beams, let them be the heroes of your living room. Complete your space with woven furniture, vases of pampas and simple clean white furniture.

rustic-living-room-warm-neutrals
Source: Photo by Eddy Lee on Unsplash

11. Add plants

The simple addition of some greenery can make a huge difference to your living room. It can be something as pared back as palm leaves in a glass vase on the coffee table that makes the biggest statement. They provide an eye-catching centrepiece for a gorgeous living room.

12. Create an eclectic space

Achieve a unique look by adding in a mix of furniture. Choose a white couch and combine it with a brown sitting chair or wooden stools. Opt for a raw timber coffee table and add in stunning vases, potplants and lamps. Create consistency by sticking to a few key colours and remember the boundaries of interior design are becoming more and more blurred, so have some fun.

rustic-living-room-neutrals
Source: Photo by Chloe Frost-Smith on Unsplash

13. Hang floral curtains

Don’t forget to add colour and pattern! You certainly don’t have to stick to one shade to create a rustic look. In fact, floral patterns can really add a vintage feel to your space. Hang them high above your glass doors and windows for dramatic effect. And integrate the colours with the pillows on your couch.

14. Feature stone

Another common feature of rustic living rooms is stone. You can use it in your living room by creating an expansive stone fireplace, feature wall or archway. It also looks really great teamed with other natural materials, like a leather couch and timber coffee table.

rustic-living-room-with-timber-flooring
Source: Photo by Collov Home Design on Unsplash

15. Window seat nook

Creating a comfy corner by stacking a window seat full of mixed cushions and throws. The seat can double up as storage, with large pull-out drawers underneath it. This kind of furniture is handy for storing board games or extra décor that you don’t want lying around all of the time. Summer or wintertime, you’ll love sitting in a window seat nook with the weekend newspaper or one of those books you just can’t put down.

16. Add warm lighting

The key to creating a cosy rustic living room is to make sure your lighting is just right. The truth is that harsh, white lighting will completely ruin your space and undo all of the great work you’ve done in choosing the right furniture. Don’t let this be the case! Get your lighting right by choosing warm bulbs that will create an inviting feel. Add a lamp on your coffee table, lights on the wall, and candles on your coffee table.

rustic-living-room-warmth
Source: Photo by Rodrigo dos Reis on Unsplash

17. Create multiple spaces

If you have a large living room, it can be easy to let blank corners go to waste. Make the most of your space by breaking your living room up into different areas. Your space might have two sitting areas – one to the left and the other to the right – as well as a spot for dining at the back. The key to making an area like this work is to use consistent colours throughout. If you don’t do this, your living room could look a bit disjointed. But by sticking to key colours, you’ll create a cohesive design.

18. Wooden accents

If you want to integrate a rustic feel to your living room but want to keep a clean finish, use highlights of timber. If you have wooden beams keep their natural warm raw colour and then add in a wooden coffee table, natural-tone chairs and decorations. Remember, a rustic livingroom doesn’t have to have raw edges to be effective.

rustic-and-modern-living-room
Source: Photo by Andrea Davis on Unsplash

19. Create a vintage bookcase nook

If you have a bookcase or cabinet in your living room, make it rustic by adding assorted dried flowers in a vintage vase. You can find plenty of vases like this at homeware stores. Or you can scour the shelves of your local op shops – you’re bound to find something there. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

rustic-living-room-brick
Source: Photo by Alexandra Gorn on Unsplash

20. Timber on timber

If you’ve got timber floors, then why not stick to the theme and add more timber? It truly doesn’t take a lot to make a space look amazing. Throw in a couple of timber chairs, some natural baskets and a touch of white, and you’ve got yourself a beautiful, clean space.

21. Add black furniture

Black is another great colour to consider when you’re creating a rustic living room. This small living room is made chic with the addition of a black leather sofa.

rustic-living-room-cosy
Source: Photo by Amr Taha™ on Unsplash

22. Black and white

You simply can’t go past the classic combination of black and white. It always looks good and is really easy to style. Whether it’s in the wall art or cushions, it can really make the space. Adding soft and fluffy textures with a rug and pillows will help to make your space feel cosy and inviting.

23. Dark metal and timber

Consider adding dark metal to your rustic living room, whether in the furniture, light fittings or décor. Dark metal will add plenty of lovely contrast to a light neutral rustic living room.

24. Rustic refined

Raw timber and white with touches of grey make a rustic living room very Boho chic. If you’re trying to create a rustic Boho space, add in greenery and foliage on your coffee table to ramp up the rustic side of your design.

rustic-living-room-rustic-timber
Source: Photo by avery klein on Unsplash

25. Include a statement piece of art

A rustic living room doesn’t have to be stripped bare. You can add character and life into your space by hanging your favourite piece of art on the wall. Integrate the colours in the artwork throughout the rest of the room, in your sofa cushions or rug.

26. Timber walls

Forget rendered walls! Bring the outdoors in with rustic, timber walls. This creates a natural look in your living room. And it’s really easy to dress up with plenty of neutral colours and dark timber and black.

27. Country rustic living room

The living room in this country ranch has a whole lot of character. Recreate this look for yourself by using dark wood and metal accents, leather, nude tones and a brick feature wall.

But it’s not just the furniture that matters, it’s the lighting too. Choose lighting that matches the overall look you’re going for. How unusual is this light fitting?

rustic-living-room-brick-feature-wall
Source: Photo by Virender Singh on Unsplash

Need a new light but not really too sure about what you’re looking for? Well, I’ve come across this too so I actually put together a whole article just on living room lighting ideas – you’re welcome!

28. Dramatic woodwork

If you have a flair for the dramatic, intricate wood detailing will appeal to you. Look for ornate vintage furniture or carved timber mirror frames.

29. Woodsy cabin

If you love the idea of creating a woodsy mountain cabin, add all the cosy elements: a fireplace, comfy rug, oversized couch, and a basket full of blankets. All you’ll need is a glass of wine and you’ll be set!

30. Stick to neutrals

One way to make your space feel more rustic is to choose the right colour palette. Take this living room, for example. It combines timber and brick tones with touches of ecru, black and white. These are all neutral colours that, when combined, look really great together.

rustic-living-room-animal-hide-rug
Source: Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

Love this idea and looking for some more colour schemes? Here’s my collection of grey living room ideas which I love.

So, have I sold you on creating a rustic living room? I hope that you’ve been able to see that there is so much more to a rustic living room than you might initially think. Yes, there are the usual suspects – the timber, neutrals and stone. But there are also so many other rustic living room ideas that you can use.

How about adding a bit of blue for a coastal-inspired space? Or integrating deep red? And what about hanging floral curtains? Or you could combine modern dark metal with masculine leather and dark timber?

Whether you want to create an edgy, modern space, a relaxed farmhouse, or a glam living room, I hope these ideas have shown you how you can incorporate rustic touches throughout! I’d love to hear how you’re going to do this, and what your biggest takeaway was from this post. Drop a comment down below.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elise H

I've recently moved into a new home and I've been having so much fun decorating it with pretty wall prints and Scandinavian-inspired furniture. So as well as being a freelance writer, I'm always on the lookout for new design pieces for my home!

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