It's summertime, and the living is easy. It's also a chance to spend more time outdoors enjoying nature. Each year thousands of people flock to national parks to spend time camping, either in their own tents or in camping lodges. Adding the rustic feel to their homes has become a way for people to bring their vacations back with them.
Benefits of rustic decorating
The rustic look works because it can pull a room together without being as stuffy as many decorating styles. It's got a comfortable, casual look. Also, the rugged style works well for both men and women, so it's something spouses might actually be able to agree on when decorating their home.
If you want to recreate that rustic lodge look in your own home, here are a couple of tips to help you do it.
1) Don't overdo it.
One of the charms of rustic style is the rough, unfinished look of bare wood and exposed stone, and the rugged, textured look of both the furniture and the fabrics used. This is also one of the style's downsides as well, because too much too quickly can easily overpower a room.
The best way to get the rustic look in your own home is to start out slowly, adding just a few pieces at a time. For example, pick out a few rustic pieces to go by the fireplace, put a patchwork quilt on a paneled wood wall, or decorate the floor with a few animal hides or rag rugs.
You could also choose to put the rustic theme in only one room, like a bathroom, bedroom or patio, to see how it "fits" without committing yourself to an entire house. Adding cabin or rustic bedding is another good way to anchor a room and get you the look you want. It allows for your bed to stand out without being overpowering. Look online at places like Image Bedding to find a wide selection of rustic and cabin bedding.
2) Imperfect is a good thing.
"Rustic" doesn't mean "perfectly uniform and polished." It's about the innate beauty of nature, although that may be "imperfect" to our human eyes. Wood doesn't have to be perfectly sanded and fit impeccably, nor does rock have to be polished to a gleam. In fact, it's probably better if it doesn't. Don't be afraid to expose the natural wood and rock in your rooms.
3) Remember comfort.
Yes, rustic furniture has a wonderful look, but remember that wood, especially unfinished wood, isn't that comfortable to sit on. If you're adding rustic couches and chairs, look for some cushions and pillows to make them functional seating for your guests. The fabric can help tie the furniture in with the rest of the room, if you're adding your rustic pieces slowly, or it can help warm up the furniture if you've got the rustic look in a whole room.
Be adventurous!
The rustic look is definitely a bold style, and done wrong it can be overwhelming and noisy. However, done right, it can be comfortable and sophisticated, and it can give you that lodge look you've been wanting. For more examples of rustic bedding you can use, visit
ImageBedding.com.
