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30 Rustic Living Room Ideas For A Cozy, Organic Home

When we talk of rustic-style interiors, many of our readers think of exposed wood, stone walls, a warm fireplace at the heart of the room and a setting that gently turns the clock back to a simpler, less flashy era. And most of that is indeed true. Yet, concealed below that rough, rustic exterior are still modern comforts and new-age gadgets that promise to make your life a lot easier. Adopting a rustic style living room does not mean a less luxurious life. It is just about embracing aesthetics that are unpretentious, elegant and closer to nature.

Branches in the glass vase add to the chic rustic style [Design: Urrutia Design]

Thanks to the ingenuity of contemporary designers, you can now blend the modern and the rustic in a balanced, sensible fashion to create chic living rooms that offer the best of both worlds. Bringing back the memories of that cherished holiday as a kid in the mountain cabins or an unforgettable trip to the ranch, rustic living spaces can bring forth a sense of nostalgia along with natural goodness.

Mountain retreats offer the perfect backdrop for a rustic style space [Design: Pearson Design Group]
Living room with wood panels, exposed brick walls and interesting decor [Design: Moss]
Chalet style living room has an imposing presence [Design: Locati Architects]
Breezy summer charm coupled with rustic style in the living area [Design: Smith & Vansant Architects]
Modern rustic living room with a cozy, warm appeal [Design: Carpet Direct Kansas City]
Varied textures give the room an exciting look [Design: BEHR]

Timeless Winter Cabin Look

Those giant exposed wooden beams across the living room ceiling, large stone walls that offer the perfect backdrop for antique additions, spectacular yet classic chandelier lighting and a beautiful fireplace that draws you in instantly; this is the classic image of a rustic living room inspired by the winter cabin. The woodsy cabin style is a perfect theme to turn to with fall and winter set to rule the next few months. The inherent coziness of such living rooms, the wide array of plush textures that they offer and an aura of timelessness make them an instant hit almost every single time.

Antique decor and warm lighting give the living room a beautiful aura [Design: Peace Design]
A perfect living room for the chilly winters ahead [Design: Witt Construction]
Old trunk used as a coffee table in the cozy room [From: Schlage Locks]

The decor of rustic living rooms is what sets them apart from the rest. The idea is to pick visually heavy decor that anchors the space while lending the theme a sense of authenticity. Heavy wooden coffee tables, wrought iron lighting fixtures, plush rugs and vintage flea market finds are all great choices indeed. Brown leather couches or dark black sofas are also the norm in these classic, cabin-style living rooms.

Natural stone and reclaimed timber shape the rustic living room [Design: John Kraemer & Sons]
Placing the TV high up works in large living rooms with ample space [Design: IMI Design]
Reclaimed barn wood and stone shape the rustic living space [Design: RMT Architects]
Oak timber ceiling beams and plaster walls shape this spacious living room [By: Murphy & Co. Design]
Fireplace is at the heart of this gorgeous rustic living room [From: Cherie Cordellos Photography]

A Modern Twist

So you are not really comfortable with the classic cabin style when it comes to rustic living rooms? We completely understand your design conundrum, and embracing modern rustic is the perfect way to get around it. This cool style merges the aesthetics of a rustic-style space with modern functionality in a seamless manner. Heavy wooden elements and stone walls are still welcome, but you can use these in a far less prominent fashion. Keep the color scheme as natural as possible and fill the room with snug textures and unassuming decor. Modern rustic style also allows you to combine mass produced furniture with collectibles and antiques in a sensible way.

Elegant rustic living room with Spanish revival influences [From: Jute Interior Design]
Lovely pops of color enliven the small living area [Design: Mark English Architects]
Natural stone easily brings in the rustic style into any setting [Design: Visbeen Architects]

While the classic, spacious rustic living rooms have a deeper and darker vibe about them, the modern rustic living rooms shine in the neutral color scheme. Restrained pops of pastel colors are also welcome here, and this relaxed, organic style allows you to find that ideal balance between a living room that looks stunning in both summer and winter months.

Add a flea market find to give the rustic space a more authentic look [Design: Knickerbocker Group]
Beautiful blend of the rustic and the modern in the living room [Design: Joan Heaton Architects]
White is a great choice for small rustic living rooms [From: Justine Hand]
Smart chic rustic living room in white [Design: Arturo Palombo Architecture]
Small living room with modern rustic style [Design: Ryan Group Architects]

Bringing Nature Indoors

Rustic living rooms are an ideal space to try out a warm, earthy color palette. But it is not just inspiration from nature that elevates the appeal of these settings. Large framed windows that bring the outdoors inside are a big part of the rustic style. If you have a living room that boasts of stunning natural views, make them an integral part of the interior. For those who do not have a home that overlooks amazing snow-capped peaks or stunning green prairies, a simpler view of the garden outside will do as well. The idea is to ‘play up’ the nature-centric appeal of the rustic living area.

Blur the lines between the indoor and the world outside! [Design: Johnston Architects]
Noguchi table at the heart of the dashing living space [Design: Amy A. Alper]
Chic Rustic living room with scenic views [From: 186 Lighting Design Group]

Allowing you to repurpose and reuse old, discarded decor with great ease, rustic living rooms are also a lot more sustainable and planet-friendly than contemporary spaces. In a world that is dominated by ‘more of the same’, they are a breath of fresh air that combines form and functionality with unassuming brilliance.

Large windows bring the outdoors inside [Design: Brooks and Falotico Associates]
Rustic living room with a touch of coastal flavor [Design: RJS Builders]
Creative way to use the modern rustic style [By: Studio 80 Interior Design]
Framed views add to the natural vibe of the living room [Design: ID Studio Interiors]

Sherry Nothingam

Sherry is a blogger who loves to live her life to the fullest. She enjoys everything associated with design, décor and stylish modern trends. Born in California, Sherry has grown up on open ranches and in a wild setting, which has defined her taste for design and developed her interest in examining how structures and homes interact with the beauti[...]

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