6 ways to master modern rustic decor—Embracing Hygge for Fall
As fall is approaching, I’m starting to warm up the aesthetics of my house to bring in more coziness. Now that the days are getting shorter, I especially love it when the sunlight pierces through the window at golden hour!
As an interior designer, to me, modern rustic is more than just decor —it’s a complete vibe that can change your mood and make you feel like nesting more in your home. The Scandinavians refer to this feeling as Hygge, the art of creating a sense of coziness, warmth, and togetherness. In my opinion, you can’t get this feeling without elements of modern rustic decor in your home!
You may be wondering: Where do I even begin with modern rustic decor?!
You’re in the right place.
STEP #1: EXAMINE THE 5 FEATURES OF HOME DESIGN
These are color, furniture, architectural features, natural elements, and home accessories (AKA decor).
Each can be used to add elements that will kick your space into gear to accomplish the modern rustic aesthetic. You can choose to go big or small, grab a few elements from each category, or just focus on a few features. Either way, bookmark this post and consider it your all-in-one guide to getting that Hygge home ready for fall with modern rustic decor!
STEP #2: Establish a modern rustic color scheme
Our eyes absorb color first, so no matter which interior style you’re trying to adopt, color is the fastest way to establish that vibe in your space. We feel aesthetics through color, so whether you paint or accessorize, find your colors before embarking on any kind of style or tone for your space.
When it comes to modern rustic colors, think soft and muted colors. They should have an organic, natural feel and blend in well with the natural elements you add to your space. The colors on the palette below are Benjamin Moore paints that I’d recommend if a client came to me for a color consult about modern rustic decor—notice how they can be mixed and matched!
I like to choose two or three (at the most) colors as my inspiration for walls or larger pieces, and then add a splash of the other colors, whether on a pillow or a candle color. Overall, have fun mixing these colors and finding patterns that complement this palette. Color is where you can discover your creativity with design!
STEP #3: thrift modern rustic decor items
What I love most about modern rustic decor is that you find your best pieces while thrifting. Thrifting is like a scavenger hunt, so you have to be focused on what you want to look for because it is so easy to get distracted. There are times when I’ve gone thrifting for particular pieces and have walked away with thrifted clothing or jewelry.
The secret is to make a list of what you want to find and commit to only looking for those specific pieces. The following would be my list for scoring the ultimate modern rustic decor:
1. Pottery: I would search for handmade studio pottery in natural terracotta and brown tones or those in matte green glazes. I like to find catchall bowls, mugs, pitchers, and planters. When searching for pottery, turn the piece upside down and look for dates or hand signatures. And always do a little Google search on the piece if you care to find out more about what you might be buying!
2. Hand-Carved Wooden Pieces: These might be wooden goblets, which I like to turn into little planters for succulents or for votive candles. I also recommend searching for anything signed and dated (like the pottery pieces) that reflect something of the past. In my searches, I have found not only goblets, but also candle holders, boxes, and carved sculptures. Anything handmade like this will add to the organic style of modern rustic decor.
3. Wrought Iron Metals: Adding a touch of wrought iron can easily enhance this interior style. Lighting fixtures like wall sconces, lamps, candelabras, or even fireplace tools are great ways to define the style. Look for pieces that have a hand-hammered look or fixtures crafted by a metalsmith. Iron adds that touch of artisanal quality to a space!
STEP #4: Establish a modern rustic color scheme
Adding architectural elements to a space not only defines the character of your home but also adds tremendous value. After all, they’re features that realtors highlight when selling a home, so if you are able to add any elements to your home, salvaging vintage and antique pieces will make your space stand out.
For the modern rustic look, hit up salvage yards, score at estate sales, or shop around at antique malls for those unique one-of-a-kind pieces.
Living in the Chicago area affords me the advantage of having salvage yards to dig up these treasures. To get the modern rustic character, look for old wood beams to hang from the ceiling. If you have a lower ceiling height, paneling the ceiling is another option. If you live in a rental, salvaging natural wood beams for shelving is a great way to add that organic feel without it feeling manufactured—like floating shelves from big box stores.
STEP #5: buy your main furniture pieces
When choosing your furniture, aim for raw, natural woods and materials as opposed to painted pieces. Furniture with a handcrafted look or biomorphic shapes speaks well to the style. For upholstered pieces, I like to pair natural wood elements with soft geometric shapes and curves to follow the lines of things you see in nature. Playing around with modern upholstered pieces and more rustic finds can add a very interesting juxtaposition to the space as well!
Above is a mood board (I like to call them interior inspiration starter kits!) that combines upholstered furniture from Sixpenny, Lulu and Georgia, Green Row, and Pottery Barn. These modern pieces are juxtaposed with vintage and handcrafted one-of-a-kind objects.
STEP #6: complete your space with natural elements
Plants! Need I say more? Whether it be to fill a dead zone or have a dedicated area of collected plants, plants are the finishing touch to bring the outdoors inside.
Try to select house plants that are indigenous to your environment. For example, if you live in the Northeast or Midwest, don’t buy tropical plants that look out of place. Ivy’s, Dracaena’s, and Ferns are some of my favorite indoor plants to use for a modern rustic vibe. Adding flowers to the mix can also bring in fun pops of color. I especially love sunflowers, mums, and daisies that bring the golden hue indoors!
and If you want expert guidance on mastering the rustic modern aesthetic, here’s how I can help:
And if we haven’t met yet, it’s nice to virtually meet you – I’m Kat, an interior designer and founder of Urban Lark. I turn spaces into statements and I’d love to do that for you. Here’s how we can connect:
Browse my services. From total home makeovers to mood boards full of rustic modern items, I help clients of all kinds create spaces they love. Hopefully, your home is next!
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