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This classic style is more versatile than homeowners may think. Here's how to make it work.

Though modern design may be all the rage right now, rustic design has become a classic interior design trend for its charm and no-frills beauty. There are various subclasses of rustic design, from industrial rustic to rustic-chic: Industrial rustic mixes metals with natural fibers and neutral colors, while rustic-chic opts for blending contemporary and antique pieces with clean lines and a neutral color palette.

Rustic design adds an element of instant comfort to a client’s home, allowing simple transformations to a home to make a big impact on family and guests.

Reclaim Walls
Forget grandpa’s wood paneling in the basement—reclaimed wood paneling adds a rustic and chic charm to the home. That’s the beauty of the rustic design style: Repurposing has a vital place, placing the client close to nature and a simpler lifestyle. A client may be interested in using old pallets or old barn siding to create an accent wall, emphasizing the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling, which is central to minimalism and the rustic aesthetic.

Another way to reclaim walls in clients’ homes is to expose what’s underneath them. The original brick may be under those old coats of paint, wallpaper, and plaster. Exposing part of the wall peels back the layers of the home’s history, and it’s a perfect space to pair industrial and rustic design elements, such as a steampunk lamp with hand-built bookshelves.

Create Rest and Relaxation
Rather than a homeowner designing their entire interior based on rustic design, it may be ideal to target one specific room. Rustic design offers a wonderful welcome in the living room, but this trend also has been known for its popularity in bedrooms.

The charm and return to simplicity with rustic design creates a soothing environment to help your clients fall right into a restful sleep. Imagine an oversized antique wooden bed, with beautiful antique sconces and bookshelves lining the walls. Encourage the display of family heirlooms in the bedroom. Have clients inherited pieces of furniture from family members that will play a starring role? What about smaller items, such as quilts or statues?

The simplicity of rustic bedrooms also offers opportunities for convenient and attractive storage, with roll-out drawers under a platform bed, or inside of a beautiful dresser or chest of drawers.

Textiles play an especially important role in the bedroom, where throws, quilts, curtains, and linens establish a mood of comfort. Mixing and matching lace with a thicker wool or flannel is an example of a possible combination.

Restore Old, Beautiful Features
Historic homes are the perfect atmosphere for rustic design. Rehabilitating a home's interior preserves its character and its unique quirks and fixtures, such as preserving a sweeping and ornamental staircase, for example. Perhaps the client imagines a beautiful living room where a grand fireplace stands, but that fireplace needs work.

In some cases, alterations will be necessary, but it’s important to preserve as much of the original material and aesthetic as possible. Examination of original floor plans will reveal subtractive and additive work that may have been structural or hides away some of those beautiful historic features.

Homeowners will use these features as focal points in their design aesthetic: They’ll make that old fireplace a place for warmth and conversation, surrounding it with comfortable couches and chairs. Keep this in mind when assisting with the restoration of old home features.

Trends come and go, but elements of rustic design will likely remain popular interior design options due to their ability to add comfort and charm. Reclaiming walls and restoring historical features to a home are wonderful ways of adding to the rustic aesthetic. Neutral earth tones form a connection to nature and simplicity.

A rustic aesthetic in the living room will automatically feel inviting, while, some homeowners may want to only target the bedroom with rustic design to add an element of relaxation. Either way, this classic interior style has something to offer various clients.