3 ways to achieve that rustic charm you're aiming for

How we style our homes reflects this and one thing we forget is how much a little rustic, homely charm can make a big difference to where we live.

Image: Photo by Annie Spratt

Sometimes, we all want an oasis of calm in our lives. Whether we’re living at 200 miles per hour, or simply just not getting any time to appreciate our home surroundings as often as we’d like. It’s important to make those moments count when we finally step through the front door and feel our shoulders drop at the end of another long day.

How we style our homes reflects this, and one thing we forget is how much a little rustic, homely charm can make a big difference to where we live. The question is how to go about adding a few simple ideas to give our living space that air of comfort we need.

 Whether it’s charmingly retro floral cushions, a delightful handmade pottery lamp base, or some artisan-crafted wooden furniture, we’ve got all the answers. Sit back, relax, and let’s take a look at three ways to achieve that rustic charm you’re aiming for at home.

Repurpose, reuse, and think sustainably

During the last century, particularly in the early decades, people generally had much less stuff than we have now. Thus, they made what they did have count - and they made it last, too. How often have you been into a charity store or antique shop and seen something from the late Victorian or early 20th century and thought how good it still looks now, all those years on?

One way of getting some instant rustic charm is by utilising such items and treating them as the original owners would have done. Look after them with care, cherish them, and think carefully about where an item such as an old wooden coffee table, or cabinet would fit into your home. It’s not about how much you have, it’s about a few well-thought-out, carefully placed pieces of furniture that might not match up - but give a feeling of warmth, and joy when you walk in.

If that’s not exactly up your street, then take that idea a step further and thoughtfully repurpose something you’ve found whilst thrifting. Stuck for ideas? Turn a vintage trunk or suitcase into some handy storage space for the bedroom, placed at the foot of the bed. Often a good clean up is all they need and they’re good to go. Objects that are weathered and have a worn look add an instant charm (think about that slightly peeling picture frame you’ve seen in a gastro-pub) it still looks good and makes the space look lived in.

Think natural - think wood, think greenery

This look is often all about natural-looking elements to add to your home, and many of the things we associate with rustic charm might be wooden or botanical. So, think about incorporating pieces of driftwood, or even railway sleepers as pieces of furniture in their own right. Both of these can be cheaply turned into tables or chairs. The former can then have an array of household plants and greenery on them to add colour and interest. Make your own quirky plant pots from vintage cups and saucers and you’ve got an instant garden inside with little to no spend, that looks beautiful.

Choose fabrics and colours wisely

How we use colours and fabrics makes a big difference when thinking about rustic charm in our homes. Many of the shades and tones associated with this are warm, plain neutrals, whites, beiges, browns, and pastel tones. They’ll give a soft, calming air that creates a feeling of peace.

Pay some attention to the sorts of fabric you’ll use as well. Think about soft linen, cotton, jute, wool, and leather as well as other kinds of organic fabrics. They all lend themselves very well to rustic charm and offer a lightness too.

Floral cotton tablecloths, woollen rugs or throws for sofas made from linen are chic additions to a rustic look. They give a homely, relaxed ‘handed down through the generations’ vibe without adding too much extra clutter to a room.

When thinking about colour tones, soft off-whites, creamy beiges and warm neutrals offer a calm blanket as ideas for wall or furniture colours. They’re easy to blend in with lots of other styles and design choices and are a blank canvas for adding interest to if you want to bring in lots of interesting elements like artwork or handmade lampshades and lighting.

It’s easy to find lots of great ways to incorporate rustic charm into your home, and you don’t need to spend a fortune to do it either .