Décor
41 Best Rustic Living Room Ideas
Haris Kenjar
To quote Game of Thrones, winter is coming…. Or rather, it’s already here. It may be time, then, to rethink your interior and maybe gear it toward more rustic sensibilities. Naturally, it’s the perfect look for those spending time at their ski retreat in the mountains or their cabin by the lake, but it also works well in city homes. The beauty of a rustic space is that it doesn’t have to feel too buttoned-up: In fact, the more reclaimed wood and patina, the better. For those unfamiliar with the style, though, it can seem a daunting task, one that could easily veer into lumberjack territory. Here, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite rustic living rooms for some seriously chic winter inspo to help you get started.
Materials matter, and the more attention you can pay to the detail of your wood grain, stone, and metals, the better. This living room by Purple Cherry Architects lets these elements shine, with an exposed wood ceiling and a towering stone fireplace.
Rustic living rooms can often feel very dark and moody, so we’d recommend juxtaposing that with a lighter elements. The best way to bring that sensibility, of course, is plenty of windows to let the sunshine in. Interior designer Anne Hepfer added this look to her cottage in Ontario, Canada: “I loved the look of a modern, Belgian-inspired feel with black windows, clear white oak floors, and a neutral palette,” she says. “Keep it simple and clean so that you don’t distract from the natural beauty outside.”
Just because you want to go cozy doesn’t mean you need to rely on taxidermy and rough-hewn surfaces. Take a cue from designer Tobias Petri, who created this minimal Alpine retreat for his family using materials found on-site. “We used larch wood from the nearby mountains, concrete, and the [found] stone. That’s it. Nothing else,” Petri says. “No fancy materials. No fancy tiles. Simple and local.”
Traditional rustic is often thought of as being rife with earth tones, so change up the formula a bit by adding a bright red, green, or yellow, like in this space by Hattie Sparks. “We went with a darker paint to envelop the homeowners and provide a contrast to the greenery outside,” says Hattie Collins, the firm’s owner. “And we kept the windows bright and open to help the room feel even more connected with nature.”
We love a rustic look that takes liberties with the genre’s traditional formula, like this space by interior designer Robin Gannon, which plays with color, pattern, and greenery. “We accented the reclaimed beams with beautiful natural grasscloth wallcovering, woven shades, reupholstered blue mohair Womb chairs, an antique rug— and of course, the antler chandelier gives the space a modern rustic touch,” she says.
Sometimes less really is more. Regan Baker Design gave this living room a clean, bright, straightforward look so the jaw-dropping views can take center stage. “We kept the color palette simple with earthy highlights so the eye doesn’t have to adjust,” she says. “And we sourced loungy sectional and swivel chair that face both into the room and out to enjoy the view.”
If you’re lucky enough to live in a home with historic details, then your living room’s interiors should frame and complement these old-school aspects rather than competing with them. “The white-painted wooden slats allow you to see the beautiful stone fireplace and actually appreciate the original details, like the hay feeder and the stall door from this carriage house,” says Liz Caan, who designed this rustic space.
One of the best ways to make a statement in a rustic living room is with a bold, sky-high ceiling made with reclaimed wood. We love this space by the Wiseman Group, which features a jaw-dropping upper section. “As in nature, the timbers in this mountain retreat start low and reach high to create a wooded canopy above,” says James Hunter, the firm’s design director.
Rustic isn’t a one-look-fits-all sensibility, so there’s room for those with more traditional tastes to get into the aesthetic as well. This space by Chandos Interiors, for instance, pairs subdued blue hues with an all-white backdrop for a lighter look. “The organic textures and reclaimed ceiling beams really make the transitional style work—giving it a little patina so those modern touches don’t feel too cold,” says founder Chandos Dodson Epley.
If you’re the type who spends a lot of time exploring nature, then a rustic living room is a great space to bring in some of that sensibility. Take this space as an example, which GordonDunning designed for someone who loved fly fishing and hunting. “We wanted to create a space that felt rustic—but with a layer of sophistication,” say cofounders Cate Dunning and Lathem Gordon. “The house gives us royal hunting lodge vibes, and we’re all about it!”
Not all rustic living rooms have to be situated in a cabin in the woods or a man cave in the mountains. This particular space by Noor Property Group is on the water, so it immediately conjures up beachy vibes. “My intention was to create an airy and minimal space that felt calm and clean,” says principal Amalia Graziani. “I heavily emphasized natural materials and rough fabrics but kept a pared-down palette so the water views and surrounding nature remained the focal point.”
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Heirloom or antique furniture that has a bit of a worn feel, or reclaimed materials like recycled wood, feel right at home in a rustic living room. “Source things that reflect the colors and textures found in your natural environment,” says Sean Anderson of this living space from his moody Memphis bungalow. “Seek out items with a patina, things that had a life before you found them.”
This space by Workshop APD masterfully balances an exposed wood ceiling with warm, beachy hues for the ultimate rustic California retreat. Perfect for a staycation, or for those who aren’t overly fond of the tried-and-true antler chandelier.
In Wisconsin, interior designer Bruce Fox transformed a Boy Scout camp into a generational family compound. “The room is populated with many different styles of furniture from wicker to midcentury, giving it a laid-back yet sophisticated feel, allowing our client to relax and live a ‘less complicated’ life while at camp,” he says.
You don’t have to go for a woodsy vibe to get the rustic look—the rolling hills of Puglia can work just as well (if not better). This living space by James Thurstan Waterworth combines a stone fireplace with iron sconces to create the perfect Call Me by Your Name aesthetic.
As the winter months approach, you’ll want to curl up somewhere comfy, so creating a rustic living space that feels warm and inviting should be top of mind. This particular space—a Tahoe, California, retreat designed by Marea Clark Interiors—brings exactly that energy. “Our goal was to speak to the mountain setting and incorporate wood and other natural materials but make it suitable for all seasons with a sophisticated palette,” says Clark.
Sometimes, marrying a modern sensibility with a traditional rustic living room can yield the best results. Here, Tom Stringer Design Partners added a few subtle accents to keep the space from adhering too closely to the rustic playbook. “I always make sure to add a touch of modernity to the room, whether it’s a clean-lined cocktail table, modern lamps, or contemporary art,” says Stringer.
“Rustic is nice, but if not balanced properly, it can become overbearing.”
“Rustic is nice, but if not balanced properly, it can become overbearing.”
This home in Stamford, Connecticut, brings the drama without being overbearing. Interior designer Ryan Lawson added a rug from Marrakech and a sculptural table by Egg Collective to create a rustic vibe that still feels contemporary.
From a wood vaulted ceiling to eye-catching stone-covered walls, this space with architecture by Mark P. Finlay Architects is a lesson in rustic design.
A white high-gloss ceiling adds a dose of drama to this elegant living room by interior design firm Gauthier-Stacy Inc., featuring wood paneling.
In an inviting lake house by interior design firm Brown Design Group, a locally sourced stone fireplace lends a rustic flair to the room’s modern touches.
An airy white living room by Munger Interiors benefits from a gorgeous wood ceiling.
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Floor-to-Ceiling Windows
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame this striking living room design by architecture firm Morgante-Wilson, which boasts ample seating arrangements.
Wood-beamed ceilings, warm neutrals, and patterns complete this rustic yet modern living room by Betty Lou Phillips.
A stone fireplace, combined with an all-wood ceiling, enhance this living room by Tish Mills Interior’s rustic aesthetic.
Add light moulded panels to an accent wall or mantel for a subtle countryside twist, like this living room by Bardes Interiors.
Floor-to-ceiling wood beams add a raw, yet elegant, structural aesthetic to this living room by Gary McBournie, Inc.
Outfit your space with a few wood, stone, and iron pieces to create a well-balanced living room that maintains a sense of classicism, like this space by Lewis Giannoulias Interiors.
Juxtapose a jagged gray stone with dark mahogany wood to create a living room, like this one by Nicky Dobree, filled with romantic cabin vibes.
Intricate wood detailing, like this domed ceiling by Wade Weissmann Architecture, makes a living space feel particularly in sync with nature.
Use warm, yellow accent lights to create even more depth and coziness, like this space by Wade Design Architects.
Velvet chocolate brown couches are the epitome of rustic glam— case in point, this space by Kara Mann.
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Sleep Wood Floors And Ceiling
Opt for sweeping wood floors and ceilings to create a natural escape full of tranquility, like this living room by Karen Mills.
Let a stone wall be the focal point of your living area for a nature-inspired aesthetic, like this one by Everage Design, Inc.
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Clean And Contemporary
Pair contemporary furniture with warm-hued textiles for low-key rustic glam, like this cozy space by Jennifer Palumbo.
Opt for light-hued stone and stripped wood for a clean and contemporary take on rustic living, like this room by CCS Architecture.
Opt for all-white furniture with light pops of color and subtle patterns, like this space by Laura U. Design Collective, for a Hollywood Hills vibe perfect for relaxing all season-long.
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