When you love the sleek minimalist appeal of modern design but also adore the natural aesthetic of rustic decor, it can feel like there is no way you could achieve both in your home design. However, modernity and rustic design can look stunning when blended intentionally.
The simple and stylish modern aesthetic creates the perfect contrast for the rugged authenticity of rustic design, which can lead to a stunning design style in your space. So, if you’re eager to learn just how to blend these two lovely design styles into your home, then we have an ultimate guide you don’t want to miss.
What is modern rustic interior design?
Modern rustic interior design is a style that emerged from homeowners and designers who craved the best of both worlds between modern and rustic styles. The shared neutral palette and organic feel of both design styles help these two interior aesthetics blend smoothly. However, the secret behind the success of modern rustic design actually lies in the ways they differ.
Modernity favors clean lines, simplicity, and man-made materials throughout its decor. Alternatively, rustic design leans into natural materials like wood and stone while using layered fabrics to create a cozy feel. This contrast makes modern rustic design appealing to many home designers. In addition, the balance of light and dark tones and natural or artificial materials gives this design style an equilibrium that’s hard to mimic with other styles.
How do you make a modern rustic interior design?
If you want to achieve a modern rustic design in your space, we have a few tips that can help you nail the look.
Focus on a contrasting color palette
A big part of modern rustic design’s appeal is the contrasting color palette. Rustic design is known for its warm, dark tones, while modern styles are famous for their cool, airy hues. When creating a palette for your modern rustic room, we suggest focusing on how to best blend light and dark colors to achieve a balanced look. For example, if your home has rustic beams across the ceiling, stain the wood a dark color and paint your walls bright white. Alternatively, dark-toned furniture can look stunning against a white backdrop.
Use lots of natural wood
Natural wood is an essential material for styling any rustic space. When blending modern and rustic styles, it’s important to include staples of each design. For rustic-inspired interiors, this means using lots of natural wood throughout your space.
For example, create a feature with an asymmetrical raw wood coffee table for an organic feel. Or, try using wood side tables as statement pieces within your room. Wood beams along the ceiling or wooden bowls and decor pieces can be the perfect rustic touch.
Add metal and glass materials to your design
Similarly, to pull off a blend of rustic and modern in your home, you should include modern elements like metal and glass within your design. Man-made materials like metal and glass have a sleek finish that feels contemporary and sophisticated.
Add glass decor like vases alongside your wooden decor to blend natural and artificial pieces. Additionally, metal table legs and details can look beautiful within a modern rustic design. When using metal touches in your space, opt for a matte black tone to keep things simple and minimal.
Invite several textures to your space
Another must for a stunning modern rustic design is using texture in your space. Fabrics like cotton, wool, and faux fur are classic additions that appeal to the rustic parts of your design. For a modern touch, add neutral-toned rugs or throw pillows with minimal patterns to keep things sleek and classy. Tweed and woven fabrics are also wonderful choices for blending both rustic and modern styles.
What should you avoid when creating a modern rustic interior design?
Of course, there are a few things you need to be sure to avoid as you design the perfect modern rustic space. Here is what you need to steer clear of.
Vibrant color palettes
Vibrant color palettes aren’t often seen in modern or rustic designs. So, when creating your space, try not to go too heavy with the color palette. Instead, lean into neutrals like whites, creams, browns, and black for the best look. If you want more color in your design, add hints of washed-out blues or greens or some orange-brown tones for a gentle and organic aesthetic that doesn’t clash with your existing design.
Too many natural pieces
Another thing to avoid is going all out with the natural pieces. While raw wood and stone are essentials for adding a rustic touch to your design, it’s easy to go overboard and add too many organic pieces. Doing so can make your space feel overwhelming and detract from the modern touches vital for this blend of styles. For a cohesive look, keep your natural materials minimal and use them as statement or accent pieces within your design.
Crowding your design with too much decor
One issue we see homeowners doing when trying to achieve a modern rustic design is cluttering their space. Crowding your shelves and table with too much decor or layering too many textiles on your furniture and floors can create a kitsch look in your home. Try to keep your design minimal and focus on enhancing the finer details for a classic and authentic look to your space.
Is modern rustic design the same as farmhouse style?
While both modern rustic design and farmhouse style are similar, the two are distinct styles with their own aesthetics.
Many homeowners view rustic design as the same as farmhouse. This is because farmhouse style often includes rustic elements. However, farmhouse style takes a more modern approach to this rustic aesthetic—hence, why it’s often confused with modern rustic design. Still, both styles are unique. While there are similarities and they share certain features, modern rustic and farmhouse designs are different.
Modern rustic vs. farmhouse design differences:
- Modern rustic style uses darker colors, while farmhouse design uses white, bright tones in its palette.
- Modern rustic design uses features like raw wood, while farmhouse aesthetics favor whitewashed woods.
- You’ll see many raw materials like stone, wood, and brick in modern rustic designs. However, farmhouse styles will have more refined natural elements like polished stone, refinished wood, and white-painted bricks.
- Modern rustic design appears more rugged and simple, while farmhouse design offers a fresh, cozy aesthetic.
Blending modern and rustic design styles is a wonderful way to create a space that feels sophisticated and cozy. While it can seem difficult to blend such contrasting styles, their strengths pair well together and allow you to create a stunning design that suits your personal aesthetic. Take a minimal approach to this design style and be intentional about the pieces you wish to include. With a focus on simplicity, you can achieve the perfect modern rustic look in no time.
