Decorating
Keeping it Real: 5 Essentials for the Raw and Rustic Look
Get the modern rustic look down pat with these key elements
The modern raw and rustic look differs from its more conservative counterpart, traditional country, in that it combines natural materials with a rough and ready industrial edge. Distressed woods, exposed brickwork, unpainted plaster and copper piping can all play a part. Take a peek at these ideas for inspiration
… or an edge to bathrooms
This vintage-style slipper tub looks lovely teamed with an exposed area of brickwork to create a bathroom with a real sense of history. The bare bricks also work with another classic country element, tongue and groove.
Part of the charm of aged bricks is their uneven colour, so aim to keep the rest of your scheme decorated in a neutral palette to allow their natural beauty to shine through.
This vintage-style slipper tub looks lovely teamed with an exposed area of brickwork to create a bathroom with a real sense of history. The bare bricks also work with another classic country element, tongue and groove.
Part of the charm of aged bricks is their uneven colour, so aim to keep the rest of your scheme decorated in a neutral palette to allow their natural beauty to shine through.
2. Exploit the Beauty of Natural Wood
Fit a panelled feature wall…
Wooden panelling is a great way to give your walls a rustic look. Hunt for salvaged and reclaimed timber boards to ensure maximum character, but make sure you pull out any nails, check and treat for woodworm, and seal if you wish – wax will give a more natural finish than polyurethane. Medium-to-dark-tone woods will create a cosier feel than pale boards. Look online to see what suits, as you can source a variety of timber panel styles from driftwood to alpine lodge.
In this living room, the log cabin look is completed with a wall of rustic panelling. Consider using wooden wall panels with concrete as they’ve done here on the fireplace, to give your room a contemporary twist.
Fit a panelled feature wall…
Wooden panelling is a great way to give your walls a rustic look. Hunt for salvaged and reclaimed timber boards to ensure maximum character, but make sure you pull out any nails, check and treat for woodworm, and seal if you wish – wax will give a more natural finish than polyurethane. Medium-to-dark-tone woods will create a cosier feel than pale boards. Look online to see what suits, as you can source a variety of timber panel styles from driftwood to alpine lodge.
In this living room, the log cabin look is completed with a wall of rustic panelling. Consider using wooden wall panels with concrete as they’ve done here on the fireplace, to give your room a contemporary twist.
… or use it in a kitchen
Looking to upgrade your kitchen and don’t want off-the-peg units? Kitchen cabinet doors, custom-built from reclaimed wood can be a stunning way to get the raw and rustic look. Choose planks that have an interesting grain like the ones here, and talk to a good carpenter about what’s possible.
Combine with dark walls in navy or slate grey, and concrete or stainless steel countertops, for a touch of the industrial and a look that’s totally on-trend right now.
Looking to upgrade your kitchen and don’t want off-the-peg units? Kitchen cabinet doors, custom-built from reclaimed wood can be a stunning way to get the raw and rustic look. Choose planks that have an interesting grain like the ones here, and talk to a good carpenter about what’s possible.
Combine with dark walls in navy or slate grey, and concrete or stainless steel countertops, for a touch of the industrial and a look that’s totally on-trend right now.
3. Add Some Copper
By fitting a pared-back tap…
You may have noticed the trend for copper piping that’s been popping up in kitchens and bathrooms. With a functional feel that’s still warm and pleasing to the eye, a copper piping tap instantly adds back-to-basics attitude. It works best with similarly traditional or natural elements, so match with concrete, butler sinks and metal for the full-on raw and rustic effect.
By fitting a pared-back tap…
You may have noticed the trend for copper piping that’s been popping up in kitchens and bathrooms. With a functional feel that’s still warm and pleasing to the eye, a copper piping tap instantly adds back-to-basics attitude. It works best with similarly traditional or natural elements, so match with concrete, butler sinks and metal for the full-on raw and rustic effect.
… or using copper lighting and pans
You don’t have to restrict copper to pipes. In this modern country kitchen, a medley of copper tones adds warmth and industrial style: the light fittings and kettle, as well as the taps and some rather clever shelf brackets. You can buy copper piping relatively cheaply to create the same effect.
Parquet flooring, dark cabinet doors and brick tiles complete a look that’s rustic without being too rough and ready.
Fall in Love With Copper Piping Taps
You don’t have to restrict copper to pipes. In this modern country kitchen, a medley of copper tones adds warmth and industrial style: the light fittings and kettle, as well as the taps and some rather clever shelf brackets. You can buy copper piping relatively cheaply to create the same effect.
Parquet flooring, dark cabinet doors and brick tiles complete a look that’s rustic without being too rough and ready.
Fall in Love With Copper Piping Taps
4. Experiment With Recycled Materials
Concrete and metal work well…
If you’re particularly drawn to the ‘raw’ end of the spectrum, play around with industrial materials and hunt for whatever you can find. This rustic bathroom has combined wood with reclaimed corrugated iron, copper piping and a concrete bath for recycled country with a utilitarian edge.
Always check for sharp edges, especially if you have children around.
Concrete and metal work well…
If you’re particularly drawn to the ‘raw’ end of the spectrum, play around with industrial materials and hunt for whatever you can find. This rustic bathroom has combined wood with reclaimed corrugated iron, copper piping and a concrete bath for recycled country with a utilitarian edge.
Always check for sharp edges, especially if you have children around.
… so does natural plaster
An unpainted plaster wall can look amazing in the right setting. This shabby chic dining space shows off its natural variations in colour and shade.
Here, the paler timber tones of the bench, table and flooring help to counter the dark, unfinished effect so it doesn’t go into rustic overload. Remember, bare plaster will need to be sealed.
An unpainted plaster wall can look amazing in the right setting. This shabby chic dining space shows off its natural variations in colour and shade.
Here, the paler timber tones of the bench, table and flooring help to counter the dark, unfinished effect so it doesn’t go into rustic overload. Remember, bare plaster will need to be sealed.
5. Choose One Great Rustic Element
Put up open shelving…
Wooden shelves made from reclaimed timber are an easy way to dip your toe into the raw and rustic look. Create a display of pottery and other items for a warm country feel – wire baskets, wooden spoons and copper pots are all good.
The black tiles here are a smart choice, as slate is another natural material with a rustic feel.
The Hedonist’s Guide to Rustic Bathtubs
Put up open shelving…
Wooden shelves made from reclaimed timber are an easy way to dip your toe into the raw and rustic look. Create a display of pottery and other items for a warm country feel – wire baskets, wooden spoons and copper pots are all good.
The black tiles here are a smart choice, as slate is another natural material with a rustic feel.
The Hedonist’s Guide to Rustic Bathtubs
… or show off aged flooring
Scuffed, distressed and genuinely aged floorboards are another way to give rooms an instant rustic feel, without having to add much else. Look for vintage reclaimed boards or engineered or laminate flooring in a weathered finish.
It’s not the only option, however, especially if you have lots of wood elsewhere in your home. Other raw rustic floor finishes that can look great include natural stone and concrete.
Tell us
Do you love the raw and rustic look, and how have you used it at home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Browse the contemporary rustic look
Scuffed, distressed and genuinely aged floorboards are another way to give rooms an instant rustic feel, without having to add much else. Look for vintage reclaimed boards or engineered or laminate flooring in a weathered finish.
It’s not the only option, however, especially if you have lots of wood elsewhere in your home. Other raw rustic floor finishes that can look great include natural stone and concrete.
Tell us
Do you love the raw and rustic look, and how have you used it at home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
More
Browse the contemporary rustic look
Use it to add country style to a kitchen…
Exposed bricks are a mainstay of the raw and rustic look. With their dusty reds and browns, and uneven surface, vintage bricks instantly add character to any space. In a kitchen they create warmth, and here work brilliantly alongside natural wooden units.
If you don’t have bricks in place to expose, then use tiles with a brick slip. There are plenty of different types on the market, which are manufactured with a layer of real brick. Always make sure your bricks are well sealed to protect them against water and moisture.
Browse exposed brick features