Modern Rustic Design - Explained

The modern rustic (or the rustic modern) is a blend of two contrasting interiors. This pairing, however, creates a uniquely attractive interior that brings together the best of both worlds. Many homeowners across the country have put together rooms that have the inviting coziness of traditional rustic design, with sleek modern elements that take advantage of high-quality materials to make smooth surfaces and unique forms.

The blend of the two designs breathes a modern sleek atmosphere, but one that is not as cold or sterile thanks to the inviting warmth of rustic design features. It is all about having a cozy interior but one that comes with all the amenities of the modern world. 

The Roots of Modern Rustic Design 

The History of Modern Rustic and Where It All Began

The roots of modern rustic interior design lie in the desire to combine what we know with something that is different. We are all used to certain textures, such as wood, stone, iron, and brick. Modern designs tend to go for less traditional materials and sometimes end up feeling sterile despite looking sleek and attractive. 

The modern rustic aesthetic is quite a young one on the interior design scene, having existed for only a couple of decades. While dating back to the early 2000s, the modern rustic style became famous in the 2010s. Nowadays, no longer living under the shadow of its other modern counterparts, the modern rustic is a staple of interior design like the contemporary or mid-century modern.

How to Recognize Modern Rustic DesignThere are several features of the modern rustic that differentiate it from other interior design aesthetics. These features include both modern and traditional design choices which come together and form a distinctively unique interior look. 

Old Materials, New Techniques

Best Texture and Material Combinations to Use In Modern Rustic

Traditional materials like wood and stone are still just as popular and accessible today as they were centuries ago. The difference is not in the materials but in how they are used. Rustic design will keep the rough, shapeless forms of these traditional materials. Wood will have varnish on it but it will still be grainy. Stones will be mortared into a wall evenly but can have uneven surfaces. Even wrought iron which is shaped and refined is not particularly uniform.

The modern rustic utilizes these old materials but adds a more contemporary spin to them. You may have a wooden table created out of aged oak — a classic staple of rustic interiors. In a modern rustic design, the table will likely be smooth, have coats of varnish to increase its longevity, and have all the joints fixed using modern construction techniques and materials. Rooms and furniture are created out of traditional materials but using modern techniques and conveniences. 

A Dash of Sharp Shapes and Forms

Furniture That Blends the Old With the New

By using these rustic materials and textures, interior designers are able to make them more modern by creating hard edges and sharp angles. A big aspect of modern minimalist design is the emphasis on clear-cut shapes and forms. Angular surfaces, perfect spheres, and hard edges are all forms you can find in modern design. 

With its high ceilings, more open space, and prominent interior features, the modern rustic design takes forms and puts them at the forefront of the room’s visage. For example, in the modern rustic home, staircases often do not have the ornate designs that classic railings and steps tend to have. Another example would be in the modern rustic bedroom, where the bed frame may be made of the most traditional material, wood, but the finishings are sleek and minimalist. 

High Cathedral Ceilings

Modern Rustic Ceiling Designs and Stylizations

Another element indicative of rustic architecture is the high cathedral ceiling. Cathedral, or A-shaped, ceilings are ones with an angled roof typically found in older buildings and cabins. While they are primarily a rustic architectural feature, there are ways of incorporating modern elements beneath them to make them more contemporary and irresistible.

Modern rustic cathedral ceilings are painted and refreshed, as well as retrofitted to be structurally sound in case more work needs to be done. Many homeowners will also install recessed lighting into the ceiling which plays nicely with the support beams as it highlights the old and the new.

How to Achieve the Modern Rustic Look In Your Home 

Pairing and matching elements from modern and rustic interior design can be as awarding as it is fun. Having a keen eye for details really helps here as you can keep a balance between the old and the new without overpowering certain elements of the interior and isolating others.

Renew Old Furniture

Making Use of Old Decor and Furniture In Modern Interiors

Creating the perfect rustic modern house does not require a full-scale remodel. There are smaller steps you can take to implement the design without spending too much time or resources on making the changes. A very safe place to start from is the furniture. Whether they’re relics of time that have been passed down to you or charming antique finds, you can definitely make do and do not need to purchase specially designed modern rustic furniture. You most likely already have furniture that is well past its prime but is still functional and comfortable. 

It would be a shame to throw them away so renewing would be a great way to bring in a fresh touch while maintaining the feel that is familiar to your interior. The older cupboards, drawers, and cocktail cabinets can be very stylish so long as they are still functioning and very stylish. All they need is a little resurfacing and repainting to be as good as new. 

Working with Antiques

The Beauty of Decorating With Antiques

A very popular element in modern design is using antique furniture and technology to spruce up the interior. Renewing old furniture is a great way to do this, but there are also many modern rustic decor ideas that are fun as well. Consider bringing in some vintage technology pieces, decor, and other interior elements that will accentuate the rustic vibes of the interior.

For modern rustic decor, find an old TV set, some old wood carving, antique paintings, and photos to line the walls and shelves with. You will notice how even these small additions can give any room a warm and rugged atmosphere without taking away from the modern aspects of the design.

Accentuate with Wood

Wood Accents and Designs for Modern Interiors

Wood is a very useful material for a variety of reasons. It is durable, comes in many colors and designs, is easy to work with, and if you use more modern engineered wood, it can also be waterproof and easier to maintain. To establish the “rustic” in modern rustic design you have to have wood elements in various parts of the room; reclaimed wood works especially thematically. 

Wooden walls, furniture, and decorations are all great ways of incorporating the material into the interior design. There is really no formula to how much wood you can use, although it is recommended to not overdo it unless you want to feel like you are living inside a tree. The one rule that you should follow is to keep the type of wood fairly consistent. This does not have to be the case for everything wooden in the room, but in the case of furniture, for example, making them out of the same type of wood will make the interior more harmonious instead of mismatched.