Ideas for Decorating a Den in Rustic Style

If you have a den that you want to decorate, you may want to consider giving it a rustic look.  By looking at vacation cabins tucked in the woods, you can get any number of good ideas for decorating your own den.  The best way to describe rustic style is simply to picture a log cabin.  There you have it – rustic.  Think of a wood burning stove, substantial furniture, artisan walls and a stone fireplace.  Picture plaid upholstery, tree branches in a vase, and maybe even antlers mounted on a wall.  While you can go all in on the rustic theme, you can also streamline your style with just a touch of rustic sensibility. 

Earth Tones Give Inspiration

Whenever you think of rustic colors, think of dark, rich woodsy colors like hunter green, dark brown and burgundy. Heavy plaid upholstery and leather are popular for covering couches and chairs. Wood is generally distressed or roughly hewn, and well worn and comfortable are the order of the day.

All text copyright Relica. Photo from Flikr - "Earth Tones" courtesy of Nicholas_T.

Start with a Theme

There are many different themes that work with rustic style. When you try to think of themes that work as a rustic design, just picture a cabin. Then move your cabin to different destinations. For example, put your cabin on a mountaintop in the Swiss Alps. Upon entering you would immediately realize that it was a ski lodge. You may find large leather chairs and ski equipment stacked in the corner. An old pair of show shoes makes a beautiful wall hanging in the loft. Now pick up your cabin and place it in the great northwest in the U.S., and as you enter you realize that you are walking into a hunting lodge. You see trophies on the walls and a gun above the mantle. Roughly woven plaid upholstery covers an overstuffed chair and couch, and there is a rocking chair in the corner. You can pick your cabin up and put it at the beach, in the tropics, or in any country and get a really clear idea of how you want to decorate it. Check online sources, vintage stores and flea markets for home wall art that captures your particular brand of rustic.

All text copyright Relica. Photo from Flikr - "Atop the Swiss Alps" courtesy of kyle simourd.

The Final Product

When you are putting the design together for your “cabin” den, first decide what furniture goes and what stays. Then draw your room to scale on ¼ inch graph paper with ¼ inch representing one foot. You can cut furniture templates; this is a really easy way to test out furniture layouts without hurting your back. Next, paint the walls an earth tone color and dress the windows with heavy curtains. Add a roughly woven or braided area rug to the floor, and it will give your seating area a cohesive look. Then add the furniture back into your room and accessorize with photos, art, books, metal leaf wall art and favorite treasures. Add your lamps and lighting, and settle in with a good novel and a warm cup of tea and call it a job well done.

All text copyright Relica. Photo from Flikr - "Country Home Nov 08.jpg" courtesy of Tammy Manet.