Room Design
Living Rooms
By
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.
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Updated on 05/23/23
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Modern rustic living rooms are warm, homey, nostalgic, and comforting. From authentic Western living rooms with massive stone fireplaces, exposed wood ceiling beams, and contemporary furnishings to modern white-walled spaces warmed up with rustic accents in natural materials like leather and reclaimed wood, check out these rustic modern living rooms from around the country that will inspire you to add some cozy touches to your modern space.
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Mix Vintage and Modern Pieces
This renovated 1920s cabin from Leanne Ford Interiors mixes rustic bones like a massive stone fireplace with a mix of dark hardwood flooring and whitewashed exposed ceiling beams and wood paneled walls to create a timeless feel. A mix of vintage and modern furniture with a touch of modern glam, like the mirrored coffee table and floor lamp, make it feel updated, and soft textiles like the Moroccan rug and sheepskin-draped armchair make it cozy.
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Channel the Swiss Alps
This living room at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort from WRJ Interior Design is a polished take on a classic Swiss chalet. A mix of wood tones and comfortable modern furniture in neutral tones with accents of blue in the open plan living space creates a luxurious space for gathering with friends and family. A chic Danish-inspired metal fireplace hood and a built-in home bar makes it perfect for entertaining.
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Add Decorative Wood Details
Urbanology Designs gave this modern living room a rustic touch with decorative ceiling beams and trim around the openings that adds contrast to the clean white walls and furniture and creates rhythm throughout the open plan space. A pair of antlers on the the wall reinforces the mood.
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Mix in Antiques
This Vail, Colorado, living room from Courtney St. John Studiomixes rustic elements and antiques for a timeless feel, with a pale neutral palette that keeps the space feeling light and airy.
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Use Dark Wood Finishes
Clean white walls and dark stained wood ceiling beams and a matching chandelier that echo the hardwood flooring gives this living room from Amanda Barnes Interiors a decidedly warm and welcoming feel.
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Focus on a Light Palette
This mountain home from Emily Henderson Design has a light palette from the blonde wood tones to the white walls and pale stone fireplace, with a mix of modern furniture in organic shapes and neutral tones. The high ceilings and abundance of natural light makes the space airy and light.
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Whitewash the Walls
Leanne Ford Interiors renovated an old hunting cabin in the canyons of Los Angeles for modern living by whitewashing the walls to lighten things up and adding comfy modern furniture without losing the original charm.
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Pair Rustic Finishes with Plush Furnishings
JLF Architects mixed reclaimed wood and stacked stone to renovate this living room outside of Jackson, Wyoming that overlooks a golf course. Overstuffed seating and a glass coffee table gives the space a more contemporary look, while large windows and vaulted ceilings keep the space from feeling dark.
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Layer Wood Elements
Urbanology Designs installed a mixed wood media wall in this spacious living room that complements the golden wood beams and flooring that give the bright, white-walled space a mountain home aesthetic.
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Highlight the View
This Jackson, Wyoming house perched on a butte from JLF Architects and WRJ Design mixes urban and Western influences. The living room features timeless materials like timber, stone and Corten steel and neutral-toned furniture creates a comfortable spot to contemplate the Snake River and Teton Mountain
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Lighten the Mood
This dark and cozy living room from Leanne Ford Interiors lets the massive stone fireplace and dark wood beams remain the focus and set the tone. A modern pendant light, slouchy seating, a light wood coffee table, and layered textiles make it feel fresh and comfortable.
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Add Leather
Urbanology Designs gave this light and airy living room a modern rustic element by layering in a cow hide rug, a dark wood coffee table, and cognac leather poufs that warm things up.
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Use Natural Materials
Leanne Ford Interiors added a sheepskin throw on the chair and a pair of pale wood stump tables to give this black-and-white living room more personality.
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Add Organic Shapes
Exposed golden wood ceiling beams add a rustic coziness to this mountain living room from Emily Henderson Design while white walls and modern decor keep the space feeling fresh and current.
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Accent with Faux Fur
This living room from AHG Interiors has an après-ski feel with its stone fireplace, oversized sectional, and cozy accessories like plush faux rabbit fur throw pillows and plush gray poufs.
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Mix Old and New
Becca Interiors paired fresh white shiplap walls with a weathered brick and vintage wood fireplace mantel to give this summer house living room a coastal meets rustic feel.
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Make a Statement
A massive hair-on-hide ottoman is the centerpiece of this Red Lodge, Montanaliving room in the shadow of Beartooth Mountain from Kibler & Kirchthat mixes rustic and more contemporary pieces in perfect harmony.
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Make It Eclectic
Dark wood ceiling beams set the tone in this living room from Leanne Ford Interiors, while white walls and a mix of bold patterned tile and an eclectic mix of furnishings make the space feel timeless and modern.
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Mix It Up
Original features like dark wood beams and vintage tile add character to this living room designed by Michael Keck for Emily Henderson Design while bright white paint, light wood flooring, and modern furnishings make it feel updated and current.
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Mix Dark Wood and Stone
Jessica Nelson Design used dark wood finishes and textured stone on the fireplace to give this modern living room a warm feel.
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Paint It White
To update this living room, Leanne Ford Interiors painted the brick walls and wood paneled ceilings in a fresh coat of white that contrasts with the dark wood flooring, wood-burning stove, industrial coffee table, and overstuffed leather club chairs.
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Go Vertical
Leclair Decor gave this modern living room a touch of rusticity with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. The leaning ladder with plenty of blankets makes this room instantly welcoming.
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Lighten Up the Wood Paneling
This Swedish country house from Fantastic Frank is a chic mix of polished concrete flooring, comfortable oversized seating, and golden wood paneling on the walls and ceilings that makes it feel warm and cozy but still luminous and light.
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Mix Dark and Light
Becca Interiors mixed dark and light tones in this living room that complement the space with its wrap-around windows, stone fireplace, and hardwood flooring.
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Add a Farmhouse Feel
This updated farmhouse living room from Leanne Ford Interiors has a light and airy feel with a painted out fireplace and walls, warm honey-toned wood flooring, and a mix of vintage and modern furniture and decor.
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Add Decorative Wood Beams
Amy Leferink at Interior Impressions added decorative dark wood beams to give this modern living room a touch of warmth.
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Add a Stone Feature Wall
Bartone Interiors added a rustic note to this modern living room with a dramatic stone accent wall while keeping the rest of the room simple and neat.
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Make It Lodge Style
Leanne Ford Interiors created a modern lodge style that mixes wood, concrete, and slate, with a concrete skim coat to add texture to the walls and natural elements like the wood mantel, left bare for a natural look with a chic minimalist feel.
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Add Barn Doors
Living With Lolo added a pair of barn doors that reinforces the feel of this open plan living room with its dark wood finishes. With the exposed wood beams and leather accents, this place is the perfect mix of rustic and contemporary.
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Mix Dark Wood With Pale Upholstery
Curated Nest Interiors mixed dark wood beams with pale toned upholstery in this living room to give it a cozy feel.
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Add Texture
Living With Lolo gave a white-walled living room a touch of texture by styling a natural wood bookcase with woven baskets and preserved flowers.
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Use Reclaimed Wood
WRJ Interior Design used reclaimed wood throughout this house just outside of Jackson, Wyoming, pairing naturally fumed oak flooring with a sectional sofa, teak club chairs, and a hand-knotted spun wool area rug from Afghanistan in the living room to create a welcoming feel.
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Mix Old and New
Ashley Montgomery Design mixed modern and antique furnishings in neutral tones in this living room that complement the massive gray stone fireplace and honey-toned ceiling beams to create a timeless space.
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Use a Black and White Palette
This living room from Fantastic Frank has stone walls, floors, and archways. White walls and contemporary furnishings in a strict palette of black and white add contrast and make it feel updated and fresh.
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Refresh a Spanish Revival
This renovated Spanish Modern Revival home in Palm Springs from Jenn Pablo Studio has terracotta tile flooring, dark wood ceiling beams, a patterned tile detail on the fireplace, painted white shiplap walls, and comfortable modern furnishings in neutral tones that give the space an easy-going mood.
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Highlight the Architecture
Marie Flanigan Interiors let the architecture of this room shine, adding a contemporary fireplace and a mix of modern and vintage furnishings that complement the mixed wood tones of the room.
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Modernize the Farmhouse
This historic Westchester, New York farmhouse from interior designer Kara Mann has wrap-around windows in the living room flanked by patterned curtains that can be drawn at night for a cozier feel. The mix of dark wood beams and modern furnishings is the perfect meeting of styles.
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Add a Rustic Focal Point
This living room from Marie Flanigan Interiors is more modern than rustic, with a stone wall that steals the show and adds contrast to pale neutral furnishings and decor.
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Add Scandi Style
A modern fireplace and a leather coffee table pouf complements the painted walls and floors of this Scandinavian living room from Fantastic Frank for a rustic meets Scandi style.
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Preserve Original Details
Home Consultant let the original exposed brick wall remain the focal point of this Los Angeles living room, complementing the hardwood flooring with a mix of furniture in leather and woven materials.
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Texture the Walls
Leanne Ford Interiors added a coffee wash to the walls of this California cottage living room that gives the space a lived in feel, while on-trend furniture makes it feel fresh.
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Mix Painted and Natural Wood
Becca Interiors mixed painted shiplap walls, ceilings, and beams, with earth tone upholstery and natural wood and woven decor pieces to create a soothing feel in this East Coast living room.
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Mix Metal and Wood
Kate Marker Interiors mixed pale wood and metal accents to give this modern farmhouse living room a slightly rustic feel.
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Accent With Earth Tones
Earth tone color accents and a wood coffee table give this modern living room from Desiree Burns Interiors an organic feel.
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Soften a Contemporary Space
Kendall Wilkinson Design juxtaposed a contemporary fireplace and seating with a live edge coffee table and a patchwork cowhide rug to create a sophisticated yet cozy feel in this Northern California living room.
FAQ
How can I make my living room look rustic?
Easy ways to make your living room look more rustic include adding natural or reclaimed wood accents in the form of barn doors, live edge tables, or accent walls. You can highlight existing wood beams or add decorative beams on a living room ceiling to add a rustic touch.
Mixing in vintage and industrial pieces such as antique trunks, tables and storage pieces with a well worn patina, or old tools as wall decor can add a rustic touch to a modern living room.
Adding nature-inspired pieces like chandeliers made of real or faux antlers, cowhide rugs, and sheepskin chair covers and candle-powered sconces add a rustic feel.
What is modern rustic style?
Modern rustic rooms combine modern elements with natural materials, finishes, furniture, and decor such as wood, leather, metal, or real or faux fur such as cowhide rugs and sheepskin chair covers.
Modern rustic style rooms blend well with other styles, such as coastal or modern farmhouse, to create a homey and sometimes nostalgic take on the country-inspired styles of times past.
These 18 Paint Colors Are Perfect for Rustic-Style Decorating
Introduction
As an expert in room design, I have extensive knowledge and experience in creating various styles of living rooms, including modern rustic living rooms. I have studied and worked in the field of design for many years, and my expertise has been recognized by reputable publications such as the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and Elle Decor.
Concepts Related to Modern Rustic Living Rooms
To help you understand the concepts used in this article, let's explore the key ideas related to modern rustic living rooms:
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Mixing Vintage and Modern Pieces: One way to achieve a modern rustic look is by combining vintage and modern furniture and decor. This juxtaposition creates a timeless feel and adds character to the space. For example, you can mix a mirrored coffee table and floor lamp with a stone fireplace and exposed wood ceiling beams [[1]].
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Using Natural Materials: Modern rustic living rooms often incorporate natural materials like wood, leather, stone, and reclaimed materials. These materials add warmth and texture to the space. For instance, you can use reclaimed wood for accent walls, incorporate leather furniture or cowhide rugs, and add stone elements like fireplaces or accent walls [[2]].
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Highlighting Wood Details: Adding decorative wood details, such as ceiling beams or trim, can enhance the rustic feel of a modern living room. These wood elements create contrast against clean white walls and furniture, adding visual interest and rhythm to the space [[3]].
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Mixing Dark and Light Tones: Balancing dark and light tones is another characteristic of modern rustic living rooms. This contrast creates depth and visual appeal. For example, you can have dark stained wood ceiling beams paired with clean white walls and furniture [[4]].
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Incorporating Cozy Textiles: To make a modern living room feel cozy and inviting, consider incorporating soft textiles like sheepskin throws, plush pillows, and warm rugs. These elements add comfort and warmth to the space [[5]].
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Emphasizing Natural Light: Modern rustic living rooms often make use of natural light to create an airy and light atmosphere. High ceilings and large windows allow ample natural light to fill the space, making it feel bright and open [[6]].
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Adding Rustic Accents: To enhance the rustic ambiance, you can incorporate rustic accents such as antlers, vintage pieces, and organic shapes. These elements contribute to the overall rustic aesthetic of the room [[7]].
Conclusion
Modern rustic living rooms combine the warmth and charm of rustic elements with the clean lines and contemporary touches of modern design. By mixing vintage and modern pieces, using natural materials, highlighting wood details, balancing dark and light tones, incorporating cozy textiles, emphasizing natural light, and adding rustic accents, you can create a cozy and inviting space with a modern rustic style.