28 Easy Rustic Decor Ideas You'll Love
Rustic decor is simple, natural and best of all, inexpensive! There are tons of decor DIY’s out there for all skill levels, but the best part about rustic decor is the ease with which it can be created. Common materials are wood of all types (especially reclaimed or pre-used), branches, twigs, stumps, twine, rope, and mason jars – all of which are easily acquired at little to no cost. If you’re itching to add to your home decor, rustic elements may be just what you need – for your budget and your aesthetic! Here are 28 easy rustic decor ideas anyone can DIY.
Faux Vintage Door Upgrade – If you’ve got an interior door that’s so blah you can’t stand it, you can turn it into an eye-catching “vintage” wooden door with a bit of time and effort. The results are gorgeously rustic – with no trace of builder grade door left in sight!
DIY Rustic Shutters – Looking for a stylish alternative to curtains or drapes? Dress up your windows with some hand crafted shutters. It sounds difficult, but in actuality is a quick project requiring basic skills. These interior shutters add country-chic to your home in an unexpected way.
Farmhouse Coffee Table Revamp – You can turn a bland table into one with lots of rustic charm. Some cheap wood cut to size and your favorite stain along with construction adhesive and you’ve got a piece with lots of style. Can’t find a table the right height? Chop off the legs of an old dining table!
Rustic Headboard – Not sure where to find reclaimed wood? No problem! You can still incorporate rustic style by using fresh, store bought wood and aging it yourself. This headboard is the perfect example of what you can do when new wood is your only option.
Easy Floating Shelves – Instead of buying pre-made, straight from the factory, cookie cutter floating shelves, make your own with these free plans! They’re an easy build, and you can use any wood then stain it, rough it up or glaze it to get the rustic look you want. Your shelves will be a one-of-a-kind show piece , especially with the added clavos on the front!
Reclaimed Wood Coat Rack – This distressed wood coat rack offers the perfect marriage of functionality and design. The elements – distressed painted wood, dark stained shelf, oversized metal hooks – work together to create an eye catching piece with a place for everything!
Branch Coat Rack – Here’s a coat rack that’s so easy and cheap (nearly free!) to make, anyone can do it! Cut branches to various sizes and screw them to a scrap board backing. You can personalize this anyway you want to with paint and stain, so it can match your entryway!
Rustic Stool With Hairpin Legs – No one will believe you’ve DIY’d this amazing stool. While it looks like it started as a stump in the forest which was then turned into an artsy stool for a fashionable, high-end boutique, it’s not. With some simple to find materials, you can make this step stool – even the hairpin style legs – and wow your friends.
Reclaimed Wood Knife Rack – Magnetic knife racks are so functional – not only are they space-savers in the kitchen, but they also keep knives within ready reach. Create a simple version from reclaimed wood for a look that’s more rustic than modern.
Wood Slice Mirror – Take a cheap, boring mirror from drab to fab with some plywood and wood slices! This mirror makes a huge impact in any room – hang it near your dining table, over a fireplace or even in a rustic style bathroom above the vanity. It looks like it came out of the pages of a Pottery Barn catalogue!
Electrical Spool Clock – Upcycle an old, oversized wooden electrical spool as a faux clock! The weathered look inherent in pallet wood is perfect for this project. Plus, you can find these for free by calling around to local hardware stores or electricians!
Rustic Wood Stars – You can spend a small fortune on a pair of wooden stars from Pottery Barn, or you can make them yourself for a tiny fraction of the cost! Stars are so common in rustic decor, and these are a polished, chic version to hang on a wall or place on your pallet shelves.
Shabby Chic 3-D Stars – These 3-D stars mimic the look of more expensive, metal decor, when in actuality they’re made from cereal boxes! Paint them your desired colors and even distress them a bit with glazing medium.
Twig Letters – Make your own monogram decor with FREE twigs you pick up from the ground! This project is so easy, your kids can join in the fun. Use it as a door hanging, or next to some vintage books on a shelf.
Birchwood Candleholders – Branch and log candleholders are a common element to rustic design, and now you can make them yourself! The birch branches used here are subtle and woodsy – the perfect mix of rustic and stylish.
Birch Vase – If you’re a fan of the birchwood look, you’ll love this vase as well! It’s created in much the same way as the candleholders above. Insert twigs, grasses, wheat, or long flowers. You can even add a skinny, glass vase inside if you’d like it to keep fresh flowers.
Twig Vase – For another project that’s nearly free, turn a plain, clear glass vase into a woodsy twig vase! Find branches around the yard and create a unique look by gluing them around your existing vase.
Paint Stick Flower Box – Create an adorable planter box from free paint sticks! You just need some stain and no one will know they’re not vintage crates! Use them to display plants or flowers.
Distressed Chalkboard Paint Jars – Mason jars are so handy to have around because they’re incredibly versatile. You can make some rustic jars with chalkboard paint and some sandpaper in no time at all. Use them as vases or catch-alls for the random bits and pieces from pockets.
DIY Photo Clipboards – This is an easy project with a big impact. All you need are some boards cut to size and metal clips. Hang your own photographs, artwork or pictures of family members. These oversized clipboards are perfect for a simple, rustic-style gallery wall.
Photo Ladder – Collect branches from your yard or nearby park and assemble this rustic ladder – hanging wooden frames with small screw-in eyelets. An inexpensive and fun way to display memories!
Twine and Scrap Wood Note Board – Whip up this note holder in a matter of minutes. All you need is a piece of wood the desired size, twine and a stapler or hot glue gun. Keep all your notes and inspiration in one organized spot. Easy and cute!
Twine Lanterns – Light up your summer nights with some unique mood lighting with Christmas lights, twine, balloons and adhesive! It takes some time but isn’t difficult to do and they’re perfect for creating ambience on a patio or deck.
Birch Bark Lamps – You can create these hanging lamps with pendant lamp kits in no time at all! Make a set to hang over a rustic kitchen island. Or create several smaller ones to line your pergola or patio.
Driftwood Table Lamp – If you’d prefer a table lamp instead, this tutorial is beyond easy. You start with a plain lamp you’d like to revamp. Then, simply hot glue driftwood or branch pieces around it. Finish it off with some twine and you’ve got a unique lighting solution!
Rope Jar Lanterns – You can create these pretty lanterns from any jar you have on hand. They’re an easy DIY with the photo tutorial, and turn a plain jar into a statement.
Jar Sconces – Create a sconce with jars and rope by hanging them from hooks mounted on scraps of reclaimed wood. It takes hardly any time and very few materials and looks great in a stairway or entry.
Bottle Sconce Vase – Here’s a different take on a wall sconce – use a clear bottle with a long neck and some hardware to mount it to the wood. Use it as a vase for flowers, twigs or other natural elements! Such a pretty and easy way to frame a window or fireplace.
Kimberly Mueller is the “me” over at bugaboo, mini, mr & me, a blog that highlights her creative endeavors. She especially likes to share kid crafts, sewing attempts, recipes, upcycled projects, photography and free printable gift tags/cards. When she’s not enjoying being married to her best friend, chasing after the natives (AKA her three kids) and attempting to keep the house in one piece, you can find her with a glue gun in one hand and spray paint in the other. Aside from DIY pursuits, she also enjoys writing, reading, music, singing (mostly in the shower) and the color yellow. Kimberly recently published a craft book entitled Modern Mod Podge. You can also find her on Facebook, Pinterest,Bloglovin’ and Instagram. Email her at: bugabooblog(at)yahoo.com
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