Country home decorating is usually referred to as a “rustic” decorating style and can be created whether you live in a cottage style home, a mountain retreat home or a modern urban apartment. Your home is your castle and you can create the look and style of country homes no matter where you live.

Cottage style homes are often made of stone or log and offer a comfortable “down-home” feeling and is usually simple, charming and unfussy in its decorating style. You’ll want to incorporate the use of stone and natural woods, like pine that may be unfinished, aged, weathered and hand-painted with designs such as birds, animals, country scenery, flowers or leaves..

Rustic country decor is about handcrafted objects and furnishings that connect back to nature. Rustic country décor can start in the kitchen with a large rectangular pine table, aged and weathered, partnered with ladderback chairs. Vintage wrought-iron or metal chandeliers above the table is appropriate for rustic décor lighting as well as hurricane and oil or kerosene lamps.

Vintage hardware in wrought-iron or metal is a great country home decorating idea and is available in many different styles and finishes. Use hutches and cupboards with open shelves and plate racks for displaying colored plates and dinnerware collections in earth tones, bone white, or blues and greens, glazed earthenware and glass jars.

Add a rustic butcher-block island and pots and pans made of copper or cast iron and simple in lines. Another popular country home idea is stenciling decorating themes such as roosters, chickens, apples or cows on antiqued wooden shelves, the border on the wall, or a rocking chair in the corner of the room. Use lots of baskets for storing logs for the fire, pine cones and needlework.

Country style living rooms start with bare or waxed wooden floors or stone materials combined with floor coverings such as wool oriental rugs for warmth and texture. Add a warm quilt or “throw” on the sofa, stenciling on the walls, and flower and wreath decorations.

Gingham patterns create a country home feel and can be used for window treatments, dining room chairs, upholstery and wallpaper. Wreaths make a nice rustic decoration to a wall or door and can be found in many colors and materials such as pine or branches. You can make your own by shopping craft supply stores and choose from many different color schemes.

Add rocking chairs, Adirondack chairs, trunks, chests and antique furniture or reproductions. You can find cheap and inexpensive antique furniture at yard and garage sales, flea markets, second-hand stores and consignment shops.

The country style bathroom will have a Clawfoot tub and pedestal sink with antique brass faucets and old-fashioned country cabinets and hardware. Use plenty of baskets for storing your towels, loofas and shampoos. Your country style bathroom should create an atmosphere of calm and serenity. Don’t forget the candles for a soothing and relaxing soak after a long day.

Decorating rustic or cottage country homes include elements that are simpler, personal, comfortable, warm and inviting and can be created to express your personality no matter where your home is located.

Source by Janice N Price