The Flooring Choices That Work Best In A Rustic Home

To get the best idea of rustic design, picture an old cabin or old farmhouse. The space evokes a feeling of coziness with a style that is characterized by natural materials, often with an aged or distressed finish. While rustic can be a style of its own, it can also be a category in which other styles — such as Tuscan, farmhouse, or coastal — fall under. Rustic interiors often also utilize natural materials, such as wood and stone, for the flooring throughout the home. Even brick and some varieties of tile flooring can work for rustic interior design.

Since rustic style is the antithesis of contemporary or modern design, the material should not be overly refined. Rustic elements shouldn't look as if they were just bought from a store, but as if they have been sitting in a home for decades or even centuries. In other words, it's essential that the flooring material doesn't look too perfect.

Distressed flooring will make a rustic home feel more lived-in and closer to the look of an authentically old space. You can purchase new wood or wood-look flooring that already has a distressed finish. Manufacturers achieve this look in different ways, such as by using a knife to hand-scrape the plank and add texture. For smoking, they place the wood in an enclosed space and expose it to ammonia to darken the boards. A special buffing paste can also add a chalky finish. Other techniques include grading, wire brushing, and the application of sawn or chatter marks for even more visual and textural appeal.

Another option is to use old wood boards as flooring. Reclaimed wood boards tend to have a weathered look with textured surfaces and imperfections such as knots in the grain. These boards also tend to have color variations, which can also add to a rustic aesthetic. Of course, if you have a home that's blessed with original floors, you can opt to keep or refinish them to maintain the rustic feeling of the home.

When it comes to tile, more natural-looking materials such as terracotta and stone are the best way to infuse rustic style into your home. Similar to what you might look for with wood boards, select a tile that doesn't have perfect edges or a polished finish. A little bit of distressing or rough edges are ideal here, as well as a matte, unpolished finish that will keep the tile from looking too sleek.

The overall color scheme of rustic spaces leans toward earth tones, so opt for brown, green, or red tile. Natural color variation on individual tiles and a mix of colors in the tile patterns can also help contribute to the look. Simple tile shapes, such as square and rectangular tiles, work well, while more organically shaped varieties like pebble tiles are also good options. Avoid elaborate and ornate shapes that tend to feel more modern or contemporary.