Rustic

Rustic is a very unpretentious style. Rustic style kitchens reliably feature wood, in as natural a finish as possible. Styling and detail can be quite similar to traditional, giving a formal feel to the natural materials, or it can be simpler and more rugged. The textures of wood grain and stone stand in well for the scrollwork and carved details of traditional woodwork.

Rustic is an excellent choice for bringing an older western, ranch or cabin spirit to a room. In this style, there is no need to mask wood grain under a stain to be stately. In fact oak is a popular choice for rustic kitchens due in part to the strong grain pattern. Combining details like moulding and complex miters with un-embellished surfaces brings elegance to simplicity.

Floors will play a large part in how natural or rugged your space feels. Wood or stone are both a good match, but you can get a different feel from slate tiles than you can from a smoothly finished hardwood floor. It all depends on what exactly you are looking for.

For an even less polished look, the Primitive style focuses less on detail work and more on the appearance of ‘collected furniture’. It can create a pioneer-like simplicity that borders on Craftsman, while adhering to the aesthetics of an older era. Check out this great article for great examples of the cabin, cottage, farmhouse and lodge looks and how to tell them apart.

If you’re looking for a simpler, smoother style that keeps natural textures front-and-center, take a look at Craftsman style.
Freshen up the style with Transitional, or for a more modern yet rustic look consider the Industrial/Contemporary style.