There’s nothing like having your own little piece of heaven in the country. Country homes are meant to be comforting and they usually have a rustic look. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to cope with 1950s interior design and functionality. You can still get something modern that will feel organic. With that said, you can’t approach a country home the same way you would any other. Here’s how you can achieve the perfect modern country home look.
Respect the Surroundings
You first have to look at the scenery. A beautiful country home will complement the landscape. This is why you will see so many country homes in warm tints like burgundy since it complements fields so well. If your house is near a lake or in the forest, then you want something that will blend in. However, it doesn’t mean that you have to go with wood and all the trouble that comes with it. Wooden siding and decking will disintegrate after a while, and how fast it does will depend on how well you maintain it.
Instead, it could be a better idea to go for composite materials. If you want to see an example of a rustic design using composite boards, we suggest you click here. Ecoscape UK has a line of clarity decking and cladding boards that are made to look just as good as wood, minus all the drawbacks. Their boards are ultra-resistant, anti-slip, and come with a full 20-year warranty.
Choose Light and Neutral Colour Schemes
We’re used to seeing colours like brown or dark woods in the traditional country home, but that’s not what we’re going for here. You want the interior to feel spacious, airy, and light. And for this, you have to go with light and neutral colour schemes. Use subtle shades of beige and cream, pale paint on walls, grey floorboards, and whitewashed woods to create a contemporary and neutral backdrop that will allow you to showcase more traditional accessories and furniture pieces. Use muted tones and natural hues to make your house feel welcoming and warm.
However, you don’t have to avoid anything that isn’t neutral, but if you want to add a splash of colour, try to use soft pastels in furnishings, rugs, and window treatments. You can also use colours like dusky rose, mint, or sage green to bring in some warmth. For the final touch, try to use metallic accessories and elements in warm tones like copper or bronze. These can be used for sinks or light fixtures, for instance.
Don’t Be Afraid of Patterns
Patterns can also be brought in to add freshness. A nice pattern will give any bedroom a striking look, especially if you choose the right window treatments. If you’re into floral patterns, there are a few things that you can do to modify them and give them a modern spin. One way would be to use an oversized pattern. You can also use monochrome prints to complement neutral colours. Geometric prints are also a big thing at the moment and allow you to give a room a nice boho look. These can be used on walls, floors, or even in decorations.
Leave Space for Rustic Materials
While going modern is good up to a certain level, you stillwant to remember that you’re in a country home. You have to leave space for woods and organic materials in there. Original wooden floorboards, wood panelling, and exposed beams work perfectly in this type of space and you have to do everything you can to accentuate them.
Also know that you can fake it whenever you can. If you want a nice exposed brick wall or backsplash for the kitchen, then you don’t have to invest in real brick. You can use brick slips instead and get the same look for less. For floors, you can always go for floating wooden planks if you want to save some money. Better yet, you could go with luxury vinyl tiles. Luxury vinyl tiles, unlike their name suggests, are not necessarily expensive, but they’re a definite upgrade over traditional vinyl floors.
Luxury vinyl tiles are made from a vinyl base with an overlapping pattern. This pattern is covered by a transparent protective layer. They can be made to resemble any material and can give you much more flexibility. This would allow you to give your bathroom a Swedish bathhouse look without worrying about the wood warping or humidity issues, for instance.
These are all different and simple ways in which you canimprove your country home and give it a modern look while still keeping some of its rustic charm. Make sure to follow these few tips and always look for inspiration in your surroundings. Let us know how you get on!
