To be clear, when we say rustics basements, we aren’t referring to gray concrete walls, cement floors, and minimal lighting. We are hoping to step away from the dark, drab basements of the past. We are looking for upgrades with style with these rustic basement ideas.
Rustic decor is derived from modern styles that inspire that vintage look. You can think of it as more of a modern take on a vintage idea. Only in this style, it incorporates more recycled woods, well-loved antiques, and warmer lighting. Instead of marble and floral prints, you will see more raw and distressed woods and ‘found’ objects instead of custom-made ones.
As usual, before you determine your basement style, you are going to want to identify the purpose of your space. Once you do that, you can decide if the Rustic style is right for you. For example, suppose you intend to create an entertainment area for watching your favorite sports team (Michigan State or the University of Michigan).
In that case, you could create a more ‘saloon’ style bar area. For bedrooms or dens, your basement may have that cabin in woods vibe. Regardless of what you decide, the rustic style could be an excellent fit for you.
Your basement flooring is by far the best way to incorporate rustic decor into your new basement. Vinyl plank flooring is easily one of the most common additions across many different styles. When it comes to the rustic style, you can easily incorporate this by exploring the different grains and color options.
Your flooring choice will quickly give you that rustic or close-to-nature feel. If you are more committed to the rustic look, you should consider colors such as grays, the wood look, or even the Shaw variations. These colors allow the less than perfect aesthetic and give a more worn look. Depending on your skill level, you may want to consult a professional before you get started.
The bar area is the part where you can live out your best Western fantasy. Where do all of the cowboys come: the local watering hole, a.k.a. The Saloon. Fortunately for you, your water and facilities will be a lot more sanitary than in the days of the Old West, but your decor will have you ready to pour your favorite drink of whisky in no time.
With this rustic decor, all of your furniture will have some wood component. Oak, pine, and hickory are going to be your best friends when deciding how you want your bar built. Some distressing could be incorporated as well to make you feel right at home. For your bar stools, if you can find some that are similar to those you may find in a dive bar or a pub, you are all set!
Pro Tip: Make sure you seal all of this wood to preserve the longevity of your space if building from scratch. While old wood looks excellent, moisture will cause things like dry rot, swelling, and eventual damage that may result in an expensive replacement. Make good decisions now to avoid costly fixes later.
If you haven’t noticed, rustic decor involves a lot of wood. That is because it is calling back to a time when the most accessible building material to work with was wood. A lot of places were highly flammable because of it as well. With that in mind, wooden walls maybe a little too on the nose for this decor. Also, “wooden” paneling is not the direction many interior designers suggest.
A great way to incorporate this rustic style is to have solid warm walls with wall decor that eludes to that rustic style. All you would have to do in that case is to put up sheetrock for your walls and paint it the color you desire. Another way is if you have one wall or more that is brick. That is a great way to incorporate the rustic aesthetic without doing anything drastic to the structure of your basement.
Your ceiling is pretty much set in stone because you are in a basement (hopefully a fully finished basement). Anything you do at this point for decor is precisely that. However, if you have to add some structural element to your ceiling, going for a decorative support beam is a great way to add that rustic element to your basement space.
Another way of adding that rustic feel to your space is by adding the right ceiling fan. You want a ceiling fan that incorporates more brassy metals. If they have a ‘tarnished’ look to them, that is even better. Instead of utilizing the bright, white overhead lighting, try using the warmer yellow lights for your space.
If you have incorporated a bathroom into your finished basement and want to bring in the rustic decor, one of the best ways to do that is with the appliances. A clawfoot tub and an old wash sink with metal handles would be a great addition to this space. Add the rustic flooring, lighting, and wall decor to the bathroom as well!
The floating vanity in this bathroom creates a unique look for this basement bathroom.
Yes, your basement design can be modern and rustic! Rustic decor is already a modern concept; it’s just another take on it. It still incorporates the contemporary use of lines and shapes to create the desired aesthetic. The actual colors and approach are what make this design rustic.
The fact that you are intentionally embracing the distressed and worn look makes the rustic basement design idea modern. It is the same with fashion. Yes, we can allow our jeans to become distressed over time. However, it is much more fashionable to create distressed sections intentionally for the desired look.
Whether you want to create your saloon or experience the feel of a cabin in the woods, the rustic decor is a fun style. It incorporates a lot of creativity and allows you to play with many different aesthetics and vibes.
Contact us TODAY at Finished Basment Plus to talk with one of our representatives to help make your rustic basement vision a reality.
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