Modern city apartments are beautiful, with huge windows, smooth, sharp lines and clean finishes. Yet, it’s this appearance of perfection that can make our flats feel… sterile. Less like a proper home, even. But, of course, it’s not exactly possible to transport the rustic charm of old bungalows or hillside cottages to a metro, is it?
Well, that’s where modern rustic interior design comes in. Combine the stylish simplicity and sleekness of the contemporary home with charming rustic elements in furniture, upholstery and much more.
Why Modern Rustic Interior Design is Perfect For Your 2BHK Flat Interior
Rustic design is something you might associate more with a cabin in the woods than a metro apartment, but here’s why it’s the perfect style for just that kind of space:
It’s fuss-free and family-friendly
If you’ve got kids, you know how difficult it is to maintain certain kinds of furniture. That stark-white sofa, for instance, won’t look quite so striking once it’s had orange juice spilt all over it.
Likewise, ultra-modern pieces with perfectly chiselled, pointy corners can be a real safety hazard, especially if said corners are level with your toddler’s face.
But you won’t need any of that when you’re decorating your 2 BHK flat interior in a modern rustic style. Its soft, muted colours like beige and slate grey are easy to maintain, and the rounded corners won’t hurt (or hurt less) your little munchkin even if they come barrelling at them.
Perfect for smaller spaces
Conventional interior design wisdom always suggests minimalist, contemporary styling to make smaller spaces look more prominent. While overly traditional, ornate design elements can certainly make a room look cluttered and closed off, ultra-modern styles can go too far in the opposite direction and make it look sparse and impersonal, again emphasising the small size.
Modern rustic design with its combination of enlarging elements like an open, flowing floor plan and monochromatic colour schemes and imperfect touches like raw, natural materials and layered textures strikes the perfect balance.
Now that you know precisely why modern rustic design has shot to popularity so quickly, here’s how you can incorporate the essence of this style into your 2 BHK flat interior:
1. Add a touch of nature
The most critical part of a modern rustic design aesthetic is making natural materials like stone, wood and brick the show's stars.
For instance, gypsum board false ceilings are out, exposed wood beams are in. Ceramic tiles in bathrooms and kitchens are out—whatever kind you prefer, and limestone, graphite, marble and more—are in.
While you’re at it, consider replacing the textured wallpaper on your accent wall with real stone slabs too. These accent walls usually highlight a large gas or wood fireplace in colder climes.
But in our sweltering weather, a media station with a television, speakers and more will do just fine. The same goes for upholstery and other fabrics in your 2 BHK flat interior.
Vegan leather, wool and linen are popular ways to add texture and warmth. But for a truly unique look, try incorporating Indian textiles like jute and local styles of silk and cotton.
These fabrics are likely to suit Indian weather better, and you’ll know that you’re supporting the livelihood of a talented craftsperson.
2. Don’t be afraid to throw in experimental pieces
The ‘modern’ in modern rustic decor is open to interpretation. The modern elements of your space can be anything from quirky, colourful and eclectic to industrial-inspired to a classic mid-century modern. In simple words, they can be anything but generic or boring.
So, skip out on the cream lampshade and choose a bright red pendant light or a brass floor lamp with an Edison bulb instead.
And you certainly don’t have to limit your creativity to accents either: For example, a large statement piece of furniture like a formal dining table with a reclaimed-wood top or brushed velvet sofa in a neutral tone can form the perfect centrepiece for a room.
If you’re fond of travel, consider adding in little (or not-so-little!) tokens from all the places you’ve visited. These certainly don’t have to be the typical touristy pieces from souvenir shops either.
For example, a pashmina you picked up from a market in Kashmir or a Turkish mosaic lamp is far superior to a fridge magnet!
3. Bring the outdoors indoors
Arguably, the worst thing about living in city apartments, particularly ones in high-rises, is the lack of outdoor space. Of course, you’ll probably have access to a balcony or even a terrace if you’re lucky. Still, even those spaces are usually not very large and difficult to enjoy because of harsh weather and pollution.
Fortunately, bringing home a little bit of the outdoors is an essential part of the rustic design—and not just through hardwood furniture and floors.
For instance, place plants that thrive in indirect light, like snake plants and ferns, in either rustic clay or jute planters or funky pots with unusual shapes (or both!) to tie the greenery into the rest of your decor.
If you haven’t got much of a green thumb, don’t fret. The faux plants of the past may have been very obviously fake-looking, but today’s are nearly indistinguishable from the real thing even up close.
Or, of course, you could turn to trusty succulents like aloe vera that also look incredibly chic and fit right in with the modern rustic decor.
The coming together of the rustic and the modern—two very different decor styles—creates something beautiful and more versatile than either of the two individually.
But to find the perfect balance and pull this style of decor off, you may need a professional hand. At Hipcouch, we’ll be working to fulfil your vision for your home and take care of all the little details that go into making your home yours truly!