For when your city self wants to live vicariously though your modern rustic living room.
I’ll level with all of you now – I am NOT an outdoorsy/rustic/live off the earth kind of gal.
However, I am someone who loves a cozy, countryside wood smelling lodge home décor type of vibe from time to time.
Something about it reminds me of my childhood of cottages and playing outside, which is why I’m guessing that the modern rustic style has become one of the “go-to” décor themes of the last few years.
It is comforting and reminds us of happy memories. Nice.
So, you are thinking that you want to give the modern rustic vibe a whirl, and you get the general gist as far as furniture and colors, but what about artwork?
Since this site mainly focuses on printable art, I thought I’d try to show how easy (and inexpensive) it is to incorporate it into a modern rustic living room to finish everything off perfectly.
Let’s get going.
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something though these links, we may earn a commission. Thanks!! Featured image sources from: Set of 3 Abstract Modern Rustic Tree Rings by NLS Design
What Exactly is Modern Rustic Style?
Modern Rustic, as the name so conveniently suggests, artfully blends the old with the new, combining the charm of traditional, rustic elements with the clean, minimalist aesthetic of modern design. It’s like hosting a party where your great-grandmother and your tech-savvy, hipster cousin find common ground—astonishingly, over the décor of your living room.
The Beauty of Printable Art
But where does printable art fit into all this, you ask? Oh, just you wait.
Picture this: watercolor landscapes, abstract modern art, all at your fingertips, ready to be printed, framed, and adorned on your walls.
Printable art is the unsung hero of home decor, offering you an affordable, sustainable, and versatile way to keep your living room fresh and stylish. It’s like having a museum of potential wall decor stored in your laptop.
Five Key Elements of Modern Rustic Decor
Before we dive into the wonders of printable art in a modern rustic living room setting, let’s lay out the five foundational pillars of modern rustic décor, just so we are all squared away together:
Natural Materials: Wood, stone, and metal are the holy trinity here.
Neutral Palette: Think earthy hues, from creamy whites to deep, rich browns.
Clean Lines: Balance out the ruggedness with some sleek, modern flair.
Vintage & Handcrafted Pieces: Add depth with items that tell a story.
Plenty of Textures: A mix of rough and smooth finishes keep things interesting.
Infusing Modern Rustic Style with Printable Art
Now, here’s where the real magic happens. You have your modern rustic living room—great. But how do you keep it fresh, exciting, and authentically you without tanking your budget? Enter: printable art.
Imagine changing your art pieces with the seasons, aligning your home with nature’s rhythms. Printable art is not just decor; it’s an experience, an ever-evolving reflection of your personal journey. It’s like switching up your outfit every day but for your walls.
Did I make it seem grand enough? I thought so.
Four Modern Rustic Living Room Ideas Using Printable Art
1. Nature-Inspired Gallery Wall:
A gallery wall, for the uninitiated, is a delightful collection of artwork that’s been lovingly grouped together to form one cohesive display. And for our modern rustic living room, there’s nothing more fitting than a gallery wall teeming with nature-inspired printable art.
Start by curating a selection of printable art pieces that speak to your love for the great outdoors. Consider flora and fauna prints – charming images of plants or majestic animals in their natural habitats. Landscape art is another fabulous option, capturing the raw beauty of mountains, valleys, forests, or seascapes.
For those with a flair for the abstract, you could opt for pieces that reflect nature’s color palette or patterns. It’s like opening your living room window and inviting Mother Nature to come inside for a cup of tea – or, let’s be real, maybe something a little stronger…
Check out my post The Lazy Way To Create A Gallery Art Wall for mor info on creating an easy gallery wall, or Bring the Outside In: Unique Nature Art Ideas for all things nature artwork.
(Good ol’ Amazon or online home, big box, and craft stores like Overstock, Walmart, and Michaels are where I find classy yet inexpensive frames.)
2. Seasonal Art Switcheroo:
In the world of fashion, we have the concept of a seasonal wardrobe, swapping out wooly jumpers for breezy sundresses as the weather changes. Or, in my case, swapping out full length pants with crop pants.
Why not apply the same concept to your modern rustic living room decor with a seasonal art switcheroo?
With printable art, you have the freedom to alter your home’s aesthetic as frequently as the seasons themselves. It’s about reflecting the changing rhythms of nature within your own living space. And let’s be honest, there’s something wonderfully indulgent about having a home that continually feels fresh and exciting. This concept also works incredibly well for a modern rustic space.
Fall: The Autumnal Showcase
As the leaves begin to turn and a crisp chill fills the air, turn to warm, rich colors for your art. Think printable art pieces featuring autumnal landscapes, with stunning red and gold foliage.
Winter: The Snowy Sanctuary
As winter unveils itself, your home should too. Snowscapes, pine forests, and illustrations of charming winter wildlife can adorn your walls. Your modern rustic living room can be a snowy retreat from the cold outside. Choose art in whites, cool blues, and silvers, keeping in line with the season’s color palette.
Spring: The Floral Fantasy
Refresh your living room for spring with printable art featuring blooming flowers, lush green landscapes, or even fresh watercolor prints.
Summer: The Sunny Escape
Summer calls for light, airy art pieces that encapsulate the carefree spirit of the season. Your modern rustic living room should feel like a breezy beach house, with art pieces in shades of blue, sandy neutrals, and pops of tropical hues.
3. Mixing Old and New:
Just as the modern rustic style beautifully harmonizes the charm of the old with the sophistication of the new, so too can your wall art. It’s all about creating a unique blend of vintage-inspired and contemporary printable art that echoes the essence of your style and the spirit of your home.
The key is to find balance and harmony between the vintage and modern pieces. Too much of one can overpower the other, but the right balance can create a dynamic, engaging space. This concept beautifully mirrors the modern rustic style – a celebration of balance between the rugged, timeless charm of the rustic and the clean, streamlined elegance of the modern.
Check out my post Printable Art Salad: How to Mix and Match Art in Your Home Like A Pro for more info.
4. Minimalist Art for A Focal Point:
In every great band, there’s always a lead singer. And in every fabulous modern rustic living room, there should be a piece of art that takes center stage – a star performer that sets the tone and anchors the space. This is where minimalist art comes in.
Minimalist art, with its simple lines, pared-down designs, and a limited color palette, is the perfect candidate for your modern rustic living room’s focal point. Why, you ask? Because it embodies the same principles as the modern rustic style: simplicity, clarity, and an emphasis on the beauty of the bare essentials.
Start by choosing a large piece of printable art. When it comes to focal points, size does matter. You want something that commands attention without overwhelming the space. A piece that says, “Hey, look at me,” but in the most elegant and subtle way possible.
When picking your star, consider the modern rustic color palette – earthy neutrals, subdued hues, and pops of metallic.
Position this piece in a prominent place in your living room – above the fireplace, over the sofa, or on a feature wall. Let it shine, let it command attention, let it be the star of the show. Add complementary pieces around it if you want, but make sure they know who the superstar is.
A Modern Rustic Living Room Is Doable
Getting the modern rustic living room is definitely doable – and on a budget.
You can find a myriad of modern rustic pieces online, and you can get inexpensive printable wall art to top it all off. I’m of course always going to suggest NLS Design printable art, but I will happily support the purchase of other artists’ work as well.
So, go ahead, try a piece or two and see how it goes. I promise you’ll be surprised just how much a piece of art can transform a room into something that you’ll be beyond proud of – since we all know you’re a super star interior designer and all…. 😉
