BEAUTIFUL RUSTIC BATHROOMS – I sometimes get a little disappointed when I see examples of Rustic Bathroom, and for two reasons. Firstly, many examples often depict a scene that is dark and dingy, making the bathroom look oppressive and certainly uninviting. Secondly, the examples always ebb towards the ‘Log Cabin‘ style giving the impression that a rustic bathroom is only suited to such homes, where in fact with good lighting and a considered approach to materials a rustic bathroom design could fit well into most styles of living.
Below are a number of images which makes the points above (my point of view at least) a little more understanding.
Lots of stone and exposed wood ceilings add the essential elements to a rustic bathroom.
I personally like the example above. It has a very natural feel due to the use of stone and wood, however I would have created a better balance as the wood gets lost with the over-bearing boldness of the stone. It’s interesting to note the lighting which softens the overall feel, however what would this bathroom be like with the lights turned off? I suspect it would resemble a cave, unless, which the image does not show, there is adequate light from the bathroom window – if in fact is has a window.
A modern look Rustic Bathroom.
Above is obviously a modern home creating the rustic look and feel through natural stone flooring, wall tiles and careful selection of paint colors. I really like the contrast of the orange terracotta and the deep racing green on the bath. I also like the Lead Windows which move from the rustic to the medieval, which adds an unusual feature to the room. Again, my concern here comes back to lighting and with the use of powerful dark colors this bathroom could look very uninviting without the artificial light. While the lead windows look wonderful their colored pieces do suppress light from entering a room and maybe this interior design would have been better with much larger windows.
Beautiful use of wood and glass to allow for more natural light.
For me, the bathroom above, is a very clever rustic design and for a number of reasons. Look at how well the log timber walls are set off by the jet black floor tiles which is cleverly contrasted with the stainless steel bath tub. Each of these elements is softened by the other and to cap it all the use of a beautiful glass wall allows natural light to flood this rustic bathroom and soften all the natural materials used.
Log Cabin with the perfect blend of light and natural materials.
The example above is one of my favorites as it has everything a rustic bathroom should have – timber, stone flooring and earthen colors on the walls. All these, coupled with amount of glass in the walls makes this a very inviting bathroom. I’m sure, from the size of the windows and the fact that they are simply clear glass that privacy is not an issue in this neck of the woods.
Soft chocolate quarry stone, beautiful white marble and plenty of light really sets this rustic bathroom design apart.
If I had to go for a rustic bathroom I would certainly use the example above and include a few of the design elements. I love the use of the soft chocolate quarry stone for the walls, which is beautifully offset with the white marble. Note the clever use of a very large bathroom mirror which spreads light around the room and will give it the appearance of being much larger.
I have to be honest, I like the rustic feel and I certainly love log cabins or barn conversions, which these types of bathroom design fit so perfectly with. But in many cases, especially when the whole theme is timber and rock it is difficult to introduce any other type of material for fear of it looking out of place and unable to blend with the natural elements.
I’ve seen many examples of rustic bathrooms and rustic homes and many, especially older buildings, lack natural lighting, which does, for me at least, make these types of designs a little oppressive.
Thankfully we have move away from the idea that a rustic interior requires two foot square windows in order to give it the authentic look. More and more architects and designers are incorporating glass and not just for windows but in walls in order to make a rustic design look and feel more airy and inviting for the homeowner.
