| What exactly is rustic bedroom furniture? The word | | | | furniture. Look for lightly stained or totally natural pieces |
| 'rustic' conjures up images of country living but | | | | - these will benefit greatly from waxing or oiling several |
| depending on where you are from you can still be | | | | times a year. The main difference is that oak is a |
| thinking of entirely different styles. For example, an | | | | hardwood with a tighter grain, due to its slower growth |
| American citizen may associate the word with wood | | | | rate. It is also harder to work and construct into |
| cabins and lodges made of pine and cedar hidden on | | | | furniture so tends to be more expensive than its pine |
| a mountainside far from civilisation. A UK resident is | | | | counterpart. Pine, on the other hand, is naturally lighter |
| more likely to associate the term with quaint country | | | | with a more open grain. Pine trees grow quickly and |
| cottages, echoing a lifestyle that has moved on as the | | | | the wood itself can be worked quite easily so pine |
| people have migrated to the cities. | | | | furniture is a popular choice as it represents good |
| It is perhaps because of this, that the term 'rustic' | | | | value for money. |
| conjures up feelings of warmth and homeliness - it | | | | Whichever you choose is totally down to personal |
| transports many of us back into an idyllic world where | | | | preference and budget. A high quality oak piece would |
| the aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air and the | | | | represent a good investment as well as bringing real |
| stress of modern life has taken a sideways step. | | | | style and character to your decor. It is important to |
| Whether you are thinking of mountain lodges or tiny | | | | make sure you choose solid wood for the real rustic |
| cottages with thatched roofs, rustic furniture is | | | | look. Chipboard veneers may appear cheap at first but |
| generally typified by a natural wood. The bedroom is a | | | | they will not last so well and the veneers often start |
| room where we like to feel warm and secure so it is | | | | detaching after some use. The old saying, "buy cheap, |
| only natural that many people are seeking out items of | | | | buy twice" can be very true when it comes to the |
| rustic bedroom furniture for their homes. | | | | purchase of furniture. Good quality furniture holds its |
| How can you achieve a rustic look for the bedroom? | | | | value quite well so do not make the mistake of always |
| A starting point may be to start distressing the | | | | going for the cheapest option. |
| wooden furniture that you already own. There are | | | | For that rustic bedroom look choose a chunky oak or |
| plenty of home design books to explain the techniques | | | | pine bed. You can buy many items of high quality |
| used. If your furniture is not made of wood then you | | | | furniture in matching ranges - you may prefer to |
| really have no choice but to buy some - a bed, a | | | | co-ordinate the bed with the wardrobe and dresser. |
| wardrobe and a chest of drawers or dressing table | | | | But you may also prefer to have items from different |
| would be an ideal starting point to get your rustic | | | | ranges but similar woods to represent a more organic |
| bedroom furniture together. | | | | and eclectic collection. |
| Oak and pine are both excellent candidates for rustic | | | | |