Now let's talk about rustic decorating ideas... Your rustic and cabin furniture can be built of logs, twigs, knotty pine, cedar, birch, and other beautiful rich colored woods, wicker, or it can be made of simple painted slats. Don't use a lot of the same type, mix and match is the word of the day.

To achieve that homey look, you want to make certain that your pieces have a well worn and natural look to them.

The fabrics can be of rough wools, woven burlaps, or plain linens and cottons. Animal patterns, wood scenes, and plaids go very well with rustic décor. Use them for sofas, chairs, window treatments, table cloths, and napkins.

Use a long plank table with long side benches and head and foot armchairs in your dining room, great room or family-style kitchen. If you have both a kitchen and a dining room, put an old oak table with bent willow chairs in the kitchen.

For more rustic decorating ideas, picture a couple of large rocking chairs in front of the fireplace. Don't forget the bear rug! Or that tree-trunk coffee table in front of that pole log sofa! Arrange your seating in close groupings to encourage conversation.

Try an old water tub instead of a magazine rack. Lamps made out of wood, plain or carved animals, or perhaps an old water pump would fit in nicely. Make a floor lamp out of an old wooden coat rack.

Include an element of surprise somewhere in your home. Use wooden blanket boxes for storage at the foot of your bed. Cover the bed with a big, colorful patchwork quilt, and some throw pillows. Keep the dresser rustic, and put a dried flower arrangement in an old watering can on top of it.

A bowl of pinecones and acorns will add to that rustic look. Instead of a boudoir chair, put a stick chair in the corner. These chairs are tied together, using no nails, glue or pegs. If you want a television in your room, hide it in an armoire.

Don't ignore the outside of your home. Outdoor rustic decorating ideas can include, adirondack chairs and tables, trellises, stone benches, trees, ferns and other plants are great for relaxation, and provide a nice introduction to your home. Put out some seed to encourage birds, squirrels and other wildlife to visit. If you like cooking outdoors, make a stone surrounded pit with a large grate over the top.

All that's left to complete your rustic home decorating is to accessorize your home. Your serving pieces and dishware should reflect this country feel, maybe a platter with a wood scene, coffee mugs with animal prints, etc. Use those fabrics we talked about to make pillows and cushions for your furniture. This is where you want the color to come in, and it will add a wonderful comfort level, both visually and physically.

Hang a special quilt on a wall, spread scatter rugs around, and drape a throw on the back of the couch or over one of those wonderful rockers. Carved animals on wooden stands can be tucked into corners or displayed on tables. This is great for animal lovers.

There are so many options for wall hangings in rustic decorating! Photos or paintings of the woods, in rough frames, antlers or animal heads, rustic clocks, snowshoes, old fashioned rifles, country humor or old ads on tin signs, and mirrors (nothing fancy or too perfect, a little chip adds to the flavor) are all appropriate.

But please, don't try to use all these rustic decorating ideas and accessories. If you are on a budget, take your time and shop at garage sales and flea markets. You do NOT have to treat every room in your home with a rustic theme. Have fun with it, and always remember that less is more.

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