What we crave more than ever in our homes is a connection to nature, because we know that when we feel connected to nature, it has a positive effect on our overall health and wellbeing.
Natural materials, such as wood and stone, are staples of Rustic English Design. Paired with traditional features, they help create a cosy and inviting atmosphere which we can relax in, turning homes into sanctuaries.
Unpretentious, rustic furniture helps adorn our homes with a countryside feel, bringing the outdoors in. In countryside homes, we've seen themes that crop up again and again: painted wooden furniture, farmhouse dining tables, tongue and groove panelling, and art that is a beguiling blend of English tradition and Asian colour and pattern — these features allow homes to sing.
In this post, we'll guide you through some of the best furniture additions to your home which help create an invitingly rustic interior.
Farmhouse Dining Tables and Chairs
Farmhouse dining tables and chairs introduce a countryside aesthetic right into the heart of your home. Farmhouse dining sets are typically handcrafted from organic materials such as wood and blend functionality with charm.
Farmhouse tables typically feature traditionally turned table legs, which are understated designs — they're not grand things, they're more like workhorses that get the job done. Matching farmhouse chairs coordinate well with these kinds of rustic tables, as they feature soft edges which create a homely, welcoming atmosphere.
The design of a traditional farmhouse chair has rarely evolved over the years; it's a rather perfect design, with a gentle sloping backrest to keep you comfortable, yet upright at the dining table, and a contoured seat that won't leave you feeling the need to scatter to more plush seating.
Light colours and wood stains add a contemporary flair to farmhouse dining sets, while dark oak colours and sophisticated hues add an aged look.
Pictured: Traditional Oak Farmhouse Dining Table and Farmhouse Fiddle Back Chairs
Painted Furniture
The "chuck out your chintz" IKEA campaign from 1996 changed the way Britain furnished its homes. Since then, everything has been "off-white", but in the last few years, maximalism has made a comeback, and we're now in a movement to deck our halls with colour, pattern and texture.
Painted furniture creates a cheerful, laid-back feel that adds to a rustic interior. Nature-inspired colours, such as verdant greens and fiery hues, enrich interiors with character and charm and bring a new energy to them.
From painted chairs to dining tables, colour dialogues with spaces in a natural way, adapting to every context with versatility, enhancing shapes, playing with light, and transforming everyday objects into a distinctive presence.
That's why we created our painted furniture collection. Celebrating British artistry and craftsmanship even further, our wooden furniture is available in any one of 16 nature-inspired Farrow & Ball colours; from neutrals to bold hues, there's something for everyone.
Yellow Painted Furniture
Yellow always works brilliantly in interior schemes, illuminating the space with character. These hues have an extraordinary response to light, transforming from bright and optimistic in the mornings to warm and inviting in the evenings.
Sudbury Yellow is one of our favourite traditional yellows, taking its name from the staircase at Sudbury Hall. It reads as cleaner and brighter in well-lit rooms and softens in dimly lit spaces.
Pictured: Captains Tub Chair painted in Sudbury Yellow
Red Painted Furniture
Red painted furniture runs through the Wainhouse collections with its decisive and sophisticated character. Painted chairs and armchairs make a statement at the dining table or in the living room.
Our red colour of choice is Incarnadine by Farrow & Ball, an unashamedly classic and glamorous crimson that commands attention.
Pictured: Red painted farmhouse fiddle back chair
Blue Painted Furniture
Blue is the colour of depth and innovation, a choice that inspires new perspectives. In its many declinations, blue reflects a bold vision, reinventing the everyday.
Some of the most sophisticated interiors are ones in countryside dwellings, and bold hues such as Railings or Hague Blue create a cocooning and cosy effect when balanced with natural materials, like exposed beams and fireplaces and wooden furniture.
Layer with Textiles
Adding layers of various patterns into your scheme characterises interiors, adding interest at every turn. Delightful fabrics inspired by a love of traditional British, Indian and Moroccan design add colour in the most charming ways, creating inviting interiors that see you through the colder seasons.
Upholstered furniture such as headboards and footstools, such as those made by Ooty Designs in Suffolk, go a long way towards tying a bedroom decorating scheme together. The marriage of natural fabrics like wool, linen, and velvet with classic shapes creates a timeless look that feels both luxurious and inviting. For a truly rustic touch, opt for textiles with subtle patterns or textures that echo the natural world — think muted florals, gentle stripes, or herringbone weaves that add depth without overwhelming the space.
Pictured: Juno Upholstered Footstool by Ooty
Standalone Oak Kitchen Islands
You want your kitchen to work for you, not against — that is the secret to creating a luxurious and inviting space. Kitchen islands are real workhorses that get the job done, and with a few stylish bar stools around them, kitchen islands are spaces where laughter-filled conversations around a glass of wine or brunch are in abundance.
A standalone kitchen island like our Wainhouse Oak Breakfast Bar is a great way of introducing additional countertop space into the heart of your home without necessarily having to commit to a permanent space for it. A kitchen island with an oak top adds character and a rustic charm to any home. The warm tones of natural oak paired with painted bases create that perfect balance of rustic and refined style. Our kitchen islands also feature useful storage solutions with drawers and shelving, making them as practical as they are beautiful.
Pictured: Wainhouse Oak Breakfast Bar with wooden bar stools
Rattan Baskets
To create an interior that is deeply in tune with the environment, you want to layer with a mixture of organic elements — wood, rattan, textiles — to characterise your interior. We all need storage solutions to ensure everything in our homes has its place, which keeps our spaces organised and hassle-free. Woven wicker baskets in various shapes and sizes are both durable and aesthetically pleasing. To take advantage of their natural appeal, log baskets and laundry baskets add to the decor while providing a practical storage solution for your needs.
Pictured: Kingston rattan log baskets
Antique Cabinets & Cupboards
Many English country properties were once modest workers' dwellings, and interiors can be incredibly beautiful when taken back to such roots with unpretentious antique furniture, such as those by The Parsons Nose Antiques. Antique dressers with a beautiful patina make a grand statement that adds to the rustic feel and are especially charming when dressed with antique milk jugs, pewter plates, stoneware and earthenware.
Pictured: An 18th Century Welsh Dresser by The Parsons Nose Antiques
Entryway Benches
A good hallway setup can be instrumental in making your home feel more organised and welcoming. A well-placed entryway bench not only provides a convenient spot to sit while removing shoes but may also offer valuable storage space underneath for boots and outdoor gear. These practical pieces work particularly well in rustic interiors, especially when crafted from natural wood with a weathered finish or painted in heritage colours that complement your home's palette.
Some of our favourite entryway benches include our Anna Loveseat, a timeless bench with a backrest, which makes an elegant statement, and our Traditional Farmhouse Bench, which, with a few rattan storage baskets underneath, can be a stylish and practical addition.
Pictured: Traditional Farmhouse Pine Bench