Rustic aesthetics are inspired by rural living spaces, like farmhouses, lodges, and country cottages. There is a strong emphasis on the use of natural materials like oak timber, stone, and tile, and limited use of modern materials like plastic or plywood. It’s no wonder that many people choose this kind of aesthetic for a working environment.
Here’s how to achieve rustic aesthetics in an office space using oak timber:
The Qualities of a Rustic Office
Rustic aesthetics are not meant to be complete recreations of historical interior design. A rustic office emphasises space, with minimal distractions, while exuding uniqueness and charm. With rustic aesthetics, you want to create a warm and natural working environment that’s nothing like the corporate aesthetics of an office cubicle.
Create Space With Oak Shelves & Storage
One of the qualities you need in a rustic office space is minimal office clutter to create a productive work environment. Oak shelves are a great way to adhere to the aesthetic while creating essential storage space for files or office supplies. Made of thick wood, they’re a great natural inclusion and can be styled multiple ways to fit the room’s style.
Choose Oak Timber and Upcycled Furniture
Bespoke wooden furniture is a must to create that natural and unique vibe. From the desk to the filing cabinets, choose pieces and designs that can’t easily be found in a shop. Be careful with the use of solid metal with oak timber, especially if the design is more modern, as this comes too close to the industrial style, which lacks the unique charm you want in a rustic office.
If bespoke wooden furniture isn’t ideal, pick second-hand furniture and upcycle. Upcycled pieces are a great and sustainable way to include historical charm into your office. Sand down any scratches, upholster the old fabric, and choose a protective wood oil to bring out the natural colour.
Use Hollow Oak Beams To Style the Room
Hollow oak beams are designed to look just like the structural oak of a cottage or farmhouse, but at a fraction of the cost and weight of a solid beam. They’re also a great way to cover up pipes, and unsightly office wiring that would make the room look too contemporary. As they’re hollow, you can mount lights onto the beams quite easily as long as they’re not overly heavy.
Decorate With Natural Materials
The final step, once you’ve finalised your furniture, is your décor. We would recommend sticking with natural materials like sheep’s fleece or handmade throws, ceramic pots for your plants and wooden or metal wall décor.