If you want to add some modern rustic style elements to your bedroom, there are lots of options that won’t require a complete renovation. Unless you want to remodel the entire space from top to bottom, you can achieve the same rugged charm in easier but effective ways. Here are 5 trending but timeless modern rustic bedroom ideas:

Wood Accent Walls

Think beyond colorful paint for accent walls. Knotty reclaimed wood is a staple of modern rustic design and looks great against the wall in planks or paneling. For a less expensive but comparable alternative, try plywood boards. Go for any unfinished variety with visible grain, knots and variation in order to add natural charm and character to the room.

While it might seem like a large undertaking, a wood accent wall gives you a lot of freedom in terms of design. If you decide in the future to try something new, you can paint or stain the wood. This allows you to create a fresh look while still keeping the same comfortable modern rustic feel.

Barn Doors

Sliding barn doors are incredibly popular in modern rustic home design. To add one to your interior space, install a metal track above a door frame. While it’s possible to DIY, it’s always a good idea to consult a professional to make sure that the door slides perfectly with no unintended friction. You can install a barn door to be purely decorative, or as an optional barrier to close off a space. If you have a bathroom attached to the bedroom, you can use the barn door for extra privacy and insulation. No matter where you put it, it will add tons of rustic charm to the room.

Images of Nature

For an instant boost in rustic style, try adding artwork of landscapes, animals or other natural imagery. Common animals used in motif include herd animals like horses, cattle and deer, as well as more delicate subjects like birds and butterflies. Go for pieces that won’t overwhelm the senses—keeping things comfortable is key in rustic design and especially important in bedroom decor. Follow neutral color palettes and choose art with lots of calming hues like green, blue, brown and white. Finish it with antique or rough-hewn wood frames to complete the look.

Reading Lamps

Task lighting is an important element of modern rustic design and can be easily added to your bedroom decor. Matching reading lamps on either side of a bed bring modern symmetry and a focus on functionality. Try industrial-style table lamps with adjustable necks, or hang wrought iron pendant lamps to save surface space. If you use LED light bulbs, opt for varieties that produce soft, warm light. This will keep the room feeling cozy and comfortable while still being energy efficient.

Multi-Functional Benches

A bench at the foot of the bed is a common feature in bedrooms of all styles. One way to add easy modern rustic flair to your bedroom is to choose a bench that serves multiple purposes. Try a storage chest with chunky, weathered fastenings—just make sure it can safely support your weight before you sit on it. Benches with drawers or shelves built in save space and follow the modern design concept of favoring function over design. This is another great opportunity to use unfinished wood and maybe top it off with a cozy woolen throw blanket.

These are just a few ideas to get you inspired when decorating your bedroom in the modern rustic style. As long as you stick to the basic ideas of comfort, natural materials and no-fuss functionality, you’ll be well on your way to creating your own personal modern rustic sanctuary in your home.

Do you love the look of rustic interior design but aren’t sure how to use it in your modern home? It might seem overwhelming or impossible to introduce elements of a design style that feels completely different from what you currently have. The good news is that modern rustic style combines elements of both modern and rustic homes to create an effortlessly comfortable and trendy look. Here are some simple ways to introduce rustic design elements into your modern home.

Start With Art

One of the easiest ways to change up your interior style is with art or other purely decorative pieces. Rustic design celebrates everything in the natural world and you can see it in the art choices of popular designers and homeowners who have adopted this style. Some common subjects include landscapes, studies of trees or leaves, animals like cattle, horses, or deer and the occasional floral. Go for more traditional art styles rather than abstract—landscape photography is a great choice, too. Choose recognizable images that bring the beauty of nature into the home.

Even if you decide to keep the same artwork on the walls, simply changing the frame can also have a huge impact. For example, swap out minimalist metal frames for ones made of unfinished wood.

Emphasize Texture

Another easy way to add rustic charm to a modern space is by adding in more texture. Rustic design uses lots of natural and tactile materials both for furniture and accents. Swap out smooth and shiny finishes for more gritty and weathered surfaces like wrought iron, stone or grainy wood. You can even sand down existing or unused wooden pieces with an especially glossy surface as a DIY project. Opt for more chunky knits and heavy fabrics paired with comfortable and well-worn leather.

A large antique or traditional style rug is one way to add rustic style to a room with a single piece. However, even when keeping all the same modern furniture pieces, you can add rustic accents to transform the entire look and feel of a room.

Make Conversation

It may sound strange, but you can contribute to your new rustic style choices by simply changing the arrangement of your furniture in a room. Focusing on specific zones for “conversation” purposes will make the space more comfortable and promote togetherness, while also honoring the more traditional roots of the rustic style. Face chairs and sofas toward each other, and make sure there are enough seats all the way around the dining table.

Speaking of dining tables: if you don’t have one, this might be an excellent opportunity to get one. While they don’t work with all modern house layouts, you can usually fit a small dining area into an open floor plan and create another conversation space at the same time. Dining tables, as well as the idea of gathering together for food and drink, are a key feature in rustic design. Any place in your home where you can create a sense of comfort and ease will create harmony between the modern and rustic style.

When trying out a new interior design style, you don’t have to change everything at once. Start small by changing some pieces and you might find that you progress naturally into your chosen style without blowing your budget or creating a sense of upheaval. Even better: you may learn more about your own unique style in the process.