Whether you actually have a cabin in the woods or just enjoy that design style, a rustic bathroom adds charming appeal to your home. With the right choice of fixtures, wall treatments and accessories, your bathroom can have an old-fashioned and woodsy look, but with all the modern conveniences.
Walls and Floors
Wood and other natural elements are associated with a rustic style. If your bathroom's walls are already wood, you're all set. If you don't like their color, you can always restain the wood. To dress up plain walls, make wainscoting with wood beadboard paneling and stain it in a tone you like. For a look that's different from the norm, make the wainscoting taller than usual, about 4 or 5 feet high. Above the beadboard, paint the walls an earthy color, such as mossy green or golden brown. Beadboard has a beautiful, timeless look that goes well with a rustic style. If you'd like a wood look without actually having wood in your bathroom, consider wood-look wallpaper or ceramic tile.
For floors, a natural stone or a ceramic stone-look tile are an attractive and cool counterpoint to the warmth of the wood. Tile is practical in a moisture-laden area like a bathroom and is easy to maintain.
Fixtures
Bring back the rustic look of the past by choosing a pedestal sink or two pedestal sinks if you prefer. Old-fashioned ceramic or metal faucets with the familiar H and C designations are a perfect accompaniment to a classic sink. A plain, footed tub--as opposed to a fancy, fussy clawfoot tub--will complete the look. If you want the jets or other bells and whistles that come with a modern tub or shower, go ahead and have it. Not every element of the bathroom has to be rustic to achieve the look.
Accessories
Wrought iron, or black metal, accessories are another way to bring natural elements into a rustic bathroom. A lovely wrought iron mirror and a black metal toilet paper holder will add a bit of elegance to the room, which could become too kitschy if care is not taken. A or wrought iron hanging shelf or cabinet can provide extra storage.
For a woodsy shower curtain, choose a plaid fabric and make your own. To get the right size, measure an old shower curtain or use it as a template for cutting out your fabric. Leave an extra inch all around for a seam. If you have a sewing machine, hem all four sides of the fabric. If you don't sew, you can use fusible tape, found at stores that carry sewing supplies, or fabric glue to hem your shower curtain. Hang it with curtain clips, which will save you from having to create holes for hooks.
Tags: black metal, shower curtain, your bathroom, look that, make wainscoting