4 Designer-Approved Tips to Add Country Charm to Your Home

If you love country or rustic home decor but live in a more modern space, you don’t have to completely change your aesthetic. It’s possible to cleverly combine the two styles in a way that looks cohesive and sophisticated rather than random.

June Motel, located in Beaver Valley in Southern Ontario, Canada, collaborated with designer Ashley Montgomery, founder of Toronto-based Ashley Montgomery Design, to bring classic country design to their eight-bedroom hotel.

Here, Montgomery shares how to incorporate country elements into a more modern home. Below, she shares tips on the importance of shopping for antiques, the need to avoid matching decor, how to make sure your space looks organized and clutter-free, and where to splurge when shopping for country-style pieces.

Back to classic style

To make a modern space look more rustic and elegant, Montgomery recommends buying vintage-style decor.

“Filling bookshelves with found objects like antique books, vases, and baskets adds a sense of life to a clean, modern space,” she says. Consider adding side tables and antique armchairs to add texture and interest.

Visiting local antique stores or shopping on Facebook Marketplace is a great way to thoroughly inspect and measure items you’re interested in before committing to a purchase. Montgomery suggests visiting your local antique or thrift store to look for vases, picture frames, and woven baskets.

However, sources like eBay and Etsy also offer great options for the home, if you’re having trouble finding items that suit you in your area. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to factor in shipping costs and won’t be able to see the items in person before paying.

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Don’t make your space uniform.

There’s a time and place for a matching look, but when you’re decorating in a country style, you’ll want to avoid this tactic—so be sure to skip the matching side tables and armchairs, Montgomery shares.

“Having a sense of focus in a space will bring more thoughtfulness and moderation,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to mix wood and pattern!”

As for specific patterns and textures to focus on, Montgomery leans toward florals, plaids, leather, and velvet. These materials will feel high-end while still achieving a country aesthetic.

Don’t go overboard with furniture.

While choosing an overall style is key to showcasing country style in a modern space, you’ll want to be careful not to overcrowd your space, especially if that space is small.

“With this aesthetic, it’s easy to overdo it,” says Montgomery. “A sofa doesn’t need too many pillows, using books stacked on a flat surface, and arranging larger flowers on the dining table in a vintage vase can be both simple and effective.”

As for pillows, Montgomery suggests placing two to three on the sofa, choosing a variety of sizes.

Know where to invest

It’s always wise to understand where to invest when pursuing a particular aesthetic and where to cut back. As Montgomery explained earlier, accessories can be bought affordably by going the classic route. When it comes to pieces worth splurging on, she focuses on larger pieces.

“Vintage rugs and bulk bins (for dining rooms or living rooms) are impactful pieces that ground a space and give it a lot of personality,” says Montgomery. “They’re also incredibly practical, as vintage (low pile) rugs are great for resisting wear and bulk bins can be used for storage where there isn’t any.”

Montgomery likes to browse Etsy herself, and she notes that many of the shops on the site carry vintage rugs in a variety of sizes. When sourcing larger bins, Montgomery recommends looking at antique stores, which carry larger bins in a variety of sizes and finishes.