Decorating in the primitive style is best described as a return to simple, traditional decor that has a heavy focus on folk art and incorporates antique pieces seamlessly into the home. Primitive decor can include furniture that highlights function over drama, has a bit of a rougher aesthetic and is very at home in rooms that also possess country or farmhouse elements.
This metal and wood rustic-inspired Wall Shelf from Primitives by Kathy is an excellent example of how primitive decor is stylish while being practical and unfussy, as it can be hung either indoors or outdoors in the garden.
What to know before you buy primitive home decor
Early Americana
Primitive decorating overlaps with early Americana in several key ways: it uses elements like braided rugs and chair pads with old quilts and antique glass lanterns that are representative of the era while accentuating the lasting craftsmanship of the period without over-ornamentation. It’s an interior design style that values the use of basic pieces made in a time when access to specialized machinery and exotic materials were unheard of or considered too luxurious. Primitive decorating contributes greatly to the feeling of a much loved and well lived-in home that is at once welcoming and very functional.
Decorative themes
At its heart, primitive decor often highlights themes that are reminiscent of farm life, as many primitive items were originally crafted by farmers. Within the genre, expect to find items that showcase farm animals like cows and sheep, with wooden signage, artwork or pottery that depicts angels, crows and willow trees. The barnstar is also a token look for primitive design, which is heavily utilized in rustic interior design as well.
Refinished furniture
Primitive design leans into the use of heavy wood furniture that has a timeworn and rugged appearance, often with sanded edges, faded paint or whitewash, visible grain through the varnish and old hardware. The process of tea staining to give newer furniture an antique, primitive look has been popular in recent years. Chalk painting furniture has also been incredibly trendy, in which you partially sand off the exterior layer of the furniture, chalk paint the surface, sand again in high-use places and finish with wax to reinvent old pieces that lost their luster.
Primitive home decor features
Metal
Use of metal in primitive decor is a design staple that instantly achieves the theme without a huge investment. Think galvanized metal buckets, tables or shelving that might have originally been found kicking around a farm or barn but are now being manufactured new for the home. You can paint them or leave the metal finish, depending on your personal taste.
Wood
Wood is a cornerstone of primitive decor. When envisioning the space you’re decorating in the primitive style, picture pressback chairs in the kitchen with minimal etching, basic spindles, wood that’s showing signs of aging, natural exposed grain and anything that looks very old (but isn’t necessarily old whatsoever). Wooden hanging signs, antique artwork with plain wooden frames that are unpainted, wooden shelving or cupboards that look very basic all contribute to the look.
Contemporary folk art
Contemporary artists and interior design manufacturers can produce modern items with a primitive bent quite effectively. Achieving a primitive look often comes down to using muted earth-toned colors in darker shades, incorporating plaid, aging the furniture with sandpaper and stain, natural fabrics or materials and much more. Quilts, for example, can lend a primitive look, even if brand new.
Primitive home decor cost
Unless you’re sourcing authentic primitive antique pieces, recreating the look with contemporary primitive decor accents is actually very budget-friendly. Most decor items like shelving, mirrors, artwork, sconces, pottery and even smaller primitive-style furniture can be affordable. Expect to spend anywhere from $25 for smaller primitive accent pieces to $300 or so for coffee and end tables.
Primitive home decor FAQ
Are vintage items considered primitive?
A. Not typically. While vintage items are more subjectively categorized overall than antique items, they aren’t from the same era. Vintage items have an average age of approximately 40+ years, with nothing vintage produced after the ’90s. Antique items need to be at least 100 years old.
Has decorating in the primitive style gone out of fashion?
A. Primitive style decor continues to be very on-trend in the interior design world and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, many people are just now switching to more basic, rustic design in the home after a long upsurge of modern decor.
Which primitive home decor should I get?
Best of the best primitive home decor
Primitives by Kathy Rustic-Inspired Wall Shelf: available at Amazon
Our take: This wall-mounted rustic-inspired distressed metal wall shelf from Primitives by Kathy is a great conversation piece for introducing the primitive theme into the home or garden.
What we like: This wall shelf is easy to hang, rustic and very practical, making it an ideal piece of primitive-inspired decor for a reasonable price.
What we dislike: Some reviewers indicated that they needed to secure the shelf to the metal themselves and would have preferred that it was completed prior to shipping.
Best bang for your buck primitive home decor
Barnyard Designs Cutting Board Eat Sign: available at Amazon
Our take: This country kitchen, rustic and primitive distressed wood sign is a great interior design accent piece that fits well with numerous decorating styles.
What we like: This quality-made sign for the kitchen is easy to hang, evokes that country feeling instantly and is sold at a great price for value.
What we dislike: It’s recommended that this product is dusted rather than washed when cleaning, as the paint may not be water-resistant.
Honorable mention primitive home decor
Signature Design by Ashley Shellmond Rustic Distressed Metal Accent Table: available at Amazon
Our take: This distressed metal accent table from Signature Design by Ashley is an excellent primitive-inspired contemporary folk piece that hearkens back to the good old days with ease and style.
What we like: The galvanized finish gives this coffee table a charming look, and the split hinged top makes storage convenient and discreet for small items in the living room. This sturdy and attractive coffee table is a crowd favorite that really completes a theme.
What we dislike: Some reviewers mentioned that finding all the pieces in the packaging was a bit of a chore. Ashley Britten is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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