Primitive home decorating is one of the most personal you will find.  The nice thing about primitive decor is that it can be as cluttered or sparse as you like.  With primitive decorating, warmth and old-time character prevail; the spaces in your home are relaxing, inviting, and reminiscent of times from a century ago.

Color your world relaxing and inviting

The colors found in primitive home decorating are warm and rich.  Soft, muted tones of cranberry reds and rich colonial blues blend in accents, while creamy white and soft tan shades create the foundation for the look.

Mustard yellow shades are also often common in primitive home decor, as well as country green.  The great thing about primitive decorating is that you can use those furnishings and accessories which you already have.  For example, your cranberry and blue plaid couch will look great with soft whites and tans as a backdrop.  If you prefer a room with sparse accents, bold wall colors make the furnishings and other accessories pop.

Everything old is new again

With primitive decorating, all of those things you have stored away in the attic make for a beautiful room filled with character and nostalgia.  Tables, book shelves and furnishings that have history are the most desirable; the more chipped paint and other signs of aging, the better.  This showcases the character of the pieces, which is what you want in primitive decor.

Decorating in a primitive theme is also great for the budget-conscious; you can find great buys at flea markets and yard sales that fit right in with your decor.

If you have pieces that are newer, you can easily create the look by giving them a worn look yourself.  Sand edges where they wound normally “wear”, or paint a bookcase dark brown, then layer on a creamy white coat and sand in random spots so that the creamy white shows through just a bit.  Finish off with a layer of crackle.

Showcase your favorite items for a personal touch

Have some old dolls from a few decades ago?  Showcase them in your home in an old curio cabinet.  Old implements, cast iron pans, antique kitchen tools, old wagon wheels – everything old has a place in the primitive home.

Always keep in mind that primitive decorating reflects a period in time when life was simpler.  Farm antiques, gourds, handmade quilts and blankets and old toys set a scene that is appealing yet comfortable and inviting.

Fall is a great time for decorating a primitive home; Candles, pumpkins, cinnamon sticks and a glass jar filled with old-fashioned candies add to the atmosphere.

In the kitchen, think tin signs, wood rolling pins and flour sacks.  Burlap bags can be crafted into curtains, the dining room table can be topped with a centerpiece made of pine cones, wicker, dried flowers and other natural elements.

With primitive decorating you can create the look that makes your family most comfortable.  Unlike contemporary and modern decorating, primitive decor is filled with memories from the past, and a character and warmth you just don’t find in other styles of decorating.