How To Make Pine Work in Your Space

Modern Kitchen design by New York Architect Bates Masi Architects LLC

Pine may conjure images of ski lodges and old country cottages, but this rustic, hardy wood is actually quite versatile and well worth considering for your own home. I think pine is at its best in a light and airy space, with fresh, bright colours and simple decor. Done this way, it can create a serene environment and become your new favourite room to relax.

This eclectic living room(yes, that does appear to be a tire swing hanging there!) illustrates how pine can be used to warm up a room and keep linear white pieces from feeling too sterile:

Eclectic Living Room design by Photographer Elad Gonen & Zeev Beech

Create a warm and homey feel in your personal space with pine bedroom furniture. A couple well-chosen pieces can be used to complement pine floors and walls for a bedroom that feels like a country retreat:

Traditional Bedroom design by Los Angeles Interior Designer KellyBaron

Let a painted pine piece stand out in a room of neutrals. This washed-out blue is a gorgeous, calming shade, and its vintage-effect application reveals the character of the natural wood at the base and legs:

Contemporary Family Room design by Boston Media And Blogs Justine Hand

These heart pine planks in an all-white kitchen anchor the room and provide a contrast in texture and colour, making a more interesting space:

Traditional Kitchen design by Manchester Architect LKM Design

A heavy pine cabinet is lightened up with a large, bright, picture frame and some well-placed white accents:

Eclectic Living Room design by Orange County Interior Designer greige/Fluegge Interior Design, Inc.

Pickled pine (this is a staining process that produces a white-wash effect) floors run up the staircase and are integral to this space that is an intriguing combination of industrial and rustic:

Modern Staircase design by New York Architect John R Berg AIA LEED AP

Pine galore! Three pines are used in this barn-like kitchen to highlight the unique features of the angular ceiling (knotty pine), walls (pickled pine) and floor (heart pine). And I'll bet that gorgeous green-stained cabinetry is...pine! A brilliant way use to use the wood in all aspects of a large room without overkill: