Old door used as headboard

36 Primitive Country Decor Crafts for your Home

Country primitive is popular for a reason. If you’re going for a homey welcoming feel in your home then primitive country style is definitely for you. Primitive country decor makes use of worn items that look as if it has been handed down through the generations. Most of the decor items we associate with the trend were everyday things used back in ‘the good ole days,’ when things weren’t so cheap and, well, plastic.

Handmade and natural were once required in our everyday lives and even preferred over store-bought. Primitive country brings that time and way of life back, if only in decor. It gives a gracious nod to the simple life and a time when reducing, reusing, and recycling was a way-of-life, not just a slogan.

This guide to primitive country decor can help you create a welcoming and stylish primitive country themed home.

Primitive Country Decor – A to Z

We’ve found dozens of great country primitive decor ideas that are affordable to buy or easy enough to create yourself. We’ll cover the definitions of primitive country decor and how it differs from shabby-chic, the best color palettes, the most popular decor items, affordable DIY crafts, and show you beautiful room inspirations.

What Does ‘Primitive Country’ Mean Exactly?

The term ‘primitive’ can include many different things. Ask 10 people to describe primitive country or prim country for short and you’ll likely get 10 different answers.  There are certain words that are often used, those include:

  • Simple
  • Crude
  • Unrefined
  • Worn
  • Unsophisticated
  • Rural

The website, Goodbye City Life, has their own definition if primitive decor, “primitive decorating is part flea market finds, part shabby chic, part ‘make-do” and we think that is a perfect description.

Wikipedia defines primitive decorating as a style of decorating using primitive folk art style that is characteristic of a historic or early Americana time period, typically using elements with muted colors and a rough and simple look to them…….designed to have an old or antique look but created using new materials. Examples of antiquing techniques used by primitive folk artists include tea or coffee staining and sanding down paint to create a worn, aged look. The style is sometimes referred to as country style.

What is the Difference Between Primitive Country and Shabby Chic, Americana, Rustic, Vintage, and Farmhouse Styles?

The Carver Junk Company has a great article titled Primitive, Rustic, Antique, Vintage – What’s the Difference? that puts the different styles in a better perspective.

The following descriptions best fit each term:

Primitive country is defined as the most simple of designs, a truly homemade piece made by mostly untrained artists. Carver Junk Company shows their definition of primitive versus rustic with the following images of furniture.

Primitive vs Rustic Furniture Styles

Notice the primitive style furniture is very simple with basic construction. The rustic style piece has a more complex construction though it has been made to look old.

Related: What’s Your Style: Shabby Chic, Primitive, Country?

Best Primitive Country Decor Colors

Color is the easiest place to start when trying to convey a certain decorating style. There are a few colors that are best suited for the country primitive style. Darker, muted, and warm colors are the best matched for the primitive country decor:

Primitive country home decorating guide - best color choices
Perfect primitive palette.
Primitive country paint color ideas
More great primitive country colors.
Primitive Country home decorating ideas - paint color
These colors work well for the primitive country style.

Popular Primitive Country Decor Must-Haves

If you’re going to decorate your home in primitive country you’ll need to acquaint yourself with the following must-have decor pieces. These items invoke the style perfectly (just click on the tutorial link, images belong to each tutorial source):

Pip Berry Garland

Pip berries are the little seeds that swell from the branches of the Wych elm (Ulmus glabra), Willow trees, and other flower trees. Pip is also defined as the seeds of a fleshy fruit such as oranges and apples. In primitive decorating pip berries are used often in garlands.

Pip Berry Garland in Primitive Country Decor

Barn Stars or Pennsylvania Stars 

Barn stars used in primitive country decor

Crudely shaped, elongated 5-point barn stars are used extensively in primitive country decor. The shapes originated as markings of the barn builders, a kind of primitive logo, that was hung on barns.  MetalBarnStars.com reveals the history of barn stars:

The meaning of metal barn stars in Amish country can be traced back to the 1700’s, and to at least the 1820’s in Pennsylvania. On many older barns one could see a large decoration in the shape of a star mounted on the face of the barn that represented the trademark of a specific barn builder.

Meanings of Color Used on Barn Star

From there they were used as decorations that many thought could bring luck, much like a horseshoe, and meanings were attached to the color of barn star you used:

Black: Used for protection. Black is sometimes used for binding or blending elements together.

Red: Red is used to show emotion. These emotions can include passion, charisma, lust, and creativity.

White: Normally used to show purity. Describes energy of the moon and allows energy to flow freely.

Blue: Blue has several meanings varying mostly by the shade used. Examples would include protection, peace, calmness, and spirituality.

Green: Green is used to show growth, fertility, and success. Used also to stimulate ideas and dreams to grow.

Yellow: Show health in body and mind. Love of man and sun. Connection to god.

Brown: Used to show connection to mother earth. Variations in meaning could also indicate brown to mean friendship and strength.

Orange: Gives added energy to projects or matters needing an extra push. Gives abundance in career.

Violet: Gives protection or signifies something sacred.

There are tons of great tutorials to make your own barn stars out of several different materials. Here are three that uses soda cans, cereal boxes. Get free barn star templates and printables here. 

Make your own barn star - carboard tutorial
These stars were made from cardboard and painted black.
This barn star was made out of soda cans. How to make barn stars out of aluminum soda cans.

How to make barn stars out f aluminum soda cans

Gingham Fabric Crafts

You can’t have a primitive country home without gingham!

Gingham fabric used in primitive country decor

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a primitive country styled room without gingham fabric used somewhere. Gingham is a simple woven cloth of cotton fabric that is pre-dyed, giving the fabric the same color on the front and back. Typical colors are blue and white and red and white. Gingham’s history is a bit checkered (lol) because so many different countries claim it was invented in their respective lands. Learn the extensive history of the fabric here.

Gingham Garland

A fun and easy craft that’s perfect for the entire family is gingham fabric garland. All you need to do is rip the fabric in narrow strips and tie them to a string lights. Learn how to make a gingham fabric garland. 

Make a gingham fabric garland tutorial
Make a gingham fabric garland tutorial

Gingham Wreath

Just like the gingham fabric garland you can make a matching wreath. This is such an affordable and easy Christmas craft! Learn how to make a gingham rag wreath.

gingham rag wreath tutorial - primitive country decor guide

Country Candles and Lights

Candles are imperative in primitive country decor. They were the only means of light back in the good ole days, after all! You can make electric light bulbs look primitive with this DIY tutorial.

window_light tutorial - primitive country decor and crafts
Make modern electric lights look primitive.

Candle Art

Candles are as primitive as you can get. Turn a store-bought candle into a country styled work of art using this tutorial.

primitive candle with words tutorial - primitive country decor tutorials
Turn a modern candle into a primitive work of art.

Spiced Candle

Turning a modern battery -operated candle into a primitive spiced candle is another great light craft. Spiced candle tutorial. 

grungy candel DIY tutorial - primitive country decor
Spiced candle craft.

Light Bulb Craft

Turn small light bulbs into candles with the silicone dipped bulb how-to.

Primitive silicone dipped light bulbs tutorial
Primitive silicone dipped light bulbs tutorial

Sheep are a popular symbol of the primitive country decor, especially on painted wood boards.

You can make a simple work of art by framing this free sheep printable.

free sheep printable

Here’s another French Country Sheep Printable.

Free french printable for priitive decorating crafts

Willow Trees

Willow trees are often used in primitive decorating, especially on signs. Here’s a template found on Etsy that you can use to make your own sign.

Willow tree wooden sign template - primitive country decor DIY craft

Inspirational Wood Signs

Words painted on wood is perfect to add primitive country decor into your home. Templates and stencils can help you! Here’s a great tutorial that shows you how to make a distressed sign.

Make a country sign for your primitive style room
Make a country sign for your primitive style room.

Saltbox Houses

Saltbox homes are popular in primitive art and even the not-so-artistic can paint them. here’s a primitive saltbox house template.

Saltbox Template for primitive woode sign DIY craft

Easy Saltbox House Wood Craft

Create a miniature lighted saltbox with these plans.

Lighted saltbox craft plan

You don’t have to have a lot of experience to make your own wooden saltbox house craft.

Saltbox house tutorial

Cloth Dolls

Handmade dolls made of tea stained muslin in a great craft that is used in primitive decor. Luckily, we have fabric glue so those that aren’t apt at sewing can still create their own primitive dolls. Dolls can come in various designs but angels and ragdolls seem to be the most popular.

Cloth dolls in primitive decor

Ragdoll Angel Garland

Here’s another great garland craft that’s perfect for the holidays. See the ragdoll Garland tutorial.

Cloth ragdoll patterns - DIY craft for primitive country decor

Primitive Doll Crafts

Primitive dolls were popular toys. Learn how to make primitive rag dolls. 

Making primitive ragdolls tutorial

Distressed Furniture

Distressed furniture is the most used element in primitive country decor for good reason – it’s a simple project that uses old pieces of furniture. Affordable and easy are the best kinds of DIY crafts! How To distress furniture using vinegar.

Distressing furniture with vinegar - DIY primitive decor

To get a real primitive look in your home you’re going to need distressed furniture. Learn how to distress furniture.

How to distress furniture - DIY tutorial

Here are 7 more ways to distress furniture.

Distressing furniture - DIY

Chicken Wire

It doesn’t get much more country than chicken wire! Chicken wire is a great way to add texture to your home. Learn how to make a chicken wire bulletin board.

DIY Chicken Wire Frame Bulletin board - primitive country decor craft

A chicken wire DIY cloche is perfect for your porch or deck.

DIY Chicken wire cloche tutorial

One of our favorite mobile home kitchen makeovers involves chicken wire. 

Chicken wire cabinet makeover

Wooden Spoons

Wooden spoons have more uses than just stirring yummy foods. There are several ways to use them in primitive country decor such as window hangings, garlands, and colorful displays.

Our Georgian country mobile home feature had a great wooden spoon garland. All she did was drill holes in the handles and thread a strong yarn through. She tied gingham fabric strips to fill in the blank space between the spoons.

Wooden spoon window hanging - DIY craft ideas for country decor

The homeowner also created a colorful spoon display.

Colorful wooden spoon display - primitive country decorating ideas

Here’s another DIY for a country spoon craft.

Wooden Spoon display - country craft

A different take on the painted wood spoon garland. 

Wooden spoon garland - country garland

Wooden Windows, Shutters, Ladders, and Doors

Reusing old things is a big part of the primitive style movement. Old building materials such as windows, shutters, ladders, and doors are easily found and because distressed is the name of the game, the more damaged the better! Here are dozens of great ways to incorporate old castoffs in your primitive decor:

 50 Ways to Decorate with Old Doors

reusing old doors in primitive country decor

resalvaged doors used in primitive decor

Another homeowner featured here on Mobile Home Living used an old window in her primitive decor.

old window used in country decor

Here’s a DIY for using an old shutter for your wall decor.

Old shutters used in primitive country decor

Mason Jars

Mason jars and old tin cans are always a great addition to a primitive space. They can hold just about anything, too. How to make a mason jar soap pump.

primitive country style Mason jar soap pump tutorial

How to make rusty cans with paint.

Rusted tim can tutorial

Learn how to make a cute primitive country farmhouse lamp. 

mason jar and chicken wire lamp tutorial

See how one creative blogger made a kitchen light using mason jars and old pallets.

Mason jar pallet hanging light project

Organize your bathroom with this need mason jar craft.

Mason jar bathroom storage tutorial

Home Decor Ideas

If the craft tutorials weren’t enough, here are some of our favorite primitive country homes that have been featured here on Mobile Home Living. Primitive Country Manufactured Home Decorating

country decor in a manufactured home 6

country decor in a manufactured home 13

Country Style Double Wide

country double wide

country double wide 5

country double wide 12

Primitive Kitchen Decor

country primitive double wide decor

These great tutorials and decorating ideas will help you create a gorgeous primitive country decor in your home. Do you have any great primitive country decor in your home? We’d love to see it!

Thank you for reading Mobile Home Living!

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14 thoughts on “36 Primitive Country Decor Crafts for your Home”

    1. Hi Annie,

      You can take your phone to Home Depot or Lowe’s (or any paint store) and the employee can use a computer to match the paint perfectly. You may be able to find a match on a paint sample too.

  1. Shela Blackburn

    Thank You for the information I was wondering could I get you opinion on something we have a little place that is a little barn and the color is barn red we have white doors on it and I was wanting to change the door color do you thing the sage green would look good . Thanks in advance

    1. Hi Shiela!

      I love barns! They are so pretty, I would be careful combining green and red, it could come off as ‘Christmasy.’ Barn red has a lot of orange in it due to the iron oxide so it’s hard to accent (I guess that’s why they stick with white). If you do paint the doors green, I’d try to paint some other accent on the sides of the barn to pull it together.

      Hope that helps!

  2. this is so amazing! I’ve always loved this style but I’m starting to get into home decor myself now and I don’t know where to begin! thank you so much!!

  3. Hi,
    Is there anyone out there that would post a primitive paint colour chart to me please.
    I live in the UK and these colours are not available here but, if I had a colour chart I could get them mixed at my local DIY store. I love the colours and have taught myself to make some primitive items, hand-sewn or small painted items.
    I look forward to hearing from someone please ????

    Kind regards
    Melanie

    1. Hi Melanie
      I make country style furniture here in England including primitive style pieces. I know what you mean about getting hold of traditional milk paint colours here if you would like to get in touch i can give you one or two ideas about painting and ageing in the primitive style. wwwcottagecharacters.co.uk

  4. Thank you for all this information. I was never positive if I decorated in Country Primitive but this article confirmed it. Thanks for the DIY info. There are so many things I see and they are expensive and now I have the “directions” and Im going to jump on them. Thank you again for a very informative and interesting article.

  5. What an outstanding article. The best I’ve ever seen – including magazine pieces and books – on the definitions and elements of these styles.

    Well done!

  6. Wanted to comment and let you know I loved your article! It provides great “Down To Earth” information which I found extremely useful and inspirational! So many options to look at and now to go and do.. Thank you for the inspiration!

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