Farmhouse decor is a down-to-earth style that celebrates everything that is classically American. With a solid nod to homegrown roots, farmhouse decor has a well-worn look, complete with homey artwork, distressed furnishings, and vintage finishes. This post gives you everything you need to know about farmhouse design and decor.
The heart of the farmhouse aesthetic is strong, sturdy materials, reclaimed furniture, and a rustic feel. The farmhouse look also embraces traditions—like kitsch and vernacular furniture, decor pieces that are made from natural materials—that also have strong roots in the country. While farmhouse décor is easy to incorporate into any home, the house needs to be a good fit for farmhouse-style furnishings and decorations.
Simple elements, like natural wood furnishings and artwork, convey the farmhouse vibe while maintaining the original architectural integrity of the home. Natural wood furniture is a great way to incorporate natural textures, such as sandpaper or colored knots, into a farmhouse look. Rustic artwork featuring industrial fabric patterns or natural landscapes works well too.
Farmhouse decor combines cozy quilts and rosy shag carpeting with recessed lighting, lace curtains, and room dividers.
Originally conceived as a rustic farmhouse style, farmhouse design is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, especially among city dwellers. Farmhouse designs have been the favorite choice of small-space aficionados and DIYers for decades. Farmhouse design speaks to people’s roots and symbols of nostalgia for a bygone era.
Farmhouse Architecture
Just because your home is based on farmhouse architecture doesn’t mean that you need to replicate the look of a historic, white clapboard house. In fact, the look is best achieved with the help of modern design. However, you can’t forget to add some of the more farmhouse elements, like natural materials, simple colors, and rustic elements.
To create your own farmhouse look, you’ll need to think like a farmer. You’ll want to think about how to create a rustic vibe with bare wood walls and furniture so that the whole home has a rustic look.
What Is Farmhouse Furniture?
The Farmhouse furniture style is heavily influenced by classic American farmhouse styles, which largely originated in 19th-century America. Some styles are more geared toward serving a special purpose, such as farmhouse dining or farmhouse bedrooms, while others are best suited for living rooms, studios, and more.
If you’ve been keeping up with our favorite interior design bloggers – like this one – you may already know that farmhouse furniture is a major trend. But when we say “furniture,” we’re not talking about stuff that looks simple and will last a lifetime. We’re talking about cool furniture with unconventional, interesting shapes and designs that is also vintage-inspired.
Contemporary farmhouse furniture also means farmhouse furniture designed with a more modern design that can be assembled without much knowledge of woodworking, such as wooden tables and chairs with modern furniture silhouettes, industrial elements, and textures.
Although it’s a trend that takes inspiration from centuries-old architectural design, we can call it “farmhouse” because it has elements of the classic American style, too.
What Are The Farmhouse Color Palettes?
All farmhouses and country homes have a strong color palette, which means that it is important to think about how to incorporate this in your own home decor.
Farmhouse decor is essentially the perfect mix between traditional style and modern decor. It has a farmhouse home vibe that is rustic, yet chic and sophisticated. On the other hand, you will find some farmhouse decor with a contemporary feel, such as the chic farmhouse wall art with an embroidered modern take. I’ve outlined three different color palettes that you will find in farmhouse decor:
What Are Rustic Farmhouse Colors? Earthy blues, greens, and grays
Rustic farmhouse colors come in just two varieties: earthy and muted. These muted colors include warm earthy tones like tan, khaki, and taupe, while earthier colors are reminiscent of darker greens and greens with brown or black undertone. These muted colors are especially suitable for farmhouse interiors because they lend an air of simplicity and minimalism.
What Are Modern Farmhouse Colors? Metallic colors and purples
From neutral metallics to deep purples, even your modern farmhouse color palette is sweet and warm with hints of earthy tones. That’s because when we think of farmhouse style, we think of light woodsy colors that harken back to the American landscape. These colors feel warm as if you’re looking into the fireplace as you’re enjoying a cozy day by a roaring fire. The foundation of farmhouse design is comfort, ease, and rustic luxury, with a dash of whimsy.
What Are Spice Farmhouse Colors? Warm browns, tans, and reds
It is no surprise that spice shades play a big role in farmhouse decor. Lavender and tomato hues are probably the most recognized. These colors have a sense of mystery and a hint of nostalgia for those who grew up with them. Colors on this list will add a touch of sophistication to a farmhouse interior, without being too bold and overpowering.
So, how can you integrate your farmhouse decor into your home design? For the modern farmhouse home, go with white and a neutral palette. You can go for large plantation shutters to enhance the rustic look.
Which Materials & Textiles Are Most Suited for Farmhouse Homes
Wicker makes up the foundation of farmhouse decor. It was used in the early days to reinforce wood floors since traditional floors were often planks of wood laid directly on the ground. Wicker is commonly seen in farmhouse furnishings, including rugs and armchairs, as well as accessories, light fixtures, and decorative jars.
While wicker has a timeless and gentle look, not all wicker is created equal. If your farmhouse home is going to go for a full-on farmhouse, you’ll want a more forgiving version of wicker, like crepe. This type of wicker is heavy-duty, can be wiped down with water, and is available in a variety of shades. This type of wicker makes for a lighter look, while still having the rough, chunky look of the original wood floors.
There are several common farmhouse materials. There are the obvious ones, like wicker, farmhouse latticework, and even wicker chairs, but there are some others that are less obvious.
- Cotton – Cotton is a prime ingredient in farmhouse decor. It has a timeless, simple look that lends itself to inviting spaces.
- Oliveira – Oliveira is a Portuguese linen fabric, and it’s very similar to wicker. It’s durable and has a slightly natural look. There’s also a bit of a polka dot look to the fabric that sets it apart from wicker.
- Corn – Corn crib walls are a relatively recent addition to farmhouse decor, but they’re quickly gaining popularity. You’ll find them on everything from bedding to curtains.
Creating Farmhouse Spaces
Farmhouse Kitchens – When it comes to the kitchen, the farmhouse style is easy to pull off because it is just so darn cute. Farmhouse kitchens incorporate sleek, custom cabinetry and feature large work surfaces. An island often features a five-foot hearth with a charcoal grill for cooking over an open fire. One farmhouse design trend that’s particular to contemporary farming homes is the use of a kitchen island as a vertical coffee bar. Old Jars are another excellent – and affordable – way to decorate a farmhouse kitchen. You can use them for storage, fruit, drinkware, and even to display those beloved family mementos.
Farmhouse Bathrooms – The farmhouse bath is an eclectic mix of vintage antiques and modern finishes. Farmhouse bathrooms are decorated with lots of natural materials, like driftwood, bricks, marble, and reclaimed wood. A farmhouse-style bathroom incorporates lots of inspiration from the space’s historic roots and the dramatic elements of the building itself. The custom blue tiles on the floor reflect the sky outside and the swirl of the tree branch above the tub suggests the woodlands of its namesake region. Green plaid is a classic material for barn-style bathrooms, and antler and beechwood fixtures have a decidedly old-school feel. Two-tone blue and taupe fixtures are the top of the line for this space, and the fixture on the right features a hand-finished glass-globe globe. Glass mosaic tiling is another option in farmhouse bathtubs.
Farmhouse Kid’s Room – Looking for a little kids’ room inspiration? We’ve got the lowdown on farmhouse-style kids’ room decor ideas. After all, everyone needs a space to get away from it all, and farmhouse kids’ rooms are just the thing for making that happen. When decorating a kid’s bedroom in the farmhouse style, think of outdoor fun and adventure. These spaces should be a bit more whimsical than the rest of your house, but still reflect the feeling of playing in the countryside.
Farmhouse Bedroom – For the adults in the house, you can still create a bedroom that’s fun, modern, and full of farmhouse charm? If you let the farmhouse theme be a major source of inspiration for your own farmhouse bedroom design, you can add farmhouse-flavored finishes like taupe, walnut, and white trim to your sheets, pillows, curtains, and blankets. From the bed to the decorative pillows, these tips will help you create a cozy, yet eclectic space that’s the perfect antidote to a city home.
Farmhouse Living Room – Is your living room ready to be taken over by country scenes? Take inspiration from Amish, Scandinavian, and Victorian furniture to create a farmhouse living room that’s truly your own. The best way to get the cozy feeling you’re after is to add texture, and the easiest way to do that is with seating. For a cozy and comforting family room, you can add a farmhouse-inspired headboard to a flat-screen TV or a sofa, or hang a painting above the fireplace.
Farmhouse Decor Ideas & Inspiration Gallery
Here are some of our favorite Farmhouse decor ideas for you to explore. Browse through the gallery to gain inspiration.
Creating The Farmhouse In The City
For more than 50 years, when you think about farmhouse design, you likely think about rural living. With the average American farm household size shrinking, you’ll have to do more than hop in the car and drive to a farm to experience a farmhouse-inspired home. That doesn’t mean you can’t create a farmhouse home, however. Many cities have scenes that evoke what life was like for early American families, with plenty of porch swings, screen porches, and antique farm implements. Farmhouse-inspired homes often have the look of an old farmhouse, with timeless patterns, heavy woodwork, vintage furniture, and distressed fabrics.
There is a specific look to all farmhouses. The interior, exterior, and yard of a farmhouse all share common characteristics. While you might not be able to recreate ALL of these in a modern, urban home, you can infuse some classic Farmhouse style into practically any property. Including:
- Floors made of solid flooring material like hardwood, unfinished pine, or even concrete
- Frames made of frame lumber, in-floor heating, and even wood stove units
- Elevation of a home away from the street, often with a carport or drive to the front or back door
- Brass or wood shutters, often with stained glass
- Large decks off the front, sometimes with a fire pit
- Dwellings built with the overall house in mind, often with enclosed or covered porches
- Use of rustic furnishings including wrought iron and live edge furniture
- Heavy use of textiles, including tapestry wall hangings
Just remember that the goal is to bring the country into your home, so always think about simpler times and relaxed spaces when decorating a farmhouse home, even in the heart of the city.
16 Super Easy Farmhouse Decor Ideas
Some of the biggest home decor trends of the past decade have been farmhouse-related, especially the retro-chic farmhouse trend that’s been a mainstay in the furniture world. From dining furniture to bedding, here are some of the easiest ways to add a touch of farmhouse to your home.
- Add a rustic floral centerpiece to the bathroom using vintage urns and dried or artificial flowers.
- Create a vintage farmhouse vibe by layering flowers over towels.
- Create a custom print using some found objects, such as seed packets, and framing them with rustic frames.
- Door banners are a classic farmhouse decor detail. These banners are easy to create using everyday materials.
- Use vintage market baskets to store things out of sight and make your farmhouse look chic
- Use old and weather ladders to create a display shelf for family photos or as a blanket rack
- Old tool trays make perfect planters or table centerpieces
- Repurpose an old fireplace manelt to create a display shelf
- Pained mason jars can add a bit of farmhouse charm anywhere in the house. Use them as vases, candle holders, plencil holders and more.
- DIY Pipe Shelves add a rustic touch to any room
- Raw-edge wood can be used in so many ways, from end tables to wall signs.
- Wrapping twine around practically anything adds a touch of farmhouse charm to it
- Framed printables are practically a staple of farmhouse decor
- Pick up some old shutters from a garage sale and use them to adorn a plane wall. Either as they are, or hand some olive or eucalyptus branches on them
- Use cutran rods in new ways, such as suspending family photos or lanterns on rustic chains
- Old pallettes can become functional and attractive farmhouse decor items with the addition of a bit of paint and some wrought iron cup hooks
The Best Sources for More Farmhouse Decor Ideas
Your farmhouse home will be forever set up like a cottage, complete with scuffed-up tableware, old-fashioned housewares, and adorable teacups. This classic farmhouse style is associated with a certain idyllic lifestyle. There are practicalities and beauty in every aspect of this approach to decorating, and it’s a practical way to live.
When it comes to farmhouse decor, there are many choices to pick from. While the trend has taken off in recent years, it was actually born back in the 1950s, as farmers who were renting out their property transformed their shabby-chic country homes into cozy and chic retreats. You’ll be able to find some of the best farmhouse decor pieces on sites like Etsy and Wayfair.
Plus, of course, there is likely no better place to find a huge collection of farmhouse decor ideas than Pinterest.
Conclusion
There are so many reasons why farmhouse decor has such staying power. The fact that farmhouse design is timelessly rustic makes it super easy to translate a farmhouse look into today’s modern interiors. In addition, farmhouse decor is understated, so it doesn’t scream “Millennial style.” With easy materials, functional designs, and simple forms, farmhouse decor is right for almost any room.
Knowing which farmhouse style you’re looking for is important, so start by taking a look at farmhouse decor bloggers’ homes and decor collections for inspiration. There’s a lot to choose from, with barns, log cabins, and farmhouses offering many different style options. Finding a style you love is all about being confident and going for it.
