Farmhouse

Among the most prevalent looks in contemporary homes, the farmhouse aesthetic establishes bright, comfortable spaces and effortlessly fashionable rooms. First developed in country homes, modern farmhouse décors attempt to emulate a vintage charm, while adapting it for more modern sensibilities.

Thanks to its popularity with celebrity designers and regular appearances in interior design magazines, the farmhouse aesthetic has spread throughout the country. It’s easy to understand the look’s broad appeal. Endlessly versatile, almost any décor, regardless of a house’s original architectural layout and structure, can be easily transitioned into a stylish farmhouse-inspired space.

With the style’s inherent simplicity, lights for farmhouse decors prioritize function and practicality. Evocative of classic designs, lighting often grounds a room in tradition, while still contributing to a décor’s overall feel.

While some spaces require more extensive remodels, most homes can embrace the basic elements of a farmhouse décor with simple weekend DIY projects. These gradual renovations let any home, in time, demonstrate a fashionable farmhouse décor.

What Is Farmhouse Style?

Fueled by nostalgia for classic Americana and the styles developed during the 1800s through the mid-20th century, the modern farmhouse décor offers a basic, unpretentious style, and places an emphasis on the comfort of a home’s inhabitants.

There are guidelines for this look — in short, rooms should be bright, warm, and full of character — but they aren’t overly restrictive. With this flexibility, designers and homeowners are encouraged to let their imaginations roam as they curate paint, flooring, cabinets, lighting, and accessories for their projects.

Although still reminiscent of mid-1900s homes and old-world country cottages, the farmhouse style has evolved to reflect current sensibilities and contemporary design preferences.

Elements of the Farmhouse Look

Obtaining the proper farmhouse aesthetic depends on cooperation between a home’s individual decorative components. Modern farmhouses partner traditional features with the clean lines and smooth surfaces that are hallmarks of contemporary design.

Largely defined by their simplicity, elements used in these homes emphasize function, giving rooms a “lived-in, worn-in” feel. Reclaimed wood and white shiplap are used throughout houses to imbue a sense of agelessness into each individual space. Wood floors leverage the innate warmth of the material to make rooms feel more welcoming. Discreet accessories—usually a mixture of new items, antiques, and family heirlooms—and industrial details are strategically employed to give a home a deep, layered look.

Farmhouse Décor: by Room

Living rooms are filled with soft linens, comfortable couches and chairs, and throw pillows, inviting guests to settle in. Pristine whites and neutral colors, broken up with occasional splashes of color, give the impression of openness and make these spaces feel airy. Accessories evocative of rural settings, antique pieces and wood furniture, sometimes painted or distressed, contribute character and texture to a room.

In the kitchen, the heart of the home, exposed shelves, glass front cabinet doors, white subway tile backsplashes, and apron-front sinks provide the straightforward aesthetic embraced by the farmhouse style. Cabinets painted white help kitchens feel bright and spacious, while darker colors demonstrate a sophisticated character. Larger kitchens and open floor plans have islands for extra prep space and a place to gather at parties. Vintage and industrial accents facilitate the farmhouse concept.

Farmhouse dining rooms are either formal or casual, but almost all spaces use large wood tables, usually showing off the wood’s natural finish, enriched with stain, as their centerpiece. Many spaces mix bench seating with chairs and other antique furniture—like china cabinets, sideboards, and hutches—to further establish the room’s traditional farmhouse aesthetic. Sheer curtains let plenty of natural light flow through the room for a warm, inviting setting.

Valuing comfort above all, bedrooms are among the coziest rooms in the entire house. Beds are replete with throw pillows and blankets, creating a welcoming retreat separate from the rest of the home. An ideal location for D.I.Y. projects, walls are covered with custom-made art and old doors are repurposed as headboards. Other headboards are crafted from distressed or reclaimed wood, exuding a rustic charm. Large master suites incorporate seating areas and oversized wardrobes.

Clawfoot tubs, vessel or high back farmhouse sinks, and industrial accessories articulate the farmhouse aesthetic in bathrooms. Antique furniture, like dressers and credenzas, are repurposed as vanities, and weathered picture frames are transformed into rustic bathroom mirrors.

Outdoor spaces tend to adhere to the style’s conventions. Clad with white wooden panels, brick, and traditional shutters, nearly every farmhouse demonstrates a classic appeal. In historic homes, architectural features provide a distinctive character. Covered porches are popular gathering areas, offering an opportunity to relax and commune with friends and family, and impart the aesthetic commonly attributed to the farmhouse. Newly constructed tract homes incorporate the style’s timeless details to differentiate themselves from neighboring properties.

Why the farmhouse look is perfect for your house

Freed from unnecessary frills, the farmhouse style embodies the casual spirit preferred in many contemporary décors. Perhaps it’s this simplicity that makes the style so approachable. From rural properties to suburban subdivisions and urban apartments, nearly any home can accommodate this look. With this unintimidating style, professional designers aren’t the only ones capable of initiating a fashionable farmhouse-inspired aesthetic. Homeowners and amateurs with an eye for design can easily create an enviable décor by sticking to this style’s basic principles!