Your Guide to Farmhouse Style
See the key elements and design details you can use to get this simple rustic-modern look in any room
Laura Gaskill
16 June 2019
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
Whether you’re working with an interior designer or tackling a decorating project on your own, having a solid grasp of your favourite style can be a big help. If the look you love most embraces practical simplicity with a touch of modern flair and a dash of rustic charm, farmhouse style may be right up your alley. Read on for the need-to-know details about this popular style, including key elements, colour palettes, furniture and accessories.
What is farmhouse style?
Farmhouse style, as it’s expressed today, nods to the satisfying simplicity of regional, rural architecture and design while embracing modern comforts. Hardworking furnishings and natural textiles are invitingly down-to-earth, creating a look that’s easy (and practical) to live with, no matter which end of the rustic-to-modern spectrum your interpretation of the look lands on.
Find an interior designer on Houzz to help bring your decor dreams to life
Farmhouse style, as it’s expressed today, nods to the satisfying simplicity of regional, rural architecture and design while embracing modern comforts. Hardworking furnishings and natural textiles are invitingly down-to-earth, creating a look that’s easy (and practical) to live with, no matter which end of the rustic-to-modern spectrum your interpretation of the look lands on.
Find an interior designer on Houzz to help bring your decor dreams to life
Farmhouse style is:
- Utilitarian. At its core, this is a practical style, both in form and function. Furniture and textiles are chosen for their ability to stand up to frequent use while looking good.
- Simple. Furniture and accessories share a clean, pared-back aesthetic. Think of Shaker peg rails, ladder-back chairs and whitewashed walls.
- Imperfect. Farmhouse style finds the beauty in imperfection – worn floorboards, weathered metal and antiques with a hardworking history have a place here.
Farmhouse style is not:
- Fussy. Ornamentation is simple and carefully chosen. Ruffles, pompoms and fringes are too much; a bit of hemstitching would be just right.
- All new. Farmhouse style today doesn’t mean living in a museum of antiques – but if every single piece in a space was shiny and new, that wouldn’t feel quite right either.
- Cluttered. You won’t find rooms choked with furniture and decorations in a farmhouse. Breathing space is given priority, and functional objects tend to do double duty as decorative accents.
What about modern farmhouse style?
When we talk about farmhouse style in this context, we’re really talking about modern farmhouse style – to attempt to recreate a historically accurate farmhouse would be a different undertaking altogether.
So the real question becomes, how modern is your own interpretation of farmhouse style? And for that question, there is no right or wrong answer: whether the pieces you choose are old or new, the important part is that they share the same utilitarian, simple aesthetic.
When we talk about farmhouse style in this context, we’re really talking about modern farmhouse style – to attempt to recreate a historically accurate farmhouse would be a different undertaking altogether.
So the real question becomes, how modern is your own interpretation of farmhouse style? And for that question, there is no right or wrong answer: whether the pieces you choose are old or new, the important part is that they share the same utilitarian, simple aesthetic.
Key element: wall panelling
Wall panelling is sometimes uncovered during renovations of older houses, but your home doesn’t need to have this original feature to benefit from its timeless farmhouse appeal. In this kitchen, shiplap panelling adds architectural interest and sets the farmhouse tone. Tongue-and-groove and beadboard paneling are also good options for farmhouse-style interiors.
Expert Eye: How to Integrate Timber Panelling Into Your Kitchen
Wall panelling is sometimes uncovered during renovations of older houses, but your home doesn’t need to have this original feature to benefit from its timeless farmhouse appeal. In this kitchen, shiplap panelling adds architectural interest and sets the farmhouse tone. Tongue-and-groove and beadboard paneling are also good options for farmhouse-style interiors.
Expert Eye: How to Integrate Timber Panelling Into Your Kitchen
Key element: natural colours and textures
Farmhouses tend toward simple, natural colour palettes. White is a popular choice for both interiors and exteriors (made especially crisp with black trim), but it’s not the only option. Look to the landscape for inspiration: golden wheat, pale straw, earthy browns, and natural blues and greens are welcome choices. Natural materials and textures also look right at home in a farmhouse – think of sturdy timber furniture, nubby natural-fibre rugs and finely textured linen.
Farmhouses tend toward simple, natural colour palettes. White is a popular choice for both interiors and exteriors (made especially crisp with black trim), but it’s not the only option. Look to the landscape for inspiration: golden wheat, pale straw, earthy browns, and natural blues and greens are welcome choices. Natural materials and textures also look right at home in a farmhouse – think of sturdy timber furniture, nubby natural-fibre rugs and finely textured linen.
Great shades for farmhouse-style spaces
- Warm neutrals: Buttermilk, camel, cream, straw and wheat.
- Cool neutrals: Grey, greige, khaki and stone.
- Natural blues and greens: Duck-egg blue, robin-egg blue, Wedgwood blue and sage green.
- Spicy hues: Cinnamon, saffron, pumpkin and mustard.
- Earth tones: Chestnut, mushroom, umber, sepia and terracotta.
Design detail: sliding barn doors
While originally used only on (wait for it…) barns, barn doors used inside the house have an undeniable rustic appeal. If you decide to install a barn door, keep in mind that they do not provide complete privacy, making them a better choice for pantries, laundries and public living spaces than more private bedrooms and bathrooms.
While originally used only on (wait for it…) barns, barn doors used inside the house have an undeniable rustic appeal. If you decide to install a barn door, keep in mind that they do not provide complete privacy, making them a better choice for pantries, laundries and public living spaces than more private bedrooms and bathrooms.
Key element: hardworking furniture
Pieces are minimally embellished with strong, simple lines. Think of updated Windsor chairs (as seen here), industrial metal stools, antique farm tables and timber chests, and classic iron or four-poster beds.
Upholstery tends toward solid hues in natural, neutral colours. Patterns take a backseat to texture. When they do appear, they lean classic: big checks, stripes and stylised florals.
Browse more country-inspired dining rooms
Pieces are minimally embellished with strong, simple lines. Think of updated Windsor chairs (as seen here), industrial metal stools, antique farm tables and timber chests, and classic iron or four-poster beds.
Upholstery tends toward solid hues in natural, neutral colours. Patterns take a backseat to texture. When they do appear, they lean classic: big checks, stripes and stylised florals.
Browse more country-inspired dining rooms
Finishing touches: details with history
Farmhouse style is refreshingly uncomplicated and has a homespun charm that instantly puts you at ease. Decorative flourishes are chosen carefully, often with a nod to history and handcraft traditions.
Accessories for farmhouse-style spaces:
Farmhouse style is refreshingly uncomplicated and has a homespun charm that instantly puts you at ease. Decorative flourishes are chosen carefully, often with a nod to history and handcraft traditions.
Accessories for farmhouse-style spaces:
- Quilts, either traditional or with contemporary designs.
- Artwork featuring rural and natural themes.
- Industrial or barn-style lights.
- Grain-sack textiles such as hessian.
- Enamelware and ironware.
- Woven baskets.
Farmhouse kitchen design
Homey, welcoming, clean and open, a farmhouse-style kitchen is easy to love. And because it walks the line between old and new, traditional and modern, a farmhouse-style kitchen can also make a graceful compromise for couples with conflicting design sensibilities.
Features of farmhouse-style kitchens:
Homey, welcoming, clean and open, a farmhouse-style kitchen is easy to love. And because it walks the line between old and new, traditional and modern, a farmhouse-style kitchen can also make a graceful compromise for couples with conflicting design sensibilities.
Features of farmhouse-style kitchens:
- Apron-front sink: The classic farmhouse sink is generously sized and paired with a traditional bridge or gooseneck faucet.
- Simple hardware: Bin pulls, latching hardware and simple timber knobs strike the right note.
- Natural timber: Wide-plank floors, exposed beams, butcher blocks and farm tables bring a welcome warmth.
- Freestanding furniture: Freestanding cabinets, islands and appliances, rather than built-ins, give a farmhouse kitchen a lived-in look.
- Open shelving: Display everyday essentials that are both useful and beautiful.
Farmhouse bathroom design
This farmhouse-style bathroom feels less like a bathroom and more like a habitable room. To create this effect, consider using a freestanding bath or claw-foot tub, wall panelling, a warm timber vanity and a cosy rug. Industrial or barn-inspired lighting and classic fixtures pull it all together.
Your turn
Are you a fan of farmhouse style? Tell us in the Comments what your essentials are for creating this look, save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Need more decorating advice? Don’t miss Small Changes, Big Impact: How to Decorate a Small Bedroom
This farmhouse-style bathroom feels less like a bathroom and more like a habitable room. To create this effect, consider using a freestanding bath or claw-foot tub, wall panelling, a warm timber vanity and a cosy rug. Industrial or barn-inspired lighting and classic fixtures pull it all together.
Your turn
Are you a fan of farmhouse style? Tell us in the Comments what your essentials are for creating this look, save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Need more decorating advice? Don’t miss Small Changes, Big Impact: How to Decorate a Small Bedroom
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I looked for ages while we were renovating our kitchen for a vintage plate rack. Found one on Ebay and restored it.
I agree with josieverona that these images are better than the twee 1980s version of Country. However, they're unsuitable for genuine farm living. Example: a white rug in an entry foyer ...
Okay, the cat art print in the kitchen says poop?? Not for me no matter if there is a different translation.