Farmhouse decor has become an incredibly popular interior design style over the last few years, offering a cozy and inviting feel with its emphasis on natural materials, vintage touches, and muted color palettes. This beloved style evokes pastoral charm and rustic warmth that suits many tastes.
Achieving the farmhouse aesthetic in your home is quite straightforward once you understand some of the key elements. With some simple updates and accent pieces, you can gradually transform the look and atmosphere of any room. In this article, we’ll explore some of the fundamental aspects of nailing the farmhouse vibe, along with plenty of tips for decorating in this much-loved style.
Elements Of Farmhouse Decor
There are a few integral features that define farmhouse decor and set it apart from other interior design aesthetics:
Natural Materials – Decor items and surfaces made from wood, metal, cotton, wool, and other natural materials tie into the organic style. Distressed wood furniture and textured cotton throws are hallmark farmhouse touches.
Neutral Color Scheme – Light, airy shades of white, cream, grey and brown allow the textures and materials to shine as the focus in farmhouse rooms. Pops of darker black and charcoal contrast nicely.
Vintage Finds – Incorporating antique or vintage-inspired decor items, from distressed furniture to classic glassware for the kitchen, gives farmhouse rooms a timeworn, heirloom charm.
Practical pieces – Farmhouse style favors utility and functionality over fussiness – think woven baskets for storage, durable dining tables and wood cutting boards.
Rustic Touches – Exposed wood beams, unfinished wood furniture, galvanized metal fixtures and accessories with a handmade, homemade aesthetic exemplify the unrefined farmhouse vibe.
Creating A Farmhouse Living Room
The living room is a wonderful place to introduce some quintessential farmhouse elements and set the tone for this comforting style. Here are some top tips:
Textiles Set The Scene
Layer your living room with natural fiber rugs and vintage-style woven blankets or quilts. The textures add coziness and a nice contrast to wood furniture.
Incorporate baskets and woven accessories for an organic look. Hang sheer cotton curtains for a romantic, carefree touch.
Focus On Seating
Comfort reigns supreme in a farmhouse living space. Upholstered sofas and armchairs provide an inviting spot to gather and unwind. Look for slip-covered varieties with removable, washable covers. Neutral-colored upholstery keeps the look light and airy.
Accent seating like a weathered antique rocking chair or a classic wooden bench by the hearth beckons you to sit back and relax with friends and family. Plush patchwork pillows on sofas, benches and armchairs up the comfy factor.
Add Farmhouse Accents
Accent tables displaying collected treasures, candles and lush potted plants give a well-loved feel. Vintage signs or family photos on the walls emphasize sentimental decor.
An antique trunk as a rustic coffee table, soft throw blankets draped on the back of the sofa, and a console table behind displaying cherished possessions maintain that cozy, lived-in charm.
Rustic wooden crates and galvanized buckets work wonderfully for throwing logs by the fireplace or as charming end tables. The more layers of farmhouse accessories you incorporate, the homier the space becomes.
Designing A Farmhouse Kitchen
As the heart of the home, the kitchen deserves some special farmhouse love. From cabinetry to countertops to accessories, there are ample ways to achieve countryside appeal.
Embrace Distressed Details
Farmhouse kitchens allow you to highlight worn, distressed wood elements without fear of dating your space. Paint cabinets in light whitewashed hues and consider exposed beams or shelving made from reclaimed barn wood. Adding to the authentic feel and usefulness of the space, enthusiasts often seek high-quality wood blanks for crafts, which can be transformed into custom, handcrafted pieces tailored specifically for farmhouse decor. An expansive kitchen island with a durable wood countertop makes for ideal meal prep and casual dining at the counter on vintage metal stools. Built-in butcher block cutting boards double as charming accents when not in use.
An expansive kitchen island with a durable wood countertop makes for ideal meal prep and casual dining at the counter on vintage metal stools. Built-in butcher block cutting boards double as charming accents when not in use.
Display Vintage Dishware
Clear glass front cabinets lend themselves perfectly to exhibiting cherished finds like classic ceramics, embroidered tea towels hanging on hooks and decorative plates. Open shelving gives you more real estate to spotlight beautiful collections.
Don’t overlook small details like switching out modern brushed nickel fixtures for matte black iron handles and hinges or oil-rubbed bronze finishes. Age your space with galvanized metal light pendants, dented tin trays and a rustic wooden mantle over a cozy fireplace nook.
Accessorize Creatively
Keep frequently used cookware within reach in woven baskets while lining counters with zinc/tin containers overflowing with cooking utensils. The right accessories make your farmhouse kitchen as practical as it is inviting.
Whip up a hot cup of coffee or tea in the morning using kitschy farm animal mugs and serve baked goods right from a vintage pie safe. Transfer bulk pantry staples like sugar, flour or oats into glass apothecary jars labeled with burlap tags and twine.
Design Ideas For A Farmhouse Bedroom
Continue the farmhouse charm into sleeping quarters with natural bedding, antique wooden furniture and vintage accents.
Bedding Sets The Tone
For farmhouse bedding, stick to linen, cotton and other breezy, breathable natural fabrics. Neutral colors like cream or beige keep the look light and relaxed. Incorporate texture with soft cotton quilts or knit blankets in natural hues accenting your bedding.
Rustic bed frames work wonderfully as well – think metal frames with woven wire accents or wooden beds with distressed finishes. For a cottage feel, painted white iron beds frame the space beautifully. Finish the look with a charming bench at the foot of the bed.
Warm Up Walls and Windows
Continue layers of linens with floor-to-ceiling, gauzy curtains around the windows, and a large woven headboard against the walls. Accent walls clad in reclaimed wood planks add striking and cozy architectural detail.
Display collected antique glassware, framed family photos, vintage books or dried botanical wreaths on floating shelves or in wall nooks around the room. Add height with stacked wooden crates for extra storage by the closet.
Lighting Makes A Difference
Swap out harsh overhead lighting for table lamps in washed wooden tones, black wrought iron or glass for a softer glow. Use Edison bulbs or filament lighting to enhance the vintage style.
For the ultimate farmhouse touch, hang a pendant light over the bed itself or install sconce lighting around the bed frame. The ambiance becomes even more welcoming.
Final Touches For Achieving Farmhouse Style
As you expand your farmhouse aesthetic to additional living spaces and bedrooms, repeat design elements that flow seamlessly throughout the home. Some examples include:
- Distressed wood accents – beams, bed frames, shelves
- Woven baskets and fabric textures – throws, pillows, rag rugs
- Vintage lighting and antique hardware
- Collections of glassware, books, framed family photos
- Galvanized metal and cast iron accessories
The more you layer and blend these critical farmhouse decor components throughout the home, the more authentic the design scheme feels. Be sure to incorporate pieces you genuinely love and tell a unique story. Display your favorite collected flea market finds proudly. The beauty of farmhouse style lies in that “collected over time” heartfelt appeal.
Implementing even a few of these many tips breathe new life into any space. As you experiment with farmhouse decor elements to find what resonates most, remember – imperfection and nostalgia set the welcoming mood. The comfort and charm of this beloved style beckons your guests to sit back, sip some sweet tea and savor the surroundings. Soon your home will become their favorite farmhouse destination as well.
