Looking for farmhouse decorating ideas? Here you’ll find tips on how to create this style of design in your own home, as well as stunning images of farmhouse kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. 

Farmhouse design is all about simplicity and keeping things organic. Regardless of location, almost any home can embrace the farmhouse vibe. The finer details matter with this approach, and it works best when elements incorporated portray a rustic, minimal, and cozy feel. Old is gold and it’s good to keep things as authentic as possible. Think exposed beams overhead, floral curtains, subtle rustic decor, salvaged goods, and implementing raw and organic materials in the foundation. 

One of the convenient aspects of the farmhouse style is the flexibility it offers, enabling you to decorate with your personal decor collection and vintage furniture that you might have fallen in love with. Forego clutter and be selective in where items are placed.
Post updated: March 20,2021

Spacious Modern Ranch by A la Maison

A stunning modern farmhouse with beautifully layered textures, shiplap ceiling, exposed beams and vaulted ceiling. What’s great about this space is that the color palette remains true throughout.  The subtle grey tones in the fireplace are reflected in the floors, cabinetry, area rug, furniture and throw pillows. A bit of green is introduced with several plants. It’s a symmetrical design and very well put together.
Image courtesy of: A la Maison Home and Lifestyle

What is Farmhouse Design?

Farmhouse design is all about simplicity and keeping things organic. Regardless of location, almost any home can embrace the farmhouse vibe. The finer details matter with this approach, and it works best when elements incorporated portray a rustic, minimal, and cozy feel. Old is gold and it’s good to keep things as authentic as possible. Think exposed beams overhead, floral curtains, subtle rustic decor, salvaged goods, and implementing raw and organic materials in the foundation.

One of the convenient aspects of the farmhouse style is the flexibility it offers, enabling you to decorate with your personal decor collection and vintage furniture that you might have fallen in love with. Forego clutter and be selective in where items are placed.

Modern Farmhouse Living Room Designed by Celtic Homes

Celtic Custom Homes is an award winning company with a reputation for building the highest quality homes in Arkansas. This modern farmhouse living room boasts an open concept design with a large and comfortable furniture, neutral palette and warm wood tones.
Image courtesy of: Celtic Custom Homes

What is Modern Farmhouse Design?

The modern approach to farmhouse decorating has become increasingly popular in the last few years. Modern farmhouse takes the natural elements of traditional farmhouse design and adds modern home accents, a neutral palette, brushed metals, and clean lines. Rustic yet refined, this covetable look seamlessly blends the old with the new in masterful ways resulting in a fresh and timeless interior. Here you’ll find whitewashed walls, natural wood accents, and contrasting metalwork that work together to create a calm and cozy home.

Chic Farmhouse in Los Angeles

When actor Sam Page and his wife Cassidy Elliott began the hunt for a new home in Los Angeles, it was both an old-hat and a brand-new experience. While they were looking for their fourth house together, this time they also had to accommodate three extra people: their toddler son Logan as well as twin baby daughters Evie and Annabelle. “We just needed more space,” Elliott says succinctly. But, also on their wish list were a home and a neighborhood more kid-friendly than Brentwood, where they lived at the time.

The couple ultimately decided on Pacific Palisades, a coastal area with a beachy feel on the west side of the city. And when they saw the home they would ultimately buy, it was love at first sight: Elliott was enraptured first by the exterior details. “I got this instant feel in the front yard,” she says of the Craftsman-style house. “The outside garden was so pretty and the home itself kind of looks like a big tree house, with wooden shingles and lots of greenery.” Luckily, though the interiors were not move-in ready, the 2002 home did not require a down-to-the-studs renovation.

This living room is a great example of how a neutral living room doesn’t have to boring.  It combines gorgeous textures and patterns and has a soft muted palette.  Image courtesy of: Architectural Digest

Elements of Modern Farmhouse Style

Apron sinks: Nothing says farmhouse like an apron sink. In modern farmhouses, apron sinks are more likely to be stainless steel. In a classic farmhouse, the sink is usually porcelain.

Traditional fabrics: Fabrics are floral, paisley, and striped. Slipcovers are a popular choice as they provide vintage appeal.

Vintage furniture and accessories: Vintage furniture and décor with weathered finished go hand-in-hand with farmhouse design.

Plenty of texture: The easiest way to add texture to the home is through both fabric and textiles. These are typically pieces that are smaller in scale, like pillows and throws that can be easily moved or replaced. From sheepskin cushions to cowhide rugs and wicker baskets, these textures add instant warmth. Area rugs placed in one key spot can quickly tie in all the design elements in a room together.

Sophisticated Farmhouse Design by Pamela Diekel

This well-designed farmhouse has an open concept design with light wood floors, white walls and unique organic artwork.
Image courtesy of: Houzz

How to Achieve a Modern Farmhouse Look

A Neutral Palette

There’s a good reason many interior designers choose a neutral color palette for the walls, as it provides the perfect backdrop for textural elements, as well as allowing the lines of the furniture and the architecture of the room to stand out. Whether they are warm or cool neutrals, they make the room appear open and fresh. A blend of comfortable neutrals makes for a classic base that amplifies light. Layer up varying shades of whites, beiges, creams, and grays to create a sophisticated and contemporary feel. Use textiles and plants to bring in accents of bright green, navy or cornflower blue, and lavender, but do so sparingly as to not detract from the soft overall look.

Palmetto Bluff Farmhouse Living Room by H2 Builders

A modern rustic farmhouse with a neutral palette with plenty of textural, wood beams and large expanse of windows.
Image courtesy of: H2 Builders

Modern Farmhouse Furniture:

The foundation of modern farmhouse design is farmhouse furniture that is not only comfortable but has a sleek and modern shape.  

Natural Elements

The use of natural materials is key when designing a farmhouse home. It’s important to include distressed wood in combination with stone and natural fibers such as rattan, wicker, cotton, and sisal. Mixing and matching materials such as velvet and linen add dimension and interest.

Unfinished woods such as birch oak and pine compliment a neutral palette and further introduce natural elements into the space.

Repurposed Goods

The use of repurposed goods such as rustic pitchers, antique fixtures, buckets, old pottery, and wooden crates as a display provides a warm ambiance.

East Hampton Farmhouse

In the East Hampton, New York, home of publishing powerhouses Pilar Guzmán and Chris Mitchell, bespoke Clayhaus Ceramics tile sheaths the kitchen, an inviting space anchored by a six-by-12-foot worktable and custom cabinetry.
Image courtesy of: Architectural Digest

Minimalism

A modern farmhouse should be cozy, not cluttered. This design style has a clean aesthetic without overuse of knickknacks and favorite objects. As William Morris once said, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

Farmhouse Lighting

Farmhouse lighting works with almost any type of décor, from traditional to modern. It’s characterized by old-world style and made with materials such as wood, wrought iron, or hand-forged steel.  Here you’ll often see rectangular or circular frames with exposed light bulbs and seeded glass.

Modern Farmhouse Photographed by Adrian Briscoe

This eclectic farmhouse kitchen/dining room has the perfect combination of contemporary minimalism mixed with warm rustic appeal.  Sleek shaker style cabinetry is paired with metallics.
Image courtesy of: Adrian Briscoe Photography

Farmhouse Décor

As with any design style, a variety of textures adds warmth, depth, and interest to a space. Adding natural materials on top of a neutral base goes hand-in-hand in farmhouse design. It’s also all about bringing the outdoors in. With farmhouse decor, organic materials such as wood, linen, and hemp work perfectly to make this connection.

Keep it Family-style

Modern farmhouses should be warm, welcoming, and friendly. Large islands and kitchen tables and oversized comfortable seating, encourage friends and family to sit and relax and engage in lively conversations.

Farmhouse Kitchen Designed by Bria Hammel

A farmhouse kitchen with gray and white striped island stools, rustic wood beams and a quartz countertop.
Image courtesy of: Bria Hammel

Celebrate the Imperfect

Weathered materials such as the natural patina of stone, metals, and wood instantly add rustic warmth to a home. These materials contrast beautifully with sleek modern elements.

Mix and Match

Feel free to mix and match furniture from new furniture that provides comfort and style to vintage furniture that introduces authenticity.

Farmhouse-Style Living Room Designed by Lindye Galloway

A farmhouse inspired living room designed by Lindye Galloway with white walls and furniture.  The warm brown leather sofa, artwork, area rug and plants add color and interest to the space. I’m always on the lookout for unique pieces of furniture and decor to incorporate into my own home.  Aside from being a fabulous interior designer, Lindye also has an online shop with a gorgeous selection of sofas, area rugs, vintage runners and farmhouse decor.  If you are interested in checking out her shop click here: Lindye Galloway Home Decor
Image courtesy of: Lindye Galloway

Add Plenty of Cozy Textiles and Textures

Cozy textiles are reminiscent of days curled up in a comfy space with a book in hand. Texture adds visual weight, balance and helps define how a room looks at first glance. It’s also very important when working with a neutral palette, as it provides much-needed contrast.

Industrial Farmhouse Lighting Fixtures

Experienced designers will tell you that lighting is an essential ingredient in home design. It’s also important to consider the existing furniture and surrounding décor as well as the lighting requirements for space.

It’s essential to have more than one source of light in a room, and layered illumination is the key. Start by choosing a farmhouse ceiling fixture, and then look toward outer walls for opportunities in downlighting. Farmhouse valences are the perfect choice when you want a gentle flood of light hitting the walls, curtains, and surrounding artwork. Be sure to hang light fixtures in modern steel or iron that does not overpower the neutral color scheme.

Farmhouse Decorating Ideas by Bria Hammel

Warm and Inviting Coastal-Farmhouse Living Room by Bria Hammel
Image courtesy of: Bria Hammel Interiors

Bria is the Creative Director and CEO of Bria Hammel Interiors, the CEO of Brooke & Lou and Co-Creator of Hammel House & Co. She leads a fresh, talented team of women who are dedicated to designing beautiful, inviting homes for clients. For Bria, every project is about creating a home filled with surprising, thoughtful spaces that lead to unexpected moments. She has an incredible eye for detail and has a passion for designing spaces that tell her clients’ stories.

Bria’s work has been featured in national publications such as Traditional Home, HGTV Magazine, House Beautiful, Martha Stewart Living, as well as many other local shelter magazines.

Here are a few interiors of fabulous modern farmhouses designed by Bria Hammel.

Items Available through Simply French Market

Looking for farmhouse decor? Find a country and farmhouse decor for the living room, kitchen, dining room and bedrooms.

Farmhouse Decorating Ideas | Thistlewood Farms

Thistlewood Farms is a delightful blog with a ton of character, a sincere, vibrant and honest energy, and a great resource for Industrial Farmhouse Design. KariAnne is the editor and also works as a design consultant.  Her blog won the Top 10 Decorating Homes and Gardens 2014 Blogger Award.  If you’d like to check out her blog and see for yourself: Thistlewood Farms.  I hand-selected a few of my favorite images as they clearly show the beauty in this style of design as well as KariAnne’s amazing eye for detail and beauty.

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