75 Modern Farmhouse Decorating Ideas Cozy Home Guide

By Interior Designer TRACY SVENDSEN | Updated 11/25/2023

Are you looking for some inspiration for modern farmhouse decorating ideas? Look no further! In this article, we will delve into the art of transforming your home into a stylish farmhouse haven, bridging the gap between old and new. Gone are the days when farmhouses were associated solely with rural landscapes.

This timeless style has transcended boundaries and found its place in urban homes, breathing new life into traditional elements. With a blend of vintage finds, sleek furnishings, and natural textures, contemporary farmhouse decor captures the essence of simplicity, warmth, and comfort.

Every design element is carefully curated, from reclaimed wood accents to shiplap walls, to create an inviting and stylish space in a farmhouse-style home. Neutral color palettes serve as the backdrop for pops of natural greenery and vibrant textiles, adding a touch of liveliness to the overall aesthetic.

One of the most popular design styles of the moment, modern farmhouse decor combines the best of both worlds – the warmth and coziness of a traditional farmhouse with clean lines, neutral palettes, and contemporary finishes. A favorite of many interior designers, including Joanna Gaines, the modern farmhouse look incorporates wooden beams, open shelving, rustic elements, family heirlooms, natural wood accents, and contemporary elements. 

Think shiplap walls, barn doors, and vintage accents mixed with modern furniture and sleek lighting. Some popular modern farmhouse decor ideas include using neutral color palettes with pops of black and natural wood tones, incorporating rustic materials like burlap and galvanized metal, and layering textures like chunky knit blankets and woven throw pillows. 

Whether you love minimalist simplicity or enjoy a more eclectic approach, the contemporary farmhouse style offers endless possibilities to express your unique personality and create a modern and timeless home. Get ready to be inspired as we explore the beauty of bringing farmhouse charm to the modern era.

Modern Farmhouse-Style Living Room with Warm Tones
Image courtesy of West of Main

A Beautifully Designed Modern Farmhouse Home

The McGee & Co. 2023 Summer Catalog provides a wealth of inspiration for those looking for modern farmhouse decorating ideas. The catalog contains creative design tips and stunning photos of their projects, including their new spec home in the Red Ledges community outside Park City, Utah.

Designer Shea McGee believes our home is a canvas of creative personal expression, and what you bring into your space – from textiles and textures to tones – can affect the mood and personality of any room. Thoughtfully considering fabrics, colors, patterns, and angles of each element or room can help you achieve sophisticated atmospheres to create a stunning narrative of the place you love most.

Explore their newest catalog and modern farmhouse decorating ideas for design inspiration for your home. The home decor and furniture featured in their catalog are available in the McGee & Co Online Store.

Designer Shea McGee believes our home is a canvas of creative personal expression, and what you bring into your space – from textiles and textures to tones – can affect the mood and personality of any room. Thoughtfully considering fabrics, colors, patterns, and angles of each element or room can help you achieve sophisticated atmospheres to create a stunning narrative of the place you love most. 

Explore their newest catalog and modern farmhouse decorating ideas for design inspiration for your home. The home decor and furniture featured in their catalog are available in the McGee & Co Online Store. 

McGee & Co 2023 Summer Catalogue: Modern Farmhouse Decorating Ideas

LOVE YOUR HOME

The first page of the catalog aptly features the entranceway of their new spec home. Creating a beautifully expressive place of greetings and goodbyes using rich colors, small seating vignettes, and drop-zones using elevated décor is easy. Try styling the entryway with a focus on the past and present. Combine vintage-inspired materials and personal mementos from life’s journey with clean, contemporary lines and designs reflective of your present self.

A Marigold Moment

Shea loves to add a splash of marigold to her interiors. “What I love about the color marigold is that it can yield several different effects in interior design. In some respects, it’s the perfect hue to usher in the sunshine. Marigold can be as bright and cheery as a field full of wildflowers. It can also be mysterious or romantic when used in something like velvet. This full-bodied shade of orange is nothing if not spirited.” – Shea McGee.

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN

Floral arrangements are the perfect way to bring the outside in. They add a touch of softness and life to interiors, and the arrangements play off the colors of your space – adding to the home’s design without taking anything away. Be sure to include a gorgeous vase or jar to enhance the design.

FRESH BLOOMS

Fresh blooms are the perfect way to give interiors a touch of softness and life. Floral arrangements play with the palette, add to your design without taking anything away, and are the perfect way to bring the outside in.

Ashley Swapp, Studio McGee’s floral lover, suggests designing a floral bouquet with movement, texture, and color. She picks stems based on size and how the colors and textures will play off one another. If a larger bloom will ground an arrangement, she always wants to balance that with wispier, softer flowers, like butterfly ranunculus or sweet pea. Ashley thinks of adding texture similarly—variation in the shape of greens and blooms brings an arrangement to life.

She suggests starting with a vase smaller than you need. “If you want an arrangement to serve as a centerpiece at the dinner table, consider a small low bowl. You can make nearly any bowl a vessel by adding a floral frog to the bottom (secure with waterproof sticky tack) and a balled-up piece of coated chicken wire placed in the bowl to help support the arrangement. If you want a showstopping arrangement on your kitchen island, look at larger vases with wider mouths and fill them with large branches—no need to stuff the vase; the branches look best when they have room to breathe. Or a simple bud arrangement on a nightstand can be beautiful in a tiny vase with just a few of the same blooms placed neatly in the vase.”

TAKE SHAPE

Shapes and curves can bring a perfect balance, intrigue, and just the right amount of traditional style to the room, from mirrors with unique angles to shapely side tables and lamps, layer-in elements that make each vignette feel complete.

UTILIZE EVERY CORNER

Each corner within your home is a space-making opportunity, and by turning neglected nooks into purposeful and inviting spaces, you’ll bring new life to your space in transformative ways. Angle furniture from the corner for an eye-catching focal point, or make a statement with an art block of photos, pictures, or heirloom items to turn a blank corner into something extraordinary.

REFLECT LIGHT | MODERN FARMHOUSE DECORATING IDEAS

Embrace the sunshine season in each corner of your home. Placing large mirrors in spaces not only lends elegant detail to a wall but can open up and illuminate the area, showing off each beautiful element of the room.

CURATED ART | MODERN FARMHOUSE DECORATING IDEAS

There’s an opportunity for art anywhere you want in the home. Artwork can add depth and texture or tell a story in the entryway, on a large open wall, or in an empty corner.

Feature one large piece of artwork above a console table. This allows the styling of the console to speak for itself, all while adding warmth and directing the eye toward the art piece.

Celebrate even the smallest nooks and corners by stacking artwork to frame a vignette. Keep a few inches between each piece and use frames or mediums that speak to each other.

ADD ROMANCE

There’s an opportunity for art anywhere you want in the home. Artwork can add depth and texture or tell a story in the entryway, on a large open wall, or in an empty corner.

Feature one large piece of artwork above a console table. This allows the styling of the console to speak for itself, all while adding warmth and directing the eye toward the art piece.

Celebrate even the smallest nooks and corners by stacking artwork to frame a vignette. Keep a few inches between each piece and use frames or mediums that speak to each other. Consider a gallery wall for a farmhouse feel that elevates bright white walls.

McGee & Co. 2023 Spec Home

This beautifully designed Spec Home in Utah is just minutes away from the slopes, the vibrancy of downtown Park City, and the Wasatch Range, where opportunities to connect with nature abound. Shea had been trying to convince her husband Syd for years to invest in a high-end spec home. Once he was on board, they began the purchase of the land.  

Incorporating elements of both traditional timelessness and contemporary newness, Shea McGee drew inspiration from the rich details and rustic, natural textures of summer to evoke a sense of place that is both familiar and fresh. In this full-hearted commitment to home, the McGee’s built, designed, and curated a Studio McGee Spec Home brimming with the details that define our sense of self.

In this home, they’ve searched for opportunities to make dramatic impacts in their design choices while staying true to the essence of their style. Through the thoughtful arrangement of furniture, textures, patterns, and textiles, any home – no matter the size – becomes a bold, beautiful, and well-loved expression of who we are.

Location: Heber City, Utah
Square Footage: 3,600
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3.5
Builder: Killowen Construction
Designer: Studio McGee

MODERN FARMHOUSE KITCHEN & PANTRY

The modern farmhouse kitchen was one of the most anticipated rooms in their first-ever spec-home. Here Shea demonstrates her expertise in mixing hardware, layering lighting, and designing a stunning kitchen layout. In the kitchen, Shea created symmetry by framing the hood—” it’s an opportunity to make a statement,” Shea says—and adding floor-to-ceiling cabinetry that looks more like a piece of furniture than a kitchen functionality staple, “like a chest,” Shea explains. A recessed pull differentiates the piece from the traditional kitchen cabinetry used elsewhere in the kitchen.

The cabinets throughout the kitchen are a mix of styles – flat, inset panel on the drawers and a raised, beaded profile on the doors—but they’re all finished with antiqued brass knobs and handles.  Accessible Beige by Sherwin Williams is used on all cabinetry, paired with a natural, matte stain on the island’s wood.

Shea also used two different backsplashes throughout the home’s kitchen. A cream-toned Moroccan zellige tile outfits the space behind the range. When tiles are applied vertically at the bottom to create a border, a soldier course detail helps to “shake it up, create interest, and give a glossy quality throughout,” Shea explains. On the wall behind the pantry side of the kitchen, the same stone used throughout the rest of the home is carried up to the ceiling. “It’s textural and organic and adds so much earthiness to the space,” she adds. “It feels like this home belongs in the mountains.”

The kitchen utilizes multiple lighting sources, including ambient, task, and accent, to create a visually and functionally balanced space. The spec home’s kitchen has a mix of brass island pendants, three antiqued brass flush mounts, and an articulating sconce related to the cabinet’s hardware.

MODERN FARMHOUSE LIVING ROOM

The living room is the home’s heart, a space that yearns for conversation and intimate moments. Side tables with bold shapes and unique materials bring personality to the discussion, and a mix of traditional details, mixed tones, and statement-making patterns color-shared moments with warmth and life. Using natural materials introduces an organic, outdoorsy aesthetic that makes a solid first impression. 

Designing a modern farmhouse living room is the perfect way to create a cozy and inviting space. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Choose a neutral color palette. Modern farmhouse design typically features a lot of white, cream, and beige. These colors create a clean, fresh look that is perfect for a living room.

2. Incorporate natural textures. Add elements like wood, jute, and linen to your living room. These materials will help to create a warm and inviting space.

3. Mix old and new. The modern farmhouse style is all about mixing old and new elements. Consider incorporating vintage pieces alongside contemporary furniture to create a unique and eclectic space.

4. Consider the lighting. Lighting can make a big difference in a living room. Add a mix of table, floor, and overhead lighting to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

5. Add some greenery. Plants are a great way to add some life to a living room. Add potted plants or a larger statement piece like a fiddle leaf fig tree.

By following these tips, you can create a modern farmhouse living room that is both stylish and cozy.

MODERN FARMHOUSE DECORATING IDEAS FOR THE BEDROOM

The bedroom is a room designed for rest and rejuvenation and speaks to contemplative moments that replenish. Textiles are the key to creating a space as comfortable as it is expressive, so build from the base up. Start with sheets made from bamboo or sateen, then add duvets, and quilts, and throws that layer on your style with an expressive personality.

To design a modern farmhouse bedroom:

1. Start by choosing a color scheme that is light and airy.
2. Incorporate neutral colors like white, beige, and gray, or choose soft pastels like pale blue and dusty pink.
3. Select furniture that has a rustic, distressed look.

This could include a wooden bed frame, a reclaimed wood dresser, or a vintage vanity. 

Be sure to incorporate plenty of cozy textiles, such as fluffy white bedding, a plush area rug, and a collection of throw pillows. Finally, add some personal touches with decorative accents like framed artwork, potted plants, and vintage-style lamps. With these elements in place, you’ll have a cozy and inviting modern farmhouse bedroom perfect for relaxing and unwinding after a long day.

MODERN FARMHOUSE DINING ROOM

Interesting, rough, and organic textures are an element of the modern farmhouse design style. Scratches and scrapes in furniture are all signs of age, which adds instant character to a room. Informality is at the heart of this style, which lends itself to entertaining close friends and family, which is at the heart of this look.

Area rugs serve as a grounding element to the dining room, visually centering the space and gracefully containing its focal point- the memories and meals shared at the table. Whether working toward an organic yet sophisticated tonal space or a traditionally detailed room with touches of color, select a rug that acts as a foundational landscape to your dining room.

When designing a modern farmhouse dining room, it is essential to balance rustic charm and contemporary elegance. First, choose a color palette that reflects the farmhouse aesthetic, such as warm neutrals, soft blues, and sage greens.  Incorporate natural materials like wood and stone into the decor, and consider adding vintage elements like a distressed farmhouse table or antique dining chairs.

Lighting is also vital to creating the right ambiance, so opt for functional and stylish fixtures. Finally, accessorize with simple yet impactful pieces like a vintage rug, textured throw pillows, and a statement centerpiece like a vase of fresh flowers or a bowl of seasonal fruit. With these tips, you can create a beautiful and inviting modern farmhouse dining room that is both cozy and chic.

MODERN FARMHOUSE DECORATING IDEAS FOR THE ENTRANCEWAY

This entranceway has a laid-back, warm, and welcoming feel. The varying textures of stone, wood, and fabric add visual weight and movement. The texture instantly draws one’s eye into the room and then around it, giving the illusion that it’s larger than it is.

It’s always a priority of Shea’s to bring as many natural elements into a space as possible. Sometimes this is simply through a ceramic vase or a wooden cabinet, but she’s a big advocate of having these organic materials in a room complete a design.

When designing a modern farmhouse entranceway, it is essential to consider the home’s overall aesthetic. The entranceway should be warm and inviting, with rustic charm. One way to achieve this is by using natural materials such as wood and stone.

For the outdoor entranceway, choose a front door that fits the farmhouse style. A wooden door with glass panels is a great option. You can also add a touch of color by painting the door a bold hue that complements the home’s exterior.

Next, consider adding a porch or covered entryway. This will provide shelter from the elements and add character to the home’s exterior. A porch swing or rocking chair can also be a nice touch. In terms of lighting, consider adding wall sconces or pendant lights to illuminate the entranceway. Lantern-style fixtures can also be an excellent choice for a farmhouse aesthetic.

Finally, remember the landscaping. Adding plants and flowers around the entranceway can help soften the home’s look and make it feel more inviting. Consider adding a planter box or two filled with seasonal blooms. With these tips, you can create a beautiful and functional modern farmhouse entranceway to welcome guests and make a great first impression.

MODERN FARMHOUSE DECORATING IDEAS FOR THE BATHROOM

The bathroom in this spec home has plenty of added layers of texture that bring depth, warmth, and coziness to this neutral color scheme. Soft textures such as wool, linen, and velvet add visual interest. Incorporate organizational pieces that sort and store, all while adding interest.

These additions create a beautifully functional space, from woven laundry baskets to glass containers. Add a touch of personality and detail with an artwork moment that lives in the bathroom.

When designing a modern farmhouse bathroom, incorporate a few key elements. First, you’ll want to include natural materials like wood, stone, and metal to give the space a rustic feel. Use reclaimed wood for your vanity or shelving, and use stone tiles or a metal shower surround for a rugged yet refined look.

Another critical aspect of a modern farmhouse bathroom is neutral colors. Stick to decorating with earth tones like beige, tan, and gray, and incorporate pops of color through accessories like towels and rugs.

This will give your bathroom a warm and inviting feel without being too overwhelming. Finally, think carefully about your lighting choices. You’ll want to create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere, so consider using warm, soft lighting rather than harsh, bright lights. Wall sconces and pendant lights can also add a touch of elegance to the space.

Following these tips, you can create a beautiful and functional modern farmhouse bathroom perfect for relaxing and unwinding after a long day.

Modern Farmhouse Decorating Ideas: Additional Tips

Modern farmhouse decor might be the perfect choice to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in your home. This style combines clean, minimalist lines with rustic, natural materials and finishes to create a cozy, inviting space perfect for relaxing and entertaining.

One of the key elements of modern farmhouse design is the use of natural wood finishes. This can include everything from exposed ceiling beams and hardwood floors to reclaimed wood accent walls and furniture. To balance out the wood, consider incorporating metal accents and fixtures, such as wrought iron light fixtures or stainless steel appliances.

In terms of color palette, modern farmhouse decor favors neutral tones and earthy hues, such as beige, gray, and cream. However, you can introduce pops of color through accessories like throw pillows, area rugs, and artwork. Opt for simple and functional pieces with clean lines and a timeless aesthetic for furniture. Think classic farmhouse dining tables, cozy armchairs, and upholstered sofas in neutral hues.

Finally, add some natural elements to your decor, such as potted plants, woven baskets, and fresh flowers. These finishing touches will help bring the outdoors inside and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere perfect for modern farmhouse living. I hope you enjoyed this post featuring modern farmhouse design ideas from McGee & Co! Check out their amazing online store that features furniture, home decor, and more.

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Inside Studio McGee’s First-Ever Spec Home.