6 Tips for Creating a Cozy, Charming Farmhouse Look

Farmhouse style — To create the ease and warmth of farmhouse style in the living room, pair comfortable, neutral-toned sofas with funky, eclectic accent pieces like pictures and lamps. Decorilla Interior Design

Key Takeaways

Farmhouse style is characterized by a blend of rustic and vintage elements, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
Common features include distressed wood, neutral colors and vintage accents like mason jars and reclaimed materials.
Incorporating farmhouse style into your home decor can evoke a sense of simplicity and nostalgia, reminiscent of rural life.

From midcentury modern to shabby chic, there have been some trend-setting home decorating styles over the decades, some best left in the past (shag carpeting, anyone?) The farmhouse style currently has the interior design community captivated and is likely to stick around for some time to come, thanks to its ease of incorporation, versatile pieces and general livability.

Popularized by Joanna and Chip Gaines of "Fixer Upper" fame, the farmhouse look is for many a welcome change from previous design styles. Current clients are moving away from the minimalist/modern decor trend and into farmhouse style more and more, according to Devin Shaffer, a San Francisco-based lead designer for the online interior design company Decorilla. "They want their houses to feel like home. Things got too contemporary," he says, adding, "They would go home and wouldn't feel the warmth, they wouldn't feel cozy."

Since home is supposed to be where people kick back and feel comfortable, that's a pretty big problem. As a result, Decorilla has noted a spike in farmhouse-style requests over the past five or six years. "We're now seeing that mix in traditional and modern decor," he says, noting that clients want "comfort aspects and yet modern sensibilities in their space."

Still, it can be daunting, not to mention expensive, to completely makeover a space. Fortunately, farmhouse style specifically lends itself to thrift shopping and DIY if you so choose. Schaffer advises people not to expect it to be perfectly Gaines-esque right away. "It's kind of like a collection, it really builds over time," he explains. "You won't get immediate results. Could take several months to get the right layers in."

Whether you're looking to go full-fledged farmhouse, or simply want to dip a toe in, it's key to be familiar with the main components of this popular decor style. Here are six of them:

Contents

Stick With Neutral and Natural
Add Texture and Dimension
Incorporate Galvanized Metal
Keep Sofas and Seating Basic and Neutral
Refurb Until It's Fab
Hit the Shops

1. Stick With Neutral and Natural

The farmhouse style is intended to be very soothing and neutral. Walls are typically white, beige, cream or gray. Accents are best kept to calming color options found in nature, like blues, greens and burgundies. Shaffer cautions against going crazy with highly saturated colors, like bright yellow or lipstick red. Instead, stick with muted tones in eggshell finishes.

2. Add Texture and Dimension

Fork over the boring, flat walls in favor of shiplap, wainscotting or even a planked wall. The added dimension is unmistakably farmhouse and will add pop to the space without a ton of extra effort. In fact, these projects can often be DIY at low cost. Faux-wood beams are another great addition. Then you can also incorporate extra texture with layers of different neutrals in soft goods like throw pillows and blankets. "This can be done in a bedroom all the way into a living space," Shaffer says.

3. Incorporate Galvanized Metal

One of the accents people most associate with farmhouse style is galvanized metal, whether it's incorporated as part of strategically placed knick-knacks, wall art or buckets/planters containing greenery. This can seem a bit too country for some, so don't worry if it's not your style. "If that is too traditional for you, you can go back to a gunmetal gray or brushed bronze, and still achieve the farmhouse effect," Shaffer says. Often, people use lighting fixtures to work in the metallic component.

4. Keep Sofas and Seating Basic and Neutral

"Seating doesn't have to scream farmhouse style," Shaffer says. Instead, select neutral pieces and build the style around them with smaller accents. "Layer in heirloom items and greenery," he suggests. That way, if your style changes from time to time, your big pieces don't necessarily have to.

5. Refurb Until It's Fab

Have old cabinets or a table that have seen better days? Resist the urge to chuck them and instead grab some paint and slap on a couple of coats. Shaffer particularly enjoys seeing oak-finished cabinets circa 1997 gain new life. "They can be painted so easily. One of my favorite things is two-toned," he says, noting that doing cabinets in one shade and an island in a more rustic, neutral color is an easy way to add a farmhouse touch to a previously outdated space.

6. Hit the Shops

Why pay more if you don't have to? Farmhouse-style pieces can be picked up in thrift shops, flea markets and antiques stores just about anywhere. What was once someone's trash is literally now your treasure.

Throughout the process, take a step back and assess your farmhouse situation. Shaffer says the look is best achieved, "When the materials were done right and not going over the top," he explains, advising people to avoid littering the area with too many stressed materials. Instead, "Hone in on a certain refined finish."

Best of all is that you don't necessarily have to live in a sprawling country ranch to enjoy the farmhouse look. Decorilla has many urban customers who go the farmhouse route. "They may be stuck with white walls, but if you put in reclaimed shelves it's gorgeous," he says. "There's a wide range of ways to get the look in all types of environments."

Now That's Cool

"Modern farmhouse" has also gained ground in the interior design world. Wondering what the difference is? "Farmhouse style leans into nostalgia, character pieces and cozy charm. Whereas modern farmhouse style is a lovely juxtaposition of the defining characteristics of cozy farmhouse style and sleek modern style," says Sarah Symonds, interior designer and Grace in My Space blogger, noting that the most important carry-over pieces from farmhouse to modern farmhouse are soft throw blankets, textured pillows and neutral colors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can farmhouse style be incorporated into a modern home?

Absolutely! Farmhouse style is versatile and can be adapted to fit modern homes by incorporating elements like clean lines, minimalist furniture and industrial accents for a contemporary twist while still maintaining the cozy charm of farmhouse decor.

Are there any specific color schemes associated with farmhouse style?

Yes, farmhouse style typically features neutral color palettes such as whites, creams, beiges and soft grays, complemented by natural wood tones and pops of color from vintage or rustic accents to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.