What is Farmhouse Style?

In recent years, the farmhouse style has become increasingly popular as an interior design style for homes. However, there are a lot of different features to farmhouse design, which is why in this article, we’re going to take a closer look at the elements of the farmhouse style.

Table of Contents

What is farmhouse style?

Farmhouse living has a few different main features that really incorporate country living. To begin, the farmhouse look is all about simplicity, practicality, rustic charm, and incorporating natural materials into the home decor.

Farmhouse-style homes often have a mixture of vintage pieces mixed with more modern, contemporary pieces. Moreover, natural elements are used (such as natural wood) to create that rustic/antique look. Neutral colors, such as white color palettes are also extremely popular with the farmhouse style. However, some people like to incorporate more earth tones into farmhouse decor ideas, which is totally fine as well.

What is the modern farmhouse style?

kitchen barstools — Image via Sanctuary Home Decor

In recent years, the modern farmhouse style has become increasingly popular due to HGTV programs and designers like Chip and Joanna Gaines. But what exactly is modern farmhouse style?

Well, it’s very similar to the farmhouse style, but incorporates a more contemporary, modern look. It’s still relaxed like the farmhouse style, but adds more modern touches such as clean lines, neutral color schemes, and an overall sleek aesthetic.

Unlike the more rustic country style, you’re going to be using more modern pieces that follow the same color tones. It will still feel cozy, but you’ll incorporate more of a defined home decor style.

What makes something farmhouse?

The farmhouse style is a mixture between practicality and rustic charm (more modern charm if you’re going for a modern farmhouse style). Natural elements are extremely popular, as is natural wood (or distressed, as-is, or re-painted). You’re going to see a lot of neutral color schemes and usually one or two color patterns throughout the house.

You’ll see a lot of comfortable, big pieces of furniture and little accent pieces that have specific functions throughout the home. Rugged textiles, aged-finishes, and minimalist touches are all things you’ll see in a farmhouse styled home.

What’s the difference between farmhouse and modern farmhouse?

In today’s decor world, this is a popular question. We touched briefly on the different elements of both the classic farmhouse and modern farmhouse style above. Here, we’ll go more in depth about the differences between the two interior design looks.

Elements of Farmhouse Style

With the farmhouse style, you’re definitely going to have more of a vintage/antique/rustic theme. Your home will incorporate an older, country farmhouse look.

For instance, you’ll want to use a lot of natural elements, specifically natural wood materials. In the olden days, wood was extremely popular to build with. Therefore, it’s common to use paneled wood walls, exposed wood beams, and old barn doors in a plethora of different ways. Many people today like to incorporate natural wood into their farmhouse kitchen, often with open wood shelving and natural wood butcher blocks. Apron sinks, which are large kitchen basins are also very popular in farmhouse style kitchens.

With the classic farmhouse style, you’ll also want to incorporate more antique pieces. If you’re a lover of flea markets and garage sales – then this is the perfect interior design style for you! Often times, you want these pieces to be distressed or have that vintage look. For instance, you could find a distressed wood coffee table to put in your farmhouse kitchen and it would look great.

Another factor to keep in mind about the classic farmhouse style is that you can DIY a lot of the projects. For example, if you’re planning on doing a remodel, go hit some garage sales and find wood furniture. Then, come home and either distress it or re-paint it.

Elements of Modern Farmhouse Style

The modern farmhouse style has many similar qualities to the farmhouse style, but does differ in a few areas. Therefore, we’ll make sure we cover all the bases so you can ensure you choose the right style for your home when doing your makeover!

The modern farmhouse design is still going to have the practical, simplistic look that the classic farmhouse style has. However, you’re going to want to incorporate more contemporary touches. For instance, clean lines, stand-out accent pieces, and neutral color schemes are all very popular. You can still incorporate a few rustic pieces, but overall, it’s going to feel more modern and fresh.

Here, you can still use natural wood, but you’re going to want to incorporate other materials in as well. Stainless steel appliances, flashy pendant light fixtures and chandeliers with accompanying stand-out hardwood floors are all great choices. Every piece you choose should be practical in use. If you want, incorporate some distressed wood into your open shelving or kitchen island and then have your stainless steel appliances compliment the more rustic look.

Moreover, you’re going to want to stick with one color palette. Often times, with the modern farmhouse style people tend to go with a more neutral color scheme. Off-white, cream, beige, silver, and even gold are very popular choices.

You can also incorporate industrialized pieces. For instance, metal bar stools, wood paneling, exposed brick, and industrial style tap-ware (such as copper piping) are great choices to take your modern farmhouse kitchen to the next level.

Another difference between the two styles is that modern farmhouse is often a bit more simplistic and minimalist. You aren’t going to want a bunch of different themes, colors, or pieces everywhere. You want to keep the style as simple and de-cluttered as possible.

What are the benefits of farmhouse style?

Whether you decide to go with the classic farmhouse or a more modern farmhouse look, there are a plethora of benefits with either one.

Firstly, it’s super inviting and cozy. Your pieces are all going to follow a color scheme that is going to be warm and approachable. So, if you want a homey feeling for yourself and for when you entertain guests, then this is the interior design style for you!

Secondly, the farmhouse style has become SO popular in the past few years that you can find pieces to fit your home’s look anywhere. Whether you’re shopping at Target, Home Goods, a local furniture store, or online, you’re sure to find a plethora of farmhouse home decor pieces.

Thirdly, the style mixes well with a variety of different other interior design styles. For example, we talked about incorporating industrial pieces into your home decor above. Therefore, you can constantly change your home’s look without ever getting bored. There is nothing worse than not being able to rearrange your house every so often. Thankfully, the farmhouse style is not mundane!

Lastly, the style is extremely family-friendly! It features a relaxed, practical look, which goes hand in hand when you have a large family constantly running around! Most of the furniture you’ll be incorporating already has that distressed, aged look, so you won’t need to be doing any heavy sawing around the house!

What is the best thing about farmhouse style?

Well, everyone has a favorite part of the farmhouse look, so answers will vary. However, I’ll tell you what I love most. Personally, I love the modern farmhouse style. I love the sleek lines, how I can get creative with different backsplash tiles throughout the house, and all the different accent pieces I can incorporate.

Moreover, I love how homey the style feels. Whether I’m entertaining guests or reading a book on the couch with a cup of tea, I feel completely at home with the home decor throughout the house. It feels relaxing, which is great to come home to when other bits and pieces of my life feel constantly chaotic and stressful.

What are your favorite parts about the farmhouse style? I’d love to hear all of your thoughts down below in the comment section!

What are some popular items of furniture that are considered farmhouse?

If you’re doing a remodel and are going for that farmhouse look, then you’ve definitely come to the right place! Lucky for you, The Cards We Drew has a plethora of different articles that feature farmhouse home decor. Let’s take a look at some of them below.