Go back to a time of open spaces and simple living – by decorating with the farmhouse style! Get all the tips on how to bring this style to your space.

Do you often think of your Grandmother’s home with fondness? Do you miss the simplicity of that time? Most of us have lovely memories of our grandparents’ home, and it was a place where everyone gathered to bond over delicious food and laughs. If you’d like to recreate the same emotions in your home, I’ve got the perfect solution for you – farmhouse style!

Decor Styles 101: Farmhouse

You don’t actually have to live on a farm to bring the farmhouse style to your home. This is basically a rustic kind of decor, with the focus being on the simplicity of country life, free from modern stresses. Hence, the decor also reflects these sensibilities with soothing colors, natural elements and a generally warm and inviting appearance.

This style was made popular by TV celebrity couple Chip and Joanna Gaines, and now there are many types of farmhouse decor. While farmhouse decor reflects country life, it is by no means dated; in fact, you’ll find that modern farmhouse decor is quite elegant in its own way.

To understand what this means, lets take a look at some of the identifying features of farmhouse style, which’ll give you a better idea of why this style is so popular today.

Characteristics of Farmhouse Style

• Everything in farmhouse style is quite hardy and durable – it doesn’t have anything delicate
• Practicality is given priority over being attractive
• The heart of the farmhouse style is the kitchen, which is often a large open space
• The colors are mostly neutral and on the lighter side
• Farmhouse style often features furniture painted in light colors
• Many of the items have a worn out, lived in appearance
• Natural materials are used a lot, like wood, wicker, jute
• In many farmhouse styles, there is an unfinished appearance, like visible wooden beams or exposed brick

8 Ways to bring the Farmhouse Style to your Space

1. Keep things Light

One of the main things to remember in farmhouse style is that light colors are key. Dark colors simply don’t give out that warm, inviting feeling that light colors do. Even furniture is in light woods like pine, oak or rubberwood. Colors like beige, cream, grey, tan and white are the most popular. If you want to include a bright color, use it very sparingly, like in a bunch of flowers or an art print.

2. Mix – don’t Match

The farmhouse style is supposed to be rustic – which means it should look like you’ve gathered the pieces over time into a curated collection. Avoid matching sets; instead, get individual pieces from different stores. It’s great if you can mix in an old dresser or chair for that old world charm. Mix up all kinds of textures and materials for that collected look.

3. Install a Blackboard

This is one of the most identifying features of farmhouse style, and you’ll often find boards saying ‘Farmhouse’ or ‘Bakery’ in kitchens. You can either get a ready made sign or make one yourself using a large black board. You can use it in the kitchen or dining area for a fun addition to an otherwise muted decor style.

4. Incorporate more Wood

Wood is a primary feature in farmhouse style, and make sure to include more of it than other materials. It is hardy, warm and versatile. You can use it in furniture, of course, but there are other interesting ways to include wood like a distressed frame, candle sticks or a sign board. Wood that has an unfinished look is more appealing in this style.

5. Bring Nature Indoors

This style is very much in touch with nature, so include natural elements throughout the space. When bringing home plants, avoid tropical plants like monstera and opt for branches like eucalyptus. Use natural fabrics too, like jute, twine, burlap and linen. These are great for creating that earthy, grounded look and are also practical to maintain.

6. Install Open Shelving

Open shelves are great for casual styles like boho and farmhouse, and they’re also an ideal way to display your knickknacks. In the farmhouse style, use the shelves for practical purposes like holding crockery or glasses. These shelves work well in every room of the house, and look great with exposed iron brackets.

7. Use lots of Baskets

Baskets are the perfect way to organize your things in farmhouse style while also adding to the look of the space. You can use baskets made of twine, jute or iron. You can also use wooden crates for a truly rustic look. Keep baskets all over the house, in the kitchen, bathroom, kids room and living room. You can also hang them on the wall.

8. Check out Flea Markets

The best place to get farmhouse decor are flea markets. Not only will you find items that fit with the aesthetic of the place, you’ll also get things that embody the true spirit of this style – old, vintage items that have lots of stories to tell. Look for old wooden furniture as well as kettles, ladders, coffee grinders or cute tea towels.

One common way people get the farmhouse style wrong is by going overboard with the whole rustic theme. Too many wooden sign boards or fruit paintings or enamel watering cans is overkill – one of each is enough! Also, don’t try too hard to drive home the fact that it’s farmhouse, like putting up pictures of cows and barns all over the place.

This style is not a good idea if you prefer a space that’s more sophisticated and glamorous, or if you like a lot of bright colors. However, if you prefer toned down neutrals, a casual vibe and the charm of a country-side kitchen, this is perfect for you. What’s more, this is an ideal style if you like to entertain family members often, and they’ll have fond memories of your space just like you have of Grandma’s!

This post is a part of the Blogchatter A2Z Blogging Challenge 2021.