A Guide to Farmhouse Style

Whether you’re working with a designer or tackling a decorating project on your own, having a solid grasp of your favorite style can be a big help. If the look you love most embraces practical simplicity with a bit of modern flair and a dash of rustic charm, farmhouse style may be right up your alley. Read on for the need-to-know details about this popular style, including key elements, color palettes, furniture and accessories.

What is Farmhouse Style?

Farmhouse style, as it’s expressed today, nods to the satisfying simplicity of regional, rural architecture while embracing modern comforts. Hardworking furnishings and natural textiles are invitingly down-to-earth, creating a look that’s easy (and practical) to live with, no matter which end of the rustic-to-modern spectrum your interpretation of the look lands on.

Farmhouse style is:

• Utilitarian. At its core, this is a practical style, both in form and function. Furniture and textiles are chosen for their ability to stand up to frequent use while looking good.
• Simple. Furniture and accessories share a clean, pared-back aesthetic. Think of Shaker peg rails, ladder-back chairs and whitewashed walls.
• Imperfect. Farmhouse style finds the beauty in imperfection — worn floorboards, weathered metal and antiques with a hardworking history have a place here.

Farmhouse style is not:

• Fussy. Ornamentation is simple and carefully chosen. Ruffles and pompoms and fringe are too much; a bit of hemstitching would be just right.
• All new. Farmhouse style today does not mean living in a museum of antiques — but if every single thing in a space was shiny and new, that would not feel quite right either.
• Cluttered. You won’t find rooms choked with furniture and decorations in a farmhouse. Breathing space is given priority, and functional objects tend to do double duty as decorative accents.

What About Modern Farmhouse Style?

When we talk about farmhouse style in this context, we’re really talking about modern farmhouse style — to attempt to re-create a historically accurate farmhouse would be a different undertaking altogether. So the real question becomes, how modern is your interpretation of farmhouse style? And for that question, there is no right or wrong answer: Whether the pieces you choose are old or new, the important part is that they share the same utilitarian, simple aesthetic.

Key Element: Wall Paneling

Wall paneling is sometimes uncovered during renovations of older homes, but your home doesn’t have to have this original feature to benefit from its timeless farmhouse appeal. In this kitchen from Davenport Designs, shiplap paneling adds architectural interest and sets the farmhouse tone. Tongue-and-groove and beadboard paneling are also good options for farmhouse-style interiors.

Key Element: Natural Colors and Textures

Farmhouses tend toward simple, natural color palettes. White is a popular choice for both interiors and exteriors (made especially crisp with black trim), but it’s not the only option. Look to the landscape for inspiration: golden wheat, pale straw, earthy browns, and natural blues and greens are welcome choices. Natural materials and textures also look right at home in a farmhouse — think of sturdy wood furniture, nubby natural-fiber rugs and finely textured linen.

Great colors for farmhouse-style spaces:

Warm neutrals:  Buttermilk, camel, cream, straw, wheat

Cool neutrals:  Gray, greige, khaki, stone

Natural blues and greens:  Duck egg blue, robin egg blue, Wedgwood blue, sage

Spicy hues:  Cinnamon, saffron, pumpkin, chile pepper, baked apple

Earth tones:  Chestnut, mushroom, umber, sepia

Design Detail: Sliding Barn Doors

While originally used only on (wait for it …) barns, barn doors used inside the house have an undeniable rustic appeal. If you decide to install a barn door, keep in mind that they do not provide complete privacy, making them a better choice for pantries, laundry rooms and public spaces than bedrooms and bathrooms.

Key Element: Hardworking Furniture

Pieces are minimally embellished with strong, simple lines. Think of updated Windsor chairs (as seen here), industrial metal stools, antique farm tables and wooden chests, and classic iron or four-poster beds. Upholstery tends toward solid hues in natural, neutral colors. Patterns take a backseat to texture. When they do appear, they lean classic: big buffalo checks, stripes and stylized florals.

Finishing Touches: Details With History

Farmhouse style is refreshingly uncomplicated and has a homespun charm that instantly puts you at ease. Decorative flourishes are chosen carefully, often with a nod to history and handcraft traditions.

Accessories for farmhouse style spaces:

• Quilts, either traditional or with modern designs
• Artwork featuring rural and natural themes
• Industrial or barn-style lights
• Grain-sack textiles
• Enamelware and ironware
• Woven baskets

Farmhouse Kitchen Design

Homey, welcoming, clean and open, a farmhouse-style kitchen is easy to love. And because it walks the line between old and new, traditional and modern, a farmhouse-style kitchen also can make a graceful compromise for couples with conflicting design sensibilities.

Features of farmhouse style kitchens:

• Apron-front sink. The classic farmhouse sink is generously sized and paired with a traditional bridge or gooseneck faucet.
• Simple hardware. Bin pulls, latching hardware and simple wooden knobs strike the right note.
• Natural wood. Wide plank floors, exposed beams, butcher block and farm tables bring a welcome warmth.
• Freestanding furniture. Freestanding cabinets, islands and appliances, rather than built-ins, give a farmhouse kitchen a lived-in look.
• Open shelving. Display everyday essentials that are both useful and beautiful.

Farmhouse Bathroom Design

A farmhouse-style bathroom feels more like a real room. To create this effect, consider using a freestanding or claw-foot tub, wall paneling, a warm wood vanity and a cozy rug. Industrial or barn-inspired lighting and classic fixtures pull it all together.