Tired of looking at the same old furniture and decorations at home? There’s the couch that you’ve had for years since you got a good deal on it. The old table you had during school has one leg shorter than the others and something always falls off it when you bump into it. It’s time for a new look and one of the current trendy decorative styles that everyone’s trying to achieve is the farmhouse style. The style involves using elements of every room to create a warm and relaxing space as you would have in a real house on a farm.
What is farmhouse style?
Farmhouse style is all about the balance between old and new. It’s meant to evoke a feeling of stepping into a charming farmhouse even if someone hasn’t ever been in a farmhouse before. Simple and practical, farmhouse style puts a sophisticated, modern twist on country kitsch. It’s taking the charm of an old house on a farm without the tacky cat stitching hanging on the wall and making it modern.
It’s supposed to look like the evolution of a familiar country home over time kept in tune with nature that keeps the nostalgic items among modern elements to create a warm and cozy environment.
Why is farmhouse style so popular?
Farmhouse style is so popular because of its simplicity, practicality, and sophistication. The furniture and storage pieces in every room are the central pieces with everything else used an accent. The aesthetic is based on the various textures, colors, and natural elements of the items in the room, but nothing is just for show. Farmhouse style emphasizes that every piece in a room should be sturdy and practical just like anything else on a farm. Choosing pieces, then, must be done carefully, evaluating the aesthetic and the practicality of the item.
Common Elements of Farmhouse Style:
- Reclaimed wood
- Big, comfortable furniture
- Architectural salvage
- Vintage accessories
- Exposed wood beams
- Pine furniture
- Barnboard details
- Wrought iron accents
- Wide plank floors
How to Get the Farmhouse Style Look
Achieving the farmhouse style look involves consideration around the following throughout the decorating process:
- Choose a Neutral Palette
It’s all about simplicity and nothing is simpler than neutrals. Try to follow the 60-30-10 rule: white-warm earthy shades-bold accent color.
- Mix & Match Furniture
As with any decorating style, farmhouse style is all about matching, but not in the traditional sense of having identical patterns all over. It’s about having a main piece of furniture that includes the simple, wooden elements of a real farmhouse with two other pieces of modern furniture that don’t come in a set. The room should then be dressed with items like pillows and blankets made with natural material and match your color scheme.
- Find Industrial Elements
Before you rush off to the flea market or thrift store, remember that most decorative elements should be practical and able serve a purpose. That said, vintage farm machinery parts are quite popular decorations for farmhouse style. Other ideas include galvanized metal buckets, wooden mantles, and iron-inspired light fixtures.
