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According to the well-loved channel devoted to all things interior design, HGTV, there are three key principles everyone should bring to their home’s decor: function, mood, and personality.
It’s no wonder that farmhouse style interior design is so popular! It smoothly and stylishly incorporates all three.
The classic farmhouse style of the 20th century has been given a modern upgrade, bringing chic simplicity to an otherwise rustic look. This balance makes farmhouse style decor perfect for every home from the countryside to the big city.
Read on to find out some of our best tips and tricks to transform your home with farmhouse style design.
Keep It Simple and Practical
Farmhouse style decor is rooted in a history of practicality. We may associate farmhouse style interior design with cluttered, kitschy decor that covers the walls and shelves, but that is a product of more recent stylistic choices.
In an actual farmhouse, everything would need to serve a purpose and stand the test of time and heavy use. Dainty or easily breakable things don’t tend to fare well in houses full of kids and pets!
Instead, choose a few statement pieces that you absolutely love and use the rest of your space to display items you actually use. Find a balance between vintage or antique goods and sleek modern pieces. Overall, try not to overcrowd the walls or shelves.
Because the modern farmhouse look is so simple, it’s a great choice for developers who want to stage a house to increase their asking price. Design firms like Anna Design can tackle the look for you to create the house of your buyer’s dreams!
Make It Natural
Don’t give your farmhouse style home an over-organized or over-calculated appearance. This can detract from the casual and open mood this style strives to achieve.
And for those of you who love a place for everything and everything in its place, don’t worry! You can still come up with a master plan for your design and execute it to a T, as long as it looks natural.
To do this, think asymmetry. If your armchairs and couch create a perfect U-shape, counter that mirrored effect with a gallery wall or a standing lamp that will throw off the perfect balance without disturbing the harmony.
Or, play around with thrifted, tastefully mismatched furniture. Maybe you surround your dining room table with mismatched chairs or pair two armchairs with different upholstery. Find a way to play with texture and color that breaks up the uniformity of the space but doesn’t create visual cacophony.
Use Organic Materials
Organic materials are a must in farmhouse styled homes. That means wood along with touches wrought iron, granite, and porcelain!
Reclaimed wood or shiplap can create the perfect accent wall that gives your home a rustic vibe. If your home is carpeted, consider pulling up the carpeting and letting those wood floors shine!
If you’re worried all of that wood is going to make the space too dark, consider using a light-colored stain or even white or light grey paint to tone down the darkness. A great way to lighten your walls without hiding the beautiful wood is to use a dry brush technique to create a nice highlight.
Before you go crazy with natural materials, decide which elements of your design are going to be rustic and which elements are going to be modern. If you go too far with the wood, you’re going to end up living in what looks like a log cabin! If you go too heavy on the granite and porcelain, you may end up with a design that looks far more classic and Grecian than southern American!
Stick with natural textiles, too. For example, use burlap dishtowels in the kitchen and 100% cotton bedding in the bedroom!
Bring in Touches of an Authentic Barn Feel
To really turn up the charm, bring in pieces and fixtures that are barn-inspired!
Switch out your dining room chandelier for antique-style lanterns. Install a large, basin-shaped porcelain sink in the kitchen. Divide the common areas, like the dining room and living room, with beautiful, sliding barn doors.
These hand-selected pieces will add authenticity and personality to the whole space!
Don’t Forget the Modern Feel in Your Farmhouse Style Design
Modern design is all about straight, clean lines and bold colors to draw the eye in a neutral-toned space.
What modern and farmhouse style design both have in common is openness and light! Amplify the natural light in your home by taking down curtains and drapes and letting the sun fill every corner.
If you’re not sure what to do with all that open space, fill it with plants! You can even play with the union of modern and farmhouse styles by mixing and matching rustic planters like vintage watering cans with modern planters that are bold colored and geometric in shape.
Keep the farmhouse style patterns like floral and gingham in the small details and lean into a more minimalistic style in your decor. This will keep you out of the realm of “kitsch” and firmly planted in “chic.”
Have Fun With Your Farmhouse Style Decorating
No matter the style you choose, whether it’s farmhouse style, Scandinavian style, or mid-century modern, the key is to have fun with your interior design. Keep practicality, mood, and personality in mind as you create a space that is as unique as you are!
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