Farmhouse Design: Natural Simplicity

Farmhouse is a design style that has had a resurgence in popularity in the last 10 or so years thanks to designers like Joanna Gaines. It’s clean, comfy and classic, as well as warm and inviting. Farmhouse design brings the outdoors in with a lot of natural materials and practical items. It has an old fashioned appeal with a bit of a modern flair.

ORIGINS

Farmhouse design is rooted in history as far back as the 1700’s. Colonial families often built their homes themselves, as architects and builders were typically either reserved for the wealthy or hard to come by. That meant that these homes put practicality and function first, leaving frill and ornament out of the equation. The other factor is that tools and materials were sparse, so they were forced to use what was available to them including things like wood, iron and steel. When the railroads were built in the mid 19th century, that opened the door for more possibilities and allowed for more variation and personality within the style.

COLORS & TEXTURES

Color palettes of farmhouse interiors are comprised of either warm or cool neutrals. Creams, beiges, whites and grays are the most popular colors for the base of the scheme. Any other color can be used as accents, as long as its a more soft and muted tone. Nothing is bright or jarring to the eye; all colors are soft and toned down. Black is often used in various elements throughout the space to create visual interest and contrast.

Here is an example of a farmhouse friendly color palette:

Organic materials like stone, wood, wicker, rattan and sisal are popular choices as they all give a natural and practical feel. Layering these textures will give the space depth and contrast while still keeping the understated look that the farmhouse style is known for. Materials such as cotton, canvas, wool and chenille are often used, in subtle traditional patterns such as stripes or checkered. Feel free to mix and match these textures and materials to create even more visual interest.

FURNITURE & DECOR

Farmhouse furniture is often made of reclaimed materials such as wood and wrought iron. Sofas are big and comfy, usually in soft but durable fabrics. When it comes to accessories, less is more and vintage items reign supreme. Don’t over crowd your space with knick knacks; rather find a few pieces that work and call it a day.

Barn board or shiplap accent walls are often used and can be left natural, stained or painted white. Mix woods and metals (black accents are most popular) as you see fit but stick to no more than three metals per room. Light fixtures in black and/or antique brass are incredibly popular, with clean lines and little detail.

KITCHEN & BATHROOM

Farmhouse kitchens have distinctive characteristics; things like apron sinks, exposed beams, knotty wood floors and butcher block countertops. They can also take on more modern elements and still keep that character farmhouse style is known for. Bathrooms embrace neutral colors and natural wood accents in items like the vanity, mirror and decorative accents. Patterned tile is also a popular choice on the floor - just be sure to keep it subtle and not too bold or busy.

Here are some examples of farmhouse design in kitchens and bathrooms. As with all styles, you can take it in a number of directions while still maintaining the characteristics of the farmhouse style.

You can take farmhouse to a more modern space, or go the other direction towards rustic. You can mix in farmhouse elements with a more transitional style or more contemporary. That’s because these styles all have similar characteristics; they’re soft and muted, not cluttered or ornate, with an overall clean and comfy aesthetic.