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Farmhouse Style
Ok, I’m crazy about the farmhouse style that I see all over! I love it! As I looked through all the different photos I liked, I noticed some things that they all had in common with each other.
So after “analyzing” the photos, I came up with 8 elements that you can use to get that “Farmhouse Look!”
Farmhouse Rules
Okay, I know I didn’t mention any rules, but if you follow these, it will help to keep your look cohesive, calm and inviting.
Rule #1
Farmhouse style is all about simplicity. It’s about an old way of life and bringing the outdoors in, in such a way that creates a calming effect.
So, to have that calming effect, you need to keep it clean and clutter-free. The farmhouse style really is simple and inviting, not fussy. Keep items to a minimum.
Consider the size of space you are decorating in relation to the number of decor items you’re putting there.
The older country look had tons of knickknacks, lots of items, tons of bright colors and patterns in a room or a setting.
Think in simpler terms with a modern farmhouse look.
Lose the clutter and keep items that are well-used and that you absolutely love. (The bonus is less dusting and you don’t have to go out and buy all new furniture!)
Rule #2
Most farmhouse style is pretty neutral in color.
That doesn’t mean you can only use whites, creams, grays or beige. You should use accents colors that really add some charm but also keeps the colors cohesive, and complementary.
For example, if I wanted to create farmhouse style in a bathroom that was painted dark navy blue.
The first thing I would do would be to paint the bathroom a different, more neutral, color because the farmhouse look should be light, airy and all of that would be drowned out and lost with navy paint and wouldn’t have that calming effect of farmhouse style.
One of the best things about farmhouse style is that it doesn’t have to be “matchy-matchy”. You can use different colors or finishes of wood and different items and that’s just fine.
It’s really a mix of old and new and finding a calming balance between it all that you like.
Rule #3
Farmhouse style is inviting, warm, cozy, and all about comfort. A room that makes you want to sit down and put your feet up.
It’s welcoming, calming, inviting, airy, and simple.
You can use more traditional furniture or even more modern, contemporary, and industrial furniture and still make that farmhouse look.
The main thing is to keep it simple, clean, and comfortable with accent pieces that add to the farmhouse charm.
8 Elements to Achieve Farmhouse Style
Now on to the elements that you need to make that farmhouse style and pull everything together.
After looking at tons of photos and trying to analyze what I like about them, I came up with 8 elements that were all similar and that help keep your farmhouse style put together.
Now you don’t have to include all 8 elements, but when you do, it seems like there is a more balanced “farmhouse effect.”
You will have to be the judge of it, though, because farmhouse style is really about you; what you love, and what makes you happy.
You may like the more rustic farmhouse or more industrial/contemporary farmhouse or more modern.
Adding more of one element or not using one of the elements can completely change the look and feel of whatever you are decorating.
Element #1: Wood
In all the photos I looked at, wood was a huge factor.
Whether it was a table, bench, tray, shelf, mirror, or whatever… they used some kind of wood.
These don’t have to match finishes either. They can be dark, light, or even white.
This can also be bigger items like wood planked floors, shiplap walls, board and batten, and beadboard to name a few. One of my favorites is the sliding barn door!
Element #2: Metal
Most every photo I searched had some kind of metal in them.
This could be bar stools, chairs, galvanized buckets, metal hardware on shelves or doors, watering cans, windmill decor, knobs, hooks, clocks, or even black painted lanterns, but each photo had some kind of metal in it.
Element #3: Glass
Okay, glass is easy to decorate with certain lamps, bubble glass vessels, lights, mason jars, water pitchers, mirrors, ironstone items, stoneware, photo frames, bowls, etc.
Glass helps to soften the look of the farmhouse style and give it a softer side. It is also reminiscent of the “good old days” when we took the time to sit on the porch and sip lemonade with a friend.
Element #4: Soft
Soft means anything from soft couches, quilts, those cotton looking branches, flowers, pillows, blankets, throws, towels, washcloths, etc.
Adding something “soft” to your decor also softens the look of farmhouse style and makes it less industrial. It’s inviting, cozy, welcoming and always simple.
Having something “soft” adds another element of comfort in farmhouse style.
Element #5: Texture
Texture can be in many forms.
This can be a wicker basket, a metal basket, brick, shiplap, plank, chicken wire, cotton branches, a wreath or plant, or some accent item with a little depth and texture.
Texture gives it your decor an added element of interest.
Element #6: Words
These can be an antique sign or those more modern printed cute signs that you see all over, or it can be words on a pillow, a quote on the wall, or it can just be some letters by themselves.
Most farmhouse style has something that you can read.
Element #7: Green
Green brings an element of nature and calmness into our homes.
There are so many cute wreaths and plants that you can use with farmhouse style.
The farmhouse style is really about a simple way of life and bringing the outdoors inside.
Boxwood wreaths and plants are a favorite, but really any kind of green adds to the calming effect of bringing nature in.
Element #8: Old
Really anything that looks old or represents an old-time item like a clock that looks antique or a water pitcher that’s shaped like farmhouse style or really anything that adds “old charm” to whatever you are decorating.
I’ve seen old tables, benches, chairs, watering cans that look old, buckets, clocks, galvanized items, lamps, baskets, wood lanterns, etc.
Some people like more rustic-looking items with missing paint and some people like newer items that look a little antique.
The best part is that you can decide.
Here’s a great photo of all the elements we talked about.
There you have it!
Keep it simple, neutral in color, and comfortable and with a little planning or even just “shopping” around your own house, you can come up with these 8 elements, that when you put together, give your home that farmhouse style.
By using items that are wood, metal, glass, soft, texture, words, green, and old, you will be able to decorate like the “Farmhouse pros” in no time at all!
Happy Farmhouse Decorating!
Amy
