For the past few decades, cities have been the focus of new trends and aesthetic perspectives. But as housing prices skyrocket and millennials increasingly become known as the generation with a love for the great outdoors, rural retreats have come back in style. This time around, the “modern farmhouse” is becoming a testing ground for chic, of-the-moment interiors in totally unexpected places.
What is a ‘Modern Farmhouse’?
So, what exactly is the modern farmhouse? While many may actually be stationed on working agricultural land, the term today refers broadly to rural homes that blend the appeal of strong, utilitarian craftsmanship with the bright, airy nature of the land surrounding them.
In fact HGTV says that the word “farmhouse” refers to their function, as farm and ranch homes, and not so much their style. With such a broad range of influences from quaint New England farms to expansive, Western ranches, let’s take a look at some essentials and ideas for turning any home’s living spaces into a modern farmhouse interior.
Rustic Details With Contemporary Finishes
A modern farmhouse may be pared back and down to earth, but it’s all about the details that create a sense of visual warmth.
Think of fixtures that have a certain tactile, almost historic quality to them, but blended with modern and contemporary color palettes that err on the minimal side. If you’re starting off with one project, consider using rustic, handcrafted cabinet pulls throughout your kitchen.
Strong & Sturdy Materials
Great farmhouses were built to withstand the elements, whether those elements included tornadoes, heavy rains, or droughts. So, it makes sense that materials used within these homes would emulate their rough exteriors.
Today, you can capture those types of textures by choosing strong, sturdy materials to give your farmhouse interior a sense of permanence. Consider solid granite countertops to offset more rustic, turn-of-the-century details like wood floors, crown molding, and expansive picture windows. In terms of furnishings, look for more utilitarian pieces such as antique butcher’s blocks and wooden chairs with solid legs and minimal flourishes.
A Love for the Great Outdoors
Farmhouses were originally built to blend in effortlessly with their surrounding terrain. Whether that meant extra protection from the sun via covered porches or wide-open windows to view rolling fields, farmhouses have always had a great way of blending indoor and outdoor spaces.
You can capture this same look and feel at home by infusing some natural elements into those hard-to-define spaces. If you have an unused portico or porch, consider using it as an indoor/outdoor living space. Include lots of easy-to-care-for potted plants and succulents, too. They won’t just be aesthetically-pleasing. House plants can also help purify your home’s air.
Restrained Color Palette
In keeping with an emphasis on the great outdoors, farmhouses have traditionally been known for their restraint and modesty when it comes to wallpaper, paint, and overall color palettes. But that doesn’t mean your modern farmhouse has to be boring! Consider mixing and matching various textures. If you have an older bathroom with vintage fixtures like a clawfoot tub, take a more modern approach with a sleek, modern white tiles.
In kitchens, living spaces, and bedrooms, envision the full range of bright and airy tones you can use. To contrast with lush greens or vast fields outside, opt for soft off-whites like ecru or egg shell as base tones. Then, accent these spaces with muted pastels in upholstery and the natural tones of your wooden furniture.
Cozy and Functional Elements
Farmhouses are all about utility, but they also have some of the warmest, most unfussy interiors you could imagine. These days, you can infuse some international appeal into a modern farmhouse by following some of the aesthetic principles laid out in the Danish art of Hygge. Pronounced “huh-guh,” there isn’t really a defined English translation for this term. However, it roughly connotes coziness, specifically in terms of how a house fosters strong emotional bonds and a sense of hominess for everyone you live with.
To get infuse some Danish country “hygge” into your home, consider what may add that intangible sense of comfort and joy in any room. Start with an incredibly soft sofa, and arrange some chairs of varying textures around it like an armchair you can sink into along with a wooden accent chair.
Think about what makes everyone in your home comfortable, down to the most finite details like scented candles, a strategically placed hammock, plush blankets, and easily accessible shelving for everyone’s favorite coffee mugs.
Country Living in the 21st Century
So, there you have it! Modern farmhouses are all about comfort and quality time well-spent with those you love. No matter where you live, capture these cozy, warm vibes with the right materials and a love for personal, intangible details that make a house a home.
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About the Author:
Katie Tejada is a writer, editor, and former HR professional. She enjoys writing about events, travel, decorating trends, and innovations for the home, but also covers developments in HR, business communication, recruiting, and CRM solutions.
