Happpppy Monday! Are we rising and shining yet?? I hope you all had a happy and restful weekend. It was a busy one around here. We actually worked all weekend on the wall of doom in our kitchen. And I’m happy to say we made HUGE progress. I can’t wait to share an update on that, but today I’m talking about how to get farmhouse style decor in your home. I was actually reviewing some of my most popular content here the other day and came across the post 10 ways to get farmhouse style in your home, which was published on March 13th, 2016. Yep, today marks exactly one year since I wrote that post. Kinda crazy, right? It was fun to read it again and see that I’m still using all of the same tips in our home today. However, I have learned a few new things over this past year and my decor choices have continued to evolve. And after reading that old post I realized I have several new tips to add if you’re going for that farmhouse look, so that’s what is on the agenda today my friends!
What is farmhouse style anyway?
Before I jump into my tips, I want to take a minute to clarify what farmhouse style decor is in the first place. It seems a bit tricky to define, and everyone has a different take on it, but in my personal view farmhouse style draws on a connection to history. It’s simple, primitive, and welcoming. It’s full of warmth and neutral tones that are calming and peaceful. Chalkboards. Antiques. Natural wood and chippy furniture. It’s a cold glass of sweet tea on a hot summer day and old jars full of flour and sugar on the kitchen counter. Fresh daisies on the dining room table and old books with frayed and tattered covers. It’s about handmade quilts and comfort. It’s not flashy or pretentious, but rather cozy and charming. All of these qualities make up my definition of farmhouse style. And to me, it’s about decorating my home in a way that feels calming and peaceful. Does that make sense? That feeling is everything folks.
So now that I’ve shared how I personally define farmhouse style, let’s move on to a few tips that will help you create that cozy look in your own home. Also be sure to check out my previous post on this topic for even more budget friendly ideas.
Avoid Large Amounts of Mass Produced Decor
I think this is one of the most important elements of farmhouse decor: avoid large amounts of mass produced, cutesy decor that does nothing to give your home personality or charm. Now, I realize saying this may ruffle a few feathers, but I’m not saying you can’t buy any of it. Heck, I buy my fair share of it too. It’s obviously not all bad, just be very selective in what you use to decorate your home if you’re aiming to create a cozy farmhouse look. One of the biggest changes in my style over the years has been the fact that I very rarely purchase that cutesy type decor sold at places like Hobby Lobby (even though I love Hobby Lobby!) You know what I’m talking about–the bears that say “home sweet home”, the small wooden sailboats, or mass produced artwork. Sure, it’s nice. But it lacks personality. Creating the farmhouse look is about giving your home heart and soul. Head to the antique store instead and look for something that speaks to you–something that is unique and has character.
Don’t Do Themed Rooms
Themed rooms. You know what I’m talking about. The kitchen is beach themed, the living room has a western theme, etc. Now let me tell you, I used to decorate this way. With our very first home, every room had a different theme/look/vibe. Honestly, at the time I thought it was awesome. I really did. But if you’re trying to get that classic farmhouse look in your home, I’d recommend not doing themed rooms. (Unless we’re talking about rooms for little ones, in which case I think it can totally work.) Your goal should be to create a sense of cohesiveness from room to room–so it flows in a very peaceful and calming way. You can take this one step further by painting your entire home, or large sections of your home, one color. I know, this probably seems drastic to some of you. But it’s very common in farmhouse style homes. For example, the entire upper level of our home is painted with Autumn Blonde by Sherwin Williams. All of the rooms in the basement are Merino Wool by Sherwin Williams. Not changing the color of the walls from room to room really does make a huge difference in the overall feel of your home.
Window & Door Trim
If you want a quick and affordable way to add personality and charm to your home, consider adding trim around your doors and windows. I know this probably sounds crazy, but it makes a HUGE difference. We recently added farmhouse style trim above our back door and I was seriously shocked at what an impact it made. So easy, only cost about $20, and the payoff is huge. This tutorial from Love Grows Wild will show you how to do it in a jiffy.
Use Faux Greenery and Lots of It
If you do a quick search on Pinterest for farmhouse style you’ll likely notice two things in many of the photos: lots of antiques and lots of faux greenery. Yep, just a $10 potted plant can bring so much coziness and warmth to any room. I’ve personally added a lot more greenery in the past year, and I think it really does make a big impact. I usually buy mine from Michael’s, but Amazon also has a great variety of greenery that’s all well-priced.
Unique & Collected Furniture
One thing I personally love about farmhouse style is that it’s not perfect. Rather, it’s a collection of mismatched furniture and treasures that have been gathered over a period of years. Our dining room is a good example of that–I have antique press–back chairs mixed with elegant tufted chairs, all sitting around a very rustic dining table. Nothing necessarily matches, I didn’t purchase it all in a set, but it flows together. My rule of thumb for mixing furniture and large pieces like this is that it all falls within the same color scheme. I typically mix natural wood tones with neutral colors freely and it usually works for a cozy farmhouse look.
Keep It Simple & Use Antiques
To me, farmhouse style is about simplicity. Over the past year especially I’ve learned more of what I love and I usually find myself drawn to simple, easy decor. Maybe that’s why I love vintage and antiques so much, I don’t have to do anything for it to make a statement. It’s just easy and relaxed. If you’re transitioning to a farmhouse style look, I’d encourage you to declutter, get rid of anything you don’t love, and simplify your decor.
I don’t think you have to live on a farm to get farmhouse style in your home–we certainly don’t. It’s really just about the overall feeling and personality of your home that defines your style. I also want to add that these tips are just my opinions and the way I personally decorate our home with farmhouse style in mind. I sometimes hesitate to share these type of posts because I never, ever want anyone to think I’m creating rules or saying this is THE way it has to be done. That’s never the case here. These are just my recommendations and take on farmhouse style. These tips will help you create a cozy and inviting home that embodies that farmhouse look, but as always your home should be a reflection of YOU and what you love. Create a home that makes you happy, that’s all that matters in the end anyway.
Thanks so much for dropping by today my friends, I hope you enjoyed this post. Now go make it a great week!!
Sources:
Black Distressed Coat Hanger: HERE
Apron: HERE
Faux Magnolia Wreath: HERE
Metal Chairs: HERE
Rustic Dining Table: HERE
White Chairs: thrifted find
Tufted Chairs: HERE
Wood Beaded Corinne Chandelier: HERE
Blue Villa Tripe Table Runner: HERE
Glass Cloche and Cement Base with Pedestal: HERE
Love Grows Best Sign: HERE
Paint Color: Autumn Blonde by Sherwin Williams
Love this post! Your home is so beautiful and warm. Thank you
Sarah, that was an excellent post and explanation of farmhouse style. Like you, my style has evolved over the years but the beautiful pieces I have been lucky enough to inherit from family have been the mainstays and basis for all my decor changes. Creating warmth and coziness are the two ingredients I think are the most important to develop the farmhouse look. I get fresh ideas whenever I read your posts and I also get a feeling of validation that my house looks pretty darn good!! ????
This has been the best and most helpful post ever. I love your home and decorating so much. My husband and i just retired and are moving into a much smaller place, so my daughter will be helping me de clutter before the move. I have a lot of unique antiques but WAY too many trinkets that will be going out!! I si much to achieve your clean farmhouse style. Many thanks for writing such great tips ????
Great post, I’m building a new farmhouse but want that old, vintage feel, so this definitely helps!
Yay, glad it could help Melissa!
Where is your beige living room chair from?
I do like how budget friendly farmhouse style decorating is. It really is so affordable. I found it so easy when I moved into my new apartment to use my grandmother’s mementos that were so special to me and my own artwork. Plus, that was free! I had an assortment of Memaw’s things, but I wasn’t sure how to use them. They were older items and special antiques. She had a telephone table that I remember being in her homes over the years, and my mom said it was bought in the early 1950s. I have it as one of my nightstands, which I love being able to do with it. The things that belonged to her are so special to me.
I think farmhouse style can bring these older things right out into the open in the home, which is a nice thing to think about. A lot of decorating styles don’t work with items like my grandmother’s, and though I wasn’t trying to replicate what she did, I do like her things around, with a blend of new things, thrift store finds, and things I made, too.
I call my apartment my cottage. It feels like a cottage. 🙂
Sarah, this post is awesome! I love your definition of farmhouse style. I am a interior decorator and lover of good vibes and I absolutely love the cozy vibe of farmhouse decor! BTW Your home is gorgeous!!!
Aw thank you so much Jamie, I really appreciate that!
I love how you explain everything. And with your help I feel I am getting the farmhouse style I love, thanks
Where is your beige living room chair from? With the nailhead trim? Thanks!
Hi Sarah
Thank you so very much for all your tips on Farmhouse style! This is my goal to turn our home into this. I do have a problem getting rid of all my Knick-knacks, but they are going! Lol..
My styling is constantly evolving too! Thanks for re-sharing this awesome post;)
Most of my furniture is very dark or oak. How do I incorporate farmhouse using those pieces. I have very few white or light colored pieces of furniture.