All About the Farmhouse Decor Trend in 2023!

What is Farmhouse Decor?

First, what is farmhouse décor? Yeah, we’ve said that it looks homey and rustic and uses wood. But what does it mean? 

A farmhouse is a building that’s located on a farm in the countryside. The design of the farmhouse changes from one country and region to another. In the US, farmhouses are rectangular with a central fireplace. A farmhouse is almost always built using local materials. 

The farmhouse décor is the same. It is made using wood sourced from the region and is hence, simple and cozy. You’ll notice neat lines with no modern swirls or complex patterns. The colors are earthy and neutral. 

The decorations are also minimal, with more emphasis on comfort and practicality. Farmhouse interiors look effortless, as if the owner has hardly spent any time choosing the furniture and showpieces.

Why is Farmhouse Decor so Popular?

Have you ever wondered why farmhouse décor is so popular? Not just in the US, but people in many countries have been turning to farmhouse décor to add the rustic vintage touch to their homes. 

• Farmhouse décor is inviting and soothing. Your home will feel like the best place on earth.
• It is versatile and can be combined with almost any other interior design, be it industrial, modern, or high-end.
• It is a family-friendly design. You don’t have to worry about pets and kids ruining expensive furniture. 
• People who love aged furniture or have lots of old chairs and tables lying around prefer farmhouse décor as it helps use the existing wooden furniture instead of investing in new ones.

When did Farmhouse Decor Become Popular?

Farmhouse décor has been around since the late 1990s. Of course, it didn’t start during this time, but interior designers started using the style of early American countryside homes in city houses around this time. They wanted to mimic the feeling of living in a classy country house but with modern amenities. 

Over the years, farmhouse style has gone through many changes. It has become more modern. It was given a feminine touch by designer Rachel Ashwell in 1989. She called it Shabby Chic, where she mixed floral accents with the classic farmhouse vintage furniture. The combination resulted in a warmer, lighter, and fresh design. However, the décor was still minimal and attractive. 

During the mid-2000s, the modern farmhouse décor started to gain popularity, thanks to home and garden TV shows. Antique showpieces, farmhouse sinks, old furniture, exposed beams, etc., were much in demand. 

In 2023, the trend is just as popular and is set to stay for a considerable time in the future. 

Why do People Love Rustic Farmhouse Decor?

Rustic is a term that is often used but is hard to pin down. To generalize, rustic décor contains natural elements like aged and organic wood, furniture, etc. It is easy on the eye and is the opposite of what people would call “stuffy”. The color scheme is monochrome and muted, with no bold shades or overwhelming patterns. 

People love rustic designs because

• It uses real wood from the region. 
• The theme is focused on creating a warm atmosphere. 
• The décor contains stone and rock along with wood. 
• It is strong and durable (as it’s made mostly of natural, earthy elements).
• The emphasis is on texture rather than patterns. 
• The layout is simple and requires minimum furniture. 
• The exposed beams automatically add charm to the house. 
• You can use jute, canvas, handmade quilts, rugs, cotton bedding, etc., in your home. 
• It’s a great way to use aged and antique furniture. 

What Color Decor Goes Well in a Farmhouse?

The farmhouse décor is all about whites, off-whites, creams, and grays. But there are so many shades in these colors that it can be overwhelming to choose the correct gray to highlight the whites. 

You need to choose shades that complement and highlight each other. And a splash of color is always good. A blue vase in a white and gray room will emphasize the beauty of the shades and draw attention to the overall color scheme. 

When it comes to choosing between lighter and darker shades of the same color, focus on the natural light that enters the room. For example, if your living room has great ventilation and natural light during the day, you can go for a darker shade of gray and still have a cheerful room. Otherwise, a lighter shade would be a better choice. 

Always get samples and do the patch test before going ahead and paint the entire room. It’ll save you quite a lot of effort and money. Random bits of golden, honey, and earthy browns will make your farmhouse décor even more charming. 

How do You Decorate a Living Room in a Rustic Farmhouse Style?

The following are some ways to decorate your living room in a rustic farmhouse style-

• Bring in seasonal colors as decorations.Use yellow, orange, and red shades during fall (you can use pumpkins as a decorative pieces). Try pastels and green in spring. The rest of the room can be in white and off-white.

• Invest in clay vases, preferably hand-painted for better effect. Use wildflowers instead of imported ones. 
• Use pebbles and smooth rocks as decorations. Even a bunch of feathers will do (though make sure no one in your home is allergic).
• Wicker baskets, dried cotton branches, a potted plant, etc., add to the rustic farmhouse design. 
• If you have a brown or earthy side table/ box/ crate, bring it into the living room. It’ll go very well with the white walls. 
• Stone fireplace or stone furniture is also a great addition to farmhouse décor. 
• You can use stone, wood, metal, and leather in the same room and still pull off the rustic farmhouse design with ease. 

What is the Difference Between Farmhouse and Cottage Style?

Many times, people tend to put the farmhouse décor and cottage style design in the same category. Though both offer the same cozy and warm effect, the two styles are different from each other. 

• The farmhouse style is not romantic and doesn’t have graceful lines like the cottage style does. It is also not feminine. In fact, the farmhouse style is more masculine in its theme. 
• While the cottage style highlights luxury and comfort, the farmhouse design is simplistic in nature. It is not luxurious but is comforting in a natural way. 
• The farmhouse style has monochromes with whites and grays. The cottage style uses softer colors like pastels. It also emphasizes the floral details, unlike the farmhouse décor. 

However, both styles use fewer decorations and focus on the emotional value of the items rather than the cost. 

What is the Difference Between Country and Farmhouse Decor?

Now, this is a lot more confusing than the previous one. As we mentioned earlier, the styles change from one region to another. The French Country house is totally different from the English Cottage and the American farmhouse (which is again different from the modern American farmhouse). 

Let’s look at some basic differences between the country and farmhouse décor. 

• The countryside style is softer (like the cottage style), while the farmhouse is more causal. 
• The country homes include a range of colors, while the farmhouse design is rather limited to a handful of them. 
• Though both homes use natural wood, the type of wood is different. Country homes use more oak as it can be stained in a range of colors. 
• While the farmhouse décor, especially the kitchens, reflects the local region, the country style is much broader in its approach. 

What is the Difference Between Traditional Farmhouse Decor and Modern Farmhouse Decor?

The main difference between a traditional farmhouse and a modern farmhouse is the use of other metals like stainless steel instead of iron, copper, and bronze, along with more sophistication. 

• The modern farmhouse takes the elements of comfort from the traditional one and adds its own touch of luxury and contemporary design. 
• Industrial objects like modern lights paired with sturdy teak tables and sleek chairs are another sign of a modern farmhouse. In the traditional décor, you will see old-style lamps and lanterns. 
• The modern farmhouse also has a minimalistic design. However, it has a contemporary vibe, while the traditional farmhouse has an earthy vibe. 

How to Add Farmhouse Decor to an Apartment?

Decorating an apartment in the farmhouse design needs more care because you have to work with limited space. Natural light will also be an issue when you live in an apartment. Here’s how you can redesign an apartment in the farmhouse style-

• Neutral colors are the best fit for the walls and curtains. 
• Add a splash of bright color in the form of a showpiece rather than as heavy furniture. 
• Bring in a plant or bunch of fresh flowers. 
• Functionality and furniture should go hand in hand. 
• Create a shelf for vintage showpieces and cutlery. 
• Quilts, handmade pillow covers, and throws are great on beds and couches. 
• Galvanized metal is a rage. Get a quirky showpiece that can be doubled up as a useful item (water can, bucket, etc.).
• Buy or make farmhouse-style curtains (with frills) for the windows. 

Checkout: 11 Vintage Garden Decoration Items for 2023!

Conclusion

If you are looking for authentic, high-quality, durable farmhouse décor for a budget-friendly price, check out The Reclaimed Farmhouse. Whether it is kitchen decorations, walls, showpieces, lighting, storage, or garden, you can find them all in one place. Redesign and decorate your home in the farmhouse style using natural items, that too without hurting your budget. Let your dream farmhouse interiors come true.