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Contemporary farmhouse design


25 Inspiring Modern Farmhouse Designs

Photographer: Tara Striano

When it comes to a modern farmhouse aesthetic, it's all about neutral hues, wood accents, and furniture with clean lines. Click through these designers' gorgeous takes on modern farmhouse living, and get inspired to experiment with this decor style in your own home.

Dominique Vorillon

1 of 25

Portola Valley, California

An all-white kitchen by Mark D. Sikes benefits from vintage kilim rugs and rustic wood accents. A custom ladder by Keith Kelleher of FMA and a white pendant light fixture add an inviting touch.

Photographer: Tara Striano

2 of 25

Watermill, New York

For a young Manhattan family, a weekend getaway in Watermill embodies a modern farmhouse aesthetic. In the dining room of the 1910 rustic home, vintage chairs in a Pierre Frey fabric are paired with a custom table. A sculptural, vintage light fixture adds contrast to the sliding barn door and gray wood flooring, reclaimed from a barn in Vermont.

Alun Callender

3 of 25

England

Interior design firm Sims Hilditch crafted a relaxing cottage-style property in an English village. The kitchen features a sleek island and exposed wood for visual interest.

Athena Calderone

4 of 25

Amagansett, New York

The Amagansett home of Athena Calderone, the creative force behind the popular lifestyle blog EyeSwoon, is a lesson in perfecting modern farmhouse style. A modern chandelier by Lindsey Adelman provides a sense of balance to the custom wood table, which is made of reclaimed timber.

Alyssa Rosenheck

5 of 25

Washington, DC

A traditional farmhouse served as the inspiration for this modern home in the Washington, DC, area. The light-filled space, which was designed by architect Piet Boon and designer Jennifer Schmidt, features clean lines and 12-foot ceilings. Pictured here is the office outfitted with a wooden stool and sleek desk.

Magnus Anesund

6 of 25

Sweden

In a Scandinavian cottage, the sleeping loft's bedside stool is from Åhléns, and the white linseed-oil paint on the walls is by Kulturhantverkarna Färg.

Jignesh Jhaveri

7 of 25

Udaipur, India

In the kitchen of this townhouse, a stone wall retains its original decorative openings; the baskets and brass serving dishes were found at a local market.

Simon Upton

8 of 25

Suffolk, England

In a guest room of an English country estate, a Victorian oak bed is draped in a Robert Allen velvet, and the Knole sofa is Victorian; above the custom silk wallcovering from Gainsborough, the walls are painted Slate III, and the doors in Slate V, by Paint & Paper Library.

Ricardo Labougle

9 of 25

Uruguay

In an Uruguayan home, the kitchen’s pendant light is leather, the ceiling beam is an old railroad track found in a nearby field and the flooring is tinted cement tile.

JEAN-FRANÇOIS JAUSSAUD

10 of 25

Florence

At the top of the tower of this Florence estate, with 360-degree views of the Apennine Mountains, a living room contains a vintage sofa and custom daybeds covered in fabrics by C&C Milano. The motorized shades are bamboo, and the cocktail and side tables are Miani designs.

Stephen Kent Johnson

11 of 25

Hudson Valley

With walls paneled in antiqued Tennessee pine, the library “is my husband’s sanctuary,” designer Cathryn Collins says, “although our guests love it, too.” A George Smith chair is draped in a C&C Milano linen and textiles from Pakistan, India, Indonesia, and Italy. The antique Italian bench is covered in a 16th-century tapestry fragment, the bookcase light is by Ann-Morris, and the 1929 pastel portrait is French.

William Abranowicz

12 of 25

Los Angeles

In the library of a California country home, the family’s dachshund, Spartacus, rests on one of a pair of armchairs from Obsolete covered in Ralph Lauren Home plaids; the oak table is from Lucca & Co., the early-20th-century leather armchair is English, the bookshelves and ladder are from Style de Vie, the Poul Henningsen artichoke lamp is from the 1960s, and the ceiling is clad in metal siding from Texas barns.

Richard Powers

13 of 25

Upstate NY

In this kitchen of this ranch home, a root table found at an upstate New York auction was fitted with a glass top, the Josef Hoffmann chairs are covered in a vintage Larsen fabric, the ceiling incorporates beams from a 19th-century Pennsylvania barn and the lights are by Isamu Noguchi. The cabinetry and countertops are by Bulthaup, the refrigerator is by Sub-Zero, the oven is by Miele, the sink fittings are by Grohe, the flooring is Cuban cement tile and the walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Linen White.

James Merrell

14 of 25

Bridgehampton

On the covered porch of a Bridgehampton farmhouse, the dining table and benches are of New Zealand teak, the rattan sofa by Bielecky Brothers has cushions in a Perennials fabric, and the pendant lights are from Circa Antiques; the walls are painted in White, the ceiling in Silver Gray, and the window frames and doors in Black, all by Fine Paints of Europe.

Richard Powers

15 of 25

Connecticut

In John Robshaw's home, the kitchen’s settee is by Richard Wrightman, the sinkfittings are by Newport Brass, the ceiling lights are by Restoration Hardware, the countertops are marble, and the custom dhurrie is by John Robshaw; the walls are painted in Rose Quartz and the cabinetry in Starry Night, both by Benjamin Moore.

William Abranowicz

16 of 25

Long Island, New York

The cabinetry inside this Hamptons potato barn, designed by the architectural firm Bates Masi + Architects, is made of blackened perforated steel.

Photography by Juan Rodrigues and Didier Delmas

17 of 25

Belgium

Once you step inside this converted 19th-century farmhouse by architect Vincent Van Duysen, you'll realize it's anything but conventional.

Photography By Ricardo Labougle / Produced By Anita Sarsidi

18 of 25

Tuscany

Interior designer Eric Egan received a commission to decorate a sprawling 10,000 square-foot 17th-century farmhouse on the border of Umbria and Tuscany in central Italy.

Kristoffer Johnsson

19 of 25

Bjare Peninsula, Sweden

Renovating an abandoned farmhouse in rural Sweden, a young couple furnished the bathroom with a vintage tub with fittings by Mora Armatur and tiled the floor with Carrara marble.

Photography by Jean-Francois Jaussaud/Luxproductions

20 of 25

Gothenburg, Sweden

When they purchased the 17th-century cottage in the early 1990s, the owners loved its coastal location in the countryside, and its classic, though cramped, layout. With time they added to the house, being careful to retain its charm while adapting it to 21st-century needs.

William Waldron

21 of 25

Woodstock, New York

A mica pendant by Huniford Collection hangs above a Regency table and an 18th-century chair in the entry of this previously derelict barn, rescued and transformed into an elegant retreat.

Miguel Flores-Vianna

22 of 25

Southern California

Inside this midcentury-style Laurel Canyon home, the kitchen features custom redwood cabinetry, a backsplash of penny tiles by Mission Tiles, an oven and dishwasher by Miele, and sink fittings by Vola.

Mikkel Vang

23 of 25

Bedford, New York

Though it had long outgrown its original use as a horse stable and a sheep barn, the owner of this carriage house retained as much of the rough stone structure as possible.

ABATON Architects

24 of 25

Cáceres, Spain

Before a gut renovation by Spanish architecture firm Ábaton, this minimalist cement-and-stone country home used to be a stable. Everything about the home was designed to be eco-friendly.

Produced by Anita Sarsidi; photography by William Waldron

25 of 25

Sagaponack, New York

The greatest compliment from friends is that "it looks as though we've been here forever," says the owner of this preserved 19th-century farmhouse on eastern Long Island.

All About Modern Farmhouse Style

Traditional design offering comfortable, inviting spaces with a modern touch

By

Lauren Flanagan

Lauren Flanagan

Lauren Flanagan is an interior design expert with over 15 years of experience writing, editing, and producing articles for renowned Canadian publications and shows for HGTV on home decor. She worked in high-end home decor retail before discovering her passion was to share what she knew in publications and on television.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 12/06/22

The Spruce / Marty Baldwin

Comfy, cozy, and full of charm, modern farmhouse is not going out of style anytime soon. Designers like Joanna Gaines of "Fixer Upper" have showcased this chic style in all its comforting glory, and people are flocking to the look. In many ways, it grew as a response to the minimalist trend that was popular in the 1990s and early 2000s. Modern farmhouse design allows people to embrace tradition and surround themselves with decor that makes them feel good—but with a modern twist reflective of the times. 

If you want to get the modern farmhouse look, here's what you need to know.

What Is Modern Farmhouse Style?

Modern farmhouse design evokes feelings of warmth and comfort. It's traditional without being fussy, classic without being like a museum, and comfortable in a way that makes you want to put your feet up and stay a while.

While classic farmhouse style evokes homesteads with plenty of vintage furnishings and traditional fabrics, modern farmhouse style is a bit less rustic and adds more contemporary touches, such as a neutral color scheme and smooth lines. Modern farmhouse is all about mixing comfortable furniture with salvaged materials, such as reclaimed wood. 

Antiques are right at home in modern farmhouse interiors, though they shouldn't be too delicate to touch. Everything should be tactile and tangible. Most of all, modern farmhouse style is cozy without being cluttered.

KG Designs

Common Elements of Modern Farmhouse Style

In every modern farmhouse home, you'll find some combination of these decor elements:

  • Reclaimed wood
  • Barnboard details 
  • Big comfortable furniture
  • Architectural salvage
  • Pine furniture
  • Wrought iron accents
  • Wide plank floors
  • Vintage accessories

The Spruce / Marty Baldwin

Rebecca Rollins

Get the Modern Farmhouse Look

The key to achieving a modern farmhouse interior and exterior is all about comfort. Furniture should invite you to sit down, and nothing should look as though it's too fragile to touch. There's a down-home feeling in modern farmhouse decor that should invite a sense of laughter and fun.

  • Start with a color palette of warm or cool neutrals (cream, beige, silver, sage, and gray all work well), and then layer in some natural wood tones. Look for salvaged woods that have some wear and tear whenever possible. Scratches, knots, and nicks add to the authenticity of the look.
  • Feel free to use colors you're fond of as accent pieces. But to stay true to the look, try to keep the overall color scheme neutral with light colors. Contrasting black elements can add a bit of edge.
  • Use a variety of textures to give the look some depth. Mix woods and metals. And combine fabrics, such as cotton, canvas, wool, chenille, or whatever else you like. Because modern farmhouse style is largely made up of neutral colors, you'll need a mix of textures to keep the space from looking flat. For example, in a modern farmhouse living room, you could add texture with upholstered furniture, pillows, curtains, and even wall art made of wood or metal.
  • Layer in some mixed metals by way of light fixtures, hardware, and architectural details like railings. As a general rule, it's best to use no more than three metals per room. For instance, in a modern farmhouse kitchen, you might have complementary metals on your appliances, cabinet hardware, and lighting.
  • Use organic materials to keep the space feeling as though it's connected to the outdoors. Wood floors and architectural details are best, but also consider introducing stone, wicker, rattan, sisal, and other natural materials wherever it makes sense.
  • Accessories are an important element, but under no circumstances should you overdo it and try to squeeze in too many. A few well-placed accessories that are given room to breathe are all you need to complete the look.

The Spruce / Marty Baldwin

Modern Farmhouse Interiors vs. Exteriors

A modern farmhouse exterior often has some combination of the following elements:

  • White paint (can be painted brick, siding, etc. )
  • Potentially board and batten or x-shaped trim that's reminiscent of barns
  • Simple front door—often a double door and/or a door with windows or sidelights to let in extra natural light—that's commonly stained wood or painted in a subtle color
  • A black, gray, or metal roof
  • Not overly ornate trim
  • Potentially shutters
  • A simple rectangular structure, possibly with additions that are also rectangular
  • A large front covered porch
  • Many windows
  • Modern versions of rustic lighting, such as a streamlined lantern
  • Neat and simple landscaping

The modern farmhouse exterior complements the modern farmhouse interior in several ways. For one, the windows let in lots of natural light to make the interior feel bright, inviting, and comfortable. The simplicity of the exterior also sets the tone that the house isn't too fussy or stuffy, which is carried through inside with the uncomplicated modern farmhouse decor. And the typically large front porches—or wraparound porches—show that the home is a place to gather. Plus, the clean lines of the exterior also complement the uncluttered nature of the interior, which helps to modernize the whole look.

PC Photography / Getty Images

Amber Pierce Designs

PC Photography / Getty Images

Andrea Davis / Unsplash

How Modern Farmhouse Compares to Other Styles

Modern farmhouse is similar to country style. However, while country tends to lean a little toward kitschy, modern farmhouse retains a certain level of sophistication. Country also relies heavily on accessories while modern farmhouse keeps them to a minimum.

Industrial farmhouse style has become an offshoot of modern farmhouse. As its name suggests, it draws inspiration both from farmhouse and industrial styles. Industrial style by itself plays up raw architectural elements, including metals, wood, bricks, glass, and concrete. And it uses relatively dark neutral tones.

The main difference between modern farmhouse and industrial farmhouse is that the industrial version tends to use darker finishes, mixed metals, and live-edge wood. Modern farmhouse, on the other hand, tends to be whiter and brighter.

FAQ

  • Cozy, contemporary, clean, simple, rustic, and comforting; these words encompass the modern farmhouse style. Expect to see neutral colors, reclaimed wood, shiplap, and big comfy furniture.

  • Modern farmhouse style is similar to country style but uses white or light neutral colors with a cleaner, more contemporary look, while country style includes bright and pastel colors, and floral or gingham patterns. Both styles use reclaimed wood, pottery, metals, and baskets in their decor.

  • Neutral colors, including whites, are used on the walls in the modern farmhouse look. Other colors include grays, beige, greige, tans, blues, and greens.

Interior of a cottage or a country house: 70 photos, design ideas

The interior of the cottage should be as comfortable and cozy as possible so that its residents can really relax and take a break from the noise and everyday life outside the city. The possibility of arranging a large area, the presence of high ceilings, as well as proximity to natural beauties - all this contributes to the use of a creative approach to creating a truly ergonomic space. To decorate the interior of a cottage or a country house, you need to follow a number of recommendations, which we will discuss below.

What designers advise

If the interiors of apartments in the city do not always depend on the features of the building, then the design of private houses will depend directly on the design of the building. For example, an Art Nouveau design is unlikely to look harmonious inside a wooden frame with traditional elements. In other words, the first recommendation is to maintain harmony between the interior and exterior of a country house.

As for the interior design of the room, we can say about the following nuances:

- Choose a single style for interior design;
- Provide the required color scheme;
- Choose high-quality modern finishing materials;
- Choose pieces of furniture that match the style;
- Make good use of decorative elements and artificial lighting.

All these factors must be taken into account in order to create a beautiful cottage interior.

Colors

When decorating any interior, including a country house, it is important to choose the right color solutions. The wrong palette can make you feel bad and reduce productivity. Of course, it all depends on individual preferences, but there are general patterns.

Furnishing a private house involves the use of several basic (more than four) shades of those colors that seem most attractive to the owner. But only one color should prevail for decorating the walls. It is recommended to give preference to neutral calm tones, while colorful shades should be used as accents. Remember that in a cozy cottage there is no need for excessive variegation, but it all depends on the style you choose, so there may be various color options.

One way to create an original interior is to combine smooth and embossed surfaces with different textures. In such a situation, even a monochromatic design looks contrasting and attractive.

Keep in mind that even just one textured detail can significantly enliven the space. For example, in a Scandinavian-style house, you can combine discreet curtains made of plain fabric and the same furniture upholstery with wicker chairs, large-knit covers, etc.

Furniture

In cottages or country houses it is better not to clutter up the space with a lot of furniture. Moreover, modern trends dictate the fashion for minimalism. This is especially true for small houses, where it is best to pick up multifunctional pieces of furniture, possibly folding ones. In spacious country houses, large-sized furniture looks better.

It must be remembered that the combination of large objects and small details will look the most harmonious. If you place exceptionally large structures in rooms, they will not be perceived expressively. But too many small elements will sooner or later begin to annoy the residents and guests of the house.

Lighting

Luminaires are selected based on their appearance. It is important that during the day they fit into the overall style. Depending on the background, chandeliers, floor lamps or sconces are selected, they can be dark, light, golden - the main thing is that the atmosphere of a country house is stylistically coherent.

It is important to choose a lampshade wisely, so decide in advance which style you prefer - country, classic or minimalist. In large rooms, it is recommended to install large chandeliers, and for small rooms, compact lamps are more suitable.

Country house interior style

In country cottages, you can embody any design delights. However, in addition to fashion trends, be sure to take into account the individual preferences of the owners of the house. Consider the main characteristics of the most popular styles for interior design of cottages: country, provence, chalet, as well as Scandinavian and modern style.

Country cottage

This style will suit lovers of rustic romance and family traditions. Country is the best option for owners of wooden houses.

Modern materials such as metal, glass or plastic are unacceptable in such interiors. For decoration, they often use wallpaper with floral motifs or stripes, decorative plaster or stone, imitation of a wooden beam.

Color solutions should be as natural as possible. For the living room, the main focus can be a fireplace, it is recommended to choose furniture that is not high. In the kitchen, put an old sideboard with shelves, a massive wooden table, linen or chintz curtains, and painted dishes.

Provence style cottage

This style is considered the ideal solution for creating a cozy countryside atmosphere. Mandatory attributes of the Provence style are considered to be the use of natural materials and floral motifs.

This fashionable French trend assumes an important role for furniture and decorative elements. Choose solid furniture, perhaps vintage or aged. It is best if it is in light shades.

As for decor, wicker elements, vases with lavender, porcelain and baskets look good in Provence style interiors. All this brings a unique atmosphere to the house and makes staying in it comfortable, which is very important for cottages or suburban buildings.

Chalet-style cottage

For wooden cottages, the chalet style is also suitable, which will create a fabulous cozy interior with minimal decoration. As a rule, the floor and ceiling in such buildings are wooden, and the ceiling beams remain visible.

The main characteristics of the style are conciseness, the use of natural materials with a minimum of processing, as well as environmental friendliness. A mandatory detail is the fireplace, which occupies a central place in the living room.

The decor includes the use of wool, leather and fur skins. Household appliances in the kitchen are hidden behind cabinets so that the atmosphere of antiquity is preserved in the house. As a chandelier, plafonds made in the shape of a candle are ideal.

Scandinavian style cottage

This direction is distinguished by restraint, minimal inclusion of decor and the use of high-quality natural materials. If you do not want to spend a lot of money on home improvement, but prefer modern trends and want to create a spacious, bright interior, pay attention to the Scandinavian style.

It is enough to level the walls in the house and choose a neutral background - most often it is just white paint. Wood is used as decoration. If necessary, the interior can be bright accents.

As for the furniture, it should be soft and comfortable, but the shape should be as simple as possible. In the Scandinavian style, natural wood is welcome. You can dilute the strict atmosphere with the help of pleasant little things, for example, unusual curtains or plants in a flower pot.

Modern style cottage

Interiors decorated in a modern style often use furniture made of inexpensive materials - wood, glass, plastic. However, it is important to choose all items carefully so that they are reliable. In practice, the modern style is suitable for those who are used to changing the interior of a country house every few years.

Designers advise to avoid any decorative elements, then the space will remain light and airy, nothing will interfere with the residents and distract them. The ceiling is often left concrete, and the floor is made of neutral-colored sanded boards, laminate with a simple texture. Spotlights are installed in the rooms.

Cottage or country house interior - photo

No matter what style is chosen for the interior design of the cottage, comfort and a cozy atmosphere are the main elements. For those who are engaged in arranging their own home from scratch, it can be difficult to decide on the choice of color palette, finishing materials, furniture and accessories. Therefore, we recommend that you look at how various country houses look in reality. Get inspired by our selection of photos and experiment!

Modern house interior design > 780 photos of cottage interiors

The evolution of comfort

The interior of a modern country house is very different from the one that existed several centuries ago. Furniture and other interior items are now perceived as usual and ordinary, but before that it was an unaffordable luxury. Few people had chairs and tables, and only very wealthy landowners could afford wardrobes and beds. The usual furnishings consisted of benches and chests, which served both for storing things and for sleeping.

At the present time, the interiors of country houses can be furnished with the most incredible furniture - transformable, modular, combinable, plastic and inflatable.

All this has become possible with the advent of new styles and new technologies.

Minimalism

Minimalist interior is:

  • ingenious simplicity, refinement and elegance,
  • refusal from excessive consumption and excesses,
  • expansion of free space by reducing the amount of furniture,
  • decor is practically absent, all design elements are functional,
  • simple materials are used - plaster, wood, textiles, an important condition for materials is environmental friendliness,
  • kitchen: straight lines, utensils and appliances are out of sight, the living room creates a single space with the dining room.

Country

  • common name for country style in different countries: French Provence, American ranch, Mediterranean house, Scandinavian cottage,
  • escape from urbanization, from the stone jungle closer to nature and home comfort,
  • rough simplicity, natural materials - stone, wood, in textiles - chintz, linen in "cheerful" colors,
  • such an interior seems to be created for the modern design of a country house or cottage.

Japanese (Chinese) style

Features of the Japanese style in interior design: