Farmhouse design elements


5 Key Elements For A Modern Farmhouse Design

An elegant and sophisticated farmhouse design is a beautiful way to add character, warmth, and charm to building a brand new custom home. A modern farmhouse’s key elements are clean lines with an industrial twist that features open floor plans and soaring ceilings. Let's explore some of these key elements that make up a modern farmhouse design.

1.    Start With Clean Lines & Simple Design

The first modern farmhouse element to steal from the pros is clean, simple lines that accentuate an open floor plan. Common architectural features of modern farmhouse style homes include A-shaped or gable roofs, lots of windows, a large covered porch, carriage style garage doors, and vaulted ceilings in key areas that bring a sense of drama or grandeur to the interior.

To achieve the modern farmhouse look, start with stark exterior contrasts such as bright white vertical siding with black accents. Black accents are commonly shown through window frames, doors, metal roofing, and barn style outdoor lighting that bring the modern design features to the forefront.

When you create a home with clean and simple lines, you'll have spacious rooms with lots of natural light. This architectural style will naturally make your home more inviting and welcoming to guests while creating a space that's uniquely you.

2.    Incorporate Reclaimed Wood & Exposed Rustic Beams

If you're looking for a new home with more character, the modern farmhouse design adds a level of sophistication without being too over-the-top. This style uses wide plank wood for your flooring and exposed beams on your ceilings to create an atmosphere of warmth and coziness. Bring out the character of your home by finding reclaimed wood that produces a palette both above and below.

Picture walking into an old farmhouse with the rafters above all exposed, the floor below scattered with hay. The modern farmhouse captures the essence of the nostalgic feel of an old farmhouse, with modern upgrades. It's more than just design; it infuses character in each room so you can enjoy your space every day without the area feeling monotonous.

3.    Create A Focal Point

To create a modern farmhouse design, homeowners should highlight a focal point such as a fireplace or oversized kitchen island to draw guests into the main space.

What are these attractive spaces that bring people together? Here are some ideas to get you started: 

-An oversized kitchen island with ample space for preparing meals and a large farmhouse sink. You can pull up a couple of barstools and invite guests to sit with you as a meal is pulled together.

-A communal wood dining table for eating and seating. Gathering around a table has always been a way to bond with friends and family.

-A cozy reading nook for a rainy day or any time you want some alone time. You can accomplish this with comfortable furniture that begs you to sit back and read a book, go through old family photos or just relax with your thoughts.

-Not just a fireplace, but a hearth invites warmth into the home. A fireplace is not only for winter but is enjoyed year-round to create ambiance and a glow that begs people to pull up a chair and stay awhile.

4.    Mix Modern Furniture With Rustic Vintage Pieces

The beauty of a modern farmhouse is that you are not stuck with one genre of décor. You want to perfectly curate a mix of different statement furniture pieces from a variety of sources. The right chairs and tables made from the right materials, like old wood or metal, can breathe new life into your home. For instance, if you're not sure what to do with that rustic wooden table in your basement, put it in the dining room and pair it with modern metal chairs. This will give your home a balanced feel where one style is complementing another.

Part of the allure with modern farmhouse design is the freedom to mix elements from different eras to create visual cohesion. This is a fun way of adding your personal touch without going overboard in one direction or the other.

5.    Decorate With Natural Textures & Tones

Modern farmhouse design is all about organic, natural textures like wood, stone, or galvanized metal. The desire is to have a more natural look that fulfills those looking for a rustic style without sacrificing modern convenience. Farmhouses are a cozy place to live - they have an intimate feel, and their warm colors genuinely make you feel at home in no time flat. The design should blend rustic charm with contemporary amenities.

There are lots of inspiring ways to add natural textures to the design without sacrificing elegance. To design a farmhouse with the feel of simplicity and sophistication, we recommend these key elements:

-Use neutral colors that accentuate the natural beauty of the home. Popular tones consist of warm whites, shades of tan, and classic greys.

-Use a variety of natural materials to create visual depth. Mix fabrics like cotton, linen, canvas, or leather with decorative elements made of weathered wood, stone, wicker, or rattan.

-Layer in mixed metals through accessories like wire baskets, galvanized lighting, and iron rod chairs or console tables. Make sure to use no more than three mixed metals within one room.

-Create texture on sterile walls with shiplap or board and batten accents.

Remember to embrace the minimalist approach by have a few statement décor pieces, without the clutter.

What’s next?

Do you want to create a modern farmhouse design, but you're not sure how to get started?

Imagine creating your dream home with the help of an experienced custom home builder. With over 60 years of experience in building homes, Wausau Homes can help you create a modern farmhouse inspired by your Pinterest board and fueled by your imagination.

Wausau Homes is here for all your custom home needs! With more than 200,000 satisfied families in new homes, we work with you every step of the way to ensure that your custom home is everything you've dreamed it would be. Find your local builder today to get started!

The 10 Most Important Elements of Farmhouse Design

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Have you ever looked at a photo on Houzz and thought, “How did they get that to look so perfect?” Then you have come to the right place. The secret to creating a space that’s stunning and magazine worthy is making the many individual choices that create a cohesive overall design. Many times when trying to design a new space our clients want to create it in a farmhouse style, but get off track when they see something they like that isn’t in alignment with their goals. Without realizing it, the design is muddied up and doesn’t quite achieve the look they were after. We’ve created this short guide to keep you on track and give you the information you need to create your own HGTV home. 

Farmhouse Design Elements

Let’s talk about one of the hottest trends in home design, Modern Farmhouse Design. If you’ve watched more than one Fixer Upper episode, or you’ve seen their collection at Target, then Joanna Gaines has properly introduced you to this cozy style. Warm colors, inviting layers, and homey details; it’s easy to see why this style has exploded in popularity in the last 5 years. Let’s jump in and give you the tools you need to achieve this highly sought after style for yourself!

  1. First things first, the color pallet. Before planning a wedding or throwing a party, a theme and a color scheme are always chosen first. Designing a kitchen or bathroom is the same way. When looking to create a perfect farmhouse kitchen or bathroom, stick with a warm or cool neutral color pallet. Grays, creams, and colors like buttermilk yellow and sage green are perfect for a farmhouse design. 
  2. Keeping the space feeling as connected to the outdoors as possible is essential to farmhouse design. Think about it; a farmhouse is where farmers of crops and livestock live. Everything is about practicality and the outdoors. Keep that in mind when selecting items for your farmhouse style home. 
  3. When it comes to things like furniture, ceiling beams, and accent pieces; rough and possibly reclaimed wood is the best option. However, don’t be afraid to mix textures and materials like woods, metals; and even fabrics like canvas, cotton, wool. Mixing textures is going to keep the space from looking dull or too modern with the monochromatic color scheme chosen earlier.  
  4. When trying to achieve a more modern focused farmhouse feel, try adding some industrial touches throughout the space. Lighting fixtures and stools are a great way to do this. 
  5. Speaking of fixtures, finishes on things like lighting fixtures and faucets shouldn’t be shiny chrome but instead should look more aged and worn. This could mean oil rubbed bronze or a stylish matte black. 
  6. Onto a more significant part of any kitchen or bathroom remodel…..cabinetry. There are a few cabinet door styles that could work in a farmhouse space, but the one recommend the most is Shaker style. Since farmhouse style tends to be more of a “busy” texture, Shaker style cabinetry will ground everything with it’s clean and simple pallet. A very exciting part of the design is tile! Whether it be backsplash in a kitchen or shower tile in a bathroom, tile design is vital to pulling a space together cohesively. When it comes to farmhouse style, there are a few options to play with. Rectangular tiles laid in the subway style are the perfect addition to a farmhouse kitchen or bathroom. Want to spice it up a bit? Consider a herringbone pattern. Alternatively, things can get really fun with a patterned tile. Of course, there is always the option of mixing and matching all these styles together too!
  7. A marble stone countertop is sure to give that elegant farmhouse feel that everyone is dying for. However, if marble’s higher maintenance is daunting for a busy family, consider quartz with a marble pattern. New manufacturing technologies have enabled quartz to look more like marble than ever before, without all that maintenance. 
  8. Be sure to throw in some family antiques around the house as well. The worn wood will add loads of character and interest to a farmhouse space. 
  9. For some final touches add in some throw pillows, blankets, and unique cooking utensils on display in the kitchen. These are small ways to add the cherry on top of an already beautiful farmhouse design. 

The main thing to remember when designing a farmhouse space is to keep it natural. Natural looking woods, colors, materials, fabrics are going to keep the area cozy and inviting; which is the goal with farmhouse design and probably why we all love it so much. 

If you’re looking for some inspiration check out our two favorite farmhouse style kitchen and bathroom in our gallery!

Smart People Make Smart Choices

Our goal with these pieces is to help you get the information you need to make educated choices for your home and family. If you’ve found this helpful, share it with others. If you have questions or would like to request other topics to be covered, please use the comment section below and we’ll make sure you get you the answers you need.

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Choice of style in the interior Modern style Classic style Chalet Country Scandinavian style Provence Arabic style American style Minimalism High-tech style Loft English style Interior design in the house

The ideal design of a country house is a single space of comfort and beauty, in which everything is thought out to the smallest detail. It does not even start from the facade or the entrance to the house, but from the site, which can become a magnificent garden with a gazebo, a fountain, a pond or an alpine lawn. And, of course, the architectural appearance of such a house or cottage should ideally be in harmony with the interior style you have chosen.

The choice of style in the interior

When choosing a style solution, many factors are taken into account - from the peculiarities of the location of engineering communications to the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe premises. It's no secret that even the size of the latter affects the choice of style - some of them love very large spaces. And yet, with a professional approach, a variety of solutions are possible, and the interior will be designed and implemented in your favorite style!

Modern style, or contemporary. There is a lot of air and light in the interior, he loves simplicity, practicality and functionality. But at the same time, it does not reject bright, interesting decorative elements. Prevailing features: inexpensive, but stylish furniture, a combination of various finishing materials. Rational and at the same time - comfortable!

Classic style - the epitome of elegance and grace. He borrowed all the best from such styles as baroque, rococo, empire. Finishing, furniture, curtains - everywhere preference is given to natural materials. "Classic" loves symmetry and clear zoning of space. Special attention to lighting - in the interiors, in addition to the main ones, there are many additional lighting fixtures. The decor is very rich and varied - these are paintings, vases, sculptures, figurines and much more. There is often stucco on the ceiling.

Chalet . A noble style, formed over the centuries in the most beautiful mountainous Alpine region. The emphasis is on natural materials: aged wood, natural stone. Almost always unchanged attributes are a fireplace and beams on the ceiling. The windows are characterized by a large size - in the rooms, as a rule, there is a lot of light. Decor - forged, bronze items, hunting trophies.

Country, or rustic style. It is somewhat reminiscent of a chalet: the priority is wood, stone, natural textiles. However, it is not so “strict”, more “homely” and colorful in terms of color palette and finishes. Great attention is paid to textiles (curtains, tablecloths, napkins, etc.). Ceiling beams are optional; wall decoration, in addition to wood, - white plaster or wallpaper. A lot of all sorts of cozy home trifles - decorative figurines, plates and much more.

Scandinavian style is light, simple, natural. It is minimalist in its own way, but comfort and convenience are at the forefront. Preference in decoration and furniture - natural materials. The walls are usually painted white, the interiors have a lot of air and light. A few decorative elements: flowers, colored sofa cushions, decorative vases or dishes, paintings brightly enliven the space.






Provence is a style originally from southern France. The interiors are filled with light, and the decoration itself is light: a white ceiling, walls plastered in white or pastel colors (as an option - wallpaper or painted wood), light (mostly) and often artificially aged elegant furniture. Natural materials and natural plant motifs in decoration and textiles (furniture upholstery, light curtains, bedspreads, etc.). Much attention - indoor plants, flower arrangements. 9






Arabic style. Bright, rich in saturated colors (shades of red, blue, and gold predominate). Arched structures (entrance and window openings) are not uncommon. Floor coverings (often walls) are decorated with carpets and rugs, a lot of upholstered furniture, cushions, natural textiles. The style is instantly recognizable by the characteristic oriental ornament - an intricate patterned tie, reminiscent of the letters of the Arabic alphabet. Among the decor are bronze vessels, lamps, plates.




American style. It can be called an "American modern classic". The interior with many different lamps is executed in light colors. Everything about it is "substantial" and "good". Comfortable massive upholstered furniture (deep armchairs, sofas), elegant cabinet furniture (of which there is not much in the living room), as a rule, a large fireplace portal is a real American home. The decor is elegant and discreet - these are paintings or photographs in strict frames, an elegant floor lamp, a vase of flowers.

Minimalism. In this style, almost everything is subject to a rational principle. Lots of light and air. The design is dominated by straight lines. Minimum furniture. Perfectly organized hidden storage systems, built-in appliances. But the “almost” clause is important: the style does not reject a bright decorative accent, which, for example, can become an abstract picture without a frame.






Hi-tech style is the epitome of high technology. It is as rationalistic as minimalism, loves straight lines, simple geometry in design and plenty of free space. At the same time, a bright emphasis is placed on metal, glass, plastic surfaces. Particular attention is paid to technical solutions: these are modern built-in household appliances, LCD panels, and a carefully thought-out lighting system. Preferred colors and textures - gray, white, black, metallic, chrome.






Loft - industrial, urban style. However, it can also fit perfectly into the space of a country house, especially when it comes to spacious rooms and free planning. The interior decoration in this style is dominated by stone, concrete, aged brick, but against such a seemingly “brutal” background, thanks to furniture, lighting, accessories, and decor, you can create a cozy space that will pleasantly surprise you and your guests.






English style is colorful, but very conservative. Classic solid wood furniture is harmoniously combined with a large fireplace and high-backed armchairs. Lighting is usually somewhat subdued. Wall decor options are wood, wallpaper with a checkered, striped or floral print, or matte paint in neutral tones. Decor - paintings, figurines, sets and decorative plates, vases.





House design

Living room. Whatever the style of the interior of the “main” room in the house, it is important to conveniently and practically zone the space by identifying one or more compositional centers and focal points on which attention is most focused (fireplace portal, large picture, etc.) .






Bedroom interior. This is a room for rest and sleep, which means that the design in it (whatever the style) should create a feeling of absolute comfort and peace, promote relaxation. The classic and most popular option is subdued lighting, neutral tones and shades in the decoration of walls, ceiling and floor, a large bed, natural fabrics (curtains, bedspreads, bedding), but the choice of solutions is far from exhausted! 9






Nursery interior. And here - the choice of options is huge! Key points - we take into account the gender and age of the child and buy exclusively natural materials that are safe for him. Thoughtful space zoning is also important: areas for recreation, classes, storage systems, perhaps a sports corner, etc. We are thinking about the best lighting option. And, of course, we carefully select the color palette - so that the color does not put pressure on the baby, does not act too exciting or tiring.






Regardless of whether the hallway in your house is spacious or small, the interior should be practical and rational. But if the room is small, make sure that the space can be both visually and physically enlarged. Visually - due to lighting, light colors in the finish, possibly - a glossy stretch ceiling, mirrors, etc. Physically - due to properly selected furniture - a sliding locker, open storage systems and other details. 9






As a rule, the kitchen in a cottage or a country house is quite spacious. This means that it needs to be zoned wisely - so that it is convenient to cook and eat. In other words, both the working and dining areas should be as comfortable as possible, and perhaps an elegant bar counter will not be superfluous. If, nevertheless, the kitchen is small, the optimally selected configuration of the headset and built-in kitchen appliances will save space.






The interior of the bathroom should also be conducive to comfort and relaxation, which is taken into account in the selection of materials for decoration. And, of course, even for the smallest bathroom, you should choose comfortable, practical and compact furniture. At the same time, the front part of the furniture should be made of materials that are resistant to moisture, steam and elevated temperatures. 9Bath, sauna. It is important to consider a few key points here. Firstly, this is the configuration and area of ​​​​the premises themselves (in the Russian bath, this is traditionally a dressing room, a washing room and a steam room). Secondly, it is necessary to choose the right model of the heating unit - the choice of stove depends on the size of the bath and other characteristics. Powerful models with a water circuit are able to heat adjacent rooms and even the second floor, which should also be taken into account when designing a house design. And a spacious dressing room can be a great place to receive guests - with appropriate furniture, a TV, etc. 9Landscaping. Speaking about the ideal design of a country house, one cannot ignore the territory adjacent to it. A professionally created landscape design can become its magnificent continuation and addition, not only in harmony with it, but emphasizing all the architectural advantages and style features of the building.




Return to the list

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 designing 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 is suitable for 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 trendy 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.

Decor includes 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.


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