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Modern farmhouse home interior


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.

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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:

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.

The Spruce / Marty Baldwin

Modern Farmhouse Interiors vs. Exteriors

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

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.

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Amber Pierce Designs

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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

8 Inspiring Ideas from Pro Designers

Whether you live in the country with chickens running around outside on your acres of property, or you're a city-dweller in a high-rise apartment, you can enjoy the cozy atmosphere of the modern farmhouse interior design style.

If you just want to borrow a few key elements to hint at this vibe or plan to go all-in and remodel every single room of your home, we've got something for you here.

In this guide, we'll cover what modern farmhouse interior design is, share ideas on how to create a modern farmhouse interior look for your own home, and explore the elements of modern farmhouse decor that'll help you create a contemporary cozy space.

Meet the Experts

To help us answer all of your questions about modern farmhouse interior style, we've put together a panel of design experts who leaned on their years of professional experience to give you the most accurate, helpful information. You'll hear from 

What is modern farmhouse interior design?

Let's start with the most foundational question: what makes a modern farmhouse interior? 

At its essence, modern farmhouse style is precisely what the name suggests: a meeting of rustic, country-style with more modern, contemporary elements. Modern farmhouse perfectly blends these contrasting styles into a cohesive, charming look when it's done well. 

The space is designed to feel big, bright, and open. Natural fibers and textures are juxtaposed with clean horizontal and vertical lines. Think stones and weathered, rustic wood next to stainless steel and marble or granite. The result is a cozy, relaxed, and natural feel that maintains a high-end elegance.

"The modern farmhouse interior style is a style that I think has always been around and popular, but it hasn't been until recent years that it's been defined as a style in itself. "

And while the style has the word "modern" in it, Burgmann explains that it's nothing new: "The modern farmhouse interior style is a style that I think has always been around and popular, but it hasn't been until recent years that it's been defined as a style in itself."

"There is a lot of distressed wood, older pieces like antique bronze accessories like lamp bases, industrial style lighting, matte black balustrades on stairwells, wooden floors, etc. Then there is the Scandinavian aspect such as the style of furniture, the rugs, coffee tables, and especially plant options in wicker baskets, etc., to furnish the spaces," adds Burgmann.

8 Modern farmhouse interior ideas

Now that you've understood what the essence of this style is let's check out these eight farmhouse decor ideas for how you can incorporate it into your own home.

1. Wood flooring and paneled walls

One of the most prominent elements of modern farmhouse style is wood, both in flooring and on paneled walls. Organic, natural materials are foundational when it comes to this type of decor, creating a rustic, country feel, almost like you did your own flooring with trees from your land. As Burmann explains, "Natural hardwood flooring is more authentic in the modern farmhouse style simply for its rustic, weathered, and worn-in appearance. This adds a real authentic country farmhouse element to this style. The scratches and divots add character."

"Natural hardwood flooring is more authentic in the modern farmhouse style simply for its rustic, weathered, and worn-in appearance. This adds a real authentic country farmhouse element to this style."

Paneled walls, also known as VJ paneling or shiplap, are another critical design feature in the modern farmhouse style. Paneled walls give that farm barn door look and consist of wooden boards running horizontally along a wall. Common in barns and sheds, they add another authentically homespun energy to a modern farmhouse home.  

If you have exposed ceiling beams, these can also add to the farmhouse vibe. 

2. Scandinavian style furniture

One of the main ways to bring a modern feel into your farmhouse home is to use Scandinavian design elements, especially the furniture you choose. The clean lines and minimalist feel of Scandinavian mix perfectly with the farmhouse aesthetic. We recommend sticking to greys, beige, and slight pops of color like yellow, burnt orange, and green when it comes to colors. 

The clean lines and minimalist feel of Scandinavian mix perfectly with the farmhouse aesthetic.

"The greys can often come out in the couch fabric, or rugs can comprise of a geometrical pattern— like a cream rug with thin black lined diamonds, pops of burnt oranges and yellow in the accessories such as cushions and plants such as fiddle leaf figs," says Burmann. This can also be balanced with a more farmhouse vibe by using distressed wood elements in smaller furniture pieces like coffee tables and side tables.  

3. Utilize contemporary elements

Of course, modern farmhouse interior design isn't about trying to make your home look like it's straight from a 19th-century farm. You'll also want to bring in contemporary elements to your room design to maintain a feel of sophistication. In contrast to the traditional farmhouse design, which focuses on relaxation and comfort, "modern farmhouse design takes those elements and adds more sophisticated features such as sleek lighting, glossy accents, and smooth lines. It's less rustic, more sophisticated, and uses contemporary design elements like stainless steel appliances and granite countertops," explains Alvarez.

4. Use contrasts by mixing old and new

As you've probably been able to pick up on by now, modern farmhouse interior design is all about contrast. That's what makes it so unique and exciting. And one of the main dualities you can play with is combining the old and the new, especially when it comes to accessories. "For example, the coffee table may have new coffee table books, a new black ornament, and a new wooden bowl. On the wall, however, may be old horseshoes, an old wrought iron piece from a cattle yard, or an old tin milking bucket that's now being used as a pot for a plant," says Burmann.

"Antique stores are terrific for finding quirky pieces to take home and display somewhere."

When it comes to finding unique decor pieces and interior design ideas for your home, you'll be able to shop all over the place, from modern retailers to yard sales and antique stores. Explains Burmann, "Antique stores are terrific for finding quirky pieces to take home and display somewhere. Not everything has to be old as the natural aged character of the home brings this already, but accessorizing with old and new creates a great balance."

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5. Embrace imperfections

One of the best things about leaning into a rustic feel for your decor is that flaws and signs of aging are welcome and celebrated. When it comes to wood, the more weathered and banged up, the better. Exposed wood beams and live edges are excellent. And older accessories are expected to show their age, even if it means having some rustiness or staining. In short, you can embrace imperfections in this design style. So don't worry about having to fix up that vintage mirror you found at an estate sale. When it comes to modern farmhouse style, it's perfect the way it is. 

6. Use lots of space

Something that separates modern farmhouse style from traditional farmhouse style focuses on maintaining a sense of spaciousness and minimalism with high ceilings and open plans. Unlike a traditional farmhouse, which might have lots of little rooms, nooks, and crannies, a modern farmhouse space is best when it feels open and flowy. You can use furniture like dining tables or sectional sofas to create specific dining or lounging areas within open plan spaces.

This is just one of the reasons why modern farmhouse interior design is so great for family life. According to Burgmann, open plan spaces give "an essence of family connectedness. " She describes how you're still within earshot or look of other family members, even in spaces containing different areas. "This brings people closer together and creates safe spaces to be enjoyed by every member of the family," she adds. 

7. Leverage neutral colors

When it comes to the color palette for modern farmhouse style, neutrals are essential. Whites, creams, greys, taupes, browns, and tans are all welcome, especially when layered together. The effect is cozy while maintaining a clean elegance. "Not only will a neutral color scheme crisp up your rooms in the house providing a sophisticated look, but lighter colored walls will also make any space feel bigger than it actually is, especially when combined with plenty of mirrors and reflective surfaces," explains Richard Petrie. And, as you now know, a feeling of spaciousness is key to modern farmhouse interior design. 

"Not only will a neutral color scheme crisp up your rooms in the house providing a sophisticated look, but lighter colored walls will also make any space feel bigger than it actually is. "

By using white or neutral paint colors, you'll make your space feel more light, bright, and open. Plus, the smaller pieces such as rugs and accessories will pop more against the crisp white. 

8. Use industrial style fixtures

Last but not least, a signature part of the modern farmhouse interior design look is industrial-style fixtures for things like lights, fans, rods, racks, and shelves. We're talking about the look of metal, piping, exposed lightbulbs, and wood. These can be used in any room in the house. Says Burmann, "Industrial style lighting is quite popular in the pendants, for example, above the island bench. Blacks, heritage greens, and tin material are popular hues for light shades."

"Industrial style lighting is quite popular in the pendants, for example, above the island bench. Blacks, heritage greens, and tin material are popular hues for light shades."

How to create a modern farmhouse kitchen

When it comes to modern farmhouse kitchen design, the defining features to include are:

Start with an open plan kitchen with an apron front sink if you have the option. "The apron front sink is a dead giveaway for the farmhouse style but using a more contemporary styled apron front sink is one way to create the modern farmhouse style," explains Quint.

You'll want your kitchen to look like a gathering place for the entire family. As Petrie suggests, "Use large islands and kitchen tables to encourage your family and friends to socialize in your home. The addition of benches as tables or a few barstools around the kitchen island will emphasize the family gathering connotations of a modern farmhouse."

"Use large islands and kitchen tables to encourage your family and friends to socialize in your home."

When it comes to accessorizing, remember to stick with a neutral color palette, leaning into the warmth of natural woods. "When I think of a farmhouse-style home, I think of the words simple and clean but well worn with lots of character like your favorite pair of jeans," describes Quint. 

Wooden butcher blocks and towels made of linens or cotton are functional home decor items that will complete the look.

How to create a modern farmhouse living room

Now on to one of the coziest spaces in your house: the living room. Here, you'll want to create a comfortable space that feels lived in and encourages people to gather together. Defining aesthetic features include:

 "Start with an older and distressed base, and move towards new and more modern when layering," explains Burgmann. Similarly, you can start with a more neutral, white-leaning base color palette and add pops of Scandinavian-inspired color to the accessories. The result will perfectly blend the weathered and lived-in with the elevated modern style in a cohesive, flowing way. 

How to create a modern farmhouse bedroom 

Moving on to the bedroom, the room where the (design) magic happens. If any room in your modern farmhouse-style home should feel comfortable, lived-in, and cozy, it's this one. The key features to include are:

When it comes to colors, Alvarez suggests you "choose a neutral color palette to make your room feel fresh and open. Keep the colors simple with tones of cream, beige, silver, and grey and use textured pillows to add depth." 

From there, you can add a combination of modern and rustic pieces. For your bed, you can't go wrong with a traditional metal bed frame, which, explains Alvarez, is "sturdy, streamlined, and neutral and will offer a touch of old-world charm." From there, adding more cozy and rustic textiles and furnishings will bring in the farmhouse feel.

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Is modern farmhouse style outdated in 2022?

Because modern farmhouse interior design heavily references traditional, older styles and looks, some people might wonder if it is "out" or outdated. Well, it's important to distinguish here between a modern farmhouse and a traditional farmhouse. Modern farmhouse aims to maintain a contemporary feel, meaning that it avoids explicitly looking too kitschy or dated. Plus, the farmhouse elements that you include can be chosen to be classic and timeless rather than simply trendy.

"This design is supposed to look like it has evolved over time, allowing homeowners to continue making updates without completely overhauling their style."

Alvarez explains, "Farmhouse interior design has stood the test of time by evolving and modernizing. This style will continue to be on-trend because there's an enduring and warm-hearted element. This design is supposed to look like it has evolved over time, allowing homeowners to continue making updates without completely overhauling their style."

What are the benefits of modern farmhouse interior?

In addition to being a popular aesthetic that many people connect with and love, there are several benefits to modern farmhouse interior design style.

First of all, it's made to be able to stand the test of time. According to Burgmann, "You can easily change the style with time if you wish. For example, you can begin with the distressed farmhouse look, but change the soft furnishings if you wish to create a more provincial style, or even more modern look, or retro to the industrial aesthetic."

It's also worth noting that the modern farmhouse style really promotes togetherness and bonding, helping to bring your family together with its cozy spaces and open plans. You'll love to gather together around your kitchen island or sit in the comfortable living room.

And, of course, it's worth noting the benefits of having so many natural elements in your decor. As Alvarez says, "Anytime you bring in a natural element like wood, it bonds your spirit with the outdoors. Pairing wooden tones, with a farm table, for example, with materials such as metals or recycled glass allows families to gather and feel at ease because of the overall relaxed nature of style."

Written by

Ash Read

Ash is the founder of Living Cozy. He's been featured by publishers like MyDomaine, Realtor, Real Homes, Architectural Digest, The Spruce, Homes and Gardens, and more. As a writer his work has appeared in publications like FastCompany, TNW, and Entrepreneur.

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. nine0005

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. nine0005

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. nine0005

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. nine0005

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. nine0005

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. nine0005

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. nine0005

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. nine0005

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. nine0005

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. nine0005

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. nine0005

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. nine0005

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! nine0005

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. nine0005

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:

Country

Japanese (Chinese) style

Features of the Japanese style in interior design: