What defines the farmhouse style? It’s a celebration of rural life in the form of home decor!
So if your home needs a refresh, why not make it farm-fresh?
Raw, rustic and weathered, you can bet your bottom dollar that the following decor ideas will raise the temperature of your home to a truly cozy level in an instant.
And before you know it, you’ll be wanting to commit to a full country-style aesthetic complete with barn and chicken coop!
Antique shutters
We all know that decorating with rustic materials is a brilliant way to warm up a home, and the larger the object, the bigger the impact.
French window shutters are an excellent example of large-scale rustic decor, and when you opt for an antique set, you get to enjoy that burst of character that farmhouse decor is known for.
Wooden crates
Chances are you’ve followed the trend of decorating your home with baskets and filled them with clutter or styled them with throw blankets.
Well, there’s nothing a wooden crate can’t do that a basket can, but the former is much more in keeping with the farmhouse style, especially when the crates are stacked in an informal manner.
Window frames
A window doesn’t have to be a functioning window to be interesting, you know? It’s time to join the millions of homeowners who are styling their walls with empty window frames!
But since we’re concerned with all things farmhouse, make sure you go with a rustic barnwood design for a classic window frame silhouette, giving your decor more country appeal than you could ever wish for.
Farmhouse cabinets
It’s not the cheapest ticket to a farmhouse interior, but your choice of furnishings can also contribute to this super homey theme.
If you don’t want to break the bank with brand new furniture pieces, there are DIY options available to you for existing furniture, like applying a distressed paint finish and adding metal accent detailing.
Clothespin bulletin boards
There are so many different kinds of bulletin boards to choose from, but only one fits the bill as farmhouse decor, and it’s the clothespin design.
Why? Because repurposing old items is a hallmark of the farmhouse aesthetic, and using clothespins for displaying leaflets and documents and such is a prime example of giving old items a new lease of life.
Candle lanterns
If you go so far as to configure your lighting scheme to exhibit some country appeal then you are well on your way to a true farmhouse-inspired interior.
With this in mind, consider turning back the clock on your lighting by grabbing a few wooden candle lanterns. After all, candlelight is synonymous with rural life in the old days.
Farmhouse trays
You can’t pick out any wooden tray and just expect it to enrich your decor with rustic charm – choose a vintage tray with a deep design and features handles, leaving you with a proper workhorse in the kitchen.
The great thing about serving trays is that you can use them as foundations when setting up entire displays. It’s an ideal spot for an eclectic mix of your favorite farmhouse decor to shine together.
Inspirational plaques
It’s amazing what a few choice words can do to the mood of the room, which is probably why quote decor and inspirational plaques are popular in every design scheme.
As for the farmhouse style, don’t be afraid to choose a mismatched design with varied hues and different sized typography. What you lose in consistency is more than made up for in terms of character and personality.
Rustic rope mirrors
Yes, you can even get hold of mirrors which have received the farmhouse treatment. By that we mean mirrors with a rustic metal design and some thick fiber rope thrown in for good measure.
If that doesn’t quite hit the sweet spot, there are mirrors on the market whereby the glass itself is given an aged appearance, and you can hardly make out your reflection in it, which is great if authenticity is your thing.
Farmhouse canisters
Items kept behind closed doors needn’t be excluded from all the farmhouse fun, particularly if it’s a location you access frequently, such as the pantry.
In fact, the pantry is a good opportunity to decorate with practical decor – something that you can actually use in your daily life. Think along the lines of canisters and bread bins designed with that country cottage charm in mind.
Birdhouse shelves
Since the farmhouse style puts that homey feel front and center, it makes perfect sense to choose decor that depicts houses, even habitats…
Habitat being the operative word because it turns out birdhouses lend themselves well to farmhouse decor. Hang up a gorgeously rustic birdhouse shelf and you’ll be overcome with warmth and comfort in a heartbeat.
Galvanized planters
Maybe you’ve been searching high and low for a statement planter to no avail. In which case, look for answers in the rural lifestyle.
Galvanized metal is the go-to plant pot design in the rural world. Not only does it ooze country appeal, it’s a hardwearing material that will do a fine job of keeping your green besties safe.
Empty picture frames
Let’s say you want to style a wall with farmhouse wall decor, but there’s too much space to fill and so it looks a bit lost and definitely not very cozy.
In this instance, an empty picture frame is needed to highlight the decor and give it a louder presence on the wall. The moral of the story is that picture frames can be used as framing devices for just about anything.
Agricultural ornaments
How do you feel about having a miniature working farm in your home? This is where the beauty of ornaments come in handy.
There are of course the obvious options like animals and tractors, but keep an open mind for the boring stuff too like water towers and silos, as these tend to be on the taller side, which means you can use them to ‘bookend’ smaller groups of decor.
Windmill clocks
One of the best parts of country driving is coming across antiquated structures that you would never see in an urban setting.
Windmills are a good example of a sight that brings joy to adults and children alike. Why not bring joy to your decor with a windmill clock, complete with rustic metal appearance for that farmhouse touch?
Distressed table lamps
It’s not enough to feature an old-fashioned table lamp, such as accordion lamps, as part of your decor and call it a day. Oh, if only it was that easy!
What you need to do is get your lamp looking battered and bruised with a distressed paint finish (in white, because it’s a farmhouse-ey color) to leave you with a piece that’s brimming with charm and character.
Bicycle wheels
It could be worth raiding your shed for potential farmhouse ideas. Not least because there’s probably a lot of stuff in there that has been exposed to the elements and therefore are authentically rustic.
Something with a radial design like a bicycle wheel is always a safe bet as the round shape is easy on the eye. If you have the space and want the real-deal rural experience, by all means style the wall with a wagon wheel.
Old books
Books don’t just look great – if we loved their stories then we also form emotional bonds with them! That’s quite the double-whammy, hence why they’re so popular as home decor.
But to succeed as farmhouse decor, you need to gather a few of the oldest, most raggity-looking books you can find (or visit a thrift store). For the best results, ensure your selection exhibits those farmhouse hues including natural greens, blues and browns.
Traditional kitchen scales
Another one for fans of decorating with practical pieces. Shop around for retro style weighing scales to bring you a step closer to a homey farmhouse kitchen.
Even if the scales have aged so much that it no longer functions, or you’re more comfortable using a digital version, you still have a characterful fruit bowl at your disposal – it’s truly a win-win!
Window picture frames
Nothing cozies up a home as much as family love, so don’t hold back on displaying photos of your favorite family memories.
And since we’re focused on farmhouse decorating ideas, have a go at swapping traditional picture frames for an old and disused window frame instead. This will leave you with a fantastically rustic photo display.
Pipe shelving
Give your farmhouse look an industrial edge by showing off your pipes!
Obviously, moving your plumbing around is totally out of the question. What we really mean is buy some shelving with a pipework design. You can always paint the pipes in those neutral country hues if the default color just doesn’t do it for you.
Farmhouse wood art
You’re headed in the right direction by choosing to hang up pictures of farm animals to realize your farmhouse dream. But remember to choose the right canvas for heightened impact.
In other words, go with a noticeably rustic and textured wood art piece that embraces small imperfections likes chipped paint. Bonus points if the wood grain is slightly visible through the painting, as this creates a real feast for the eyes.