23 Easy Ways to Add Farmhouse Decor for An Authentic Look
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Farmhouse style feels quietly confident. It draws influence from country roots while remaining effortlessly familiar and livable. Think imperfect finishes alongside sleek edges and furniture that works as decor. Neutral textures and natural wood bring warmth that isn’t overpowering. Farmhouse style is cozy without feeling heavy or cluttered.
Rooms designed with farmhouse style in mind have character, growing more curated the longer you live with them. Below are some easy ways you can incorporate farmhouse charm into your own home.
1. Layer in Weathered Wood Accents
Farmhouse style is really brought to life with the integration of weathered wood pieces. The distressed look and natural wood grain adds texture and character to any room. Open floating shelves, console tables, and benches are great pieces that can show off age. Look for wood that has knots, scratches, and varying tones throughout.
Weathered wood comes in light and dark tones that can each bring a different feel to your space. Mixing various finishes and distressing is key to creating a casual, not matched look. You can even add small touches with wooden trays and picture frames.
2. Use Neutral Linen Curtains
Light and breezy linen curtains are perfect for adding to your farmhouse style decor. Neutral colors like soft white or warm cream set a calming tone in your space. Linen has a beautiful way of diffusing light, creating a warm glow in your home. Not only do they add softness through texture, but linen curtains also have a beautiful airy look when they are hanging.
Floor length curtains that aren’t perfected by an iron look great for creating that effortless farmhouse feel. Pair them with wooden floors, metal accents, and simplistic furniture. Plus, linen ages beautifully and gets softer with wear.
3. Add Open Shelving in the Kitchen
Opening up your kitchen space with open shelving is a great way to showcase your everyday items. Rather than hiding them away in cabinets, you can use open shelves to add interest to your walls. Grouping painted wooden pieces, glass jars, and stoneware create texture and pops of color.
Wood shelves look the most authentic, but don’t be afraid to add metal brackets to layer in some contrast. Just remember to edit what you display and keep it to things that you use and love. You want your shelves to be functional but also aesthetically pleasing to look at.
4. Incorporate Vintage Inspired Lighting
Lighting is everything when it comes to creating that cozy farmhouse feel. Look for vintage inspired fixtures that will tie in your space. Whether that be pewter pendant lights with metal lids or simple lantern looking fixtures. You can even look for seeded glass fixtures that will allow for softer light to shine through.
Whichever route you go, make sure you’re using warm light bulbs. This will help create that inviting atmosphere when the sun goes down. Lighting hung over your kitchen table or island is a great way to make a statement without being too distracting.
5. Style With Woven Baskets
Nothing is more useful and aesthetically pleasing than woven baskets. Not only can they help hide things like blankets and magazines, but they also help soften hard surfaces. Whether you choose a round or square shape, different sizes will help add visual interest.
Wicker baskets can come in a variety of colors that will work with any color scheme you have. Tuck one into the corner of your room or under a coffee table for a look that says you thought about it, but didn’t try too hard.
6. Display Simple Ceramic Pieces
Displaying ceramics is a great way to add some handmade charm to your home. Look for ceramics like pitchers, bowls, and vases in cream or muted earth tones. Variations in glaze or asymmetrical shapes help to make your space more unique.
You want these pieces to look inviting and like something you would use. Displaying ceramics on shelving, tables, and countertops will help create visual interest and height.
7. Choose Soft Plaid or Gingham Textiles
Never underestimate the power of patterns like plaid and gingham. Incorporating these textiles into pillows, tablecloths, and throws is a great way to cozy up your space. When incorporating prints make sure you are sticking to neutral or muted colors.
Solid colors and natural textures help balance out the visuals of your space. During colder months, grab yourself a cozy plaid throw and throw it over your sofa. Not only will it look adorable, but it’ll keep you warm as well.
8. Hang Wooden Wall Signs Sparingly
Wooden wall signs can be a fun way to add some personality to your home. When choosing wall signs, you want to aim for something simple and something that has meaning to you. Avoid anything that may be too trendy and you’ll nail the perfect piece. You want your wooden signs to have naturally finished wood or a slight white wash.
Once you find that perfect sign, don’t go crazy buying them to fill your walls. I would suggest hanging one in your kitchen or entryway. Use other decorations like art or mirrors to fill up your space.
9. Bring in Galvanized Metal Accents
Galvanized metal accents are the perfect way to add some contrast to your home. Opting for things like metal crates or trays will help brighten up your space. Too much metal in a room can overwhelm your eyes, so only buy one or two pieces that you love.
Utilizing metals will also help tie your home together. Look for metal tables or shelving units that can work as statement pieces in your home.
10. Use a Farmhouse Style Dining Table
When shopping for dining room tables, you’ll want to make sure you find one with farmhouse style vibes. A solid wood table with visible texture and imperfections will become one of your favorite pieces. You want your table to invite guests and encourage people to gather around.
Instead of picking out a set of matching chairs, go with a mix of benches and chairs. Having a mix of seating will make your table more inviting and feel like you just pulled up alongside friends at a picnic.
11. Add Fresh or Dried Greenery
Whether you buy fresh flowers from the farmer’s market or dry some branches from your backyard. Adding elements of greenery into your home is essential for farmhouse decor. You can purchase cheap vase from Target or Ikea and fill them up with wildflowers.
Even simply placing a bundle on your kitchen island or bookshelf can help soften up your space. Dried eucalyptus stems are also a great way to add greenery that doesn’t require maintenance.
12. Style With Antique or Vintage Finds
Old doesn’t always have to mean broken. Instead of throwing out that old crate your great grandpa used to store his things you can upcycle it. Adding antique pieces to your home can help bring warmth and history to your space.
You can even buy vintage pieces and give them a new life by painting them. Old items help tie your space together and help it from looking like you just went to Ikea last weekend.
13. Use Slipcovered Furniture
If you have kids or pets then you’re probably aware of how amazing and useful slipcovers can be. Opting for light colors will help brighten up your space and give it an airy feel.
Slipcovers provide such a soft and casual look that is perfect for a farmhouse style home.
14. Choose Matte Black Hardware
Okay so I’m sure by now you may have noticed that black hardware is trending. Matte black hardware is the perfect way to add some definition to your home. Things like cabinet pulls and faucet heads are great ways to experiment with black hardware.
Because its black, you can really play around and mix it with anything. The matte finish helps take away from any shiny trends we all know and love.
15. Layer Rugs for Warmth
Who says you can only have one rug? Layering rugs not only provides extra comfort for your feet but adds texture to your home. Start with a more neutral colored rug like jute or sisal, then layer a fun pattern on top.
This not only helps tie your room together but allows you to incorporate your rug into your color scheme. Layering rugs are great for living room spaces and bedrooms. Rugs help tie you furniture together and complete the look you are going for.
16. Display Everyday Items as Decor
If you have wooden cutting boards just hanging them up on your walls can add so much character. You can purchase cheap bakery style glass jars at Target and use them to store stuff. Items such as wooden bowls, rolling pins, and pasta makers are all great kitchen items that can be used as decor.
Instead of storing all of your cooking utensils inside a drawer, take advantage of them as decor. All of these things can be practical and useful, but also add warmth to your kitchen.
17. Paint Walls in Warm Whites
Painting your walls warm whites helps brighten up your home and highlights textures you already have. Whether that be wood paneling or colorful artwork you’ve purchased. A warm white will make your walls act as a blank canvas.
Sticking to white paint will also allow you to mix old and new furniture together. Because of how bland your walls are, they make it easy to play around with colors and textures.
18. Add a Bench in Unexpected Places
Benches are such a versatile furniture option and go great with farmhouse decor. You can put them in your entryway for people to sit on while they take off their shoes. Benches are also great for placing at the end of your bed or eating breakfast with your family.
Wooden benches are more on the casual side, but you can also buy benches that come with cute upholstery. Benches take up less space than a regular chair and can soften up a room.
19. Use Glass Jars for Storage
Using mason jars is such a great way to store items in your kitchen. Not only do they help you organize your space, but they also add visual interest. Clear glass jars help brighten up your kitchen and avoid the room looking too cluttered.
You can purchase mason jars with wood lids to help soften the room and tie in your wooden furniture. There are so many ways you can use mason jars. I love buying glass jars from Target and storing my fries and oats in them.
20. Incorporate Soft Throw Blankets
Throw blankets are great because not only can you use them for functionality, but they also add warmth to your home. Look for soft materials such as cotton and neutral colors. You never want your home to be too bold of colors because that takes away from the cozy vibes.
Throw blankets are great because you can change them up with each season. Just by throwing one on your couch can make your room look instantly cozy.
21. Mix Old and New Furniture
One of my favorite parts about farmhouse style is mixing old and new furniture together. I love the combination of an old wooden table with stainless steel chairs. You can buy an all white sofa and pair it with an antique dresser.
As long as you have a mix of old and new furniture, you’re going to create interesting contrast in your home. I love decorating my home with a mix of old and new because it allows me to have tons of options.
22. Use Simple Iron Bed Frames
Iron bed frames are the best when it comes to dressing up your bedroom. They help your bedroom match that farmhouse vibe and adds cleaner lines. Iron bed frames go great with simple and sleek furniture but can also match wooden pieces.
If you decide to purchase an iron bed frame, buy softer white linen and layer your bedding. I love iron bed frames because they help your bedroom feel structured and polished.
23. Keep Decor Intentional and Uncluttered
Less is more when it comes to decorating your home with a farmhouse feel. Only decorate with things that you love and will get use out of. If you find yourself wanting to decorate every inch of your wall, don’t do it.
Buy one to two statement pieces and let that be the highlight of your room. When you keep things intentional and uncluttered, it allows you to appreciate your decor even more.
