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Modern Farmhouse Style: Everything You Need To Know
Some interior design trends seemingly come and go with the seasons, while others have more staying power. One of the most popular aesthetics I've seen steadily gain popularity in recent years is the modern farmhouse style.
So, what is modern farmhouse style? The two descriptive terms "modern" and "farmhouse" might sound like opposites, but when combined, they create an aesthetic that's taking the interior design world by storm.
Originally made famous by Chip and Joanna Gaines with their popular HGTV shows, this interior design style is seen just about everywhere now, from the shopping aisles of mass-market retailers to the pages of Architectural Digest.
Fortunately, it's easy to incorporate the fresh modern farmhouse design into your home! Here are some tips and things to consider when integrating the style.
What Is Modern Farmhouse Style?
As its name indicates, the modern farmhouse home mixes rustic, farmhouse pieces, like antiques and salvaged wood, with contemporary, modern touches, like marble and neutral colors.
The modern style — with its clean lines, smooth surfaces, minimal decor and punches of color — is often seen in Manhattan penthouses and Malibu mansions. And farmhouse style — which is characterized by tans and olives, exposed beams, rustic wood textures and visible collections used as decor — takes its cues from the classic American home.
Prioritizing Your Color Palette
The classic American farmhouse was filled with muddy tones of burgundy, tan and olive, which naturally created a warm and comforting color palette. Meanwhile, modern homes are usually seen with a cool color palette that includes stark whites, grays, pops of bright blues and the darkest blacks. When you mix these two together in the modern farmhouse style, you get a home with a color palette that is neutral but still warm and cozy.
To achieve this in your home, paint walls with a bright white that has warm undertones. Contrast that with the rustic feeling of wooden beams or a large, reclaimed wood dining table, like the Stratford Dining Table. Dark black window treatments add a modern touch, while pretty beige and tan textiles can soften harsh lines and bring in that fresh farmhouse feel.
All in all, homes with this aesthetic lack true color. Soft neutrals are used in their entirety — from the backsplash of the kitchen to the creamy white couch — to create a space that is as comforting and inviting as a farmhouse, but as minimal as a modern loft.
Finding the Right Materials
Once you have your color palette, it's time to go shopping! Materials are probably the most important item when nailing this style.
To get an idea of what you'll want to include in your space, think about a classic farmhouse — reclaimed wood furniture, wide wood plank floors that creak when you step on them and a lot of antique items that have been passed down for generations. Then, imagine walking into a modern Manhattan penthouse — floor-to-ceiling glass windows, a big marble island in the kitchen, shiny chrome light fixtures and smooth, black tile floors.
In your home, pick a few materials that adhere to both modern and farmhouse aesthetics. For instance, you could add stylish Lucite chairs around the large, reclaimed wood table in your dining room. In your bedroom, consider the Milena Nightstand, with its clean lines and jet black color, as a contrast to vintage oil paintings and plaster lamps with linen shades. The kitchen can be updated by bringing in a big, white farmhouse sink, a vintage runner and steel light fixtures.
If you are adding some big-budget items to your house, consider investing in a cozy, comfortable, soft-linen white couch and an oversized, distressed rug. By choosing a few rustic, textured materials mixed with a few smooth, contemporary ones, you'll be one step closer to your modern farmhouse.
Choosing the Right Accessories
Now to accessorize. This is the most affordable (and often most fun) part of the decorating process.
Lighting fixtures are a great place to start, as you can instantly update the feeling of any room with new lighting. For example, you might opt for a modern chandelier over the dining table and some wrought iron sconces in the hallway.
Next, think about items that are used in farming, such as galvanized buckets and wire baskets. Using these pieces in unconventional ways can update your home with a modern farmhouse feel. For example, you might use a large galvanized bucket to hold a cozy, white blanket in the living room or stacked wire baskets to hold piles of fruit in the kitchen.
When filling your walls and shelves with art, I recommend avoiding typography art — unless it's authentically vintage. A better option would be to scour flea markets for oil paintings and then reframe them with modern frames.
As you use these tips to transform your home, enjoy the process! Before you know it, you'll be gathering around your modern farmhouse dining table for a hearty (and Instagram-worthy) family meal.
