When we say, “farmhouse décor,” one of the first things to come to mind may be shiplap! It offers a retro look that still reads as clean and simple. You can find anything online from easy-to-install panels to hand-apply wallpaper. Nowadays, you don’t even need to put holes in your wall!
There are also plenty of designs you can choose from. Many people like to go with the distressed wood look, but we don’t want to discount the look of multi-colored shiplap. We’re not saying rainbow shiplap, but neutral colors with a single pop of pastel color? There are few things that look that amazing.
Ok, you’re going to have to hunt for these, but vintage CorningWare is making a massive comeback. It’s not that you necessarily have to use the pieces, either. Tons of designers and at-home stylists are displaying these charming kitchen wares in a hutch or over your cabinets gives an authentic touch to your farmhouse kitchen.
If you do plan on using them, make sure you avoid the lookalikes and fakes. Yes, even baking dishes can have fakes! Some CorningWare pieces can be worth as much as $10,000, so tons of fakes have flooded the market. If you don’t care about fakes, then you could get some good-looking fake pieces to display.
Whatever happened to shutters? They were everywhere for a while, and then they just fell into oblivion. Now, they’re making a huge comeback. A simple set of shutters can totally transform any home and make it look beyond cozy. It’s almost like modern construction meets a Germanic village. The only downside?
They can be super pricey, especially if you have a lot of windows that need the treatments. However, you can totally make a simple set of farmhouse cedar shutters yourself at home. There are tons of DIY tutorials and blueprints available online. Honestly, all you really need is some wood glue and a nail gun!
Farmhouse décor is all about what used to be in style, and vintage-inspired lighting is definitely that. Vintage-inspired lighting is a high-impact way to add some farmhouse personality to your space. The best opportunities to really make this look pop are pendant lights in the kitchen or flush-mounted fixtures by the front door.
If you can’t find anything that fits your style or idea, you can always upcycle your current lighting. You may be surprised how easily you can DIY your way into vintage-style lighting. A little distressed wood and elbow grease can turn your current kitchen lighting into your perfect farmhouse paradise.
Looking for that soft creamy white you’re seeing everywhere online? It’s Alabaster by Sherwin Williams. This color literally goes with anything and everything! It’s white, but it’s not a grey-white. It’s warm-toned without too much yellow, and that’s what makes it so special. It’s inviting, which can be hard to achieve with white.
Now, some people went completely nuts with this color and repainted their whole house. Gotta admit, it does give your home that country look, but it isn’t cheap. If you really want to save money, set up some board and batten and then paint that white. That method is inexpensive and looks amazing.
Put these aromatic stems in your bathroom and you’ll enjoy a nice minty scent while you shower. There are several benefits to keeping fresh eucalyptus in your bathroom besides just the smell. The steam from your shower actually carries the eucalyptus oil through the air and opens up your sinuses!
Typically, eucalyptus stems last around three weeks if you put them in a vase with water. In the shower, they can last even longer thanks to the moisture – anywhere from three to eight weeks. For those that prefer not to deal with live plants, there are plenty of fake eucalyptus stems on the market.
A step above regular butcher block countertops, live-edge countertops are milled using a special process that leaves the outer edge on slabs of wood. If you’re looking to bring a natural look to your farmhouse, this may just be your go-to! However, installation and maintenance of these countertops can be tricky and expensive.
If you’re not looking for something that requires special cleaning and careful attention to detail (to get all the gross germs out), you might look at getting a table with a live edge. It can also be much less expensive than doing your whole countertop with a live edge. Basically, do your research!
Sometimes farmhouse decor can be well… a little black and white. Obviously, everyone loves the crisp white look, but it isn’t for everyone on the planet. For those of us who need a little color, we need an accent color. Cornflower blue is a vintage soft blue that was commonly used in CorningWare.
That means it’ll go great with some of the other trends on the list – CorningWare, anyone? The color doesn’t intrude too much on the clean white spaces but does add a layer of color resembling vintage denim. Instead of painting any walls or cabinets, add pops of cornflower blue using décor. That way, you can change it out when you get bored.
There’s always a trendy new houseplant that takes us all by storm, and this time around it’s the “Fiddle Leaf” fig tree. These mini trees are usually sparse but show off a gorgeous glossy leaf shaped just like a fiddle! They’re relatively low maintenance and don’t take up too much room, so don’t be afraid to bring one home!
The only caveat is that they require a lot of light and frequent watering (about a cup a week depending on the size). If you have a hard time keeping plants alive, you can always get a fake one. They require much less care than the original. The real ones are best kept in a sunny southern facing window where it’ll catch tons of afternoon rays.
Sliding barn doors have actually been around for a few years. They really grew in popularity when people realized you don’t have to mess with a door frame to install them. The best part about their growing popularity means there are new designs and sizes available that will fit any type of decor.
This has really changed the game for anyone that’s a fan of sliding barn doors. Many have started opting for a plainer painted shiplap set of doors rather than the traditional barn doors. This helps keep your space feeling open and airy. Barn doors are also an easy way to turn a huge open space into smaller, dedicated rooms.
Retro signage can work in almost any room, but kitchens and living rooms are the most natural fit. Cute, old “Grocery Store” or “Marketplace” signs are great statements pieces and look good hung on a wall or propped above cabinetry and shelving. Getting something that screams “farmers market” is a super popular addition to many kitchens.
While there are several stores that are selling recreated “antique” signs, you might find the best ones at your local flea market! Farmhouse style is all about saving and reusing items that would otherwise get tossed out. Go rummage through your local markets to find something unique that only your kitchen will have.
Nothing says “farmhouse” like a giant farmhouse sink. It’s literally in the name of the item! It’s even better if you can get your hands on a custom copper sink! Forget porcelain sinks, these copper sinks make a statement in the kitchen and add to that overall eclectic charm that we all love about a farmhouse kitchen.
Before you go searching for your perfect copper sink, we want to warn you. These things are expensive. They’re made out of copper, so the prices are much higher than the average porcelain farmhouse sink. Depending on the size, however, you can get one for pretty cheap. Some are as low as $500.
For a while, gingham fell out of style, and designers added it to the “faux pas” list. Thankfully, it’s coming back with a vengeance. We’ve always been a fan of the style because gingham isn’t just for picnic tables. It can be used virtually anywhere, and it goes great with the farmhouse décor.
The only thing to keep in mind is that it highly depends on the colors you choose. Adding a soft gingham textile to your space brings that vintage southern charm without blaring red or blue! It’s a soft touch but can be an excellent accent pattern in your bedroom or living room.
Fresh cut flowers are an inexpensive way to add style that looks both homey and sophisticated. If you keep the water clean and refrigerate them at night, you can keep them looking happy and fresh for a long time. Of course, some flowers last much longer in vases than others.
If you want something that’ll last you for weeks, get chrysanthemums. As long as you keep the water clean, they can last for longer than three weeks! Some others that look good and live for a while include carnations, dahlias, peonies, and coneflowers. Coneflowers go especially well with the farmhouse look.
The pantry is the heart of any farmhouse, so you want to keep anything on display organized and stylish. Leaving it looking like a mess will cheapen the look of your kitchen. Organizing is huge right now, so it should be easy to find a wicker basket that speaks to you.
You can use them to organize appliance accessories, food, or whatever you need to keep hidden away. Even if you don’t neatly organize each item, having a defined bin for the clutter can make your pantry an enjoyable place to be again! Don’t forget to add a quaint little tag so you know where to find what you’re looking for.
Natural metals are big with this décor style, and tin? Tin is a classic. It’s a no-fuss material that looks good in anything from light fixtures to accessories! Its down-to-earth character and versatility make it a must for anywhere in the home, from your bedroom to the kitchen.
Because tin also lasts forever (even when dropped and kicked around), this is another one you might be able to find in a flea market. Heck, even some scrap metal places may have what you’re looking for. If you aren’t afraid of a little elbow grease, you can have something unique for cheap.
Ditch those awful grommets for your curtains. Grommets have a habit of making curtains look almost dingy and clunky. Instead, pick out a fresh set of tab-top curtains. These types of curtains glide on your curtain rods without that horrible scraping metal noise. Ugh, we can almost hear it now, and it's sending shivers down our spine.
Thanks to not having grommets, you don’t have those hideous cheap metal rings at the top of your elegant, crisp white curtains! Tab-top it’s the way to go. You also get to choose which curtain rod you want. For a natural look, choose a honeyed wooden bar. It’ll brighten up your room like no one’s business.
Blanket ladders are small wooden leaner ladders that sit against your wall, often near a corner. Back in the day, people would display their quilts on the ladders, earning them the name blanket ladders. They come back every so often in décor, and they’re having a huge moment right now.
We like them because they’re cute and conversational. You’ll love it! If you can’t afford to get a pre-made blanket ladder, you may be surprised how cheap they are to make. All you need is some scrap wood and stain, and voila! You have a beautiful blanket ladder at half the cost of one you’d get from Target or Kohl’s.
Burlap is one of those things either you love or hate. The truth of the matter is that burlap is a classic fabric that adds rustic texture to your décor. It’s perfect for bringing things down and making them casual. It also adds earthiness to the room (which is what you want with a farmhouse look).
We’re not saying go get the cheapest thing on the market. Some burlap weaves are tighter than others. If you want something that borders on modern, go with an extremely tight weave. If you want the “just walked in from grabbing some eggs from the henhouse” look, a regular or loose weave may be your thing.
Ever heard of yellow forsythia? This flower is a classic, and anyone that grew up on a farm can recognize it instantly. The only problem is that they can be hard to find for some people. If you can’t find fresh stems, grab a faux bundle at your favorite decor store.
Trust us when we say you’re going to want this amazing pop of color in your kitchen. Forsythia also looks good during every season - it’s not just for spring arrangements! During the spring, the yellow brightens everything. When fall rolls around and it’s time to swap everything up, throw a bit of orange in the mix, and you’ve got something completely new!
To go along with your blanket ladder, you’ll definitely need a few handmade quilts. Quilting is a southern tradition and art! Of course, not everyone’s grandma spent their later years making quilts that will be passed down from generation to generation. Thankfully, there are usually small groups of people who quilt as a hobby.
If your community has one, commission a local quilter to make yours! Having something local is always better than buying from a big-box store. Not only is it good to support the local economy, but Susan down the street won’t also have the same exact one. Sometimes, local quilters will sell their items at flea markets.
If your kitchen has the space, consider having a custom butcher block island made. If you can find an original, that’s even better! Unlike normal kitchen islands, these are freestanding “tables” with a giant block of wood on top made for all-day cooking. We promise you’ll feel just like Paula Dean!
Keep in mind, you’ll likely have to treat your butcher block differently than your counter. Moisture is the number one way wood goes bad, so you'll want to stop moisture from getting into the block itself. Use food-grade mineral oil regularly to keep a layer between whatever you're chopping and the wood.
Okay, most of the time, we want new furniture when we add something to the home. Farmhouse is pretty against that. Instead, it uses slightly distressed furniture to add a finishing touch and to make a home feel “lived in” in a good way, of course. Hear us out with this one.
It says antique without giving off the smell of old grandma, if you know what we mean. The timeworn character this adds can go a long way in making the room feel comfortable. It says making biscuits and gravy on a Saturday morning before doing a little gardening – aka, farm life.
Honestly, you just can’t beat a soaker tub, no matter what you do. Anyone that needs a new tub should upgrade to a soaker tub, but farmhouse soaker tubs are unique. These huge, free-standing tubs let you slip away and relax after a long day's work on the “farm.”
Seriously though, you don’t really have to live on an actual farm to appreciate a farmhouse tub. While you’re at it, get a tray that sits across the length of it because we both know you’ll spend hours reading your favorite book while soaking away all the aches and worries of the day.
From Charleston to Dallas, hydrangeas are classic southern landscaping staples. They come in an amazing variety of colors and grow into a hearty shrub with elegant pastel petals. They’re also fairly easy to care for, so plant some hydrangeas, and you may just have a farmhouse! Or at the very minimum, beautiful landscaping.
If you want a specific color of hydrangea, be sure to check into each type. On top of that, check the acidity of your soil. The acidity of your soil is what determines the color of most hydrangea plants. For a deep blue color, you want acidic soil. While for pink, make the soil alkaline. Purple is somewhere in between.
Chalkboards offer a fun opportunity to leave personal messages or to keep track of things you need to remember. In the kitchen, chalkboards can be used to display the menu for the week or for general décor. Basically, you can use chalkboards for anything and everything that sparks your imagination.
You can create this look by painting your walls in chalkboard paint or just hanging a chalkboard on the wall. Just don’t forget the eraser! If you can’t find the right size chalkboard for you, get chalkboard paint and paint whatever you like best. Some use picture frames while others get live-edge wood pieces from hobby stores like Michael’s.
Farmhouse decor is all about those subtle, quaint touches that are usable and pretty to look at. Nothing says country quite like having a working house that’s refined and beautiful. There are a million little ways to do it, but installing a row of unique cast iron coat hooks is one of the best.
In the entryway, it can be used to hold coats, leashes, or whatever you need to grab when you’re walking out the door. In the kitchen, the hooks are perfect for a cooking apron. Who knows? Adding some cast iron coat hooks could be that final touch you’ve been looking for.
Whether you’re into farmhouse décor or not, pastels are having a huge moment. The muted tones pastels offer can soften your home and bring out a feminine feel. This goes double for farmhouse décor. These light, pastel colors work best on accent pieces like accessories or small pieces of furniture.
You don’t have to go with pink if it isn’t your thing. Blue is another option, but if you’re feeling really adventurous, you could go for yellow. At first, going with yellow may seem like too much, but if you’re only accenting with it, it won’t be as overwhelming as you think. It’ll also add a nice warmth to a room.
This one seems obvious, doesn’t it? A farmhouse is a family’s house, and southern families are all about history. Most southern farmhouses have a million pictures that show what great-grandma and grandpa looked like when they were teenagers. That’s precisely why you need to have a gallery wall with your favorite family photos.
Black and white photos in particular look elegant while also adding to the farmhouse décor. Just make sure to go with a simple frame. Anything too complicated will take away from it all. It’ll also look much less cluttered than ornate frames that could be considered bulkier over anything else.
Framed and hung inspirational quotes are a fantastic way to incorporate personal mottos or favorite literary passages into your decor. No, we’re not saying pull out your “Live, Laugh, Love” décor. If anything, leave that in the closet – or preferably trash – where it belongs. Instead, go with something that really inspires you and touches you.
It could be something religious or a quote from someone that you admire. Quotes serve as a great alternative to traditional wall art. It also gives you a chance to express yourself. Bonus points if you get something custom from Etsy or even make it yourself! You may be surprised how easy it is to make some of your own décor.
