Can't we just go back to the simple life? With farmhouse decor, you can. So whether you're a city slicker or living in an actual farmhouse, the ethos is the same. Be it modern or traditional farmhouse style: keep it cosy, welcoming, and low-key.

Channel that laid-back country life with this calm and relaxing colour palette. Whether it's a farmhouse kitchen that's the heart of the home or a casual country style living room—relax and let these colours do the heavy lifting for you.

Feel that fresh country air flowing through your home with this light and airy farmhouse palette. Ideal for a farmhouse-style kitchen or bathroom that oozes simplicity and rustic charm or any room where you want to create that feeling of flow.

Farmhouse decor doesn't have to be quaint. It can create a bit of drama too. This dark and moody palette would look spot on paired with rustic woods and well-loved furniture. Ideal for a snug, a cosy living room or a candle-lit dining room.

You can almost hear the crackle of the wood burner with this warming farmhouse palette. Whether it's a cosy bedroom or a living room that gives you a warm welcome, this farmhouse palette will instantly make any space feel homely. 


A modern offshoot of traditional farmhouse decor, modern farmhouse decor is the brighter, sleeker version. Whilst still incorporating that relaxed feel and a sense of warmth and character, the modern farmhouse trend is more restrained, more minimalist, and more, well, \nmodern\n. \n\nWith some similarities to Scandi interior style, whether it’s our newfound focus on a simpler, clean and organic lifestyle or a yearning to embrace the past in what can feel like complicated modern times. Modern farmhouse decor bridges the gap between past and present for a sophisticated style that looks right at home in a contemporary or period house.\nHow does modern farmhouse decor differ from traditional farmhouse decor?\nAs ever in the interior design world, trends are not a monolith. One inspires and evolves into another. And that’s just the case with traditional and modern farmhouse decor. The original, traditional farmhouse decor is nostalgic and sentimental—it’s a celebration of the past and looks back to a bygone era. \n\nWhereas modern farmhouse decor is forward-facing. It’s an updated version, better suited to our modern lives and contemporary homes. It’s more minimal. There’s less fuss and fewer trimmings. There’s still that same focus on natural materials and rustic elements, but with added modern touches like glossy white marble countertops and sleek industrial lighting. There are still vintage or reclaimed elements but used more sparingly. Less is more when it comes to modern farmhouse decor.\nKey characteristics of the modern farmhouse decor style\n\nModern farmhouse characteristic: neutral colour palette\nA neutral colour palette is synonymous with modern farmhouse decor. Creating a relaxed and inviting backdrop, warming \nbeiges\n, \ngreiges\n and oaty \nwhites\n are the paints colours to go for on your walls, whilst introducing accent colours through your furnishings. Take a look at our guide on \nhow to style new neutrals in your home\n to get the look or get a better \nunderstanding of the different neutral colour palettes\n.\nModern farmhouse characteristic: natural elements\nNatural elements are another cornerstone of the modern farmhouse decor style. The original farmhouses that inspired the trend would have had wood-panelled walls, wood floorboards and exposed wood beams.  Whilst this might be a bit too much wood for our modern tastes, you can recreate elements of it with \nshiplap cladding\n, a rustic wood coffee or dining table or reclaimed scaffolding style open shelving in the kitchen. 

Modern farmhouse characteristic: industrial accents\nThe modern farmhouse decor trend shares some elements with the industrial decor style. It’s that balance of form and function which both trends celebrate. Mix reclaimed woods with chunky metals for a warm yet sturdy style. Think wrought iron bed frames against a shiplap cladding feature wall, black frame crittall style doors and windows, industrial pendant lighting and open shelving in the kitchen and metal trunk or recycled wood coffee tables in the living room. 

Modern farmhouse characteristic: a mix of vintage and modern pieces\nFrom salvaged fixtures and fittings in kitchens and bathrooms to a vintage armchair in the living room, mixing in older pieces to your modern farmhouse decor is the perfect way to add some depth and history to a modern decor trend. Mix your modern furnishings with those that have had a previous life, like a salvaged Singer sewing machine turned console table, a traditional gas stove, or a butcher’s block-cum-kitchen island. Why not try your hand at upcycling?

Modern farmhouse characteristic: comfort and functionality\nTraditional farmhouse decor tends to be more quaint and comfort-orientated, whilst modern farmhouse decor strikes a happy medium between comfort and function. When choosing fabrics and furnishings, make sure to ask yourself: is it comfortable or is it functional? It doesn’t need to be both (and some decorative items might be neither, but keep these to a minimum).\n\nThis translates into your decor style as soft Persian rugs in either the kitchen or living room, oversized dining room tables or linen sofas—ideal for getting the entire family around—or large windowpane style mirrors that look great and bounce light around the room.

Modern farmhouse characteristic: minimalism\nBearing comfort, form and function in mind,  you want to keep your decor style on the minimal side. Ask yourself what purpose will something serve in your home and how will it enhance it? Modern farmhouse decor is more paired-back than its traditional counterpart, so you’ll need to practice a bit of restraint. It’s a decor trope, but less is definitely more when it comes to modern farmhouse decor.

If you’ve been inspired by this style, why not take a look at our \n9 modern farmhouse kitchen ideas\n or these 7 modern farmhouse living room ideas to recreate the look in your home.

​​In these modern times, we all want a simpler life, so it’s no surprise that farmhouse decor is taking the world by storm. It’s cosy, comforting, and totally nostalgic. So, take a look at traditional farmhouse decor, learn the history behind the trend, how it’s inspired contemporary trends, and (most importantly) how we can create it in our homes.\nWhat is the history behind the traditional farmhouse decor style?\nTraditional farmhouse decor pays homage to the cosy farmhouse aesthetic. Inspired by the provincial homes of the first American settlers, the style is reminiscent of simpler times. Contrary to what you might think, traditional farmhouse decor isn’t precious or fussy. It incorporates rustic and handmade touches with a need for sturdy and practical furnishings. Focusing on robust pieces that are made to last. What doesn’t, you can make do and mend. It’s a little bit of that DIY cottagecore attitude without the added frills. If you’re after a warm and welcoming, fuss-free aesthetic in your house, then traditional farmhouse decor might just be the one for you.\nKey characteristics of the traditional farmhouse decor style\nTraditional farmhouse decor characteristic: warm and cosy colour palette\nCompliment those architectural features with a warm and cosy colour palette. That doesn’t mean it has to be all \nwhites\n and \nbeiges\n (though we do love a \nneutral colour palette\n), you can go for warm \ngreens\n and \nblues\n, like a \nGreen 02\n, \nGreen 05\n or a \nBlue 02\n kitchen. A classic wallpaper, like our \nChinoiserie 01\n would look gorgeous in a traditional farmhouse style bathroom. Take a look at our guide on \nhow to style the new neutral colours\n in your home.

Traditional farmhouse decor characteristic: wall panelling\nAnother way to layer your decor and create texture (especially if you don’t have any original architectural features) is with wall panelling. We’d recommend \nshiplap cladding\n for that traditional farmhouse look. Use reclaimed wood for a rustic look or \npaint\n it to compliment your decor scheme. Gorgeous in a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom—any room really—shiplap cladding is the perfect way to add instant character to a space.

Traditional farmhouse decor characteristic: natural woods and materials\nLikewise, if you don’t have original architectural features incorporate natural woods and materials into your home through your furnishings. Look for reclaimed barn-style doors with rustic ironmongery fittings. You can even make a statement from your firewood by creating a log feature wall by a fireplace or store it in a large wicker basket for that cosy fireside feel.

Traditional farmhouse decor characteristic: practicality and comfort\nThe traditional farmhouses which inspired this trend, more than anything needed to be practical. Sturdy tables that would stand the test of time, trestle benches rather than individual chairs. An oversized kitchen island for prepping meals and comfy ottomans that double up as tables. It’s all a part of the traditional farmhouse trend marrying form and function.\n\nTraditional farmhouse decor characteristic: exposed architectural features\nOriginally, the farmhouses on which the traditional farmhouse trend is based would have been awash with architectural features like stone walls, exposed brick fireplaces or wooden beams. If your house has any of these—make a feature of them! Leave them bare rather than painting them and create that warm, rustic feel.

Traditional farmhouse decor characteristic: vintage furniture and rustic accents\nEmbrace the past by sourcing vintage furniture and rustic accents. Look out for pieces that have had a past life, like peach crates repurposed as storage, steamer trunk coffee tables or a milk churn turned statement lamp. Keep it casual with a farmhouse sink and rustic \nopen-shelving in your kitchen\n and celebrate the imperfections of shabby-chic pieces by \nupcycling your furniture\n.

Traditional farmhouse decor characteristic: patterned fabrics\nPatterned fabrics are a great way to add some fun and colour into a decor scheme whilst also being a fantastic way to tie a look together. The traditional farmhouse trend is all about classic fabric styles. Think a gingham sink curtain, ticking stripe table runner, lots of tartan throws in the living room or bedroom and don’t be afraid to throw a chintz armchair in there for good measure.

Traditional farmhouse decor characteristic: trinkets and knick knacks\nThe fun part! And what really brings a look together. Flea market found trinkets and knick-knacks are a key component of traditional farmhouse decor. Vintage street signs or movie posters add character to any room whilst wall tapestries of framed embroidery will add texture to any space. Use a zinc planter to create an indoor herb garden in your kitchen or use a zinc milk churn as a rustic vase for flowers.

Traditional farmhouse decor characteristic: bring the outdoors in\nSpeaking of flowers, freshly cut or dried, they’re a great way to make a traditional farmhouse home look loved and lived in. Not only do they add a splash of colour, but they hark back to that ‘good life’ living. Keep your bouquets simple, rather than fussy (extra points if they’re picked straight from your garden)! Or if you really want to bring the look alive and bring the outdoors in, pot indoor plants in \ndistressed terracotta pots\n (the kind you’d normally find in the garden). Just make sure that you include a saucer so you don’t drench your surfaces when you water them!

We wouldn’t be surprised if the traditional farmhouse trend has got you wanting to up sticks and move to the sticks. If you’re not ready to give up urbane living just yet, then why not take a look at the modern farmhouse decor trend, for an updated take on this traditional style.

The proverbial heart of the home, there’s no space where \nmodern farmhouse decor\n is better suited than the kitchen. Incorporating characteristics of industrial decor style and \nScandi interior style\n, it bridges the gap between traditional farmhouse decor and contemporary living. Creating a relaxed and welcoming ambience, it’s perfect for both simple suppers and entertaining. It’s modern living with those ‘good life’ trimmings. Find out how to create the look with these modern farmhouse kitchen decor ideas.\nModern farmhouse kitchen idea: a light, neutral colour palette\nUnlike traditional farmhouse decor, which tends to be more colourful, modern farmhouse kitchens favours lighter, neutral colours, that also to make \nthe best kitchen paint colours\n, like warming \nwhites\n, \nbeiges\n, with charcoal \ngreys\n as accents. Create contrast by painting your upper and lower level kitchen cabinets in lighter and darker shades or layer on the texture with some \nshiplap cladding\n wall panelling. Whatever look you go for, get an in-depth understanding of the \ndifferent neutral colour palettes\n or get some inspiration from these \n6 neutral kitchen ideas\n.\nModern farmhouse kitchen idea: natural elements\nCreate that rustic feel by incorporating natural elements into your decor. Countertops are a great place to do this. Choose between glossy marble, dark granite, or rustic wood—gorgeous when contrasted with lighter or dark lower cabinets or white subway tiles. Terracotta, stone, or exposed wooden floorboards are all great options for creating warmth and texture (with an accompanying rug, more on that later). Or, opt for brushed copper, iron or brass cupboard handles and fittings.

Modern farmhouse kitchen idea: industrial pendant lighting\nWe’ve never met an industrial pendant light we didn’t like, but they look particularly on point in a modern farmhouse kitchen. Place them above a kitchen island or dining table to create a statement look and demarcate the space—and remember to always opt for warming, filament style bulbs to create that welcoming feel. Get inspired with these \n5 pendant lighting styles that will enhance your decor\n.

Modern farmhouse kitchen idea: textiles and fabrics \nSoften those industrial tendencies of modern farmhouse decor by introducing textiles and fabrics into your kitchen. It can be anything from a deep red Persian rug to a blue and white ticking stripe table runner—little splashes of colour in an otherwise neutral colour scheme. Or what about creating a stylish bay window dining nook with upholstered bench seating or patterned Venetian blinds?

Modern farmhouse kitchen idea: mix in vintage pieces \nCreate that perfect balance between modern and farmhouse by mixing in vintage pieces, like flea market find teapots and copper kettles, to church pew seating or a butcher’s block as a quirky alternative to a kitchen island. Whatever curiosities you pick up, incorporating vintage or salvaged items creates an intriguing narrative whilst adding depth to an otherwise modern decor trend.\nModern farmhouse kitchen idea: open shelving \nAnd where better to display those vintage finds than on open shelving? Go for the classic industrial style with reclaimed scaffolding shelves with rustic iron supports or a more traditional farmhouse feel by painting your open shelving the same colour as your walls. The golden rule of \nhow to style open shelving in your kitchen\n? Leave the cereal boxes and tin cans to the cupboards. Be it cookbooks or ceramics, Kilner jars or indoor plants, make sure you’re storing pieces that you want to show off.

Modern farmhouse kitchen idea: large kitchen island\nWe know not everyone has space for a kitchen island, but if you do, you won’t regret including one. A stalwart feature of the modern farmhouse style, the kitchen island is the perfect combination of form and function. Whether you use yours for extra chopping space, instal a hob or sink or just as a place to congregate whilst cooking, not only do they look gorgeous they’re incredibly practical.

Modern farmhouse kitchen idea: rustic utilities \nAs with mixing in a few vintage finds, create that juxtaposition between old and new in your modern farmhouse kitchen by incorporating a few rustic utilities. Be it a deep butler’s sink (another beautiful yet practical addition), salvaged taps and fittings or a large gas stove—rustic utilities nod towards the traditional origins of the modern farmhouse decor style.

A kitchen remodel is a big undertaking, so if you’re still not sure which is the one for you, \nget inspired by these 7 kitchen decor ideas\n! Or if you love a before and after, take a look at these \n5 kitchen makeovers\n.

The sleeker version of traditional farmhouse decor, \nmodern farmhouse decor\n incorporates that sense of warmth and character whilst imbuing a feel of contemporary style and modern sensibilities. It’s more restrained, more minimalist, more sophisticated. Bridging the gap between old and new, the result is a decor style that is relaxed yet comfortable: perfect for a living room. So, get the look in your home with these 6 modern farmhouse living room decor ideas.\nModern farmhouse living room idea: a warm, neutral colour palette\nWhen it comes to your walls, go for a neutral paint palette that’s warm and inviting. Think warming \nbeiges\n and \ngreiges\n, and \nwhites\n with a subtle, oaty undertone like \nWhite 05\n. Get to know the \ndifferent neutral colour palettes\n to find the perfect one for you. Neutrals always work well in a living room as they’re relaxing, soothing and promote a restful feel. You don’t want anything too stimulating in a space for kicking back in. Take a look at these \n6 neutral living room ideas for some inspiration\n.

Modern farmhouse living room idea: natural textures and materials\nThen, when it comes to your upholstery, you can incorporate some warmer, colourful tones. Stick to natural materials like linens and cotton for added comfort, adding nature-inspired greens or contrasting cornflower blues with terracotta oranges. If you really want to decorate like a pro, find out \nhow to create a mood board from scratch\n.

Modern farmhouse living room idea: an oversized rug\nThe crowning glory of a modern farmhouse living room is an oversized rug. It really pulls a room together and creates a soft and inviting seating area. Think about your textures. If you want something more hardwearing, go for a natural fibre jute or sisal rug. Whereas, if you want to add a splash of colour, why not opt for a Persian style rug. Or somewhere in between with a hand-loomed kilim rug. If you’re going for a colourful option, you can pick out tones from your rug to inform your decor throughout your living room.

Modern farmhouse living room idea: shiplap cladding\nA favourite of both modern and traditional farmhouse decor, shiplap cladding adds texture and visual interest to a living room. It’s particularly effective in modern houses for creating that lived-in feel. Use reclaimed wood for an extra rustic aesthetic or paint it for a more subtle look. Find out \nhow to create shiplap cladding\n in your modern farmhouse living room.

Modern farmhouse living room idea: rustic wooden accents\nAnother way to create that cosy vibe and instil some texture into your living room is with rustic wood accents. This can be anything from embracing existing features like an exposed wood beam above a fireplace to tearing up those carpets to expose wooden floorboards. Alternatively, if you don’t have these period features you can get the look with a rustic, wooden coffee table or reclaimed scaffolding open shelving.

Modern farmhouse living room idea: house plants and flowers\nBring the outdoors in and add a bit of life to your modern farmhouse living room with indoor plants and flowers. Fiddle leaf figs are \nvery\n modern farmhouse or, if you’ve got lots of natural light, what about an olive tree in an oversized terracotta pot? Or plant up some lavender in smaller terracotta or zinc pots for a splash of colour and fragrance.

Modern farmhouse living room idea: mix in vintage pieces \nFind that happy medium between contemporary and traditional by mixing in vintage pieces with your modern farmhouse design. It could be anything from a reclaimed Singer sewing machine as a console table, antique vases, an oversized windowpane style mirror or a vintage metal shop or street sign. By incorporating older items, that have a sense of history or a past attached to them, you start to create a narrative and a sense of depth to an otherwise modern decor style.

If you love the modern farmhouse decor style as much as we do, why not take a look at these \n9 modern farmhouse kitchen ideas\n for a little more inspiration.

Farmhouse

Calm & relaxing

Light & airy

Dark & moody

Cosy & warm