
10 Rules Of Farmhouse Style Decor You Must Follow
Sep 18, 2024
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Decorating your home with a farmhouse style can be tricky, as you must find the perfect balance between rustic charm and modern comfort. Modern farmhouse decor ideas originated in rural America in the 1700s and live on today.
This guide will walk you through 10 rules for nailing this timeless look and creating a cozy, inviting farmhouse space that feels like home.
Key Takeaways
Farmhouse-style decor originated in rural America in the 1700s and blends rustic charm with modern comfort.
Key elements include natural materials like wood and stone, neutral color palettes, vintage or reclaimed furniture, and simple, uncluttered spaces.
Cozy textiles, ample natural light, and a mix of old and new pieces create the warm, inviting atmosphere of farmhouse style.
Each room has specific farmhouse features: soft sofas and wooden tables in living rooms, farmhouse sinks and open shelving in kitchens, plush bedding and vintage nightstands in bedrooms, and classic vanities with exposed plumbing in bathrooms.
Little Mountain Homes, the top furniture store in Irmo, Chapin, and Columbia, SC, offers a wide range of farmhouse-style furniture and decor items to help create this look.
Exploring Farmhouse Style Decor
The farmhouse-style decor brings warmth and coziness to any home. At Little Mountain Homes, the No. 1 furniture store in Irmo, Chapin, Columbia, and Richland County in the Midlands, we love farmhouse decor ideas and how they mix old and new.
This style uses natural textures, wood, and steel to create a cozy feel. Joanna Gaines made it famous, showing how to blend vintage items with modern touches.
Farmhouse style is all about creating a welcoming space that feels lived-in and loved.
Our customers often ask about farmhouse color choices. We suggest neutral shades like beige, brown, and white. These colors work well with light blues, yellows, and greens to create a calm space.
The key is to focus on high-quality, pretty, and valuable items. This mix of beauty and function makes the modern farmhouse style so popular in homes today.

10 Essential Rules of Farmhouse Style Decor
The farmhouse-style decor brings warmth and charm to any home. We've put together ten essential rules to help you create the perfect farmhouse look. These guidelines will steer you toward a cozy and inviting space that captures the essence of rural living.
1. Embrace Natural Elements
At Little Mountain Homes, we love bringing nature indoors. Natural elements form the heart of the farmhouse style. We use wood, stone walls, and plants to create a warm, inviting space.
Our favorite picks include eucalyptus branches and olive trees in large white planters. These add a touch of green without feeling tropical.
High-quality natural materials shine in farmhouse decor. We choose hardwood floors to ground the entire space down. Ample windows let in plenty of sunlight. For textiles, we favor jute and linen.
These fabrics add texture and a cozy feel. By embracing nature, we create spaces that feel fresh and timeless.

2. Prioritize Comfort and Functionality
We prioritize comfort and function in farmhouse-style homes. Our cozy spaces invite relaxation with soft sofas and plush bedding. At Little Mountain Homes, we offer deep kitchen sinks and large islands for easy meal prep.
These touches make farmhouse decor both beautiful and practical for everyday life.
3. Opt for Neutral Color Palettes
We love neutral color palettes for farmhouse style. Soft beiges, creams, and grays create a calm, cozy feel in any room. These colors make spaces look more prominent and provide a perfect backdrop for different textures.
We often use whites and light grays to give rooms a timeless, classic look our customers love.
Neutral shades offer great flexibility, too. They work well with old and new pieces, letting you easily mix vintage finds with modern touches. Our team at Little Mountain Homes can help you choose the perfect neutral palette for your farm-inspired space.

4. Incorporate Reclaimed or Vintage Furniture
After choosing neutral colors, we move to another critical aspect of farmhouse style: reclaimed or vintage furniture. These pieces add character and history to your home. Our store offers a wide range of options.
Repurposed items create a unique look without needing family heirlooms. For example, an old door can become a striking focal point in your living room.
Distressed furniture is a hallmark of farmhouse decor. We love using oil-rubbed bronze light fixtures and linear, metallic chandeliers to complement these pieces.
Older windows can serve as decorative features, adding charm to any room. By mixing these elements with newer items, you'll create a space that feels both cozy and stylish.

5. Utilize Natural Wood Features in your Dining Room
Natural wood features bring warmth and coziness to any farmhouse-style space. We love using exposed beams, wooden floors, and reclaimed wood furniture to create a rustic charm.
Chairs showcasing distressed wood finishes will also add character to your dining area.
To enhance the farmhouse aesthetic, we suggest incorporating wooden shelving, mantels, or decorative accents. These elements not only look great but also serve practical purposes.
For example, a reclaimed wood coffee table can be a stylish centerpiece and a functional surface for your living room. If your coffee table has water damage, I have shared how to fix water damage on a wood coffee table, and you'll be able to fix it.
Combining different wood tones and textures will create a cozy, inviting atmosphere that is true to traditional farmhouse style.
6. Include Rustic and Industrial Accents
Moving from natural wood features, we now turn to rustic and industrial accents. These elements add character and depth to farmhouse decor. We love using wire baskets as both practical storage and stylish decor.
They work great in kitchens, living rooms, and bedroom offices. Candle chandeliers and pendant lights are top picks for lighting. A large chandelier can serve as a stunning focal point in any room.
At Little Mountain Homes, we offer a wide range of rustic and industrial pieces. Our mix of old and new features creates a unique farmhouse look.
We blend textures, patterns, and colors to craft cozy and modern spaces. Our team can help you choose the perfect accents for your farmhouse style.

7. Keep Decor Simple and Uncluttered
Our farmhouse style focuses on clean lines and uncluttered spaces.
We suggest using neutral paint colors and minimal decor to create a calm, inviting atmosphere. This approach lets key pieces shine and makes rooms feel more significant.
Neutral colors are the canvas for farmhouse beauty.
To achieve this look, we recommend choosing a few statement items and avoiding overcrowding. Wire baskets offer practical storage while adding rustic charm, and painted furniture in soft hues can brighten a room without overwhelming it.
Using decor ideas and keeping things simple, you can create a cozy, welcoming space that feels like home.
8. Add Cozy Textiles and Fabrics
Cozy textiles and fabrics are crucial to creating a warm farmhouse feel. We love using chunky knit throws and linen pillows to add comfort and style. These soft touches bring warmth and character to any room.
Little Mountain Homes has a wide range of plush textiles in neutral tones like beige and cream. Our team can help you layer different textures to create a cozy, inviting space that feels like home.

9. Let Natural Light Flood In
Moving from cozy fabrics to bright spaces, we now focus on letting natural light flood in. Large windows are vital to creating an authentic farmhouse feel. We always suggest using sheer curtains or no window coverings at all.
This approach allows sunlight to pour into rooms, making them feel more open and airy. Natural light also helps showcase the beauty of neutral colors like soft beiges and creams, standard in farmhouse decor.
We recommend placing mirrors across windows to reflect natural light and boost the effect of natural light. This trick bounces light around the room, making it seem brighter and more significant. Light fixtures such as candle chandeliers and pendant lights can add to the ambiance when the sun goes down.
These elements work together to create a warm, inviting, cozy space perfect for gathering with family and friends.

10. Mix Old and New Elements Seamlessly
We love blending old and new elements in farmhouse decor and mixing vintage pieces with modern touches.
This creates a unique look that feels both cozy and fresh. For example, we might pair a rustic wooden table with sleek metal chairs or hang a modern light fixture above an antique sideboard.
Our approach keeps the old farmhouse style from feeling dated. We use contemporary materials like quartz countertops alongside traditional elements such as barn doors or exposed beams. Mixing textures, patterns, and colors adds depth to the space.
We often include baskets, warm wood accents, and linen fabrics to create a balanced, inviting atmosphere that combines the best of old and new.
Key Farmhouse Elements for Each Room
Each room in a farmhouse-style home has its unique charm. Little Mountain Homes, the #1 furniture store in Irmo, Chapin, Columbia, SC, Richland County in the Midlands, offers perfect pieces to create this look.
Farmhouse Style Living Room: Soft Sofas and Wooden Coffee Tables
We love creating cozy living rooms; soft sofas are essential to farmhouse comfort.
We suggest plush seating in neutral tones like beige or light gray. Pair these with wooden coffee tables for a rustic touch. Distressed wood pieces add charm and character to your space.
Mix vintage items with modern elements to complete the look of your home. This blend creates a unique farmhouse style.
Add texture with beadboard or shiplap walls for extra visual interest. These simple steps will help craft a warm, inviting farmhouse living room.

Kitchen: Farmhouse Sinks and Open Shelving
In farmhouse kitchens, deep sinks and open shelving take center stage. We at Little Mountain Homes offer these key elements of farmhouse sinks.
Our large farmhouse sinks provide ample space for washing dishes and prepping food. They blend function with classic charm. Open shelving adds a practical touch, letting you easily display pretty dishes and grab items.
It also creates an airy feel in the kitchen.
We pair these features with subway tile backsplashes for a clean, timeless look. Our neutral color schemes make kitchens feel spacious and bright. To add depth, we use textured elements like shiplap or beadboard.
These details bring warmth and character to your farmhouse kitchen. Our mix of old and new pieces creates a unique space that's both cozy and stylish.
Bedroom: Cozy Bedding and Vintage Nightstands
We love creating cozy bedrooms with plush bedding and vintage nightstands. Soft, layered textiles like fluffy comforters and throw pillows add warmth and comfort. We often pair these with reclaimed wood nightstands for a rustic touch.
If you are confused about whether the nightstand in your bedroom should be taller than a bed, you should my article on this topic, and your doubts will be cleared.
Our next tip focuses on the bathroom, where classic vanities and exposed plumbing create an authentic farmhouse feel.

Bathroom: Classic Vanities and Exposed Plumbing
We focus on classic vanities and exposed plumbing. These elements bring charm and character to your farmhouse bathroom.
Our vanities feature natural wood finishes and simple designs, perfect for a farmhouse look.
Exposed plumbing adds a rustic touch to your bathroom. We love how copper or brass pipes create a warm, industrial feel. Pair these with a pedestal sink or a vintage-inspired faucet for a complete farmhouse vibe.
Our team of interior designers can help you choose the right mix of classic and modern elements to create your ideal farmhouse bathroom.
Conclusion
The farmhouse-style decor brings warmth and charm to any home. We've shared ten essential rules to help you create this cozy look: Mix old and new, keep things simple, and let nature shine. These tips will guide you in creating a rustic and modern space.
For excellent farmhouse furniture in Irmo, Chapin, Columbia, and the Midlands, visit Little Mountain Homes. We're here to help you bring your farmhouse dreams to life.
FAQs
1. What defines farmhouse-style decor?
The farmhouse-style home decor blends rustic charm with modern comfort. It features natural wood accents, neutral colors, and vintage elements, creating a cozy, lived-in feel.
2. How can I add farmhouse elements to my living room?
Incorporate wood beams, use neutral fabrics, and add a sliding barn door: display mason jars and vintage items. Choose comfortable seating with natural fabrics. Use an accent wall with barn boards or stone to create visual interest.
3. What are the key differences between classic and modern farmhouse styles?
The classic farmhouse style uses more traditional elements like antiques and muted colors. Modern farmhouse decor adds a contemporary spin with sleek lines and metal accents. Both styles value natural light and open floor plans.
4. How can I blend farmhouse decor with my existing furniture?
Mix old and new pieces for a balanced look. Use neutral colors as a base. Add farmhouse touches like rustic details or vintage-style accessories. This approach lets you create a cohesive space without replacing all your furniture.
5. What colors work best in farmhouse interior design?
Stick to neutral tones like white, beige, and gray. Use pops of muted colors for accents. Avoid bright colors that clash with the calm, natural feel of the modern farmhouse design. Earth tones complement the style's focus on natural elements.
6. How can I make my farmhouse-style home feel more modern?
Incorporate clean lines and minimal decorating style throughout. Use metal accents for contrast. Choose updated lighting fixtures. Keep the color palette neutral, but add depth with different textures. Balance rustic elements with sleek, contemporary pieces for a fresh look.
Contact Little Mountain Homes today for all your luxury furniture and design needs!