Skip to main content

5 rules for bringing modern farmhouse design to your home

Home design is a large and vast area of design. It incorporates art, functionality, and comfort to create beautiful living spaces that are also practical. When it comes to designing your home, it can feel overwhelming. There are so many colors, shapes, and finishes. There are so many styles and designs, too. The great thing about home design, though, is that there are trends. And it means that many people love the same idea. Modern-farmhouse design is the current style trending all over the place. People love its comfort, functionality, and warmth while also staying true to modern design. Check out five simple rules you can use to bring modern-farmhouse design to your home.

Sunny Country Kitchen with Wooden Table, Chairs, and Floor
Francesca Tosolini/Unsplash

What is modern-farmhouse design?

Modern-farmhouse design, or country chic, has come a long way and is a huge trend in home design. Farmhouse and modern design are combined to create a beautiful and contrasting look. This type of design combines warmth, personality, and character with a bit of minimalism to make spaces feel welcoming. This styling has a modern feel without the pretentious tone that can come with strictly modern designs. Modern farmhouse design is all about coziness and no clutter.

Recommended Videos

The current take on modern-farmhouse design stems from rustic-country charisma and industrial elements. It strikes the perfect balance between hard and soft, new and old, and sleek and weathered. Modern-farmhouse design is all about comfort and casual living. It intertwines sophistication and informality in a way like no other design. It is perfect for making opposites attract, and it is no wonder why everyone is following this style.

Living Room with Fireplace, Couch, and Dining Table
Francesca Tosolini/Unsplash

Modern-farmhouse design rules

Keep colors neutral

Farmhouse design is all about keeping things looking natural. Neutral colors like brown, beige, white, and black can all be perfect for a modern-farmhouse design. The decorations should feel as though you brought the outside to the inside. Use mostly lighter colors like the beiges and whites for walls, and large furniture pieces to accent the darker colors. Dark or light hardwood floors can be perfect for achieving this look. Also, try to use natural red tones like you would find in bricks. This can be the perfect way to bring in some vibrancy without sacrificing the nature-like appearance of the space.

Functionality is key

Modern-farmhouse design is all about functionality and comfort. Even though modern is half of the style, it is important not to sacrifice comfort. Indulge in comfy couches, wooden benches with storage, and lots of unique shelving to make your home as practical as it is beautiful. Open shelving is a common feature in modern-farmhouse design homes. It allows you to see antiques and fine china while also having easy access to them. Always remember to incorporate storage wherever you can with this design. The minimalist style is easily achieved because items are stored away out of sight.

Wood, wood, and more wood

Wood is an attractive addition in any home. Use wood as statement pieces throughout each room to achieve that rustic look, as Elle Decor suggests. In the kitchen, you can have wooden countertops and shelving for easy maintenance and storage. You can spruce up your fireplace with a wooden mantle that will add charm and warmth to the space. Hardwood floors are nearly always a must with this design. Wooden floors tie a room together and stand out against any modern pieces you might have.

You don’t need everything to match

This design style is all about contrast and bringing opposites together. Don’t stress if every piece is slightly unique. Not everything has to match perfectly, and that is what brings character to a home. Modern-farmhouse design thrives on uniqueness and personalization. Put your staple on the design and make it your own. If you have an eye-catching modern table next to some rustic wooden chairs, then you’re nailing the design perfectly. It may not make sense as to why it works so well, but it does. Accept the design process as it is and try new things until you find the perfect fit for each space.

Put thought into the small details

The small details are a huge part of the overall design. Old lanterns for lighting or a mason jar as a flower vase are the tiny details that will tie everything together. The details create character and personality. It is your chance to truly think outside the box and do some exploring. You can find incredibly unique pieces almost anywhere. Think up a DIY project to refurbish some old, vintage items and incorporate those things into the final space. The options are endless.

Modern-farmhouse design is much more simple than it seems. Once you understand the root of the design, it is easy to picture what pieces will fit best in every space. Enjoy the process of designing and get inspiration from the minimalist, casual style that this design requires.

Meanwhile, if you’d rather ditch the modern element, if you’d rather enjoy the charm of the rustic and the repurposed, check out our list of vintage farmhouse decorating ideas!

Deb Goncalves
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Deb's work has appeared on Moms, Babygaga, and WorldAtlas. When she's not working (that's hard to say about a Capricorn), she…
Rustic Scandinavian interior design: Your go-to guide
The rustic Scandinavian style is a gorgeous design choice, blending crisp Scandi styles with warm accents
Rustic and Scandinavian design table with gray background

Rustic Scandinavian interior design is a great way to blend the stark simplicity of Scandinavian decor with inviting, rich and organic materials in your home. With their shared emphasis on nature, these two interior design styles have become the perfect duo for homeowners looking for a rugged yet refined look for their spaces. Below is everything you need to know about rustic Scandinavian design and how you can achieve this stunning look in your home.
What is rustic Scandinavian interior design?

Rustic Scandinavian interior design is achieved by marrying both rustic and Scandi decor. This pairing can seem unusual at first glance. Where rustic decor is well known for its dark and woody interiors, Scandinavian design is often dominated by stark color palettes and minimalism. However, these two design styles have a few details in common that allow them to blend together beautifully in any room. For example, both styles incorporate raw materials and unfinished wood pieces into their aesthetics.

Read more
10 hardscaping ideas to elevate your backyard design
Bring depth, texture, and visual interest to your outdoor space
Backyard with hardscaping features like deck, stone steps, and retaining wall

Transforming your backyard into an outdoor sanctuary starts with hardscaping — a design element that incorporates nonliving materials like stone, wood, and concrete to create functional and aesthetic features. Hardscaping can bring structure and style to your outdoor spaces, blending beautifully with your landscaping and adding value to your home. Whether you’re designing a cozy retreat or an entertainment hub, these 10 best hardscaping ideas will elevate your backyard design.
1. Unique patio designs

Say goodbye to the monotony of plain concrete patios and embrace designs that add personality and charm to your backyard. Gravel patios provide a rustic, budget-friendly option that’s easy to install and maintain. For a more timeless look, consider brick patios with their classic red hues or multicolored patterns.

Read more
How to make slate blue pop: 5 creative home decor ideas
Great ideas and color pairings for using slate blue in your home
Blue door with "Welcome" sign

Slate blue colors are wonderful hues to add to your palette when you're looking to invite more peace and serenity to your space. This faded, cool color focuses on the simplicity of a soft blue-grey tone, perfect for uplifting and neutralizing any room. Unfortunately, the challenge with using this color is that it can sometimes leave your color palette feeling dull and boring due to the washed-out and faded undertones. If you adore this gentle and calming shade and want to add it to your space in a way that works, we have a few tips to help you achieve a lovely aesthetic.

We've gathered five spectacular ways to add a slate blue color to your home to create a relaxing and vibrant space.
What is slate blue?

Read more