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If you've ever walked into someone's home and immediately felt the need to kick off your shoes, get a warm cup of tea, and snuggle with a cozy blanket, that's the effect of the farmhouse charm.
For the last decade, designers have been deep into farmhouse furniture decor. While many trends fade away, this style remains a constant in our homes. And honestly, it’s not hard to understand why.
There's something about that rustic charm that makes you want to take life one step at a time and bake fresh bread every weekend.
If you've ever considered adding a bit of the farmhouse furniture style to your home interior, the first step is to understand what it truly means and entails. Here is a detailed overview of everything you need to know before decorating.
What is Farmhouse Furniture Style?
Farmhouse furniture style is a cozy aesthetic inspired by rural living. The concept began with families using natural materials such as wood, iron, and stone to design simple, comfortable homes. Modern farmhouse furniture mirrors this idea with some additional touches like minimalist decor, open layouts, and natural palettes to make it a highly appealing style to millions.
Farmhouse furniture style blends the old and the new and comes with a lot of creativity. It features warm woods, natural colors and textures, vintage materials, and a lot of unique items that give your home some character. To top it all, it ushers in an overall lived-in, welcoming feel.
Farmhouse designs are cozy and warm. While they can be expressed differently in traditional, modern, or coastal aesthetics, the common result is a comfortable and relaxing space filled with character.
Characteristics of the Farmhouse Furniture Style
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If you're planning your dream home, you probably have a vision for the decor you want to include. How can you tell if this idea truly reflects farmhouse furniture style? What exactly makes a piece or room fit this warm, rustic charm? Some telltale signs are:
Natural Materials
Wood, stone, iron, and other organic materials are characteristic features you'd mostly find in these homes. They are often left in their natural or lightly finished state to highlight texture and character. Some typical examples of items that fit into this category are reclaimed-wood dining tables, iron bed frames, and light fixtures.
Warm, Neutral Colors
You'd find homes that fit this aesthetic cocooned in soft whites, creams, beige, and neutral tones. When designing for this style, consider materials like off-white slipcovered sofas or beige linen curtains, as they help deliver that soft, natural feel.
Functional and Sturdy Designs
Many farmhouse furniture pieces are actually built to be used – not just look pretty. This means you get pieces that are large, sturdy, and relatively functional. Common pieces include dining tables that can accommodate enough guests, beautiful open shelving with sufficient storage, luxurious farmhouse sinks, durable freestanding bathtubs, and much more.
Vintage and Rustic Touches
If your farmhouse interior is lacking a vintage touch, then you're not there yet. Most designers never overlook weathered finishes and antique items because of the character they add to the home. If you're unsure what constitutes such an addition, some options for you include distressed wooden tables and heirloom antiques like vintage furniture, shawls, and vinyl records.
Types of Farmhouse Furniture Style
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Farmhouse style can be presented in different ways, and that's part of its charm. Let's discuss the major types and help you find which ones suit your design plans.
Modern
A modern farmhouse design leans into a more contemporary look, while keeping the warmth of the original style. It's just as cozy as traditional farmhouse style, but without feeling cluttered, and blends effortlessly into both city and suburban spaces. Think bright white walls and interiors, mixed with a few simple black accents, and furniture. Some typical examples include comfy, oversized sofas in a neutral color, a chunky wooden coffee table with clean edges, and woven baskets for storage.
Traditional
We established earlier that the design itself originated from rural homes. Traditional farmhouse styles mirror the original concept the most. They are more heavily focused on rustic, natural woods and vintage finds for a more authentic feel.
French
A French design never fails to bring a romantic appeal to the room, and we can say the same for its farmhouse style. In this mix, you'd find vintage European elegance with arched details, floral patterns, antique-style details, and washed wood that balances the traditional with a romantic French touch. Pieces like a curved back upholstered armchair, a weathered wooden sideboard, or a dainty floral print throw pillow will do the trick.
Coastal
Coastal farmhouse designs add more beachy elements to the mix. The color pattern features soft blues, sage greens, and materials that create a light, airy seaside feel.
Rustic
Rustic designs feature a unique ruggedness that most of the others do not have. Half the time, most of the items here are repurposed or reinvented from old items to curate this look. They could include unique finds from the flea market, or rustic wooden elements and furniture pieces that add character to your home. Your designers might suggest items like a chunky reclaimed wood coffee table or barn door sliders with iron hardware.
Industrial
This style is the most masculine of the options because it features bold, heavy additions that are missing in other spaces. Here, you'd find features like industrial lighting and hardware, as well as DIY elements. It also comes with a lot of black interior, copper farmhouse sinks, and metal accents.
Furniture Items to Consider for That Farmhouse Look
If you’re trying to bring that cozy, lived-in farmhouse charm into your home, you need the right furniture pieces to achieve this look. Some natural materials, handcrafted details, and items that feel both comforting and practical can significantly make this look even better. Here are some standout pieces that fit beautifully into a farmhouse-inspired space.
Copper Farmhouse Sinks
For a farmhouse kitchen, the sink is one of the easiest ways to anchor the whole look. A copper farmhouse sink like our SB1 Designer Kitchen Sink adds instant sophistication and warmth with its rich patina and handcrafted details. The SBD Drainboard Kitchen Sink is another option, and it comes in both brass and copper for a rustic look with a generous surface for drying and preparation.
SB1 Designer Kitchen Sink
Designed to elevate high-end interiors
Shop NowCopper Bathtubs
You can bring that same cozy feel to your space and elevate it into a thoughtfully designed luxury bathroom with our copper tubs. These designs are particularly great for a farmhouse style because they feel timeless and artisanal yet clean and contemporary. The Heritage HX1 Artisan Tub has that heirloom design and beautifully hammered texture that most of our customers love. If you want something that’s more of a statement piece, the Grande Copper bathtub is an option that would definitely give that feel, available in Rustic, Aged, or Fire copper.
How to Add Farmhouse Style in Your Home Without Overdoing It
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Farmhouse decor is naturally warm and welcoming, but it's still very possible to get carried away adding too many details. Here are some tips that can help you retain this charm without doing too much.
Start with a Few Natural Textures
You can never go wrong with natural textures like soft woods, woven baskets, and linen fabrics. When added appropriately, these items automatically give "farmhouse" without dominating the room.
Work with Neutral Color palettes as Your Base
A neutral color palette automatically creates a calm, cohesive effect that prevents the entire design from becoming overwhelming. Finding the perfect mix of neutral colors will surely steer you in the right direction.
Use Vintage Pieces Sparingly
A simple antique mirror, or a rustic ladder shelf, might be all you need to add a vintage feel to your home. You don't need every corner filled with old items to bring that touch alive. Focus on adding a few pieces that suit your space and theme.
Add Some Personal Touches
One major charm of a farmhouse is the unique, personal feel it gives when you step inside. Your space needs this personal touch. A few family frames, handmade ceramics, or items with personal meaning can help your space feel authentically yours.
Your Next Step to a Cozier Home
There is a lot to consider when choosing a farmhouse design for your space. Are you drawn to rustic charm and textures? Or the soft neutrals tickle your fancy. These are some questions to ask and answer before making a decision. If you're on the search for the best places to find your finishing touch or curate the best farmhouse style design, CopperSmith is a brand you can trust.