A few days ago, my family stayed at the CUTEST AirBnb. I’ve been dreaming of checking out this particular A-frame cabin for years (their Instagram account is dreamy)! Walking in, the space just felt so happy and serene. Its decorated in a modern farmhouse style and though that isn’t how I usually decorate, I sure fell in love!
how to get the modern farmhouse look
I thought that I would share some tips on how to add the farmhouse style to any house (or to an AirBnb if you’re decorating one!).
what is modern farmhouse style?
This is a trending style brought into popularity by the TV show Fixer Upper. The beauty of this look is how welcoming it is! At its core, the farmhouse look is all about being inviting and approachable while still feeling sophisticated. It is a beautiful blend of rustic and industrial with elegant and modern touches.
The key to the modern farmhouse decor is an approach that is clean and simple. The goal is for there not to be any fuss or embellishment. Instead, you’ll use neutrals with interesting texture. Think of the farm look as a warm minimalist feel. Go for comfort and practicality and you’ll be set!
entry
I know this might sound obvious, but shiplap is the number one way to add the farmhouse look! This is the ideal step to adding lots of farm character to your house (and you can do it really affordably!). The painted wood adds a bit of texture and leads the eye around the room. If you aren’t into shiplap, board and batten is a great choice too.
And – with lots of knots. Wider planks help to keep the look from getting too busy. You want floors that look like they’ve been around for years that’ll warm up the walls. These floors are really the foundation to the rest of your farmhouse decorating!
If you’re not up to redoing your floors, you can add wood elements in the house with wood trim, a wood dresser, wood frames and wood baskets.
The farmhouse style is all about making your family and guests feel welcome. That can start at the front door with an entry table, hooks for hats and coats, and a round mirror (aka, the perfect modern touch).
bedroom
Bedrooms are a great place to add lots of fabric with texture. Think grainsack, cotton ticking, wool blankets, linen, chunky knit blankets, woven cotton. Essentially, you’re still staying neutral and you add interest and variation with the texture. The patterns should be very simple– remember, no embellishments (plaid, strips, or a basic organic print).
For the bed, a metal bed frame is the most classic choice! You can also go with a wood or upholstered bed (or a combination of the two). Bedroom furniture (as well as all the furnishings in the house) should be a good mix of vintage and new. Don’t go matchy matchy with a new set of bedroom furniture, but try for a cohesive and personal feel with a variety of pieces.
To warm up all of the neutrals, you’ll want to add plants wherever possible (all the ones in this AirBnb were faux). These literally will liven up the space!
Other accessories that’re great for the farm look are industrial lamps or other lighting, galvanized baskets, a wicker tray, old books, a simple alarm clock, and an industrial fan.
kitchen
The goal for a farm kitchen is for it to feel big, bright, and open. Shaker cabinets are the perfect style for this look. Stone or butcher block counter tops add nice contrast.
The kitchen is the heart of the home and the island is the hub. An oversized island will add a feeling of hospilitality. A farmhouse sink is pretty much required for this look! It will instantly give the farm vibe to your house. Plus, you’ll love living with a farmhouse sink! All of your dishes fit, they’re perfect for baby or puppy baths, and they look gorgeous.
For stools, adding a rustic touch with some natural wood and a modern touch with steel makes for the perfect combination.
Focus on simply beautiful accessories. Think a crock of wooden spoons, enameled canisters, a simple landscape, a wood tray, a white porcelain pitcher, and cutting boards. Finish the kitchen with a flat weave rug that’ll hold up to lots of traffic and add some interest and color.
As far as paint colors go with the famhouse style, you’ll want to stick with creamy whites and subtle grays (like the dove color of these cabinets).
bathroom
The star in a farmhouse bathroom is classic tile– it’ll instantly add the feeling that your house has been around for 100 years. Think subway tile, hex tile, and penny tile. The beauty of going classic with the tile is that down the road, it’ll always look timeless.
I ADORE the industrial black sink paired with the more utilitarian faucets and lighting in this house. These basic and beautiful pieces make the room feel old (in a good way). Plus they’re all about function, which is always good in a bathroom ;).
A big way to add the farmhouse look is with a barn door! Go classic with a natural wood finish and black hardware (swoon!).
For the accessories, it’s all about adding texture and interest. These can be a wood stool, steel hooks, un-glazed pottery, a wicker basket, soap in a beautiful container with black graphic font. For the shower curtain, pick a simple pattern that is woven.
living room
The heart of a living room is…. the sofa! A leather sofa is a great way to add warmth and texture (plus is perfect for a farmhouse). Another option is a sofa with woven fabric (like linen)- again, think texture! Add some linen pillows and a throw blanket and you’ll be set!
To soften up the masculine leather sofa, a rug that is soft underfoot is the perfect juxtaposition.
You’ll see some themes with decorating for a farmhouse- wood, steel and round objects are one of those. The combination of all three is perfect for a coffee table especially since the metal adds a cool element.
As with any style, feel free to mix and match eras. Everything in the living room is the perfect example of a farmhouse, but they’re more relaxed with the addition of the mid century chairs.
For living room accessories, add some books, a plant, and stone coasters and you’re in business. Try to mix old and new pieces (like the elephant figurine) to keep the “modern” in modern farmhouse.
Let’s talk about this wood burning stove– can you get more farm than this?! Any fireplace will do. Plus, its practical for heating your house. Our next home has one and I’m excited to incorporate it into our decor.
modern farmhouse feel
At the end of the day, the Modern Farmhouse style is about how the house makes you feel. The goal here is a cozy, warm, and welcoming home. Always choose relaxed over formal with the intent to have a place that is an escape from the rest of the world. Its about embracing the charm of the farm life with modern features.
cheat sheet
As I was typing up this post, I kept thinking that this covers a lot! I’m a girl who loves a good checklist so I created a checklist with all of the key information in how to make your house have the perfect Farmhouse decor.
You can get the password to my resource library that has ALL of my free downloads including the Modern Farmhouse Decor checklist by filling out this form. Note, this also subscribes you to my (free!) newsletter.
I hope this house tour has been a fun way to learn about Modern Farmhouse decor! I shared some video tours of this cute AirBnb on my Instagram and it was so popular with my readers so I wanted to make sure to share pictures here too!
If you’re in Utah (whether you live or travel here), here’s a link to the AirBnb listing in case you want to stay in this cute AirBnb too! Oh, and here’s the Instagram account again too in case you want to follow along with it too.
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Want to remember this? Pin this to your favorite Pinterest board!
