The modern farmhouse style came into its own in 2020 and will continue to be popular for some time.
This modern yet cosy style is right on trend, providing for more personality than city sleek modern and more tranquilly than traditional country styles. As with any new design, there is a lot to learn, so we have compiled a comprehensive guide on how to get the modern farmhouse look in your own home.
Explore with us the nuances of this style, what colours you should look at and which materials you may employ in your scheme. In our design collection, you’ll also find further modern farmhouse ideas, as well as inventive methods to improve this style in your home.
WHAT IS MODERN RURAL STYLE?
The modern farmhouse style is the ideal combination of classic country aesthetics and simple contemporary design.
With so much going on in the world today, we’re desiring a touch of the more comfortable, warm aspects that have been prevalent in interior design for some time.
Similar to this decor created by Nicky Dobree, modern farmhouse welcomes natural elements and celebrates the beauty of imperfections throughout.
HOW DO COUNTRY AND FARMHOUSE STYLES DIFFER?
When you hear the word “farmhouse,” you may envision a typical rustic appearance, perhaps a bit cluttered and lacking a distinct design thread. Herein lies the significance of this style’s “contemporary” feature. Emma Sims-Hilditch, the creator of Sims Hilditch, notes that while individuals frequently desire the elegance of a country-style home, they also desire a home that is functional and meets their needs.
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Modern farmhouse is the current interpretation of the rustic style, therefore everything is designed to ensure that you have all you need to continue living a modern life, albeit with a farmhouse accent. While country homes are beautiful, this style takes our favourite cosy elements from them and adds sleek touches such as clean lines, brushed metals, and neutral colour schemes.
Emma Sims-Hilditch outlines a few methods to achieve a modern farmhouse aesthetic without going overboard with traditional country elements. Modern farmhouse style, according to us, is about creating a warm home with layers, pattern, and colour. If the budget allows, this can be achieved by exposing the rafters and maximising the height of the ceiling. Alternately, adding materials such as limewashed timber cladding to walls and ceilings can change a room immediately. When it comes to selecting textiles, try combining several patterns and textures, such as a linen with a velvet of a similar hue.
As Emma suggests, fabrics and materials should be maintained within a fairly rigid colour scheme; this will prevent the aesthetic from becoming too eclectic and rustic, and instead make the home appear curated and considered, as one would expect in a contemporary dwelling.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT MODERN FARMHOUSE STYLE THAT IS SO POPULAR?
Previously, stark minimalism in the home gave a clean refuge from the outside world. However, as we spend more time at home, we crave something a little more soothing.
Adding more individuality, warmth, and charm to the home reflects how we are all feeling right now.
Modern farmhouse also honours the past, evoking memories of simpler times without requiring us to forego any of the modern lifestyle components to which we are accustomed. Anna Beeber, Partner at Champalimaud Design, explains: ‘The modern farmhouse is a celebration of the ancient form, with interiors that reflect a contemporary design approach. With these kinds of projects our studio is always careful to celebrate the history and include a bit patina while being cognizant of our client’s current lifestyle. It is crucial that the relationship between the ancient and the modern be considered and that they work in sync with one another.
WHAT ARE THE BEST NEUTRAL COLORS TO USE FOR MODERN FARMHOUSE STYLE?
Consider neutrals when imagining a modern farm house. Layering whites, creams, and light greys is one of the simplest methods to begin constructing this design. By adhering to a predominantly neutral colour scheme, you give the style the contemporary vibrancy it requires.
Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene, suggests using an off-white or mild neutral colour to prevent a room from appearing stark. ‘Using various neutral tones from the same colour family permits layering and seamless transitions from room to room, creating a feeling of uniformity with minor variances. Consider the use of graduated tones of a colour; for instance, our Little Greene ‘Colour Scales’ collection offers our most popular hues in four graduated tones created with the same pigments but in varying intensities. French Grey, Slaked Lime, Portland Stone, and Rolling Fog are a few of the neutral colour families in this collection that would work well in a contemporary farmhouse.
This modern farmhouse kitchen employs the Little Greene paints Mushroom on the walls and Flint on the cabinets as an example of how to combine neutral colours.
WHAT ARE GOOD COLORS FOR A FARMHOUSE?
Adding contrasting colours to neutral backgrounds is part of the secret to achieving a modern farmhouse aesthetic. Interior designer Kate Lester advises, “Remember the black! Adding black accents does not make a place feel darker; in fact, the reverse is true! Black is the ideal contrast to white and gives a perfectly balanced background for rugs and furnishings.
In addition to black, look to inky blues, emerald greens, and charcoal greys to add amazing modern touches and character to your modern farmhouse. Irene Gunter of Gunter & Co. advises, “The best colours for farmhouse spaces are colours that blend well with their vernacular and natural setting. We like to experiment with denser natural greens, blues, pinks or terracottas, both on walls and in accents such as tiled splashbacks, colours of handles, or even internal cabinet materials.” It’s no wonder that greens and darker blues are frequently employed in rural areas; they feel at home and provide a sense of stability to the overall design.
Choosing softer hues is another method for expressing your individuality through colour. A few tones of pastel pinks and sage greens can bring a feminine touch to a modern colour scheme while allowing it to retain its strength.
WHAT COMPONENTS COMPRISE MODERN FARMHOUSE?
The modern farmhouse aesthetic calls for a combination of stainless steel, slick surfaces, and polished stones with more natural finishes.
Combining contemporary materials with weathered finishes offers the farmhouse personality and cosiness you desire. Consider unfinished, untreated timbers, exposed masonry, leathers, and tiles with a patina. Katie Cox of Ham Interiors explains how they achieve the modern farmhouse aesthetic: “We blend contemporary lines and clean finishes with rustic, but not overtly traditional, accents.”
Similarly, Ruth Mottershead of Little Greene prefers to highlight the natural texture of fabrics. Texture is essential to achieving the look of a modern farmhouse; therefore, match neutrals with analogous hues in rich wool, tumbled linens, and mid-century reclaimed or textured wood furniture. These types of colour schemes generate a sense of tranquilly while retaining a touch of visual appeal with the use of texture, raising the look from merely “rural” to more contemporary.
Even though many modern farmhouse characteristics can be incorporated or constructed into a home, there are a few more factors to consider if you already reside in a period residence. Tom Howley, a kitchen designer, believes that structural elements such as beams should not be concealed or altered in any way. “The joy of working on architecturally different properties is that the briefs become more specific.” Every designer enjoys working to a brief. It helps to guide your design ideas, and rather than confining you, these constraints can create additional platforms for outstanding design if you evaluate the options sensibly and imaginatively. Incorporate these architectural elements into your overall design for the perfect modern farmhouse kitchen.
In certain buildings, there may be concerns with the original materials, to which Tom responds: ‘Behind your cabinetry is a lesser-known trick for achieving the modern farmhouse aesthetic. The flooring can be uneven in many places, especially historical homes. You may not be able to adjust or straighten the original flooring to prevent cabinets from opening or closing on their own. Furthermore, it would be a shame to alter the original flagstone or wooden flooring! Instead, we use magnets in our cabinetry to address this issue.
HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE THE MODERN FARMHOUSE STYLE IN A KITCHEN?
The kitchen is the ideal starting point for your modern farmhouse adventure. As the centre of the home, the space’s natural warmth and sense of relaxation are appropriate for this style of design.
Moreover, since kitchens require many modern accessories, such as cooking appliances and white goods, you can begin your adventure by merging these with more classic accents
Nicky Dobree, an interior designer, describes how she designed this contemporary farmhouse kitchen. ‘Framed in exposed brick, Crittall windows bring the outdoors in and provide texture to this wall. The exposed timber beams bring warmth to the space and drive the eye higher adding to the sensation of airiness. The wooden cabinet doors with leather pulls contribute to the country atmosphere of the kitchen, while the enormous white ceramic lamps that perch on the countertop provide a softer, more intimate lighting option
Nicky says, “The wide central oak island is ideal for preparation, gathering, dining, and conversing.” ‘Keeping it open on one side prevents it from feeling too claustrophobic and allows people to sit across from one another instead of being in a line. The antique singing stools, which were acquired at an antiques fair, provide a personal touch. Large wicker baskets are utilised for storage under the island, with drawers and cabinets on the opposite side. Floating oak shelves are perfect for showcasing objects and break up the stark white wall between the windows.
Using sleek Shaker-type cabinetry with brushed metal handles, huge industrial light fixtures, and a large, raw wood dining table for family gatherings are further ways to incorporate the modern farmhouse design into a kitchen. Stick to current stainless steel for your appliances and avoid retro shapes and colours for your gadgets; otherwise, your home will appear more country farmhouse than modern.
WHAT IS MODERN FARMHOUSE DESIGN?
Modern farmhouse decor is equally beautiful from the outside as it is from the inside. Timber cladding, lofted areas, and, frequently, wraparound porches are prominent features of traditional rural residences. Industrial accents, such as metal light fixtures, are additional outside features to explore.
This contemporary interpretation requires a clean exterior finish. White is one of the most traditional colours for painting farmhouses. During colonial times, whitewash was utilised because it worked as a mildew prevention and had mild antibacterial effects. Today, they are less of a problem, but choosing to keep the façade whitewashed while adding accents of a darker colour, typically black, maintains things contemporary and new.
Modern farmhouses often have more open floor designs and wider windows than traditional farmhouses. Although the structure is based on a typical rural farmhouse architecture, these modifications allow more air and light to flow through. Overall, ‘Keep millwork details basic,’ recommends interior designer Kate Lester. For a truly modern farmhouse aesthetic, we eschew crown moulding in favour of more casual accents, such as board-and-batten or shiplap panelling. Additionally, we keep door and window casings simple and uncluttered. Less is indeed more wh