Home design trends are as fickle as the wind. One-minute, certain trends are in vogue but, the next, they’re outdated. One trend that’s stayed consistently popular is the rustic farmhouse look. However, it’s entirely possible to take this décor theme and update it, making it modern, contemporary, and fresh for 2021. Here are some great ways to achieve that charming farmhouse look without looking dated or cliché.
Modern and Contemporary Farmhouse Trends for 2021
One of the best ways to add a modern farmhouse feel to your home is looking for vintage or vintage-inspired things that still have value or upcycling them to fit a new function. For instance, instead of going out and buying a new vase for flowers, repurpose an old sugar jar or flour sifter to create one instead. Try for simplicity and warmth that makes you feel at home.
- Think Minimalist Lighting
Lighting is another way to get a rustic or minimalist feel. Think gooseneck or industrial-style lighting. If you’re lucky enough to have a barn on your property, or even a detached garage, there’s no need to stop there. Choose lighting for your barn that looks farmhouse-inspired or vintage. Whether you sift through finds at thrift stores or antique stores or even buy new farmhouse lighting, it’s sure to upgrade any structure and make it look fresh and new while still offering a cozy aesthetic and that charming rustic feel.
- Add Some Dimension to Your World
A great way to add some cozy farmhouse style and upgrade your home’s look is by adding some dimension and depth to different rooms. This can be achieved with simple additions like wainscoting, shiplap, or clapboard for the interior of your home. Wainscoting typically only comes halfway up a wall, but shiplap can be used from floor to ceiling for a neat look with clean lines. Give the walls texture, dimension, and add a rustic charm that looks authentic. Most actual farmhouses had real beadboard or shiplap, which is why this look is so popular.
- Stick with Neutrals
Don’t be misled—those who love a bright pop of color or rich hues shouldn’t be shy. Add some accents here and there, and stick with the same general color scheme to avoid the overall feel being too busy or overwhelming. Crazy colors aren’t part of farmhouse décor, where everything has a use and a place. Neutrals like beige, off-white, cream, white, gray, and light green all work very well, and they promote a feeling of coziness and stark simplicity that works very well for modernizing this trend.
- Use Reclaimed Wood
Using reclaimed wood is one of the best ways to achieve the weathered, shabby-chic style that defines the modern farmhouse look. If you don’t know what reclaimed wood is, don’t feel bad. It’s simply wood that’s been upcycled and repurposed from its original function to live a new one as something else. One great example is using an old oak beam from a barn, sanding it down, staining it, and using it as a mantle. Then, put up other knickknacks, pictures, or other country-inspired décor to make it look more like home. Try taking something old and making it into something new and useful.
- Cozy, Comfy Furniture
Some property owners may prefer a more industrial feel to their furniture or wrought iron accents with simplistic designs, but there’s something unique about having oversized and cozy furniture. Wood is also an acceptable choice, of course. However, there’s something about really big and comfy furniture that just makes it feel like home. If your furniture makes it hard to resist curling up with a book or your computer, you’re doing it right.
- Wide Plank Wooden Flooring
Another significant aspect of farmhouse trends that offers some great accents is wide-plank wood flooring. Whether it’s reclaimed wood or from the hardware store, add some distressing or weathering to make it look authentic. Wide-plank flooring makes rooms look bigger, gives them an exceptional warmth that’s unique to hardwood, and creates the illusion of more space.
- Industrial Design Elements
Whether you’re a homeowner in the country or live in an urban area, industrial design elements can create a surprisingly sleek and modern feel. Anything that’s either stainless steel or polished nickel, brass, bronze, wrought iron will work perfectly. They are also perfect for mixing textures, so think metal frames with warm, painted wood or a textured fabric like canvas. Another great way to feature industrial pieces is by installing lighting in this same style. Industrial lighting can be anything with a bare bulb, wire cage, pendant-style lighting, and anything that looks functional or practical while still being chic.
- Chalkboard Paint
Chalkboard paint isn’t just for a little kid’s room anymore. Using this paint is an excellent way to add some functionality and purpose to your kitchen. Whether you use it as the weekly shopping list, inspirational quotes, or to leave messages for family or a spouse, a chalkboard accent wall looks sophisticated and washes to a dark, matte hue that looks wonderful next to painted wood or wainscoting.
- Sliding Barn Door
These are perhaps the coolest part of the modern farmhouse trend. Sliding barn doors not only look amazing, but they also offer a great way to save space since they slide across the wall. In fact, this is the one item that will add an immediate farmhouse and rustic country feel to your home. If you’re dying for a pop of color, even if it’s a traditional barn red, the sliding barn door in your home is the perfect place. However, you don’t have to stick to red. Even using the bare wood stained a rich color looks spectacular and adds a level of simple elegance.
Try These Contemporary Farmhouse Trends
If you’re ready to upgrade your home by adding details and pieces with a simple rustic charm, then the modern farmhouse trend is the perfect choice. With accents of industrial lighting, reclaimed wood, sliding barn doors, shiplap walls, a neutral color palette, and cozy, oversized furniture, the rustic country trend is enduring and offers a simple warmth. Whether you want sleek, clean lines or a more relaxed, shabby-sophisticated feel, the farmhouse trend offers the ability to single-handedly make any home feel inviting, comfortable, and modern.
