It took all my restraint to type “modern farmhouse ideas” in that subject line, because for years I avoided anything to do with “farmhouse” style. (If you know, you KNOW.) But hear me out on this one! 🙂
I have sweet memories of going over to play with friends in an actual farmhouse as a child. It was simple and messy and people came in with good clean dirt and a family worked and lived hard there and THAT was a real farmhouse.
Years later, in New Zealand we were invited for a visit at a real old farmhouse for afternoon tea at the base of a mountain range (we’d all been hiking), and it had big ol’ ceilings with countless things cooking or being soaked and prepped and it was totally messy but felt clean and again there was that good clean dirt and farm smell…THAT was another real farmhouse.
Not at all like what “farmhouse” style has meant in recent years, has it? Yikes! The poor word “farmhouse” has just been completely adulterated and beaten to a pulp over the last–what is it? 10, 15 years?
Unless you actually live in a farmhouse (and some of them are truly, truly gorgeous and historic and incredible), then I haven’t wanted to hear that word.😂
Even “modern farmhouse”…no. Hadn’t seen anyone do it to a non-actual-farmhouse and make it look right.
I would never even have attempted “farmhouse” had this not been a client request. Yet here I am, pushing my own personal envelope from my usual comfortable style and coming up with several modern farmhouse styles that actually look like it belongs in the 2025+ and beyond!
MODERN FARMHOUSE IDEAS
Let’s Start With a Recent Client Example:
Keep in mind we’re working with individualized client requests on our questionnaires such as
- “I love painted wood floors.”
- “I love a minimalist-Scandinavian look.”
- “I want food to be the focus in this room.”
- “I like simple and clean.”
- “I want it to feel bright in both summer and winter.”
And I think we achieved that! How?
- Keeping the high ceilings and historic details.
- Contrasting all that detail with fresh white paint and fresh floors.
- Modernizing the “milk glass” pendant (as well as introducing a little movement with the cords which can be adjusted for the different centerpieces at different times of year).
- Clean lines on the banquette.
- Adding a hint of leather and brass to bring it a little less “farmy” 😉
- Keeping the traditional wood table material but doing it with more modern details.
- Antique artwork in a fresh, minimalist frame (no old artwork in thick, scrolly frames)
- Not even a rug under this dining table to keep it easy and fresh per the client’s needs.
I never thought I’d say this before, but I could live in a farmhouse like this. (Matt hasn’t read this post yet, and he’ll be shocked because he’s heard my heartfelt groans for years every time someone says the word “farmhouse.” Surprise, honey!🤗)
The client wanted
- Fresh.
- Clean.
- Modern.
- Minimalist yet warm.
- Keeping with the historic home and not losing the true farmhouse feel.
I wanted to avoid the designs looking like the below “modern farmhouse” look that’s all over the place. You know the one. (e.g. when people take creamy whites, woods + black items, mix in them together, and call it a day.)
Friends don’t let friends do things that don’t make their hearts happy. (If the above styles are absolutely your #1 choice then don’t let me discourage you; just make sure it’s really achieving your life goals!)
My guess is that 99% of you reading right now will get more energized and excited by at least one of the “improved” modern farmhouse ideas I’m going to show you below…
MODERN FARMHOUSE IDEAS
Pick One: What Actual Farmhouse Style Is You…Really?
First, you need to figure out what exact vibe you’re going for!
(This guide I wrote & designed walks you through step-by-step how to do that, blend your actual unique aesthetic + lifestyle functionality. I created it to help you smart-but-busy-people save time and stay focused, so there it is!)
And what I mean by that is, what kind of farmhouse look are you going for?
(I talk about this in my modern Mediterranean post…you gotta narrow it down a bit or it’s not going to make any sense visually…a super common problem.)
Are you digging something more American-traditional modern farmhouse style?
Or does your heart say “Yes!” to a little more sophisticated take on European modern farmhouse?
PS on the above: we have a post all about Why You Should ONLY Do Wall-mount Faucets! 🙂
Are you into a coastal modern farmhouse vibe?
We can nuance this even more with vertical plank walls which can lean coastal or what I’d call a modern farmhouse cottage (almost cabin-like!) feel!
Or are you drawn to a California cottage farmhouse feel?
Do your eyes sigh with relief with a more eclectic modern farmhouse style?
There’s even an “industrial modern farmhouse” style you can go for!
Or are you more into a minimalist modern look?
Maybe a Southwestern-style modern farmhouse is the style you never knew you always wanted? It’s got the planks but the smooth plastered walls and earthy rug…so calming!
Do you see how there isn’t just one style of (I’m using my Joey quote fingers😜) “modern farmhouse ideas”?!?
You need to find your style within this range! (Or we create your very own style that NO ONE else has before, like some of these “vibe” images we’ve created to help clients find their direction!)
How? Read on!
MODERN FARMHOUSE IDEAS
“How Can I Make ‘My’ Look a Reality For Myself, Jess?”
Honestly, if you’re not able to call me to consult 1-on-1 right now, here’s my fastest, most efficient, most beautifully fast-tracked recommendation for you to put into motion right now and not lose the momentum you’ve already gained by your brain looking through the above:
- Grab our #1 Essential Home Guide to make sure you know the direction you’re going! (It’s a steal right now, just fyi.)
- Next, move on to the Room Design & Layout Guide to make sure you have your functions right and are working with what you have!
- You’ll then be in the best position to utilize the tips below WHEN and WHERE they fit perfectly in!
This is my recommendation.
You can continue to try to DIY it 100% or you can cut out a lot of hours and mistakes by using our guides.
That’s why we created them—to help you (and from the comfort of your PJs if you want 😉 )!
MODERN FARMHOUSE living room ideas
10+ Modern Farmhouse Examples With Tips!
My first tip is a bit unorthodox but I’m telling you…when done right, it’s like magic! It sets you apart.
Yep, I’m going to talk to you about adding a hint of leather, whether it’s a chair…
…an ottoman, or even a pillow!
Adding some leather for depth of texture and that warm chocolatey feel can take you from amateur decorator to finessed next-level design. Because unless you’re going for the all-white coastal farmhouse look, you’re going to want some contrast.
Desperately!
Trust me. Leather is just one way to achieve that on several levels, both in color and texture.
If adding that hint of leather materiality feels too difficult for you, I’ll jump to my next tip which is an easy one almost everyone can get on board with!
Modern Farmhouse interior ideas
Tip #9: A Design Trick Anyone Can Use (In Any Room)!
A super easy “trick” I use is adding non-traditional plants. (No faux hyacinths in a vase, or ivy trailing along your upper cabinet tops.)
Every room needs some green. (And I mean real green.) Not only does it clean your air but it gives that fresh LIFE to your space. I also talk about the importance of plants in my post about creating luxe bedrooms at home + sleeping better.
Tip #8: A Well-done Modern Farmhouse Craves Texture!
Tying into my plant recommendation, I’m also using the above photo as an example of adding texture wherever you can. Vintage or textured pots are one of the most affordable “easy-add” ways to do this. Typically your farmhouse style table will be wood, with plenty of texture, but that doesn’t mean you can’t layer the textures.
Even if you have a cheap black laminate or MDF/veneer table, let’s say (which you can’t replace right now), a textured pot, bowl, or vase will also upscale it and help balance the mod feel of that man-made material.
Typically you’ll want as much natural wood for your dining and console tables when doing a modern farmhouse style. (I’m not a fan of most metal or metal-and-glass console tables when you’re trying to make this work. It can be done, but it’ll take some shopping time to find a good one!)
See how beautifully calming and subdued this can be?
Tip #7: Artwork Done Right!
Speaking of artwork, you’ll want to be careful with the common modern farmhouse gallery wall. Harness your inner curator-slash-art gallery owner and get creative and un-traditional about how you hang your art.
Stand your canvas or framed art up against the wall, whether on the floor or the console table…play with it! (I talk through this kind of “playing around” stage in my Room Design Guide.)
Modern Farmhouse interior ideas
Tip #6: Don’t Assume Black = Modern.
I love black as much as the next interior designer, but it can be too one-dimensional when it comes to modern farmhouse. People throw in a black light fixture or a black table and call it good!
Instead, try adding some dark chocolate browns instead of (or in addition to!) black. It’ll give you the depth and warmth you’re looking for.
If you want more warmth and contrast and already have a lot of white or cream, do more! Again, so much depends on your room, your light, and these factors for choosing the perfect interior colors for your space!
I’ll show you more examples of this below as they tie into rugs and contrast…
Modern Farmhouse interior ideas
Tip #5: Subtle vs Hard Contrast
Look at the above. There’s no black ironwork or “X” designs anywhere to make this a “clear farmhouse style as we know it from TV.”
This is the subtle, warm contrast I’m talking about. If you dig this, bookmark it so you aren’t tempted to go all black! (Not that black is wrong by any means, as you’ll see further below. 😉 )
Modern Farmhouse interior ideas
Tip #4: Rugs
Honestly, aren’t we all tired of the same-old same-old rugs everyone has? I’m not going to name any names, but if you’re going with more of a “traditional” modern farmhouse…
…avoiding a traditional rug allows you to get the depth and interest and warmth in one easy step!
(I’ll link the rug below which I am using right now in a client project and the good news it’s a retailer that anyone can order from without having to go through us!)
Modern Farmhouse interior ideas
Tip #3: Never go “strict farmhouse.”
Don’t go strict farmhouse. It tends to be too one dimensional and lack interest.
Mix in some boho baskets or a vintage rug where it works well…modern artwork…global accents…this is where you get to put your own spin on it!
(Scroll up to refer back to my styles earlier, from eclectic to California desert farmhouse styles!)
Modern Farmhouse interior ideas
Tip #2: Go Big!
Whether it’s something as simple of a focal point as big black floor-to-ceiling windows, a stretch of repeated lighting (another trick), or…
…an XL table with MASSIVE + creative seating that sets you apart…
…then you’re achieving both function + beauty + your own unique spin on whatever style you love!
Modern Farmhouse interior ideas
Tip #1: Function First!
You will never be satisfied with your home “nest” unless it truly functions for you.
“My home functions!” a woman told me years ago. “My cabinets hold everything. My fridge works. It functions!”
Yes, that’s one way to look at the word “functional,” but let’s put the FUN in functional! Is it FUN to live in your home?
This isn’t a crazy concept. Matt and I experienced in this house, enjoying the near-endless “smooth like buttah!” movements between tasks, storage, organization, you name it. It was truly FUN to experience…even when cleaning or doing work. (I honestly still can’t get over how much easier laundry is.)
If you’re not sure how to start, we’ve created these guides and I always recommend starting with the FOUNDATIONAL #1 step HERE!
For all our
- home projects by room,
- more client project peeks and
- Design Insights from my brain to yours (free!)…
…it’s all on THIS page.
