8 New Ways to Bring Modern Farmhouse Into Your Home
By Shelby Deering
Modern farmhouse is a style that’s continually evolving into something new, and it can be witnessed through many of our designers at A Design Partnership. To discover some fresh ideas for your own modern farmhouse, look to these eight ideas from our designers’ projects.
1. Focus on shapes.
One way to push your farmhouse visuals into an even more modern direction is to focus on geometric shapes throughout. Starting with a timeless farmhouse color palette of black, white, and wood finishes, Amy Leferink of Interior Impressions brought in shapely interest through rounded logs, a linear light fixture, and a fireplace featuring angular stones.
2. Don’t shy away from texture.
While you may think that texture is something that’s reserved for bohemian spaces, it can actually live very comfortably in modern farmhouse interiors, too. Through shaggy stools and a sumptuous area rug, Jamie King of JLK Interiors has created a soft, and pleasing-to-the-eye, living room.
3. Weave in handmade finds.
To make your modern farmhouse room look completely unique, it’s as simple as incorporating some cool, handmade pieces. Think: cruising for treasures at a flea market, shopping Etsy for artisan finds, and purchasing from local makers. Whether it’s handcrafted baskets or lovingly sewn throw pillows, Georgia Zikas Design showcases how to make a modern farmhouse porch look one-of-a-kind.
4. Aim for symmetry.
If you don’t have a budget to buy brand-new modern farmhouse decor from top to bottom, you can just arrange your pieces in a new, and very current, way. For instance, try to create a symmetrical look with your chairs, artwork, and other furniture pieces, a look perfected in this sitting room by Jennifer Markowitz of JNR Designs.
5. Play with old and new.
Farmhouse style is all about bygone pieces. But to mix it up and make the space lean toward modern, try a combination of old and new. You can do this in a small way by presenting modern and vintage decor pieces together. Or you can go full-on with furniture, pairing an old-fashioned bookcase with contemporary seating, something Mel Bean Interiors did in this nook.
6. Bring in tough materials.
While farmhouse spaces are typically known for their gentle neutrals and sweet touches, if you’re envisioning something more modern, try to work in some “tough looking” pieces, like a hefty reclaimed table and dark-hued leather chairs, both of which are seen in this Thomas Guy Interiors design.
7. Hang an unexpected light fixture.
Maybe you don’t want to do a floor to ceiling modern farmhouse makeover of your space, but you do want to dip your toe in the water. All you have to do is hang a contemporary light fixture in an otherwise classic farmhouse space, like this head-turning geometric beauty hanging in a kitchen by Caroline Brackett Studio of Design.
8. Try a (non-subway tile) backsplash.
Subway tile will never go out of style. But if you want your farmhouse kitchen or bath to be a little bit surprising, consider modern tile in a non-white hue. Karen B. Wolf Interiors opted for circular designs and a shade of light blue for this modern farmhouse kitchen backsplash.
