Country Farmhouse Decor
What things pop in your mind when you picture a country farmhouse surrounded by plush orchards and greenery? Yes, primitives, homespun fabrics, and many handcrafted antiques. The country farmhouse appeal is augmented by its cozy and warm decorating style. The use of country antiques, traditional colonial colors, quilts and country curtains create the warmest and welcoming decor for friends and family. You can create stylish country farmhouse decor for a relaxed, casual, easy-living style as well as a laid-back living. You can easily infuse centuries-old style and charm into your home with country-style inspired floors, windows and furnishings. The country farmhouse décor draws its influence from English Country Style, French Country Style and American Country interior design styles. The best part about creating the country farmhouse look is that it is fairly inexpensive and lends an air of old-world charm to your decor. Here are some ways in which you can achieve the country farmhouse décor in a snap.
Country Farmhouse Decorating Ideas
Walls
Most of the country farmhouses are painted, and not embellished with fancy wall covers, but there are no strict rules about that. Choose light, bright and airy colors. Go for shades of yellows, greens, blues, or whites. Avoid stuffy and dark colors in red and brown. While latex is fine to use for a more authentic look and more intense color, you may opt for oil-based paints too. You can also try wallpapers in warm, country patterns and motifs. They add country flavor to your home in a very inexpensive way. To get versatility in your home, use bead board panels to create the country farmhouse look. An antique cow poster is seen on most walls in a farmhouse. Scour the local markets to find old paintings and country style frames.
Floors
Country home flooring adds to the warmth, character and atmosphere of a country farmhouse. These floorboards are wider and come in pine, white oak, red oak, cherry, beech, hickory, hard maple, chestnut and walnut woods. If wood panels are not your style, then paint your floors wooden. You create various patterns like diamonds, checkered or designs using stencils. Complete the floors with a coat of varnish to protect them every day wear and tear.
Furniture
Your country farmhouse furniture should ooze charm and comfort. This type of décor uses furniture that looks ‘used’ and antediluvian. Go furniture shopping at an antique store and pick up vintage and antique furniture pieces that radiate your style and taste. A few must-haves are farmhouse tables, primitive antiques, vintage shabby chic furniture, painted vintage wicker, cottage bedroom furniture, antique iron beds or rustic cabin furniture. These pieces are made of a variety of woods like pine, poplar, maple, oak, cherry or cypress. Look for hand distressed and rubbed coated with water-based paints.
Décor
Add subtle hints of bygone days by accessorizing your home with vintage kitchenware, decorative vintage tin boxes, recycled tin creations and ornaments, oriental statues of Asian head sculptures, vintage decanters, decorative clocks, couture magazine wall art and French graphics. If you don’t have it already, then add a wall of shelves to display your unique antique collection. Also, hang a collage of family pictures for artwork to add a personal touch. If you have floral designed crockery pieces like cups-saucers and plates, they can become interesting piece of a country farmhouse décor. Place old milk bottle, tin buckets, kitchen tools, wooden signs to add country touch in every room.
Fabrics
Yesteryear textiles were handmade that created the perfect romantic feel. You can use the comforters, duvets, pillow shams and boudoir pillows featuring vintage motifs and French graphics to recreate the look. Braided rugs are a must-have in the living room as is the toile fabric dishtowels and vintage tea towels in the kitchen. Use pastel colors such as pale pink, mint greens, pale blue and white in bedroom with vintage-style inspired bedspreads and pillows. Embroidered cushions on the wicker furniture will add warmth and comfort. Use your children’s old teddy bears, dolls, metal banks and other toys and place them on coffee tables, mantles and bookshelves. Use hand curtains to cover large windows in the country farmhouse in light shades of brown like nutmeg, sand and caramels in tavern pattern.
Lighting
Use a wrought iron chandelier with candles in your living room. Candles are the most important lighting technique of a countryside farmhouse. The candlelight and scents will truly enliven and rejuvenate your spirits. Add a few vintage wall sconces in your hallway as well as stairs. Authentic porcelain shades and light fixtures in your kitchen will enhance the rustic country feel. Try to use firelight and dim lighting wherever possible to replicate the country farmhouse atmosphere. Look for vintage lights with dimmers to create the dim, cozy look. For a natural, earthy look, light your porches with open lanterns instead of traditional lights. A cage chandelier can work up a rustic feel in your bedroom.
These are some of the design ideas that you in country style farmhouse decor, although there are no set rules about the decorations. Anything that is non-fussy and cozy goes with the décor. Add small finishing touches to bring a country farmhouse home together. Use your artifacts from your grandparents’ time to create the charming, lived-in feel.
