Learn how to get the farmhouse look that feels more provincial in tone.
Farmhouse style is a lifestyle as much as it is a design perspective. It exemplifies life on the farm, a more tranquil and easygoing way of life. As a design aesthetic, the farmhouse style is cozy, homey, welcoming, and warm. A farmhouse is where you’ll want to sit back and rest a spell. But what is rustic farmhouse style and how is it similar or different from its more well-known sibling? Below, we explain what it is and cover the basics of what makes the rustic farmhouse style special.
This is part of our Design Glossary series! Catch the whole series to find out more about the different types of farmhouse styles!
This Provincial Life
Probably one of the biggest differences between the farmhouse and rustic farmhouse styles is that the latter leans more provincial. Its chief characteristic is a reverence for natural and simple materials. Think Craftsman style, but a bit more unfinished. Or imagine cottage style but with a focus on bringing the outdoors inside. The style celebrates natural imperfections like those in the environment or the garden. Many of the decor pieces and furniture harken to nature and feel (or are) handmade.
Natural Accents
With rustic farmhouse style, the emphasis is not on manufactured or store-bought. Instead, items should tout their imperfections. While wood is a common element in farmhouse design, the rustic farmhouse style relies almost exclusively on untreated or unsculpted wood. Bare log furniture or unstained wood pieces full of knots and imperfections are some examples.
But wood isn’t the only material used. This style likes an unpolished stone countertop, or floors in simple brick. All the better if the brick looks like it had been laid by hand. That’s because rustic isn’t fussy or focused on luxury. Rather, simplicity and sweet are the values of this style. To get the look, you will want to select materials from nature left untreated: unvarnished wood, reclaimed wood, unpolished stone and craggy rocks or simple plain bricks.
Compared with farmhouse style, rustic farmhouse embraces darker hues. No gray interiors, light wood species, or all-white painted rooms here. Farmhouse may feel more light and airy, while rustic feels more grounded in the everyday environment. Like cottage style, it celebrates flea market finds and upcycled pieces, but like farmhouse style, it focuses on things you might find in the country, from animal life to verdant greenery.
For your rustic farmhouse color palette, opt for shades on the darker side of the spectrum. Think sage green or honeyed yellows. Lean dark with your choice of woods and other materials. Do all this, and your rustic farmhouse will feel like you are stepping foot into your own private bucolic retreat.
Get the Look
Ready to incorporate some rustic farmhouse style look into your home? Grab some of these fun picks!
Here at American Farmhouse Style, we absolutely love to share our finds from around the web with you! That being said, you may notice that some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that if you click through and make a purchase, AFS receives a small commission at no extra cost to you! Truly a win-win!
Want more design ideas? We’d love to have you follow along with us! Head to onInstagram,FacebookandPinterest and follow us for daily inspiration. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter (right below this article) for inspiration right in your inbox!
Sign Up to Our Newsletter
Get notified about exclusive offers every week!
Author Bio
Michelle Mastro
Michelle Mastro is a freelance writer and editor. She covers lifestyle, parenting, travel, food, and health/wellness topics for magazines (and their websites). She especially loves writing about homes and has a deep affection for farmhouses of all kinds. She is currently based in the Midwest but loves to travel as much as she can.
Rustic farmhouse style is all about simple designs that invoke a warm and inviting feeling. Think softer lines, mixed materials, and staple pieces that grab attention. Rustic farmhouse leans more into minimalism in that there is less focus on clutter while highlighting the atmosphere.
Farmhouse design is known for its cozy and inviting aesthetic, while rustic design is typically characterized by a more rugged and raw aesthetic. Rustic interiors often feature unfinished or distressed wood and exposed brick, whereas farmhouse interiors tend to be more polished and refined.
Rustic farmhouse style makes the most of both the modern farmhouse and cottage style. It blends old and new and has a strong appreciation for white walls. Grace decorated this home to have aged accents like a brick backsplash in the kitchen and antique pieces adorning every nook in the home.
Evolving Farmhouse Aesthetics: The farmhouse style continues to be popular in 2024. It is evolving to be fresher, more colorful, and more modern while maintaining its core elements of warmth and vintage charm.
Through furniture or decorative elements, you can create a beautifully designed interior that incorporates both rustic and farmhouse. Furniture should be designed in a way that is comfortable and sleek. This leaves you more opportunity to incorporate bold textures and color options with decor/ art.
Natural materials: Rustic design focuses on materials from the earth, such as wood and stone, often used to build oversized stone fireplaces. Reclaimed wood: Unfinished, exposed beams of reclaimed wood added to walls and ceilings exemplify rustic style.
Is Farmhouse Style Out for 2024? The good news is, farmhouse decor is not completely out of style. The basis of the farmhouse decor is a comfortable living space, neutral colors, and using outdoor elements indoors.
Much of the modern farmhouse's charm comes from its historical and rustic nature. The use of reclaimed wood flooring, ceiling beams and furniture adds to this warm effect. Mixed textures create depth and interest in indoor spaces and are a cornerstone of modern farmhouse decor.
You'll see lots of white, light brown and neutral marbling in contemporary farmhouse designs. Whichever farmhouse style you choose, lean into a warm and natural look. Its emphasis on wood and simple lines adds subtle depth to a space.
Exposed beams, antique wood flooring, stone fireplaces, and paneled walls are some of Rustic Vogue's standout characteristics. Typically, rustic home decor furniture is constructed from wicker, rattan, or untreated wood. The light fixtures in this style are made of brass and similar materials.
In 2024, you will find interior designers bringing attention back to the ceiling. You can shiplap your ceiling, make it a coffered ceiling, add beams or simply paint the same color as the walls.
September 2017) Rustic Modern or rustic chic is a style of interior design that uses of historical period room installations or furniture within a more modern overall room design.
Tyson concludes: 'While both styles celebrate natural materials and a connection to traditional roots, rustic design leans towards a rugged, natural look, and farmhouse design is more about creating a cozy, light, and welcoming space with a touch of nostalgia.
Is there really anything that says farmhouse-style more than the timeless color combination of blue and white? The reliably fresh combo of blue and white causes our country hearts to flutter, every time! Infuse this beloved palette into your home with pottery, china, linens, rugs, and more.
Modern farmhouse design takes the comfortable, relaxed farmhouse style and adds modern touches such as smooth lines, glossy accents and neutral color schemes. It's less rustic, more sophisticated and uses contemporary design elements like stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and sleek lighting.
Farmhouse interior design is defined by practicality and comfort, relying on readily available materials and colors. Wood elements and white tones are indicative of farmhouse style. Timber was the easiest to come by, which is why there's such an emphasis on wood elements.
Rustic interiors are defined by ruggedness and letting natural beauty shine. The focus is to create a relaxing atmosphere by highlighting the use of wood, stone, leaves, and other organic elements. Rather than worry about perfect lines, rustic allows the character of each piece to stand out.
Blending elements of both, farmhouse style is simple, clean and bright. It's a distilled version of country style, with a touch of winsome nostalgia. Farmhouse style incorporates a peacefully neutral color palette with a few well chosen vintage (or faux vintage) accessory pieces.
Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
Author Bio