If you’re going to have a house on a farm, you may as well invite farmhouse styling into your home. Farmhouse style is a design aesthetic that combines rustic and traditional elements with modern comforts. Think neutral colors, earthy or bright accents, and natural materials like wood and stone.
When done right, farmhouse styling is beautiful and charming. When it’s not, it can look dark, cluttered, and kitschy. If you’re in the process of redesigning your home, avoid these common farmhouse style mistakes:
Going Overboard with Rustic and Distressed
Look at any farms for sale in Ocala, FL, and you’ll notice that many of the homes are beautifully decorated with rustic elements. It’s okay to draw inspiration from these homes, but avoid going overboard with reclaimed-style features.
Too many barn doors, wood beams, and distressed furniture can make your home look like a decor store rather than a comfortable, welcoming home. Instead, mix a few rustic pieces with modern ones to balance style and warmth.
Buying Too Many Knick-Knacks
There’s nothing wrong with buying cute little porcelain roosters to sit on your mantelpiece or mason jars with hemp rope to drink from. However, going too kitschy and cluttering your home up with farm-themed knick-knacks is a step too far.
Too many farmhouse-style ornaments and home decor can make your house feel more like it’s on display, rather than where you comfortably live. Introduce just a few key pieces, such as vintage glassware or woven baskets that can showcase your favorite farmhouse decor.
Not Prioritizing Texture
It’s easy to assume your farmhouse-style home is complete once you’ve introduced a gorgeous reclaimed wood dining set and a large coffee table. However, the flat, smooth surfaces throughout your home need more texture. Farmhouse styling is all about textured layers with wood grain, natural fibers, metal, and linen. Once your key pieces are in place, like dining sets, dressers, and coffee tables, introduce depth and texture through pillows, throws, rugs, and woven baskets.
Choosing the Wrong Lighting
Knowing that lighting is an essential element in your home, you may not give it much thought when introducing farmhouse styling. However, with the right lighting choices, it can complete the look!
Many people use only the modern, sleek, or harsh industrial lighting already in their homes, unaware that it removes much-needed warmth and life. To make your home appear cozier and warmer, introduce warm-toned light. You might even shop around for wrought iron or vintage fixtures.
Putting Comfort Last
You can be drawn to particular pieces of furniture because they perfectly fit your preferred farmhouse aesthetic. However, that doesn’t mean they fit your comfort needs. Many people make the mistake of buying furniture because they like how it looks, rather than how it functions.
Always “try before you buy” by sitting on dining chairs, occasional chairs, and sofas, to ensure they are both practical and beautiful for your home and family.
A farmhouse-style home can be warm, welcoming, and cozy, but a few minor mistakes could make it look like a decor store. Avoid these errors to create the tasteful, beautiful home you’ve always wanted.
