A love for a farmhouse aesthetic shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon. And it’s no longer just about ship-lap and barnyard doors. The new, updated vibe includes elements that make a space cool and inviting. Don’t we all want to cozy up in a light and airy living room with casual sofas, eclectic accessories, and eye catching textures? Here are some tips and tricks to creating the modern farmhouse living room of your dreams!
1. Natural Elements
Stick with the simple sophistication of natural elements like exposed wood beams and stone accents that evoke a clean and relaxed modern farmhouse interior. Introduce accessories that are organic, irregular, or slightly imperfect to add personality and charm.
2. Bring Exterior Materials Inside
“If I used a stone exterior, I bring that stone inside,” says Alabama-based architect, Jeffrey Dungan. “This is especially effective on the fireplace wall where you would want masonry anyway. Many times we will wash it with lime or even paint it in a color used in the room to make it more sophisticated and clean.”
3. Black Window And Door Sashes
Painting all of the door and window sashes in black gives the look old iron.
4. Wide Plank Flooring
Wide plank flooring, such as 12-inch planks mixed with 10-inch boards, will make the room feel less formal and like it has been around for a long time.
5. Mix Rustic And Refined
To achieve an updated, more current modern farmhouse aesthetic, mix rustic elements with more refined furnishings, as well as antiques from many periods. If you’re able to, keep or install exposed beams and wood paneling, but make other modern choices. This will offset the heavy beams, which can overpower the overall look if you’re not careful.
6. Keep It Light And Airy
A modern farmhouse is all about keeping it bright and airy and really using texture. Painting the walls white will open up the space. Opt for dark colored upholstery such as gray or navy. Dark wood decorative accessories add contrast to this white-walled living room.
7. Lacquer The Ceilings
Ceilings can be used as a way to transmit light through a space. The glossy finish of lacquer helps to accomplish this goal while also reflecting warmth.
8. Electric Elements
To really achieve the modern farmhouse look you need some combination of the following: A plaid, a leather, an antique, a loose, flow-y print, and some hard lines.
9. Don’t Be Afraid To Add Color
A little bit of color can go a long way. Don’t be afraid to use colorful furnishings, curtains, and decor. Adding bold color accents to a neutral space will add a pleasant amount of depth to the room.
10. Don’t Overdo It
If you have a rustic floor, you only need one more wood piece in the room. Then you can have a glass piece, a metal etagere, and fabrics. All white upholstery and white walls are a blank canvas for an eclectic mix of accessories in this Hamptons farmhouse.
