Design a Relaxed Modern Farmhouse Living Room
The farmhouse style brings back the rustic charm of antique furniture in a comfortable, livable way. This cozy and family-friendly decor is the perfect choice for relaxing and enjoying time with loved ones. To create this warm atmosphere in your own living room, follow our tips for planning, designing, and decorating.
We'll cover everything from selecting paint colors to arranging furniture. With some thoughtful decision-making upfront and the right mix of decor elements, you can craft a modern farmhouse living room with plenty of cottage appeal.
Plan Your Design Around How You'll Use the Space
First, envision how you want to enjoy your living room and the overall vibe you hope to achieve. Do you want a spot for family movie nights? Cozy reading nooks? Casual hangouts with friends? Determining your goals for the space guides other choices.
Also, evaluate your existing architecture and layout. Vaulted ceilings with exposed beams instantly give farmhouse character. Leaning into original details like brick fireplaces or hardwood floors amplifies the vintage style.
Set a Decorating Budget for Your Farmhouse Vision
This affordable-chic look doesn't require a massive makeover budget. In fact, much of its beauty stems from cost-effective touches and clever mixing of new and old elements. Set realistic spending parameters upfront to identify priority purchases.
Thoughtfully sprinkling in high-impact pieces between vintage finds and budget buys allows you to achieve the aesthetic you want.
Select a Soothing, Neutral Color Scheme
Popular farmhouse living room paint colors include airy whites, warm grays, soft blues and accents of black and wood tones. These muted backdrops keep the focus on textural interest and room accessories.
Crisp whites nicely contrast rustic woods and metals. Go for soft hues like Farrow & Ball's Ammonite or Benjamin Moore's White Dove.
Incorporate Natural Textures and Materials
The layered farmhouse look incorporates natural textures and materials - think washed linen curtains, cozy cotton throw pillows, seagrass rugs and eucalyptus garlands. Mixing matte and shiny finishes also adds depth and dimension.
Introduce visual warmth with wood furniture, ceramic table lamps, and touches of greenery from flowering plants or pots of herbs.
Select Plush Furniture with Traditional Lines
The furniture framework of your space establishes the overall aesthetic - so choose wisely! Key farmhouse living room pieces include:
- Tufted sofas and rolled arm chairs for plush seating
- Rustic wood coffee tables and console tables
- Distressed display cabinets and hutches
- Benches and ottomans for extra, casual seating
Look for shapes with clean lines - nothing too sleek or modern. Neutral upholstery allows accent pillows, throws and decor to take center stage.
Once your furniture is in place, have fun accenting with quintessential farmhouse decor like:
- Sheer linen or cotton curtains for an airy, light look
- Plush throw pillows in natural fabrics like cotton, jute and linen
- Black and white prints or farmhouse-inspired wall art
- Wagon wheel pendants or exposed bulb lighting
Display cherished photos on picture rails or gallery walls. Collections of books, plants and meaningful trinkets boost cozy appeal.