19 easy ways to add farmhouse style to any home

The key to farmhouse design is bringing natural elements into the home. Rugs in jute, sisal or wool are the perfect accompaniment to easy living, which add comfort while sticking to a muted statement. Another great rug option is a braided rug in soft colours.

This is how to make a traditional oil cloth rug.

With its substantial style and raised design, a claw-foot tub is the epitome of relaxed farmhouse style. Either on its own as a freestanding tub, or with a ceiling-mounted curtain surround, this deep tub is as versatile as they come. Place an antique chair or stool next to the tub to hold toiletries or a basket of towels for an enhanced effect.

Turns out you might be arranging your furniture completely wrong.

The essence of farmhouse style is a home that is functional and welcoming while still being relaxed. When it comes to dining, natural wood grain, wormholes and dents are all welcome aspects of a farmhouse table, where families can gather for a feast. For a modern farmhouse feel, paint the legs of an antique table with a muted paint and refinish the top with a natural stain and let the beauty of time-worn wood do the talking. Mix and match antique chairs and dishes in complementary colours to complete the look. Bonus points for an old church pew or rustic workbench on one side.

Everyone loves the designer look of a white sofa, but the reality of keeping it looking great can be one tough cleaning job. The solution? Why slipcovers, of course! A slipcovered sofa doesn’t fret over spilled milk because removing and cleaning it is a breeze! For an accessorizing home run, add some pillows in a mix of floral, solid and stripe in similar colours to add instant charm.

Yes, you can paint leather. And here’s how.

Great farmhouse style is all about adding the unexpected through standalone pieces that make a statement. From industrial finds to architectural salvage like porch supports and wood shutters, your only limits to great style is your imagination. Any easy way to add salvage to a newer home is to add an antique front door to an interior doorway in your home. Any glass will let light travel easily through and unexpected details like mail slots or house numbers make a great conversation piece.

When it comes to farmhouse art, go big or go home. A solitary statement piece that recalls farm life, from animals to old farm equipment can be hung in numerous ways to provide impact. An antique church bench makes a great hallway statement and a perfect place to put on shoes before heading out the door. Large clocks, mirrors and antique window frames make perfect additions to this easy style.

Metal and wood are a great farmhouse combination that is a winner every time and is easy to incorporate. From galvanized steel buckets to tin lettering, metals are a fun way to give your farmhouse vibe some edge. As a backsplash, PVC tin-look tiles (pictured) are a simple, glue-up solution to cover a dated tile backsplash.

These projects will maximise the street appeal of your home.

Paint can be a furniture game changer. Search garage sales and thrift stores for easy pieces to distress, and in as little as one afternoon you can have a conversation piece that looks like it’s a family heirloom. Chalk paint can provide the perfect look and is very forgiving, making it the perfect product for a beginner. All you need to transform any piece of furniture from drab to fab is paint, brushes, a clean cloth, distressing wax and sandpaper. The rest is all about experimenting and having fun.

Here are our top tips for choosing paint colours.

Green on white is the perfect farmhouse colour combination that is equal parts fresh and relaxing. You can incorporate greenery in many different ways. Fresh cut boughs in a steel bucket make an excellent table centrepiece, and dried boxwood, magnolia and eucalyptus make wonderful hanging wreaths. Attach a wreath to an old window or picture frame backed with chicken wire or lace fabric to perfect this look. Even better are homegrown herbs on a sunny windowsill, which are beautiful and practical.

Check out these planters inspired by nature.

Even if you don’t have a wraparound deck or porch, you can still get the same feeling that makes you want to curl up with a good book or watch the world go by. Add a small table for drinks and a trellis for privacy, and you’ll have yourself the perfect outdoor hideaway that oozes casual elegance.

In need of a touch up? Check out these DIY deck fixes.

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Source: The Family Handyman