How to Upgrade Your Room Decor to a Farmhouse Style (Without Breaking the Bank)

There’s no question that the farmhouse style continues to be super-hot these days. With its bright and airy rooms, an uncluttered vibe, and the striking contrast between white walls and dark accents, the farmhouse style photographs beautifully! Throw in a peaked ceiling and you’ve got one of the most Instagrammable, Pinterest-postable looks around.

Fortunately, you don’t need much to mimic this style at home. If you’re styling on a budget, here are a few farmhouse decoration ideas you can try in your kitchen, living room, bedroom, dining room, bathroom, and the entryway.

But First, Clear and Declutter

Before you begin, decide which farmhouse style speaks to you and to your space and hone in on that vibe. Edit and select with that in mind. Then, start decluttering, donating, and putting away as much as you can. Identify what is left that doesn’t belong in your farmhouse vision and make a plan to substitute these things for pieces that do. (For this, you may check out yard sales, thrift stores, and flea markets.) 

Once you’ve cleared out your space, paint your walls with a fresh coat of bright white paint, and begin the transformation. 

Kitchen

Cabinets are the main event in a farmhouse kitchen. With your farmhouse vision in mind,  change out the cabinet hardware for something that complements your vision and if necessary, paint the cabinets. This will go a long way to achieve the look you want. If possible, upgrade to an apron-front farmhouse sink and update the faucet and lighting.

Dining Room

Light: To achieve a farmhouse dining room, sometimes it’s just as easy as updating your lighting fixture. Select a pendant fixture—or any fixture that speaks farmhouse—that’s a little larger than you think you might need, and hang it 24 to 30 inches centered above the tabletop. For a more authentic look, opt for dimmable incandescent lighting, or LEDs in 2700 to 3500K temperature, to create a warm glow. You may also use pillar candles in glass hurricanes to create ambiance. 

Dining Table: The farmhouse vibe is about gathering with friends and family so next, I’d swap out the dining table for the largest table and chairs that will fit the space. Opt for one made of wood (a vintage one would be perfect). The top can be of a different material too—zinc or quartz in whites or greys. (Quartz can handle wine and oil spills that stone can’t). 

Dining Chairs: Change up the chairs for vintage or with vintage styling, and feel free to mix up the set—they don’t have to match. A wood bench on one side is another simple update. It’s great for kids and keeps things light. If you go with a mix of unmatched chairs, they should relate and complement each other. After all, the farmhouse vibe is uncluttered and cohesive.

Living or Family Room

A farmhouse living room takes a “less-is-best” approach. Declutter the room and minimize colors and patterns. Add a fresh coat of white paint on the walls, and furnish only for what you need and will use. 

Furniture: Invest in a comfortable sofa with clean lines and a neutral tone. For that uncluttered vibe, think about furnishings that do double duty, such as an old trunk, which adds texture and character but also hides extra blankets. Tuck your electronics away and hide cords and cables. Your TV and audio equipment shouldn’t be the main event in your farmhouse living room.  If you can hide the equipment in an armoire, the scale of the piece can MAKE this room.

Textile: Add pillows in natural woven textiles. Kilims, African kuba, and mud cloth textiles add tons of character and style but keep colors complementary. Alternatively, rich velvets and woven leather accents take the direction upscale. Add sheepskin throws to create cozy comfort. 

Decor: A large mirror, preferably in a metal frame, will brighten and enlarge the space and fill in a blank wall. An antique mirror kicks it up a notch. Be aware of what you’re reflecting on and find the best placement for your mirror based on this. 

Bedroom

Bed: For a farmhouse-themed bedroom, I’d start with a headboard and bedding that’s neutral, natural, and simple. Add a folded blanket or textile draped over the end of the bed, perfect for a nap.

Dresser: Look for a vintage dresser that’s solid wood with some period farmhouse references, simple and sparingly adorned. 

Light: Add a pretty semi flush-mount light fixture or a pendant if you have the space. Bedside lamps can sit on nightstands or be mounted on the wall with the cord trailing down. 

Windows: Soften the windows with a light drape in natural-colored, woven fabric. If the room is small, keep the drapery color close to the wall color. 

Decor: Pendant and table lamps with twisted fabric electrical cords look great and fit the look. Add art as you find what speaks to you but be sure it carries the texture and tone of the room and the feel you’re going for. Find a place for everything and put everything in its place. Use large woven baskets for additional storage and texture. 

Bathroom

To achieve a farmhouse look in the bathroom, a fresh coat of white paint on your wall is a good start. Upgrade the lighting and mirror to something with a bit of patina and character. This is also a great place to play with brass metal. 

Textile: New towels in a neutral, white, or grey will give the room a clean and fresh feel. Swap out the shower curtain for a nice crispy white waffle weave. Hang the shower curtain as close to the ceiling as possible to give a small room more height and measure for the longest curtain that fits. 

Storage: To keep the bathroom uncluttered, find a vintage cabinet for additional storage. If space is tight, paint it white so it virtually disappears. Use a pretty rustic woven or metal basket for trash. 

Entryway or Foyer

Light: The farmhouse entryway is the perfect place for a statement light fixture. If the ceilings are low, find a semi flush-mount fixture in glass and metal. Look into vintage; you can go for some detail here. 

Furniture: If you have the space, add a small antique wood table to act as a catch-all piece or a small bench. Add a rug to filter out the street as you arrive and to liven up the small area.

Decor: Add some black for drama, some greenery, and/or a large mirror on the wall to check yourself on your way out the door. Keep the decor minimal and this space as uncluttered as possible.

And that’s it. Be sure to read the 8 Most Common Farmhouse Decor Elements post for more farmhouse decoration ideas.