6 Mistakes to Avoid with Farmhouse Decor

February 20, 2020

Farmhouse decor is all about a sense of coziness, warmth, and charm. It tends to focus on a simple and clean look that features natural textures and materials. But, as with any interior design style, there are plenty of ways it can go wrong. Here are a few common mistakes to avoid with farmhouse decor:

Mistake #1 – Going for Cozy and Getting Clutter

Farmhouse style may hinge on a cozy, warm look, but that doesn’t mean clutter. When adding coziness to a room, it’s tempting to keep adding stuff – another blanket here, some more throw pillows there, and on and on until there is too much.

This is a mistake to avoid with farmhouse decor and also one of the mistakes to avoid with minimalist interior design. It’s fine to have a lot of decor and a lot of things in a room. You just want to make sure they’re not overwhelming the room, they’re serving a purpose, and they enhance the atmosphere instead of weighing it down.

Mistake #2 – Getting the Mix of Styles Wrong

Because farmhouse decor tends to have a lived-in and seasoned look, it often overlaps with vintage furniture and accessories. It also tends to be a mix of styles depending on the look you’re trying to achieve. But, getting the mix of styles wrong can end up making the room look and feel slightly “off” or too kitschy. This can also happen when your farmhouse look is too calculated and authenticity is lost.

Mistake #3 – Choosing the Wrong Furniture

This interior design style features large, chunky furniture that is simple and functional. It’s all about sturdy furniture with a laid-back feel. There is a little bit of flexibility with this if you’re going for a modern farmhouse look instead of something more traditional.

But, in general, the furniture should have an upcycled, heirloom, or flea market find look and feel to them, even if you purchased them new. Again, contemporary furniture can have its place with a modern farmhouse look. It just needs to be paired with vintage accessories or hardware to give it a little bit of rustic or old-world flair.

Mistake #4 – Picking the Wrong Fabrics, Patterns, or Textures

The farmhouse look centers on natural fabrics and textures. So, if you end up with a look that is too perfect and manufactured, it can miss the mark. Stick with natural fabrics like cotton, linen, canvas, and more. You can also play with patterns or embroidered material. Paisleys, plaids, stripes, traditional florals, and checks tend to be popular farmhouse-style patterns.

It’s also a good idea to stick with natural materials in furniture and accents as well. Natural or natural-looking wood, reclaimed wood, and distressed wood are popular materials in farmhouse design. Natural stone looks are also popular.

Mistake #5 – Using Too Much White

White, creams, and grays are popular foundation colors for farmhouse design. White-on-white rooms can work, but you have to balance it carefully. Too much white can come across as cold and sterile instead of the warm and inviting atmosphere you want with farmhouse style. Usually, it’s best to balance out the white with other decor and accessories to add some color and avoid a stark or cold room

Mistake #6 – Making Poor Lighting Choices

With any interior design style, the lighting can make or break the room. Your lighting and lighting fixtures should enhance the farmhouse style in a room and provide soft, warm lighting to the room.

Lighting that is too bright and harsh can kill the welcoming, cozy atmosphere you’re trying to create. Thankfully, there are plenty of lighting choices available to help you get exactly the look and feel you want in each room.

These are just a few common mistakes to avoid with farmhouse decor. Regardless of your preferred interior design style, partnering with a custom home builder with an in-house design/build process can make sure you get the look you want in your custom home. If you’re ready to make your dream home a reality, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090 today!