The first step of any home design is choosing an aesthetic for your new space. If you’re like many homeowners today, then this discovery process has brought you to the world of rustic farmhouse decor.
Finding inspiration in rustic farmhouse design is one thing. Figuring out how to adapt those ideas to your own living space is another entirely!
To help get you started, we’ve collected some of our favorite designs and identified what makes them work. Keep reading for the best rustic farmhouse decorating ideas to use in your next home renovation!
25+ Rustic Farmhouse Decorating Ideas for A Transforming Makeover
1. Vintage Taxidermy
Nothing says rustic like a piece of vintage taxidermy. While we tend to associate taxidermy with low-brow design, there are many ways to dress up these pieces to suit a more elegant aesthetic.
Maybe you aren’t keen on mounting a real animal on your wall. Fortunately, faux taxidermy is widely available! These versions range from near-exact replicas of the real deal to artistic renditions made of wood, paper, and beyond.
2. Harvest Mantel
Seasonal decor is a great way to make your home’s interior feel fresh and exciting.
This autumn-themed mantel boasts the perfect balance. It’s appropriate for the season without overpowering the room’s full-time decor. And it’s neutral enough that you can leave it up for months at a time without growing tired of it.
3. Reclaimed Wood Mirror
Wood is found in nearly all interior designs. You can give your home a more rustic vibe by opting for reclaimed lumber instead of new wood.
This statement mirror contrasts beautifully with the rest of the bedroom (which is otherwise quite modern). It’s warm and dramatic but versatile enough to complement almost any space.
4. River Stone Fireplace
A stone fireplace can make your home feel like a Northwoods cabin — even if you live in the middle of suburbia.
Natural river stone has a more organic look and feel than cut stone or traditional brick. It pairs seamlessly with wood elements like the mantle, rafters, and log details seen here.
5. Floor-to-Ceiling Wood
Whitewashed shiplap is at the core of modern farmhouse design. For a more rustic take on this trend, opt for stained wood panels instead.
This gorgeous sitting room is covered almost entirely in warm, natural wood. It gives the space an inherently rustic aesthetic, even when paired with more traditional furnishings.
6. Wine Barrel Planters
Good home design starts at the front door. Make a great first impression by framing your home’s entryway with repurposed barrel planters.
These versatile planters are perfect for anyone who enjoys adding seasonal color to their front porch. Wine barrel planters can be bought ready to fill. Or DIYed if you can find old barrels of your own!
7. Hanging Dried Goods
Rustic farmhouse decor draws inspiration from a lifestyle that revolves around harvesting, prepping, and sharing good food. So consider putting dried goods on display instead of hiding them in your kitchen pantry.
This decorating idea can also be adapted into dried flowers or foliage displayed throughout your home.
8. Autumn Gourds
From late summer to winter, ornamental gourds are hallmarks of farmhouse decor. Large gourds can be displayed on your front porch or patio. Meanwhile, smaller specimens can be arranged into centerpieces and other home accents.
9. Front Door Wreath
No farmhouse is complete without a wreath hanging from the front door!
Seasonal wreaths let you decorate your home’s exterior for the passing holidays. But it’s also a good idea to invest in a generic wreath (or several) that suits your home’s general curb appeal.
10. Kitschy Laundry Room
Until recently, laundry rooms were treated as purely utilitarian spaces. One of the best things the rustic farmhouse trend has done for design as a whole is drawing attention to the average laundry room’s potential.
A fresh coat of paint and some stylish wall hangings can transform your laundry room into a space you actually enjoy spending time in.
11. Burlap and Evergreens
Winter is the perfect time to supplement your everyday decor with details like burlap, evergreen branches, and pinecones. You can dress these elements up for your chosen holiday or leave them neutral.
These simple centerpieces are an easy way to bring a bit of winter beauty indoors. They connect to the traditional Christmas tree in the background but could also be used alone!
12. Milk Crate Storage
Farmhouse decor excels at finding new uses for old items. Milk crates are just one example of an everyday item that can take your home decor to the next level.
Milk crates can be stacked to create a DIY bookshelf or mounted to the wall for floating storage. Maintain the natural wood finish to maximize the rustic look. Or reach for your favorite chalk paint for a trendier finish.
13. Sliding Barn Doors
If you’re like most homeowners, you haven’t given your interior doors much thought. But the right door can have an incredible impact on the look and feel of a room.
Sliding barn doors aren’t just stylish. They are also extremely practical — sliding barn doors offer the benefits of pocket doors without the laborious installation.
14. Welcoming Entryway
Rustic farmhouse decor can feel like a warm hug at the end of a long day. Curating the perfect entryway will ensure family and guests all feel this embrace as they enter your home.
This entryway design is both stylish and practical. It balances attractive decor with functional seating, coat hooks, and under-bench storage.
15. Succulent Terrariums
Greenery is well-utilized in farmhouse-inspired design. Succulents are a unique alternative to other houseplants that will give your home a Bohemian edge.
You don’t need a green thumb to pull off this decorating idea. Faux succulents require zero care and are impossible to distinguish from the real thing from a distance.
16. Rustic Mantle and Hearth
Wood itself is not inherently rustic. Instead, the secret is to let wooden elements in your home retain their natural color and texture.
This oversized mantle is simple yet gorgeous. The wood finish connects perfectly to the exposed rafters above, making this inviting room feel cohesive and luxurious.
17. Scandinavian Wicker
Although Scandinavian design tends to be very sleek and modern, it also includes a variety of organic materials. These ideas can easily be adapted to suit your rustic farmhouse interior.
This bleached wicker gives off a rustic vibe without taking away from the bright and airy atmosphere within the room. Overall, this space expertly toes the line between several trends for a style that is neutral and contemporary.
18. Lumber Decor
Wood rafters, mantles, and other architectural elements are standard in many rustic homes. However, few contemporary homes include these standout details.
Live-edge lumber furniture and decor can bring a similar organic warmth to your home design when such architecture isn’t available.
19. Wood-Burning Stove
Many of the most beautiful farmhouses achieve their beauty by blending new and old. This is why so many fans of the rustic aesthetic choose to update an older home with “good bones.”
This room is overwhelmingly bright and modern. Yet this simplicity contrasts perfectly against the warm wood-burning stove in the center of the space.
20. Pallet Furniture
Anyone who grew up in the countryside knows how easy it is to find old pallets. Rather than let that wood go to the burn pile, consider saving the best pieces to create a set of rustic furniture!
Pallets can be used to construct benches, daybeds, tables, headboards, and more. This is the perfect decor idea for any avid DIYer.
21. Shabby Chic Details
Rustic decor can still be feminine! This version of farmhouse design borrows inspiration from aesthetics like French Country and Shabby Chic.
Details like lace, cut flowers, and crystal chandeliers are commonly seen in spaces like this one. Use these elements sparingly and stick to a neutral color scheme to ensure the final look remains elegant and mature.
22. Vintage Window Seat
If you’re lucky enough to have a large picture or bay window in your home, it would be a shame not to install a cozy window seat!
A window seat like this one offers a wonderful opportunity to hide functional storage in plain sight. Add upholstered cushions and other comfy details to create the perfect reading nook.
23. Boho Macrame
Macrame artwork goes surprisingly well with most rustic and farmhouse decor. This 1970s trend is a great way to fill empty wall space in your home.
Look for macrame made of undyed rope for a truly rustic aesthetic. Many wall hangings are secured to pieces of live-edge lumber or driftwood — these designs are perfect for any farmhouse.
24. Rustic Area Rug
Animal pelt-inspired area rugs are another big trend of the moment. These rugs are a quick and easy way to add rustic charm to almost any room.
This black-and-white cow rug may be a little too on the nose for some spaces. But there are a variety of more subtle animal prints to choose from!
25. Outdoor Fireplace
If you’re looking for ways to make your patio comfortable and luxurious, you can’t go wrong with an outdoor fireplace.
Natural-looking stones or bricks will make your outdoor hearth look and feel like part of the surrounding landscape. Surround the fireplace with a variety of rustic seating options for maximum versatility.
26. Brick Accent Wall
Shiplap and barn wood are two of the most popular finishes when creating a rustic accent wall. But you can also take your farmhouse design in a slightly different direction with a wall made of brick.
Original brick walls aren’t found in the majority of homes. Fortunately, you can recreate this idea using a thin overlay or even textured wallpaper.
27. Globe Lights
Accent lighting is a key part of any room design. This bedroom supplements overhead lighting with the soft glow of rustic string lights.
Whether you’re designing a rustic bedroom, living room, or home office, consider hanging these stylish globe lights around the space. You can even find outdoor-safe globe lights that can be installed over a porch or patio.