In what ways does a dining room turn into a home? For many of us, it’s the rustic charm, the weathered wood, and the welcoming aesthetic of a farmhouse dining room. I will go over some tips to help you design your home like a farmhouse retreat. From the walls to the furniture and accessories, every part of the design adds elements of the past as well as modern touches. It’s time to find ideas that enhance the feeling of comfort and realness at home.
Embracing The Essence Of Farmhouse Dining Rooms
What comes to mind when I consider the main elements of a farmhouse dining room is the way comfort and heritagelink go together. They are built to look comfortable, be practical and retain plenty of character. The style includes materials found in nature, aged decor and open rooms. Often, the design mixes history with contemporary, combining antiques and modern furniture. As well as supporting every day meals, this style makes it easy to have fashionable family gatherings.
Usually, I decorate by placing things on a big wooden table, cross-back or spindle chairs and either beams or ceilings that are painted white. Reclaimed wood, galvanized metal and ceramic furnish texture to the area. A room decorated with shades like cream, beige or soft gray provides plenty of chances to use or accent with other festive colors. The unique features are often open shelving, shiplap and oversized lighting.
I have noticed that putting your personal or family items in the house greatly enhances its looks. My grandmother’s dishes are displayed on an old wooden hutch and that means more to me than any item I could buy. According to Joanna Gaines, your home should display your personal story and the farmhouse dining room is an excellent place to tell that story.
Try adding an old, weathered area rug, baskets woven from natural materials or sliding doors with a barn look to improve the space more. Such items fit in with the farmhouse style without messing up the overall balance.
Classic White Farmhouse Dining Room Ideas
A white farmhouse dining room has a classic charm about it. It looks fresh, tidy and soothing. Pairing white walls with natural light makes any dining area calm and comfortable for you or your guests. Although simple in design, it still works well in today’s houses.
Shiplap or white plaster walls and a distressed white dining table are the first elements I work with when creating such a design. Keeping the decor light, I use both ladder-back chairs and slipcovered seats. On the other hand, a dark wood floor or beams made from treated oak can bring a cozy atmosphere. Things such as old clocks, cotton drapes or ornamental enamel help give your room a vintage style.
Using several shades of white, like ivory, chalk and eggshell, is one of my favorite ways to avoid a sterile atmosphere. On many occasions, I’ve brushed up these rooms by placing some greenery on the table and including linen runners so the area does not look all white. Architectural Digest says that you should have white as the base and add warm touches with different textures and shades which goes along nicely with this concept.
Bringing in rustic metal lights or using an antique whitewashed cabinet would help raise the style of the living room. Combining gloss and matte white surfaces will give more interest to a plain area.
Rustic Wood Accents That Define Country Charm
It is important for a farmhouse dining room to have elements made from rustic wood. What makes a space feel old is the wood’s look and how much time it has spent there. Different types of wood in your home such as beams or tables, always have their own story.
The rooms are normally done with exposed rafters, large wooden tables and rustically made bench seating. Rustic wood is special because it still shows signs of the natural process—knots, marks left by the saw and aging give it a pleasing look. Putting wood together with neutral linens or old-fashioned crockery makes the look more comfortable.
I found a barn wood wall and made it the focal background for a tiny dining area. The change in texture and contrast of the wall were very noticeable and enhanced the room. Several professionals, among them Country Living, say that you can make accent walls using old boards or fence panels, as they are eco-friendly and attractive.
If you’re starting small, consider wood-framed mirrors or even a rustic console table for extra serving space. They look great in dining areas turning towards a farmhouse-style design and also provide both style and function.
Mixing Vintage Finds With Modern Furniture
When you place modern and vintage items together, you can make your dining space eclectic without making it too busy. This approach gives couples a chance to be creative and individual, all while keeping their culture alive. The most important thing is to have balance, so everything looks placed with attention, not randomly.
A lot of the time, I use fresh, modern chairs with a vintage table. Another way to combine styles is by having a modern pedestal table with older cane-back chairs. Hanging vintage framed prints, changing over wall hooks or putting an old dough bowl in the center gives any modern setup a charming feel.
I especially liked combining a mid-century style dining light with an antique one hundred-year-old pine farmhouse table. Having different styles in my space created excitement which Elle Decor says is key for any successful mixing of old and new designs.
Finishing the look can be done with a jute rug, charming candlesticks and a few metal accessories. What’s missing? Perhaps a selected bar cart or a gallery featuring old photos of your family will fashion the place with a more personal touch.
Neutral Color Palettes For A Cozy Atmosphere
A neutral color choice is what gives a farmhouse dining room its unique charm. Even though beige, cream, taupe and gray seem subtle, they can make a room cozy, interesting and calming if mixed right. Textures and materials are made the focal point of interior design with these trends.
I usually begin with wall colors like off-white and then I use linen curtains, rattan chairs or pieces of washed wood to introduce nature into the room. Oatmeal and gray upholstered chairs make the room cosy and ceramic pieces, clay vases and sisal rugs add a bit of texture.
I have found that neutrals look never go out of style. They go with the latest styles and make the room look more peaceful. According to House Beautiful, having muted colors is like speaking in a gentle tone about your style. This gentle influence is the key in a farmhouse dining room, as the variety of textures is more noticeable than colors.
You could also add gentle light in the room by installing a bronze pendant or a set of wall sconces. You can give a characterful feel by simply using woven chargers or cotton placemats that fit the palette.
Farmhouse Dining Tables That Make A Statement
The centerpiece of every farmhouse dining room is the statement dining table. It is not only for eating, but also for meeting and sharing experiences. The table leads the rest of the decor and marks the atmosphere of the room. It symbolizes farmhouse style no matter if it’s unfinished or highly polished.
I tend to choose a reclaimed wood table and among oak, pine and walnut, oak is my favorite. The table shape relates to the area, yet classic appeal is added by using a big trestle base or turned feet. An open-bench seating end and chairs on either side gives everything a flexible and unpretentious look.
From my experience, using the right table makes a big difference in my projects. One client bought a table made out of a barn beam that had stood for 150 years and everyone noticed it and asked about it. Better Homes & Gardens suggests buying a table that looks better with age and I totally share this view.
If you’d like to advance your learning, try this. You can add built-in side wings or a sideboard to help meet your space needs for a crowd. An easy way to change the table’s look is to use a runner made from natural material or seasonal flowers.
Antique Cabinets And Sideboards For Storage And Style
There are many ways to make storage exciting in a farmhouse dining room. Though they are old, antique cabinets and sideboards are still highly useful. They help you maintain order by storing dishes and linens and look stylish at the same time.
Looking for vintage hutches, apothecary chests and pie safes is something I enjoy. Most pieces in this style are made of solid wood and have either aged finishes, hand-carved motifs or glass doors. Bringing a cabinet to the wall covering a dining room adds style and makes things more organized.
I turned a worn grain bin into a buffet table for one of my clients and it drew the most attention in the room. As found on the Southern Living site such upcycled organizing pieces help give our homes character which I totally agree with. The functional pieces make the whole room seem connected.
Try to bust the formality of the room by placing a tall cabinet or sideboard that shows off your possessions. Place charming dishes, old trays and beautiful seasonal plants inside to get the farmhouse feel.
Shiplap Walls To Complete The Farmhouse Look
Shiplap walls are a great way to make sure your dining room looks like a true farmhouse. The grainy texture and Vintage look of the wood paneling also maintains a minimalistic and clean look. No matter if it’s shiny white or has aged quite a bit, shiplap brings the feeling of countryside style to any setting.
I usually put shiplap at the background of these farmhouse dining designs to help bring the space together. Having it behind your dining table or around a fireplace is a great idea. When paired with wooden planks and traditional molding, it sticks to a rustic appearance. Neutral colors, lighting made of galvanized metal and old decorations help me complete the vision for a rock-and-roll theme.
I have used shiplap in both small and big dining rooms and noticed it warms up the area but does not take over the room’s appearance. Shiplap is seen by Magnolia Journal to be a quick way to add historic appeal to any new house. This material really has a way to bring individual style and warmth to any plain space.
To level up this space, you could use vertical shiplap or paint it in gentle gray or beige for extra comfort. Floating shelves teamed with a mantel make it possible to show your favorite pottery or collectibles.
Open Shelving For Rustic Display Opportunities
Having open shelves brings interior design and practicality together in the dining area. It makes displaying dishes, greenery and old pieces inviting by helping to tear up the visual dominance of closed cabinets. They add to the open and straightforward look that farmhouse style tries to achieve.
In my wall consoles, I place reclaimed wood or wrought iron brackets under thick open planks. Ceramic pitchers, mason jars, ironstone bowls and stacks of linens look best displayed on these shelves. The style options for a home are endless, so people can easily express their unique tastes.
Presently, I feel that open shelving makes a room open and full of movement. Whenever a new season comes, I put up decorations and use seasonal tableware for the holidays. Better Homes & Gardens states that open shelving combines storing items and telling your house story and this is true in many farmhouse dining rooms.
For a better appearance, consider placing lights below the shelves or setting the back wall to a different color than the shelves. Try to keep things organized to keep the attraction of your home.
Lighting Ideas For A Warm Farmhouse Glow
Lighting plays an important role in a farmhouse dining room and achieving a warm, pleasant feeling is very important. I’ve discovered that using an ambient light, task lights and an accent one makes our home welcoming for all kinds of special events or regular activities.
Most of the time, I choose a pendent or chandelier as the main feature above the table. Things like iron, wood and time-worn brass blend nicely with farmhouse-style homes. I also put up wall sconces or set a small lamp on a sideboard to make the room more interesting. Bulbs with warm lights help make the place cozy and well-lit.
In my house, I dim all my lights so that I can adapt the ambiance for every event. Many experts in interior design, including Emily Henderson, believe that layers of light are important for achieving the perfect look in any room and nothing shows this better than in the dining area.
Missing often are under-cabinet lights or lights that attach to shelves. Small LED strips or puck lights can give the right amount of light without destroying the natural atmosphere.
Farmhouse Chandeliers To Elevate The Space
A farmhouse chandelier can be the highlight of your dining room, giving you bright light and lots of character at once. Such items stand out and help shape the feeling of the room. If you select iron, wood or use both, the ideal chandelier enhances your room’s charm without taking away its rustic look.
I usually include wagon-wheel chandeliers, lantern-style pendants or multi-arm fixtures from a vintage era in my designs. They are usually made in matte black, distressed white or rubbed bronze. They make any room with high or vaulted ceilings more organized and peaceful when hung above a farmhouse table.
I particularly liked a chandelier I made with reclaimed wood and iron arms because it was both rustic and elegant at the same time. Southern Living editors encourage filling spaces with old-looking lighting fixtures and I believe that fits well in farmhouse homes.
To further enhance the look, I suggest selecting a fixture that complements the furniture’s proportions. With dimmers or vintage light bulbs, your space can be useful yet have a mild and friendly character.
Modern Farmhouse Dining Room Concepts
If you prefer a touch of farm life and design, modern farmhouse dining rooms have just what you need. Clearly outlined designs, fewer decorative details and highly polished spaces go well with the traditional materials wood and iron.
I like to paint my walls either white or light gray and then introduce black or metal into the room through light fixtures, the base of chairs or curtains rods. Bringing together a rectangular table and some crafted chairs wrapped in simple fabric creates a unique mix of modern and old designs. Rugs made of natural fiber and artworks add elegance and contemporary feel to the space.
For urban homes where rustic style wouldn’t fit well, I have noticed this design stands out as a good choice. As HGTV recommends, I’ve found that combining sleek shapes with rough materials makes a modern farmhouse design possible and this has worked in many remodels I’ve done.
Could something else be necessary? Interior decoration, including art pieces and plates, can bring subtle touches of colors to your room. A black-framed mirror or a sleek chandelier will help the room look neat and interesting at the same time.
Industrial Touches In A Farmhouse Setting
Adding elements from industry can make a traditional farmhouse dining room stand out and have a practical advantage. You can create a great look by putting steel, exposed materials and basic colors together with rustic wood and furnishings.
I prefer to add metal chairs, pipe shelving or pendant lights that come in a matte black or aged style. Choosing furniture that shows its mechanical parts adds an industrial hint to any room. Having only a small amount of ornaments makes the home feel dull, so just the right quantity brings life to the space.
I love the setting with industrial lighting overhead wooden tables and a steel cabinet as the sideboard. Architectural Digest points out that such rooms give real depth and contrast which is also true for this look.
To complete the look, consider adding exposed brick or concrete flooring (or a faux finish). To make your space even grittier, add some visible gears, rivets or signs taken from a real factory.
Incorporating Natural Elements Into Decor
Featuring items from nature in your dining room brings a bit of outdoors and attractiveness to a farmhouse style. The materials wood, stone, lush green plants and linen make the area achieve a natural and pleasant ambiance.
Branch decor is one of my favorite things and I put them in ceramic vases, wicker baskets and live-edge wood places. You can find that earthy effect with help from a woven placemat set or a jute rug. Because of these items, the room feels like a genuine home and will never look out of date.
Usually at home, I collect some pinecones or dried flowers to create simple centerpiece displays. Real Simple notes that natural items offer a cozy touch that synthetic items do not which explains why this works nicely for farmhouse designs.
In addition, you can place a few pots with fresh herbs, some stoneware pitchers or wool throws on neighboring benches. The soft and sensory details make the room look refreshing and cozy at the same time.
Farmhouse-Inspired Wall Art And Signage
Most often, I begin my farmhouse dining room design by focusing on the walls. Showing the essence of your home can be easily done with art and signage. Consider frames with prints or pictures of plants, set next to homemade art pieces that say “Gather” or “Bless This Table.” They are easy to use because they fill up areas that are empty and they liven up the room.
From what I’ve learned, I tend to use reclaimed wood plaques, framed canvas and black-and white typography signs the most. It’s great to have a large horizontal sign above a buffet or sideboard. Hang linens or garlands around the seasons by fixing them to the rustic hooks mounted under framed art. The way the artwork is created should highlight faith, food and family.
If guests come into a room with attractive signage, they are welcomed right away. A lot of designers, Joanna Gaines included, encourage setting up art displays layered with a blend of frames from various sources and natural touches to cozy up empty spaces above the ground. This advice has always worked for me.
Adding wall sconces made from iron or distressed metal near the artwork would improve the warmth and look of the area.
Layered Textures With Rugs, Runners, And Linens
Making the dining room cozy depends a lot on texture and including several rugs, runners and linens can make it invite everyone in. Under the table, I put a jute rug that gives a wonderful warm tone. Then I lay down some natural-fiber table runners and napkins in soft and mild-colored fabrics.
Flax linen runners, woven cotton placemats and embroidered napkins in ecru, slate or pale sage are the items I usually trust for setting my table. They make for more dimensional details without changing the overall traditional color scheme. A thick area rug by the dining table makes the area more comfortable and improves the sound in the room.
Merging different materials helps make the area appealing to the senses which makes people want to enjoy the space for a longer time. My belief is that adding vintage lace or grain sack-like linens adds the characteristic old-world ambiance that makes a farmhouse home.
A way to make this section better is to use seat cushions that have buttons or ties made from fabrics similar to the table.
Centerpiece Ideas That Feel Handcrafted And Homely
A dining table in a farmhouse looks incomplete when it doesn’t have a special centerpiece. I always suggest using materials that are made by hand or are natural. Stunning yet simple items include mason jars full of flowers, wooden trays that hold candles and pitchers filled with dried grasses.
I really enjoy filling long wooden bowls with pinecones in autumn and changing them to faux lemons in summer. Ceramic jugs, antique books and wrought iron lanterns end up on my table. You should make sure the centerpieces are low enough to allow people to converse without any trouble.
Something as simple as eucalyptus in a vase or using breadboards and jam jars with candles on them have been my favorite centerpieces. Experts at Better Homes & Gardens say streamsline decor is important in farmhouse dining and I agree with them as well.
To make your table setup more lively, switch out little seasonal objects such as mini pumpkins and spring nests.
Repurposed Materials For DIY Dining Decor
Farmhouse style is all about creative uses for old and recycled materials. I frequently choose to create or purchase decor items that include barn wood, metal piping and old shutters. Having items made from other products makes the area stand out and brings attention to its history.
You can use a reclaimed wood ladder as a pot rack or fix lighting fixtures on it. If you use pallet boards, you can turn them into signs and you can display old photos or botanical pictures in your window frames. With a little paint, metal baskets take on a new role and are now either under your bench or hanging on the wall.
I find that the rustic look of these pieces makes them special and nothing in stores can compare to something made by hand using salvaged wood. Mixing old and new pieces is recommended by HGTV and I discover this helps a lot when you include DIY items in a modern home.
The section needs advice on prepping and sealing materials, so that they can be used inside without being a health risk in food places.
Farmhouse Bench Seating For A Communal Feel
Seating on benches is a main characteristic of a farmhouse dining room. Sofas make everyone feel close and entertained, something that regular chairs struggle to do. Using a bench that stretches along one end of the table is good, mainly when I have a tight area or am planning to serve many people.
I prefer choosing solid wood benches with either X-frame or trestle legs most of the time. Choosing white or gray paint on the base of your table gives an interesting contrast with the wood top. I make the sofa comfortable by adding grain sack pillows or linen cushions to it. For those with small spaces, storage benches make a great choice because they are useful and stylish.
In my opinion, benches make people want to sit right next to each other and create a cozier atmosphere. The magazine suggests using benches with slender legs since they don’t block the view in small rooms.
If you are looking to finish your dining area design, join a bench with some ladder-back chairs and set a small woven basket on the table to store the linens.
Decorating With Seasonal Farmhouse Touches
By adding farmhouse touches for the season, I can change the look without making major changes. During winter, I switch out pine branches; during spring, I include yellow sunflowers and I have pumpkins in the fall. Flowers and herbs give the dining room a bright and pleasant smell.
To add Halloween decorations, I like to use wreaths of dried leaves or herbs, put seasonal fruit in trays I’ve liven up with galvanizing and put up a burlap banner over the buffet. If you switch out your linens and centerpieces with the season, the room appears different and neat, not too full.
In my own experience, using neutral colors throughout the year helps make the seasonal decorations easier to see. Southern Living advises to add a bit of the season rather than putting up lots of decorations and I’ve followed that for my home’s appeal every month.
You might want to include some advice on how to keep seasonal items, for instance by labeling bins in the hall closet for a quick and enjoyable swap.
Whitewashed Furniture For A Weathered Look
Using whitewash adds texture, making the farmhouse dining room seem old, but very well-loved. Regardless of if it’s the dining table, buffet or hutch, I prefer having a soft, chalky finish on the piece to bring out the grain without making the room too fancy.
I usually choose a whitewashed or slightly worn finish for the dining table legs, the cabinet doors or the open shelving. Pine, oak and reclaimed wood react very well to this technique. Chairs and frames in the living room are usually given matching or similar colors.
Whenever I do my own designs, whitewashed accents create a bright feeling in the room while remaining understated. They help newly built houses look old and traditional. Elle Decor says that “whitewashing brings together coastal and country styles,” which is exactly what a transitional farmhouse wants.
Please include hardware made with antique bronze or black iron mixed with the white finish to complete the piece with style.
Mixing Painted And Natural Wood Finishes
I enjoy making a farmhouse dining room look richer by combining painted and natural wood elements. The difference between wooden textures and matte paint gives the room a well-designed and thoughtful appearance. It seems both well-designed and open-armed—not overdone, but always down-to-earth.
Many of my designs join a wood dining table with chairs painted in sage, cream or charcoal. The relaxed balance between a pale blue hutch and a raw oak buffet fits the style of a farmhouse. Having a similar undertone in the wood makes sure everything matches and no visual conflict appears.
In my opinion, the mixture makes it look like the various pieces were picked up as the years went by. Mixtures of different finishes are encouraged by Architectural Digest, as they say it gives rustic designs depth and a genuine look.
To make the strategy more interesting, add some woven pieces, like a basket or a rattan fixture which connects the wood to the colorful painted textures.
Vintage Finds From Flea Markets And Thrift Stores
A good way to make your farmhouse dining room feel special and unique is to add vintage pieces. I check manual markets, garage sales and thrift shops for things like chairs, old enamel pitchers and antique breadboards.
They clearly have their own special qualities. It’s common for me to combine antique chairs with newer stuff or set a vintage milk jug on a board. Silver trays and ironstone plates can be displayed on the walls as decorations as well. Even if something seems a bit worn, that creates the character that makes it special.
From my point of view, everything old and original seems to make more of an impression in any room. People like Emily Henderson support mixing vintage and modern and I find that idea really works in farmhouse homes. Makes the place feel less like a clothing shop.
Additionally, you could upgrade vintage pieces by adding a modern color, so they stay interesting and go well with your colors.
Farmhouse Dining Room Ideas For Small Spaces
Planning a small farmhouse dining room can be very enjoyable. If you think about the layout, a small area can be full of warmth and function just as well. To increase movement and flexibility, I select a circular or drop-leaf table at the beginning.
Furnish the area with tables that have tucking benches, add wall-mounted shelves to free up the floor and use soft colors such as ivory or gray to make the room seem airy. Mirrors allow light to play around in a room and open up the space, while shiplap on the walls gives a gentle touch rather than a bulky effect.
Through my experience with small dining rooms, I found that scale is more important than anything else—you should pick furniture that fits in your dining area instead of trusting a catalog. Experts at Apartment Therapy state that putting a storage bench in your home can help you make the most of your space by creating double usable areas.
Adding a few cases of wall lamps and foldable chairs would help readers who have only a small amount of available square footage.
Large Dining Rooms With Farmhouse Grandeur
As I plan a big farmhouse dining room, I try to keep the area cozy but still impressive. A combination of exposed beams, board-and-batten walls and huge tables goes nicely with the generous floor space and tall ceilings in these rooms.
I regularly set up a table that’s twelve to fifteen feet long and is supported by turned legs. Nearby are a set of slipcovered chairs as well as some wooden ones. An impressive chandelier lowers the eye and gives warmth to the interior. Large furniture such as cabinets or buffets, works well to complete the edges of the kitchen.
Using old plates and pictures in a gallery arrangement helps me to break up an empty wall. According to Veranda Magazine, placing various rugs on the floor and tiered lights above can turn any big dining room into a cozy place.
Acoustics should be addressed as well and this could be done by hanging up fabric curtains or sitting on padded chairs to minimize sound echo.
French Country Influence In Farmhouse Dining
To give a romantic touch to the traditional farmhouse, I like to incorporate French country details. It takes away the rough appeal of rustic by using gentle curves, quiet pastel tones and classy details such as toile fabrics and caned chairs. It starts from simple principles, but introduces some extra elegance.
Many times, I add cabriole-legged tables, cream painted hutches with open shelves and chandeliers made from crystal or wrought iron. A dining table decorated with French linens showing stripes and a light floral design looks wonderful with rustic items. The main colors in the room are soft blues, dusty rose and ivory.
It seems that this blend suits clients who want the charm of a farmhouse plus some extra style. According to House Beautiful, the best way to decorate a French farmhouse is with antiques and feminine shapes and I use this information for each of my French country decor decisions.
You could use wall molding or antique mirrors here as they’ll add to the overall European feeling, but won’t take over the room.
Black And White Farmhouse Dining Room Styles
A black and white farming-style dining room looks elegant no matter what and is very flexible in design. Having a monochrome color scheme and mixing wood and rough-looking ornaments makes the place sophisticated yet cozy. I often rely on this plan to give farmhouse spaces a contemporary feel while saving their original style.
ITypically lay the foundation of the space with a black-finihed or matte dining table, together with white or cream chairs. If your wall is white, black art or frame details will help make them stand out. I could put in adjustable cords or black curtain rods to tie the room together.
People who admire minimalism and still want the warmth of farmhouse style will like this style. Domino Magazine has explained that the current trend in rustic homes is to have more black-and-white interiors which are softened by warm wood and comfortable linen.
To make things less sharp, I add room elements that have woven textures or green accents.
Using Greenery And Florals For A Fresh Finish
If you want to finish your farmhouse dining room with ease, add some natural greenery or pretty floral arrangements. Both real and artificial plants make a space look more alive and gentle. You can put eucalyptus, olive leaves or hydrangeas into a ceramic jug or a mason jar.
I arrange branches in colorful pitchers, make flowers for the buffet or add a mini vase to each dining plate to make them more special. Putting wreaths made of foliage on windows or walls is an attractive option. Faux stems are great because they give a beautiful look that lasts and doesn’t require any upkeep.
I always make sure plants grow in every corner of our house. It combines every seasonal aspect and gives Fortnite its unique, cheerful vibe. Better Homes & Gardens indicates that seeing nature inside can lessen eye strain and cheer people up.
The section could include a short suggestion to stick with pretty plastics or gentle-colored silk for a realistic-looking faux plant.
Repurposed Farm Tools As Decorative Elements
I have always noticed how real features add personality to a space. No story can be told in a farmhouse dining room as well as through old and repurposed tools. What once served for difficult tasks can today be turned into lovely symbols of our past. If you decorate your shiplap walls with plow handles and pitchforks, you can stay faithful to your home’s traditions. They are ideal for wooden floors, found beams or simple linen curtains which gives the space a warm and functional appearance.
Installing a wagon wheel above your dining table and attaching a rustic chandelier gives the room a clear focal spot. Sometimes, things like hand rakes or scythes work well as places to hang napkins, oars or branches of dried herbs. Such pieces make your space stand out, yet they don’t need to be connected to a lot of furniture. Consider making a ladder your pot rack or mount it for vertical storage to use its practical side without losing style.
Frequently, I go to flea markets or auctions to hunt for old items to incorporate in my designs. They are not only cost-effective, but they also start interesting conversations. Interior designer Joanna Gaines has said in multiple interviews that layering textures with salvaged elements is what gives the farmhouse look its warmth—and I couldn’t agree more. You don’t want to add a lot of metal, so I even things out by adding materials like warm wood and natural textiles.
Adding old-fashioned light fixtures and woven containers will complete the look even more. Putting some eucalyptus or rosemary stems in the vase will make the space feel fresher and more in touch with the outdoors.
Showcasing Farmhouse Dining Rooms In Open-Concept Homes
Open plans are becoming popular in modern homes, so including the farmhouse look in your dining room needs smart planning. If the kitchen and living/dining spaces are one, the dining area should look clear and still fit seamlessly in the space. In my opinion, the best way to do this is with rugs, unique lighting or special designs on the ceiling.
It matters a lot how you arrange any furniture in an open-concept design. A wide reclaimed wood table, supported by upholstered chairs and an extensive bench, is my preferred dining area. A plain jute rug outlines the area for dining and makes the floor feel normal. These lantern-shaped pendant lights from wrought iron or black matte keep the dining area separate and focused from the living room.
In my opinion, the biggest error in open-concept farmhouse decor is mixing everything so much that the separate areas look the same. Therefore, my suggestion is to include a one-of-a-kind element such as a bold buffet, an antique credenza or rustic look art pieces in the dining area. Carisha Swanson from HGTV writes in her article that using farmhouse tables in open spaces goes well with large lighting and worn finishes which I am in agreement with.
A ceiling beam or slatted wall might be one more thing to add in this room. They maintain a little bit of space between the rooms but do not make the space look closed off. Ensure that there is sharing of characteristics while also maintaining the identity of each group.
Cozy Lighting Ideas With Lanterns And Sconces
Lighting is very important for creating a comfortable feel in a farmhouse dining room. Strongly featured in everything I work on is the idea of layer lighting, mainly emphasizing the warm look of lanterns and sconces. Even though they remind us of old times, they also have updates for wiring and finishes to stay fresh. I normally choose a hanging lantern-like chandelier together with flexible adjustable wall sconces to provide both useful and relaxing light.
I like putting a rusty or reclaimed metal or wood chandelier above the table, along with bronze sconces on either side of a buffet cabinet or mirror. They deliver even light as they accentuate the rustic theme of the place. When it comes to evening meals, dimmable Edison bulbs give everything a warm and comfortable look. Hand-blown glass fixtures interest me because the light they cast is slightly textured from the bumps.
I found out that lighting in a dining room should always be soft. I recommend using warm-toned bulbs (2700K or below), which are more flattering and inviting. According to Better Homes & Gardens, people love to use lantern lighting in farmhouse designs because of its sense of warmth and old-fashioned style. More often than not, I add a dimmer switch so that I can quickly change the atmosphere for breakfast to dinner with friends.
To bring the whole scene together, place a table runner with candles or old candlesticks to highlight the lighting idea. If there is little space on the walls, sconces that attach to the wall or directional lights placed in the ceiling will not disturb the room’s design.
Timeless Appeal Of The Farmhouse Dining Room
The comfort of a farmhouse dining room comes from the way it looks both new and old. People never stop appreciating this style due to its focus on comfort, skill and togetherness. While developing their designs, I blend pieces of history with modern living ease. Consider large wood floors, soft cream colors and pieces of furniture that highlight how they were built.
Almost every time, I choose a rustic-finish rectangular dining table to work with. After that, I place cleverly covered chairs, simple seaters or an eclectic blend of antique items. Adding a buffet with glass-door panels creates extra space for storage and for showing your dishes. For a more relaxed feeling, I bring in linens that are greenish, brown or even with faded patterns. Using traditional-style stoneware or enamel dinnerware makes the table bright and functional at the same time.
For me, I come back to this style quite a lot. It means more than following details—it’s about being comfortable. Amber Lewis, a leading interior designer, pointed out that “farmhouse style is where natural flaws mix with ordered comfort,” and that is exactly what I think farmhouse is all about. It makes us feel at ease and enjoy our meals with family.
Those who feel uncertain about starting should start with some small changes. Use a single beautiful table, a comfortable rug and a pair of vintage frames on the walls and the room will look instantly improved. Eventually, include details that represent you through handpicked pieces.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or just adding subtle rustic touches, a farmhouse dining room offers timeless beauty and warmth that never goes out of style. It would be great to know how you have tried these ideas out or what you want to add next to your home. Share your thoughts or ask a question in the comments below!
