Tips To Make Farmhouse Decor Timeless So It Never Goes Out Of Style

In the 2010s, HGTV became obsessed with modern farmhouse style thanks to the trendsetting hosts of "Fixer Upper." Lifestyle bloggers and retailers soon jumped on the bandwagon, showing consumers how to decorate a home like Joanna Gaines, one of the show's stars. Before long, barn doors, open shelving, shiplap walls, and other Gaines faves were de rigueur. Design elements like these have received so much exposure that they're now feeling tired, with Forbes declaring modern farmhouse "on its way out to pasture" in 2021. This pronouncement isn't final, however. With some clever decor choices, you can make this style feel timeless.

Varying your color palette is one way to help modern farmhouse seem current. This style puts bright whites front and center, accompanied by soft grays and beiges. Other neutral shades, desaturated greens and blues, black accents, and the natural look of pine are also common, as they draw attention to design features such as exposed beams. Bringing darker hues into the mix — for example, deep brown or plum — provides elegance, especially when paired with darker wood finishes or brass fixtures. Though paint is helpful for achieving this effect, you can also pull it off with moody patterned wallpaper or textiles such as sofa covers, rugs, and table runners. 

To play up the modern side of modern farmhouse, weave in bits of bright yellow or red. Selecting vases, doormats, cushions, or other small items in these hues supplies contrast you're likely to appreciate for decades. Or summon an ethereal vibe by incorporating as much white as possible, especially when choosing textiles. Experimenting with texture and print can also help your take on modern farmhouse feel fresh.

Home textiles are ideal for bringing new textures and patterns into modern farmhouse decor, helping it stand the test of time. Though wallpaper can be used in this way, it's harder to replace if your tastes evolve. Before committing to wallpaper, use curtains to add timeless romantic florals or unexpected flourishes such as tassels and beads. Or introduce a romantic vibe with flowing curtains in touchable textures. AmHoo embroidered leaf pattern semi-sheer voile curtain panels move gracefully when a breeze passes through. Plus, their sage green foliage print complements almost any other color in the room.

Bedspreads are another place to play with patterns. Botanical prints are natural companions for many modern farmhouse bedrooms. One option to consider is the Dobuyly white floral botanical reversible coverlet set. Available in three sizes, it features a plant-centric design in several neutral colors. Layered textures such as quilted bedspreads and hand-crocheted blankets can lend a hint of cottagecore style and color to your modern farmhouse decor, making it feel both cozy and of the moment. One example of this look is the HORIMOTE HOME microfiber bedding set, featuring a quilted cloud pattern on the bedspread and pillow shams. It comes in three sizes and 33 colors.

Want to update a living space? Rugs are a powerful tool for infusing modern farmhouse with staying power. To give your decor a trend-resistant boho twist, try rugs that highlight traditional weaving techniques from around the world. This includes Navajo rugs with geometric patterns, shaggy Scandinavian Rya rugs, and wool Beni Ourian rugs from Morocco, which tell stories about the weaver's life or ancestors.