12 Farmhouse Touches That Bring Homeyness to the Living Room
If you want to go less formal, consider adding elements inspired by simpler times
The word “formal” often precedes the words “living room.” But many folks find that “formal” equals “too nice to actually use.” Today, lots of homeowners are finding inspiration in the casual, well-worn touches of farmhouse style. If your living room is feeling uncomfortably formal, you may find that adding a farmhouse touch or two makes you use it more.
1. Sunflowers. This open kitchen shows lots of farmhouse touches (baskets, Shaker cabinetry, wooden bowls, even a farm animal silhouette), and the sunflowers in the large ceramic jug are a quick and easy way to carry that flavor into the living area. They recall fields of sunflowers on farms from Kansas to Tuscany.
2. Old-fashioned lighting. Metal fixtures like these candle-like sconces add an antique farmhouse touch. Other good lighting options in a farmhouse room are gooseneck barn lights and outdoor-style lanterns.
3. Architectural accents. A farmhouse living room is a great spot to use salvaged pieces as artwork. Here, the owners upcycled salvaged warehouse vents to draw the eye up the wall. Other salvaged items seen around Houzz are windmill blades and weather vanes.
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See the rest of this home
4. Dried herbs. These homeowners grow herbs outside their 19th-century-inspired home, then dry and display them in almost every room.
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See the rest of this home
5. A wood stove. This living room has a more refined Belgian or Scandinavian sensibility, but the wood stove adds a practical warm and rustic touch.
Is Belgian Style the New Shabby Chic?
Is Belgian Style the New Shabby Chic?
6. Informal seating. Farmhouse living rooms don’t need to be so formal and tailored. Here, a comfy mix of a sofa, a wicker chair and a well-worn leather club chair ease casual conversation and reading time.
See the rest of this antique Cape renovation
See the rest of this antique Cape renovation
8. Reclaimed barn boards. Similarly, repurposed barn wood paired with lanterns provide an informal accent above this mantel. The repurposed boards on the cart-turned-coffee table play nicely off the accent boards on the wall.
9. A rustic table. A smaller farm table can work well as a sofa table or library table in a living room. Smaller versions inspired by farm tables make good coffee tables in a farmhouse living room as well.
10. Quilts. An easy way to cozy up a living room is with quilts. You can drape them casually over the sofa …
See the rest of this converted barn home
See the rest of this converted barn home
… present a collection in a stacked display …
11. A braided rug. These rugs traditionally were put together from old fabric scraps. Today, they evoke a nostalgic feeling for a simpler time and can make a formal living room feel more casual.
12. A sign. Of course, if you really want to hit the point home, a sign like this can’t be beat!
More farmhouse style: Dining room | Kitchen | Bedroom
More farmhouse style: Dining room | Kitchen | Bedroom