Building & Renovating

5 Farmhouse Design Ideas for a Modern Country Home

Farmhouse design homes are versatile and can work well for the family who wants an old-world feel with clean, modern lines

Photography: Shutterstock (Main Photo)

In a world where many prefer modern design, farmhouse design homes may seem dated. Their feel seems too rustic and casual for our time, but that's not the case at all.

There's a lot to like about the farmhouse-style home. The look is antique yet modern, and it's simple in its presentation making it easy to maintain. With this type of home, design starts with the land – which means you have the freedom to choose your option for layout, color, and style.

What is farmhouse design?

Traditional farmhouse design is characterized by a utility. Americans who settled on homesteads built inexpensive homes enabling them to maximize the space while considering their daily routines as they worked on the farm. The idea was to build a simple, practical home that could serve as a respite from the day.


ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Historically, most farmhouses had a main rectangular, open floor plan, and a central fireplace that served as a heating unit and a cooking area.

The classic farmhouse is all about wood–particularly natural or unfinished wood, styled with other furniture made from practical materials: metal and iron.

What differentiates farmhouse design from country-style design?

Compared to farmhouse design, country-style design is usually less about utility and more about comfort.

Country-style homes are smaller and more intimate in design and layout, usually maximizing surrounding nature through porches and large windows. Think cottages and country bungalows. These types of properties are usually not found on farms; they might be next to gardens instead, or on any parcel of land that is used mostly for recreation.

What are some color palettes for farmhouse design?

Farmhouse design may be suited for contemporary tastes. Neutrals and earth tones are recommended for interiors and furniture, to go well with the wood and metal elements that would be found in the home.

CONTINUE READING BELOW
watch now

Experts recommend shades of white, tan, and beige for walls and ceilings to help keep rooms appear bright and inviting. For accent colors, look to nature: light blues, greens, and yellows are great choices.

Farmhouse design ideas in the Philippines

In the Philippines, traditional farmhouses are characterized by open porches and elevated foundations, sometimes inspired by the bahay kubo. 

Modern Filipino farmhouse design has a much looser definition. Homeowners and designers often take inspiration from traditional local farmhouses and include decidedly urban touches.

If you’re building a farmhouse-style home, take your cue from these modern design ideas.

farmhouse design with outdoor dining area

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Outdoor dining and living areas

A provincial home with a black facade is unusual in itself. Still, this home blended modern and traditional design ideas with an outdoor veranda and a kitchen that opens to an outdoor dining space. 

Instead of a living room, the kitchen is the focal space on the ground floor, encouraging the family to make the most of their open communal areas.

Wraparound fish pond

farmhouse design with fish pond

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The aesthetic of this farmhouse is minimalist-meets-Mexican, with some surprising layout choices. 

An unusual detail is the addition of a wrap-around fish pond that serves as a natural cooling system for the whole house. It provides an interesting backdrop against the home's lanai area.

Breathtaking views

farmhouse design with breathtaking views

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

This property in Nueva Ecija sits on over 1,800 square meters of land and is an ultimate plant lover's dream. 

The house is made of glass, concrete, and wood. It is full of traditional Filipino design including capiz shell windows, wood and rattan furniture, balconies, and more. The best part? The house showcases a beautiful view of the Sierra Madre mountains.

Bring in light

farmhouse design with skylight

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Have limited floor area? You can still create a beautiful farmhouse-inspired home with a few key design choices! This 63sqm house in Bulacan went through a makeover. While it was not exactly on a farm lot, the new look made it look more spacious than it is. 

The interior designer used high ceilings and windows to bring in natural light. White, neutral, and wood elements streamlined the design, while an archway separated the living room and kitchen area.

A strategically-placed skylight in the multipurpose kitchen/dining room illuminates the space as well.

Bahay kubo living

farmhouse design for bahay kubo

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

This home occupies 36 sqm, yet it is a great example of simple farm living using bahay kubo elements. The main house includes a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms. The home is partly powered by solar lights. 

The property also includes a smaller bahay kubo for any guests that stay over.

More on Realliving.com.ph

Shares

Latest Stories

Exploring the Exquisite Interiors of Parqal

It's now open to the public.

7 Condo-Friendly Vacuum Cleaners You Can Buy Online

They won't take up too much space, and they're also very affordable.

9 Simple Steps to an Organized Kitchen

Keep your cooking corner spotless with these handy hints and ideas.

We Found The Exact Lighting Pieces Mimiyuuuh Used in Her Bedroom

And where you can buy similar ones online.

Common Misconceptions About Minimalism, According to an Interior Designer

A minimalist home can most definitely still have splashes of color, and as long as it's done with restraint, those well-placed hues can actually be the highlight of your home.

Did You Know That Yassi Pressman Has A Lakehouse Airbnb in Canada?

Get a tour of Redkey Lakehouse in Ontario.

Ward Off Mosquitoes: Products to Buy During the Rainy Season

Because we want our homes to be safe havens.

Minimalist Furniture 101: How to Pick the Right Pieces for Your Home

Create a space that exudes simplicity and sophistication by choosing the right minimalist furniture for your home.

We Tested Different Mattresses, Here Are Our Top 5 Picks

Our writer tested (and lay down on) the beds in these mattress showrooms to see what feels good and which ones would fit within your budget

20 Common Construction Terms, Decoded

Don't get lost in translation with your foreman and avoid mistakes with this handy, on-site guide by a project manager

Here Are 7 Hotel-Like Bedsheets You Can Buy Online

Invest in your sleep and add these to your cart.
Load More Stories