Posted on Friday, March 28, 2025

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by AMAC, D.J. Wilson

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The traditional farmhouse is an American treasure. In a nod to this functional and aesthetically pleasing form of architecture, home builders are mimicking the style by creating spin offs based on conventional farmhouse design. Hence, the birth of the modern-day farmhouse. If this style of design appeals to you, there are clever and budget-friendly ways to give your home farmhouse appeal.

Discovering inspiration

Farmhouses are traditional homes attached to working farms, largely serving as main living quarters for a farmer and his family. These dwellings are typically established in rural countryside locations where crops and livestock are raised. This style of architecture is known for its warm curb appeal, featuring sensible rectangular or square symmetrical designs, welcoming front porches, large rooms conducive to family-friendly living, and charming yet rustic interior elements and décor.

Main features on the exterior

Farmhouses offer great curb appeal, showcasing muted colors, covered entryways, horizontal siding, and sizable windows with shutters.

Great appeal on the inside

Interior wise, the warmth of exposed wood and charming features such as window seats, nooks and cutouts, make this style architecture truly unique.

The myth that one must break the budget

Lifestyle magazines frequently showcase beautiful farmhouse designs. Though many mags display high-end furnishings that are financially out of reach for most people, it’s a myth to think achieving farmhouse appeal is undoable. Note that looks can be mimicked for less money. For example, large retail stores like Target and Walmart or online companies such as Amazon carry farmhouse inspired products for reasonable prices.

Let’s examine five budget-friendly ways to give your home farmhouse appeal:

1. Go sage green. Sage green (a muted green-gray color with yellow undertones that takes its name from the culinary herb) is a happy hue that is frequently featured in farmhouse design, particularly on painted kitchen cabinets. It is a classic country shade that brings the color of the outdoors in – warming up a space and seamlessly blending with other farmhouse features such as wooden butcher block countertops, pine flooring, and rustic beams. Painting kitchen cabinets is an affordable way to transform a tired kitchen into something uniquely special and fitting of a farmhouse.
2. Buy secondhand antique furnishings. Farmhouse inspired homes typically showcase specialty items that have stood the test of time. Bringing in the right pieces of “old” furniture tells a story by sharing history, thereby playing tribute to its roots and adding interest to a room. Rather than overspend buying a brand-new kitchen table, shop secondhand for a sizable solid wood chunky table, aka a farmhouse table. Then, add a varied collection of wooden chairs of proper seating height. To up the farmhouse vibe, place a muted colored runner down the center of the table. For interest, add some simple candlesticks and an unassuming vase with cascading spring flowers such as tulips.  
3. Use natural linen. Natural linens are neutral textiles made from the flax plant. They can be subtly featured throughout farmhouse inspired homes in curtains, tablecloths, pillows, rugs, towels, bedding and more. Sustainable natural linens are long-lasting, so they are worth the investment. Since they can be pricey, make thoughtful purchases and watch for sales that fit your budget. Not only are linens prized for their durability, but they are a great way to bring soft and natural elements into a home. This is particularly important for farmhouse design which incorporates a love of bringing the outdoors in.
4. Incorporate brass. In farmhouse inspired homes, whether traditional or modern, brass is a metal of choice. It can be used in major noticeable features such as lighting fixtures or more subtly as in cabinet hardware. Some people avoid brass because they feel it’s a bit too shiny, showy and new. Unlacquered brass is a perfect alternative. This brass has no protective coating and will darken with time. It shows natural wear and tear and therefore gives off a vintage vibe. Per Hunker.com, the cheapest way to dull brass is to rough it up and paint it with a salt and vinegar rub. Here’s how to turn shiny brass to antique brass.
5. Add wooden features. There is no doubt that wood adds warmth and enhances the earthy atmosphere. Whether it be a rustic timber fireplace mantle, an old trunk, a distressed coffee table, an antique barn door, wide plank floors, or a sturdy wooden pot rack – it is an integral part of farmhouse design. Wood items may be ornamental, such as decorative moldings, or they may serve an important function, like a chair or shelf. Regardless, they harken us back to simpler times when homes were cozy gathering places and craftsmanship was paramount. For those on a budget, consider reclaimed wood (wood retrieved from its original application for purposes of subsequent use). Another money saving option is to use engineered wood flooring that can provide the look of the real thing at a fraction of the cost.

Be inspired by the farm

Farmhouse themed homes are highly desirable designs, with new builds mimicking traditional homesteads. They typically feature spacious front porches, practical layouts, and natural elements to include soft colors and organic materials. There are doable budget-friendly ways to give your home farmhouse appeal, such as painting pre-existing cabinets, adding antique furnishings, introducing timeless brass, or adding natural materials such as linen and wood. Repainting or repurposing items you already own, shopping discount or secondhand for deals, and adding subtle touches with objects possessing natural appeal are ingenious ways to save money and add farmhouse appeal.