Agrarian themed home styling has grown in popularity in recent years. This style incorporates design elements related to farming and the development of land. This type of decor is most often referred to as farmhouse or rustic.
This particular interior design theme and styling is attractive because it harkens back to a simpler time. Interior design magazines and websites can be difficult to wade through because they provide so many ideas. To simplify the process of decorating with a rustic flair, here are five Agrarian-style home decor ideas:
1. Use Neutral Colors and Natural Materials
One of the features of farmhouse decor is the use of neutral materials and colors. White and gray are typically the colors of choice for walls. However, light blues and greens can also work as they provide a home with a clean/cool element that some homeowners enjoy. Better Home & Garden has a wonderful slide show that helps visualize color schemes that can help when deciding against warm natural vs bold bright colors. Bold bright colors can be utilized, but make sure to consider if they would overwhelm the space. Additional elements such as tiles can be a neutral or bold color.
Materials such as wood and stone are often used to enhance ceilings, walls, and fireplaces. Wood and stone provide the natural aesthetic consistent with the rustic charm of an agrarian-style home. Shiplap is probably the most popular material used to create accent walls. Shiplap is relatively inexpensive and easy to install. Wood is also used to create unique trim work around windows and doors. Other decorative elements such as wainscoting also utilize wood. Wood plank flooring is another smart choice when designing a home with a rustic interior. Regardless of the style choice made, the paint and materials used should be high quality. Both the colors and the materials used should be consistent with the style and aesthetic of the homeowner. Decorating a home is an extremely personal endeavor and the color palette and materials chosen should reflect the uniqueness of the people living in the household.
2. Vintage Pieces
Include some antique pieces into the decor. These can be items such as hutches, antique dough bowls, chairs, and even artwork. Items such as old ladders can be used as shelves to store books and other items. Likewise, wall hangings such as clocks, bicycle wheels, and vintage newspaper articles can be used for decor. Other antique pieces to feature in a home include shutters, candlesticks, and natural wood dining tables.
The number and type of vintage items placed in a home are dependent upon the type of finished look the homeowner desires. For example, a victorian farm style home may incorporate more antique pieces than a modern Bohemian style home. Regardless of the style, antique pieces should be chosen carefully and placed strategically throughout the home. Vintage pieces are important because they add interest to the overall decor while reiterating and authenticating a rustic theme.
The number and type of vintage items placed in a home are dependent upon the type of finished look the homeowner desires. For example, a victorian farm style home may incorporate more antique pieces than a modern Bohemian style home. Regardless of the style, antique pieces should be chosen carefully and placed strategically throughout the home. Vintage pieces are important because they add interest to the overall decor while reiterating and authenticating a rustic theme.
3. Rugs
Since most homes with farm-style themes have wood floors, it’s important to consider all the elements when placing rugs in different areas of the home. Rugs can be used to divide and differentiate spaces and to create a cozy inviting environment. Colors can be either vibrant or muted. Adding rugs with different patterns and textures also adds a great deal of interest. For instance, rugs with tribal prints are ideal for agrarian-styled homes. Tribal prints often have interesting patterns but usually, contain muted colors. Rug layering utilizing rugs of different shapes, sizes, textures, and colors is also a great way to create a certain ambiance within a home.
Remember to choose rugs that are consistent with the overall theme and vibe of the home. Be sure to purchase rugs that are properly scaled to fit the space. Rugs that are too large or too small can look extremely awkward in a space. Also, don’t choose a rug that is overly casual or too formal for the desired feel of the home.
4. Entry Ways
When exploring interior decoration ideas, it’s important to remember the entryway. The first impression of a home comes from the entryway. In a farm-themed house, a wooden bench or church pew will make a lasting first impression. Place pillows, baskets, and artwork on the pew or bench to make it more inviting. A hutch or shelf can also be placed in an entryway depending on its size.
For a simpler look, add a large full-length floor mirror. Modern farm homes might benefit from an unframed vintage photo coupled with sleek lighting fixtures. A home that has a more rustic styling might benefit from an entryway that features a table or hutch with a chipped paint effect. Each of these items will enhance an entryway and provide a window into the overall ambiance and aesthetics of the home. There is an abundance of decor ideas that will produce the perfect agrarian-style entryway.
5. Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of any home and any agrarian home decor idea is not complete without paying specific attention to kitchen design and decor. Items such as a farm-style sink and wood accents are important elements to incorporate into this style of home. Open shelving is another attractive element that can be added to the kitchen. Open shelving not only adds artistic interest to space, but they also have a practical use by providing storage space. These shelves can be used to store important or sentimental pieces that a homeowner wants to be displayed.
Agrarian-styled kitchens might also contain more industrial or rustic pieces such as shelves and light fixtures made from steel pipes and iron. While completely white kitchens have remained a popular design element in farm-style kitchens, some homeowners do prefer to add some pops of color to the cabinetry and backsplash. Additionally, butcher block countertops are often seen in agrarian-style kitchens. Of course, any kitchen needs accessories such as textual wall art, flowers, plants and rugs to complete the look.
The popularity of the farm home aesthetic is likely to continue to grow in the years to come. With its simple lines and warm neutral colors, this rustic theme will likely gain many more followers. The aforementioned decor ideas should be taken into consideration when purchasing items to place in a home. However, homeowners should always take into consideration their style when decorating and choosing decor. The overall architecture and style of the house should also be taken into consideration. When all of these elements are combined the outcome will be a beautifully rustic agrarian-style home.
