Farmhouse Living Room Ideas for a Cozy and Inviting Atmosphere

If you want your home to have a welcoming and relaxed feeling, then a farmhouse living room is the way to go. The modern farmhouse design looks clean and fresh while also looking lived in and rustic. If you’re still not sure what it’s all about, we have collected together some of our favorite farmhouse living room ideas for you to discover.

These farmhouse decor ideas will help you get inspired to decorate your living room. They’ll help you find the perfect balance between polished interior design and something a little more relaxed and natural.

1. Embracing the Charm of Shiplap Walls

Shiplap walls are the perfect wall-to-ceiling treatment for a farmhouse. Originally, the style was born out of necessity and convenience, and it’s had a place in the construction of homes for generations.

Today, shiplap is an easy way to give your home a rustic look. You can also repurpose wood and make it authentic and environmentally friendly. For a more rustic farmhouse style, choose wood planks that have some imperfections.

To keep your shiplap looking fresh, paint it white. This will brighten your living room. If white paint is too dull, consider giving your wood a whitewash treatment. This gives you the benefit of white paint while also showcasing the beauty of the wood grain.

shiplap walls farmhouse living room gray sofa chandelier

white shiplap walls exposed wood ceiling beams brown leather couches

white shiplap walls farmhouse living room old chest white cabinet — darra.farmhousebeauty/Instagram

2. Enhancing the Character With Exposed Beams

You can create the impression of a rustic farmhouse with exposed beams. Look for salvaged or reclaimed wooden beams from older homes and barns. This helps to give your family room an authentic farmhouse rustic style. Or you could use faux beams, which will go up quickly but don’t provide any real support for your roof.

If you’re aiming for a less rustic look, skip the salvaged beams and create boxes from long planks of wood. Then stain and polish the beams. This will give them a polished and elegant look.

exposed beams brick fireplace shiplap walls rustic living room chandelier — mcpetersfarmhouse/Instagram

shiplap wall gray stone fireplace white sofa wood cabinet exposed wood beams — sgadesigns/Instagram

3. Rustic Elegance

The most authentic farmhouse design will embrace the full rustic nature of this decor idea. Look for rustic antiques such as an old armoire, a trunk, or a barrel. You can place an antique pitcher on a table as a flower vase. Hang a mirror on the wall that has a salvaged window frame over it.

Another great idea is to place salvaged shutters on either side of your window or use an old stool for an end table. Don’t be afraid to use authentic farmhouse pieces in an unexpected way.

Embrace pieces that are slightly worn and may have cosmetic damage. You don’t want broken pieces, but they shouldn’t be pristine either.

rustic farmhouse living room gray l-shape sofa wood coffee table bison wall art — blessed_and_farmhouse_obsessed/Instagram

rustic farmhouse living room fireplace gray couch wood coffee table abstract wall art — countryrusticliving/Instagram

luxury farmhouse living room stone fireplace leather couch wood cabinet wall mounted tv — lifebyleanna/Instagram

rustic living room gray sofa round wood coffee table wood shutters wall mirror — vintagewhisperer/Instagram

4. Blending Old and New

It sounds a bit like a misnomer, modern farmhouse style. How could a farmhouse decor style also be modern? Farmhouses are traditionally well-lived in and full of generational furniture that shows its wear. The modern decor style is clean, with limited details and crisp lines. So how do you blend the two?

Try placing a few leather chairs in your family room. The fabric can be a well-worn leather while the shape and design of the chair should be 20th-century modern. When choosing wood furniture pieces, opt for a vintage-inspired design with lots of details. But then choose furniture with wood that is highly polished, stained, and varnished. Pieces like this will blend the two for a modern farmhouse living room.

modern farmhouse high ceiling exposed wood beams gray sofas white cabinet kitchen brick wall

modern white living room marble coffee table white sofa — foxydiamondhouse/Instagram

modern farmhouse brick fireplace white sofas hardwood floors — northmade_farmhouse/Instagram

5. Farmhouse-Inspired Decor

When looking for farmhouse decor for your living room, stick with natural fibers and materials. These are the types of materials and fabrics that someone on a farm would have access to. This will give your home an authentic farmhouse feel.

Natural cotton, linen, and burlap are all materials that you should consider. They’re excellent for throw blankets, pillows, curtains, and furniture upholstery. Obviously, you can’t go wrong with wood, but there are other natural materials you can include. Porcelain or clay are common materials for pots and jars. Raffia and wicker are also good for making baskets.

Bringing nature inside is also a great farmhouse decor approach. Place fresh greens, grains, or flowers in a vase for the coffee table, side table, or fireplace mantle. Or you could hang a boxwood wreath over the fireplace.

white shiplap walls wood bench wood floors living room

farmhouse living room beige sofa wall mirror

modern farmhouse living room brick fireplace sofa accent chair

farmhouse living room shiplap wall wood fireplace gray sofas deer head

6. Coastal Influences

Give your relaxed farmhouse feel a nautical flair with coastal living-inspired decor pieces. You can find decor made from driftwood or place plants in the room that naturally grow in coastal regions. Consider adding blue to your neutral palette. Both light and dark shades will look beautiful. Other beautiful accent pieces include boat lines used as trim, seashells, sea glass, or a round mirror with a porthole-inspired frame.

coastal theme farmhouse living room wood sofa wicker chair

relaxed farmhouse living room white fireplace wicker furniture

white shiplap walls white and blue couch modern living room

coastal farmhouse living room white wood coffee table white sofa stripe accent chair — inspiringthreads/Instagram

coastal farmhouse living room wicker baskets pattern sofa wall mirrors — cutertudor/Instagram

coastal farmhouse white sofa chandelier blue accent char black floor lamp — seaedgecottage/Instagram

7. Capturing the Essence of Country Style

“Country” and “farmhouse” aren’t the same. For country decorating ideas, embrace wood. You don’t necessarily need farm-inspired items. You could use a wooden basket to help organize your living room. Use materials that have a plaid or floral pattern. Place a large area rug that’s either a traditionally woven design or a more primitive braided pattern.

country style living room stone fireplace white sofa hardwood floor wall mounted tv

country style living room white l-shape sofa wall shelf wood coffee table — brightyellowdoor/Instagram

8. Timeless Appeal

The hallmark of a classic farmhouse rustic living room is plaid. This includes plaid furniture, a pillow, curtains, or a blanket, but it’s somewhere. Another common element is warmth. This can be a fireplace, lanterns hung on the wall, or several candles placed throughout the room. You can even hang a chandelier with light bulbs that look like candles.

Finally, you need to create a cozy environment. Place several plush pillows on the couch. Then select a thick and oversized throw blanket. A classic farmhouse looks like it’s used and lived in. Place the furniture to help people gather together and converse around a central spot.

gray shiplap walls white sofa gray lounge chair ottoman floor rug basket of flowers — bridgewaydesigns/Instagram

rustic farmhouse living room white sofa large white throw rug wall wreath — bridgewaydesigns/Instagram

9. Farmhouse Chic

Sometimes farmhouse living room ideas can look rustic and dated. You can address this by opting for a more chic look. To do this, look for ways you can subtly add expensive elements to your room.

An end-cut butcher block-topped coffee table or end tables will be an investment, but they’ll also be beautiful accents to your living room. Look for modern living room lighting that is farmhouse-inspired, such as lanterns, or chandeliers. When choosing wood pieces, don’t choose simple pine. Instead, look for pieces made out of more expensive wood.

chic farmhouse living room wood white lounge chairs hanging wreaths — caligirlinasouthernworld/Instagram

chic farmhouse shiplap walls white couch and coffee table fireplace dogs — diyobsessedhome/Instagram

white farmhouse living room wall shelf with candlesticks and mirror pot plants rocking chair wood coffee table — freshfarmhousefeels/Instagram

beige farmhouse living room fireplace framed wall art — heatherbuglane/Instagram

chic farmhouse living room sectional sofa brown wood coffee table weaved baskets — ourcozycasa/Instagram

farmhouse chic living room gray sofa shiplap wall beige colors wood coffee table — shorelycozy/Instagram

farmhouse living room white sofa gray ottoman wall shelf white coffee table — sunnygacharm/Instagram

10. Furniture Inspiration

The ideal furniture for a farmhouse living room is solid, rustic, and a bit oversized. It’s also primarily white or grey. But a whitewash can also look beautiful. You can have the main body of the furniture painted white and then leave the top natural wood.

When picking out chairs and couches, look for furniture that has large cushions. Fabrics that are neutral colors, such as white, cream, and tan, are ideal for your couch selection. Then liven the decor up with accent chairs that are in a pattern of plaid or floral.

If you already own furniture and aren’t looking to buy new, then a simple slipcover can solve your problem.

vintage wicker chair stripe pillows green cabinet — gershwinandgertie/Instagram

11. Cozy and Inviting Fireplaces

A fireplace is the perfect room element to complete your farmhouse look. If you have a real fireplace, outfit it with firewood, a basket for spare wood, and the tools you need to stoke a fire. Then accent the mantle above with a deer head, your TV, boxwood wreath, seasonal produce, or florals.

Vintage lanterns or art can look beautiful placed on the mantle. Look for inspirational words or phrases that mean something to your family. Some examples are “Gather and give thanks” or “Let’s stay home.” Another option is to find a picture that appeals to your version of a farmhouse or country setting.

You can also create a faux fireplace if your home is lacking. Create the surround and mantle with a small alcove. Fill the space with candles or chopped logs.

Don’t forget the hearth around the front of the fireplace. This is a perfect place to keep a basket with extra pillows and blankets. Or you have a clay water pitcher or metal basin that you place flowers in. Try to keep the flowers seasonal.

white shiplap walls chandelier brick fireplace sofa gray cabinet — mcpetersfarmhouse/Instagram

high ceiling living room stone fireplace mounted deer head shiplap wall — vintagewhisperer/Instagram

12. Rustic Furniture

Unless you’re going for a really rustic living room, don’t go overboard. Choose one or two pieces that are more of an accent piece. This could mean your coffee table or an accent chair.

Rustic furniture looks handmade. Sometimes it’s made of salvaged wood. This gives the furniture a repurposed look. Another option is to look for handmade furniture that isn’t so refined.

Finally, look for metal furniture, such as a console table that you can tuck behind the couch or along the wall. This piece will have aging and wear. You may even see the wood grain through the paint in places.

rustic bench living room black window trim floor rug — blairburtoninteriors/Instagram

shiplap walls rustic living room white couch repurposed wood chest wood coffee table wall mirrors — designsbyashleyknie/Instagram

rustic vintage chest of drawers two lamps old books

rustic vintage set of drawers wall mirror

vintage cabinets two lamps large mirror — gershwinandgertie/Instagram

farmhouse living room stone fireplace gray couch framed map wall art wood coffee table — oaktreedesignco/Instagram

rustic farmhouse grand piano wood coffee table fireplace pot plants — thehomeenvy/Instagram

13. Vintage Accents

Once you have the furniture, it’s time to finish the room with a few well-chosen vintage accents. There’s a delicate balance between having the right amount of decor and having so much that the room looks cluttered. You also don’t want the room to be over the top. It’ll lose its authenticity and not feel cozy like a farmhouse.

Visit a salvage or antique shop and look for architectural pieces. These are the perfect vintage accent piece to mount on the wall or place on a shelf. Another popular choice is vintage mirrors and shutters. Then look for a container that you can turn into a planter for your fresh greens or flowers.

shiplap wall vintage mirror wood shelf hanging pot plants — countryrusticliving/Instagram

14. Layering Comfort

Your farmhouse living room should be the place where the family gathers for comfort and relaxation. Throw pillows and a blanket are a perfect way to create a space where everyone wants to snuggle in.

Choose pillows of varying sizes in both neutrals and colors. You can have some that are plain cotton and others that are fancier. Perhaps one has tassels or another woven from yarn. The idea is for the pillows you choose to look large and poofy like they’re ready for someone to sit down in the then.

The other must-have is a rug that covers the entire space. It needs to be large enough to connect all of the furniture. It will take the echo and chill out of the room.

A traditional rug that’s lighter or in neutral colors will look nice. A woven rug will look natural in a farmhouse living room. A final option is a plush rug that you can dig your toes into.

small wood stool with white pillows on white rug

white sofa with beige pillows shiplap wall weaved coffee table — gershwinandgertie/Instagram

farmhouse style living room — inspiringthreads/Instagram

country style living room shiplap walls white couch wood coffee table floor rug — rachel_thepondsfarmhouse/Instagram

simple living room white sofa blue lamp wood wall shelf pot plants — swiftcohome/Instagram

country style living room white sofa gray lounge chairs white coffee table wall mirrors — tatertotsandjello/Instagram

farmhouse living room white sectional sofa candles floral painting — toni_marianna/Instagram

15. Creating a Serene Atmosphere

If you love the look of neutral colors, then French country is the ideal farmhouse look for your home. To achieve this look, you’ll use neutral furniture paired with a neutral color scheme. Your natural fabrics can create a cozy atmosphere. This includes lace, linen, and burlap.

For French farmhouse flair, use a pattern that is either floral or toile de Jouy. Then place accents of vintage decor. Look for furniture pieces that are antique with a bit of wear to them. Then pair them with a touch of glam in the room. This can be an elegant crystal chandelier or fine silver candelabra for the coffee table.

simple neutral color living room white sofa wood coffee table hardwood floors

simple beige living room — mycoastalchiclife/Instagram

16. Unwinding in Style

The centerpiece of your farmhouse living room decor should be a large comfy sofa. This is the place where your family can curl up and gather together. Look for a large couch that can seat several people.

Don’t buy a couch that’s too large that will overwhelm the room. You can buy a plush couch in several sizes, so look for one that is proportional to the room. It should be at least seven feet from your TV. This will give you a quality viewing experience and plenty of room to place a coffee table in front of.

simple living room white sofa wood coffee table vintage floor lamp

shiplap wall bookshelf with pumpkin decoration white cozy sofa — c.b._designs/Instagram

rustic living room blue sofa white table exposed brick wall

shiplap wall wood floor check pattern sofa — gershwinandgertie/Instagram

farmhouse living room gray couch cow wall art vintage table — thecortorillohouse/Instagram

FAQs

Is the farmhouse decor style still popular?

The laid-back and homey charm of the farmhouse style will always be popular. Keep the colors neutral. Your farmhouse-inspired living room will look timeless and welcoming to anyone that enters your home.

Is the farmhouse style expensive?

The whole point of rustic farmhouse decor is that it’s modest and unassuming. You should be able to find pieces that aren’t expensive. Looking for pieces that have some wear will keep the cost down while also giving you an authentic rustic look.

What mistakes should I avoid with the farmhouse decor style?

Don’t place too many decor pieces so that you clutter the room. Skip the modern or overly ornate furniture. Don’t make everything in the room white. Finally, don’t try too hard. An overly styled room will miss the mark and not look authentic.