Interior design trends come and go—two-toned kitchen cabinets? As of now, out. Incorporating natural elements? As always, in. But, there's one decorating movement that’s ridden the trend wave for years (and years) now, and we want an answer to its ultimate trendiness: farmhouse design.
After a decade of shiplap walls and barn doors saturating the interior design world, the question remains: is farmhouse still in style? Or, should you set down the distressed wood and try another trend? We asked two design experts for their thoughts.
KG Designs
First things first: how can you recognize farmhouse design? According to McKay, farmhouse style can include a variety of features, including large doors, vaulted ceilings, and reclaimed materials, such as old wood beams and boards. Other materials often used include copper, cedar shingles, stone, wainscotting, and wallpaper.
A farmhouse feel can be incorporated into any room, from a living room with an oversized fireplace to a petite powder bath with reclaimed wood walls. Most farmhouse designs are dominated by a melange of neutral hues, like whites and creams.
“I would consider farmhouse a style that is meant to convey a warm and inviting atmosphere,” says Young.
There’s nothing new about the style. In fact, its roots are very, very old—think colonial era 1700s.
“Similar to how most trends begin, the style originated just as a way of life,” Young says. “It was first popularized in rural settings, by necessity.”
So farmhouses have been around forever, according to McKay, conjuring up feelings of the country and wide open spaces. Imagine big porches, simple living, rustic architecture, and natural materials.
In comes contemporary farmhouse design, which quickly rose