We’ve talked about the farmhouse style and farmhouse colors in my past blogs, and for a good reason! The farmhouse style has been widely adopted in recent years, and it’s taken on a life and energy within the design community. I doubt farmers living 100 years ago could have predicted it! But, how do you incorporate farmhouse exterior colors onto your home?
To briefly revisit the philosophy of farmhouse style and colors – it’s essential to keep in mind that it’s all about authenticity, practicality, warmth, and honestly. Farmers didn’t have fancy works of art or austere items to decorate their homes with, so they worked with what they had.
Glass jars, tin signs, reclaimed woods, barrels, and wooden chests are staples of the farmhouse style. A home has successfully emulated the farmhouse style if it strikes the perfect balance of functionality and beauty. Remember, farmers didn’t run out and purchase all these goods; they pieced together what they already had to decorate. Blending eras, old and new, is a significant component to creating a successful farmhouse look and feel to your home or guest house.
As an exterior paint color consultant, I will share some tips and strategies so you can update the exterior of your home to exemplify what beauty farmhouse exterior colors can achieve!
Stunning Farmhouse Exterior Colors to Consider!
You won’t find violets, pinks, and oranges in farmhouse color palettes. Farmhouse exterior colors are about an effortless beauty that is practical, not overly attention-driven. That is why it’s choice to choose a pallet that embraces darker neutrals, creamy off-whites, exposed woods, and accents with a spark of color here and there.
White, Black, and Rustic
A beautiful and striking way to present a modern home with farmhouse exterior colors is to use powerful contrasting colors, accented with rustic, earthy tones. Picture a single-story ranch with white siding, black trim, and verticle Barnwood slates dressing the porch and exterior accent wall. Simple, beautiful, and practical – a color consultant’s dream.
Stone, Grays, and Greens
Homes with exposed stonework are fortunate to take advantage of the natural beautiful earth tones. Textured stone featured against gray siding, with deep green trim, is an excellent color palette arrangement that simultaneously looks modern but also timeless and stoic.
Warm woods, Green and Red
Going with farmhouse exterior colors doesn’t mean the accent colors of the home cannot pop. A lovely example of this is the front entrance of the house and front door. I love to picture a rustic cabin on a frozen lake, the exterior is warm, rich dark wood, and the front door is a deep forest green or striking cardinal red. Dark red or dark green are also traditional colors for the windows in the farmhouse style.
Not Sure What Warm Colors Are? Check Out The Blog:
Warm Colors; How to Keep The Design of Your Home Cozy and Warm
Wood Is a Color
One of the features of any home with a farmhouse feel is a home with lots of texture and wood elements. We assume that we should be painting the shutters, but what if we don’t paint them and stain them as wood? It would add to the home’s rustic feeling and add color in front of the white facade. Wood adds texture, contrast, and more than anything, it adds warmth to your home.
Wood can also come in the form of a wood ceiling, stained wood floor, and even wood columns on the front porch. It is more than just an untreated product, it might be lightly stained or even a saturated color, contrasting beautifully with the sleek farmhouse style, new or old!
Farmhouse Exterior Design Elements
If you like the presence, philosophy, and colors of the farmhouse style, it’s best to think about opportunities that would exonerate your home’s features to work with farmhouse design.
Not everyone has an early 20th real farmhouse in the Berkshires or cabin on a lake in Alaska to work with. Still, suppose you desire the farmhouse look. In that case, there are ways to incorporate the colors, design elements, and accent pieces into your home’s exterior, even if you don’t have the architectural features of a classic farmhouse.
For example, a contemporary home can use neutral grays and olive tones for the exterior shingles and trim while leaving the front patio columns exposed, showcasing the beauty of natural wood. Instead of an electric garage door, opt-in for wooden barn style doors.
Instead of paving your driveway with asphalt, lay down cobblestone or crushed bluestone. Use overhanging Edison bulbs and imitation kerosene lamps to illuminate your walkway, not colder in-ground LEDs. There are opportunities all over your home’s exterior to use farmhouse exterior colors and design elements; don’t be discouraged if you don’t own a farmhouse or barn.
What are Your Thoughts on Farmhouse-Inspired Design?
Do you love the farmhouse style? Is it a timeless look? Or just a fad? As a color specialist, I’d love to hear your opinions!
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What an interesting post on farmhouse colors, Amy. I enjoyed reading your take on how to make a home’s exterior *pop* – in this ever popular style – with the right exterior colors.
Thanks so much Leslie, I was eager to show that a farmhouse style can be accomplished in a variety of ways!
Not everything is a farmhouse! I love that you have offered some practical and sensitive ways to incorporate farmhouse style into other homes for devotees of the look, Amy!
You are so right Janet, and I was eager to share that people who love a farmhouse look can still enjoy it, even if they don’t have an authentic farmhouse!
Beautiful post Amy! You point about how wood is color resonates so well with Farmhouse style!
Thanks Lauren, people often overlook what can be accomplished by adding the rich colors of wood to their color palette!
You featured such terrific exterior colors Amy! And your explanations were nice and clear – I know I’m not the only one who appreciates that. 😀
Thanks Anne I truly appreciate your kind comment!
Wonderful post. I had not thought about how important it is to “blend eras’ as part of the style and to go for timeless beauty without trying to grab attention.
Yes it is important to look a little deeper than using just the simple color palette most people are using for a farmhouse vibe!
I love the style and don’t think it will ever go away! What wonderful visuals !
Thanks Christie, the farmhouse style is one that I am hoping will be around for a long time!
I appreciate how you highlighted the practical and natural approach to exterior colors in this style.
Thanks Lisa, I am glad you appreciate the options I offered all with the goal of attaining a farmhouse design aesthetic!
So many practical ways to incorporate farm house style. I especially loved your idea of laying down cobblestone! Also, using ‘wood’ as a colour is also brilliant.
Thanks so much Sheri, people often overlook options like the hardscape surrounding a home, and that adding wood to your home adds so much more than just a color!
Such a beautiful and practical blog, love it all!
I truly appreciate your comment Charmain, thanks so much!