{"id":12577,"date":"2019-09-30T17:37:35","date_gmt":"2019-10-01T00:37:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=12577"},"modified":"2026-03-31T13:28:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T20:28:17","slug":"rustic-farmhouse-style-home-decor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/rustic-farmhouse-style-home-decor\/","title":{"rendered":"That Rustic Farmhouse Style Home Decor Is Everywhere. Can It Help Sell Your House?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Between the mason jars, flea market finds, and exposed wood as far as the eyes can see, it seems like more than ever, we\u2019re living in the age of the \u201cfarmhouse style.\u201d Whether you spot it on your carefully curated Instagram hashtags<\/a> (#farmhouse has racked up 4.4 million posts, no joke) or notice the same familiar themes in the farm to table restaurant around the corner, the rise of farmhouse style is real.<\/p>\n

Is this trend a flash in the pan, or here to stay? And how can you implement this coveted aesthetic in your home to entice potential buyers without going too far?<\/p>\n

HomeLight spoke to farmhouse friendly interior designers and real estate agents well-versed in the trend to learn about where farmhouse started, what it looks like, and how you can bring elements of the style into your decor…tastefully.<\/p>\n

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Source: (Joanna Kosinska\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rise of farmhouse style<\/h2>\n

While farmhouses have been around since the settling of America, the modern farmhouse trend is relatively new. The term \u201cmodern farmhouse\u201d was first used in the New York Times<\/i><\/a> in 2016, and some interior designers attribute<\/a> the rise of the trend to the economic recession of 2008.<\/p>\n

Classic elements of the farmhouse style are simple and quaint, similar to that of the shabby chic trend that prevailed around the late \u201880s. Farmhouse is often cited for its simple design, harkening back to humbler beginnings, mixing the old with new and utilizing vintage pieces.<\/p>\n

However, this is only half of the story, explains top-selling Reno-area real estate agent Mike Wood<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to know why everyone and their mother wants this style? HGTV came out with a show starring Chip and Joanna Gaines. People love the interaction of the two of them and her style took over. So, everybody wants to be like her.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Fair enough.<\/p>\n

HGTV\u2019s Fixer Upper <\/i>wasn\u2019t just a hit, it was a phenomenon. The show, featuring the husband and wife duo renovating outdated homes in Waco, Texas, drew some of the largest viewership numbers for cable in late 2017<\/a>. The show captured the attention of HGTV fans and novices alike, as viewers found charm in the couple\u2019s signature rustic farmhouse style home decor with which they renovated each home.<\/p>\n

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Source: (Google Trends<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From there, the trend has exploded. Google Trends data shows that interest in the term \u201cfarmhouse\u201d rose from a popularity value of 25 in 2014 to 83 in 2019 (where 100 is the highest).<\/p>\n

\u201cHence reclaimed barn wood and large open spaces like never before,\u201d says Wood.<\/p>\n

Although he\u2019s been in real estate over a decade and sold over 1,100 homes, it\u2019s only recently that the farmhouse aesthetic has taken over. \u201cI’ve never seen so many open cabinets in my life as I have in the last six to 12 months… it’s almost ridiculous.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Source: (Holger Link\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Elements of rustic farmhouse style home decor<\/h2>\n

While designers and homeowners take liberties in the farmhouse style, some or all of the following elements are often implemented in the design.<\/p>\n

Structure true to the farmhouse: Sweet and simple<\/h3>\n

The structure of farmhouse homes is simple, they favor \u201cfunctionality over style and has its roots in a mix of colonial styles,\u201d says Marty Basher<\/a>, a home design expert for Modular Closets<\/a> with bylines in Reader\u2019s Digest <\/i>and Martha Stewart Living. \u201cThese homes have a classically square and symmetrical look to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some common elements in farmhouse structures include:<\/p>\n