By Olivia Lidbury Interiors 01.06.2022

Farmhouse Decor Is Trending for Winter — Here’s How to Do It in Your Home

8 ways to inject the farmhouse trend into your home, no matter your style.

Picture a farmhouse nestled in the countryside… bets are there’ll be a roaring fire, low ceilings, as many sofas as there are cushions, and if you’re lucky - a slice of something sweet and homemade ready in the kitchen.

It’s these connotations of relaxed comfort and cosiness that have unsurprisingly seen ‘farmhouse interior’ named the most timeless decor style of all time. Google searches for the trend as risen by almost 250% in the last four years, according to tile maker Atlas Ceramics.

But there’s nothing remotely ‘trendy’ about the farmhouse look. Always staying true to its mission of providing a practical retreat from the elements, where solace is sought via blankets - not underfloor heating - the traditional aesthetic is a reassuring one in times of uncertainty. Here’s how to get the look (hardened minimalists, look away now).

1. If in doubt, add a dresser

Whether it’s in a kitchen or dining room, nothing says ‘hunker down with a cup of something hot’ like a wooden dresser. And few modern-day pieces of furniture are as practical: show off your prized mugs and plates up top, while the bottom cupboards are perfect for stashing away table linen, large serving platters, and even wrapping paper.

2. Bring the outside in

The farmhouse isn’t the place for perfect bouquets. Forage whatever you can locally: from straggly cow parsley to crispy hydrangea heads (bonus points for marvellous dahlias) and arrange hastily in ceramic jugs around window sills and coffee tables for an even closer connection to nature.

3. Make new with the old

Using reclaimed furniture or materials is a fast ticket for creating a lived-in feel. Maybe that’s by using wooden boards as shelves, or patinated taps in a kitchen. Shutters are rich in character, and can be simply leant against a wall for decoration - or, as seen here, used as cupboard doors.

4. Plenty of books, always

The cosy sentiment of farmhouse decor is less flatscreen TV, more bookshelves piled high with analogue entertainment. Well-thumbed classics, coffee table tomes and travel books all have their place alongside ornaments. You could go down a rabbit hole of arranging them by colour…

5. Pop a bench in

Again, kitchens and hallways lend themselves best to a relaxed, communal perch, such as a bench. For the latter, it’s handy when putting on shoes, and in an eat-in kitchen, it fosters that ‘the more the merrier’ feeling of casual suppers.

6. Go for an Ottoman

The softer sister of the coffee table (and one you won’t get told off for putting your feet on) is the fabric-clad ottoman. A versatile way to introduce print and pattern into a room, it’s a magnet for magazines but can also be made sturdier for cocktail hour with the addition of a tray.

7. Layer up

Haphazard styling - think mismatched cushions and patterned blankets - is what makes the farmhouse aesthetic sing. Rich in texture and detail, this goes against the grain of symmetry and minimalism. If you’re worried about being cohesive, choose a colour to repeat through your fabric choices.

8. Remember some wood

Granted, not every home boasts centuries-old wooden beams, but incorporating the natural beauty of untreated wood can bring integrity to even the most characterless of new builds. That can take the form of panelling or a salvaged door.