Is Farmhouse Going Out of Style?
Farmhouse Style. It is something we have all grown to love because it’s simple, inexpensive, and attainable. But is it going out of style?
I just read over ten recently published articles that all say that farmhouse, or some farmhouse styles, are definitely on their way out. Today I am sharing a few highlights from these articles and how I feel about the question, “Is farmhouse going out of style?”.
Can It Be True?
You might remember I published a blog post last month titled Are White Traditional Kitchens Out of Style? This topic got a huge response and I did not agree with any of the articles I read about this topic.
But after I read the articles asking Is Farmhouse Going Out of Style? I felt a bit different.
Before you panic and head down to make a comment, please hear me out.
Is Farmhouse Going Out of Style?
The straightforward answer, in my opinion, is no.
However, I agree that there are some “farmhouse” items that were hugely popular and over time have become less popular. Does that mean they are out of style? Not necessary.
So what type of farmhouse style do I think will always be in style?
Anything that is authentic.
I am not saying this because we own two homes that are over one hundred years old, but the original shiplap in an old home looks amazing and I don’t think it goes out of style, ever.
But is shiplap in a modern home something that designers and others are wary of? I have no idea.
Authentic old chippy pieces of furniture are amazing. Personally, I will keep buying them forever. But many of the articles said that faux chippy furniture is now less popular. Perhaps that might be true. Who knows?
What the Articles Said
The first article I read 4 Reasons These Designers Are Totally Over Farmhouse Decor highlighted four farmhouse trends that are past their prime. The four were rustic signs, barn house doors, shiplap, and mixing decor styles with farmhouse (such as mid-century modern, traditional, and farmhouse.)
I think you should read the article to form your own opinions, but I can tell you the one item that I have a lot less of in our home is farmhouse signs. To be honest, I just got tired of them. But did I get rid of all of them? No! The farmhouse sign on our Waco porch is one of my all-time favorites.
Does this mean you need to get rid of the ones in your home? Of course not.
Here are a few more articles worth mentioning (please note some comments I totally disagree with!)
Home Designs Changes in 2022 – What Is Out of Style | 21Oak
I understand that some barnhouse-style doors aren’t practical, but given the right usage, they can be amazing. Personally, I think the newer glass-style barnhouse doors are pretty cool.
These tall vintage doors (seen above) aren’t technically barnhouse doors but could be called barnhouse-style doors. And they aren’t going anywhere because I love them.
So what about shiplap? Shiplap is something I will always love, especially if it is authentic (as I mentioned above).
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So What’s Next?
Farmhouse vs. Cottagecore
The new hot style that is on the rise is Cottagecore.
According to an article published on realtor.com, “While slightly similar, this trend is replacing the popular modern farmhouse trend, which may be on its way out, according to designers. More than shiplap and wooden dining benches, what people really want right now is this connection to a true family home. The kind of place where your kids’ heights are written in the doorway,” says McClure.
“Cottagecore,” an even cozier interior trend, is also heading straight up in popularity, with no signs of slowing in sight. The trend, which started as a Gen Z/millennial social media trope and exploded into a full-blown movement during the pandemic, is all about embracing simple comforts, often through a nostalgic lens.”
Wait, what? So exactly how is Cottagecore different from farmhouse? (Click the link above for an interesting perspective.) The last time I checked, “a true family home, which is cozy and has vintage items” (aka Cottagecore) is the same as one decorated in farmhouse style.
Do you agree?
Easy Ways to Update Your Farmhouse Style
As I alluded to earlier, there are a few farmhouse items that were very popular and might be tiring in some of our minds. If you are looking for some slight changes to your farmhouse style, these might be ideas to consider.
Farmhouse Signs with Words
I had plenty of signs with words in our home but most have them have been retired. Over time, I have replaced them with artwork and a lot of it has been abstract. Granted, a lot of the art is all art I have painted so the cost is nothing, but there is a lot of great and inexpensive art available for purchase.
This is my favorite place to shop for art online.
Faux Vintage Chippy Items
I am really on the fence about this one because there are a lot of faux-vintage items that I really like. Almost every article I read mentioned that faux-chippy items are a lot less popular than they were a few years ago. But there are some amazingly authentic-looking faux chippy items that are much less expensive than real vintage or antique items. Who can argue with that?
Lean Toward Classic and Neutral Items
As items wear down, it is always a good idea to replace them with classic styles and neutral items. I love neutral linens and furniture. Why? Because you can always add color without havng to change anything first.
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This is how I feel about decorating styles and trends….If you like it, that’s all that matters. It’s who you are. You can’t let someone else tell you what you are suppose to like or dislike. I’m also not going to decorate my home and then trash it all because the trends have changed. That can be quite expensive. Buy what you love and make it will work in your home for you.
I absolutely agree with you. 😊
Thank you Shireen!
I completely agree with you. I enjoy designer’s options but in the end, my family and I live within those walls. If I love it, it matters not what others think.
So true!
Very true! I like where your minds at!
Leslie,
I agree strongly on everything you said. I don’t call myself a designer in any way, but I know what I like and what gives me that warm, comfy feeling!
Yes!
I hate all of this nonsense about what is “in” and “out” where style is concerned. An occasional new piece or paint color in your home is refreshing but real style doesn’t come and go. It is something that you build on over time as you come to know yourself and your budget allows. This come and go nonsense is why some of the landfills are what they are.
Always remember that your home should be “a reflection of what you love”, not whatever some designer has decided is now the latest trend. I am 72 years old and while my tastes have grown and evolved they have never really changed from what I have always loved. Furniture I bought at auctions and barn sales back in the 70’s are still with me and still loved for their wonderful patina. Actually I was very lucky that my love of wonderful antique pieces coincided with people getting rid of those pieces, cheap, because who would ever want grandpa’s handmade rustic cherry blanket chest with a heavy brass handle? I did! So I smile at the latest trends and continue to love and update my home in the style I have always loved, which I just call country.
Karen Diane here. How nice. A peer! I am 75 and I agree with everything you wrote. Although I can’t help but admire the beautiful painting Leslie produced with her own hands for the Waco home. It could pass for contemporary but fits right in with everything. That’s what I call a breath of fresh air!
I love that Chris! Thanks for sharing!
This was very interesting and opinion provoking for sure. First – I think if YOU love it – that’s what matters most when it comes to home decorating. You hit the nail on the head when you said
“authentic”; I think that’s key. Faux, phoney, fake – nah! “TIMELESS trends, interchangeable pieces” – you really can’t go wrong. If I were to purchase a new home, I’d rather start with a blank, neutral canvas rather than something bold and reflective of someone else’s personality. Thanks for jump starting my Saturday!
Thanks Barb!
i guess that it all depends where you live. An English red brick Tudor with farmhouse decor looks ridiculous. Especially if it has every hobby lobby sign on the wall. My young nephew and I visited someone recently who has a sign everywhere you look. He is only five and tried to read many of them or at least spell them. When we got home, he asked me, “Why does that lady have so many signs? Can’t she find the KITCHEN or the LAUNDRY ROOM? Did she work at a MARKET? Isn’t the GARDEN supposed to be outside? I never laughed so hard. He kept asking me these questions all afternoon. “Out of the mouth of babes.” Some farmhouse decor serves no purpose; wooden beads, empty mason jars on every shelf, tiered trays in EVERY room, and empty window frames over every sofa. If you love it and use, I can appreciate it. But don’t pretend you live in a farmhouse when you live in a cookie cutter suburban brick home. Farmhouse is a catch all for lots of cheap copycat clutter. My grandparents lived on a real farm. They certainly didn’t DECORATE with all that STUFF. Your WACO home is a perfect example of a beautifully decorated farmhouse. Just enough but not too much. Your type of farmhouse decor is timeless and certainly not trendy.
I agree with you! I have never had a sign in my home and never will, not because it was a trend or isn’t one. I just don’t like them. I don’t like your white mis matched chairs but that is your taste and they look lovely in your setting. Authentic is the right word. I, also, would never buy from Hobby Lobby but I can appreciate their accessories used in others’ decor. Your house should reflect you.
Agreed!
Well said. Thank you. Authentic and appropriate are never out of style.
Thanks Nancy!
Thanks so much!
Leslie, I have adopted your 100 Year Old Home as my own. Each day when I open my e-mail, there you are. I always give a sigh as if I’ve just stepped over your threshold and plunked myself down to a waiting cup of coffee. Ahhhh. Every room (indoor or out) is a pleasure. I admire that you will make a change in style in your time and not when a magazine tries to dictate it’s time.
Oh I love to hear that Tracy! Thank you so much for your support and I’m so glad you are enjoying my posts.
We have been building a new home in New Braunfels, Tx. a blank slate to start with. I like the “coastal trend” which also leans to a more clean look with subtle color. Those glass barn doors would look great in our house.
Oh so exciting Cindy! Good luck with everything.
I am in my sixties. Over the years my decorating style changed along with the house I lived in…our first home together was a city row house done in true Williamsburg style with colonial pieces. We invested in antiques we loved in lieu of Christmas and birthday gifts. We moved to a pre-civil war federal style house 3000 sq feet and again collected and decorated with period pieces. My children knew which chairs not to stand on! We retired, moved to FL and sold almost everything at a private yard sale. The pieces I loved went to storage. The beach condo got new white furniture…every room. Sold that furnished at a huge profit and downsized to a 700 sq ft cottage. The furniture I loved came to the cottage. Some got painted, some retained original finishes. Every item in my home is treasured and brings me joy. The ottoman with cat claw marks, yep I love it too. Nothing is off-limits. Will it go out of style? Who knows, I love it so it stays and I’ll work with it.
Oh, wow! I want to see pics of ALL OF THAT. It sounds so fun! And so honest to who you were/are at the time.
Thanks!
Can I ask a question please? What is the main color you use throughout your home? I am trying to decide between all the whites and I would also like to know what you used in your kitchen please? I love your homes. I have been in love with antiques, farmhouse and vintage since I was young. I am now 60 and still in love with it. I definitely appreciate the designers thoughts on trends but still stick to my own. Thank you
Thank you so much Alice! In my kitchen the cabinets are Dunn Edwards Swiss Coffee, I’d say that’s the most consistent white color throughout my house. If you want some more colors, head to my blog then click home tour, once you click on whatever room you want, the color of the wall will be there!
My farmhouse is from 1860, and I add the decor that makes us feel warm and cozy. Add the pieces that speak to your heart, that create a peaceful haven. That is all which is needed. ❤️
Farm house will never be out of style..to many of us, we love the homie comfy feel we have in our homes..I’ve never been a trend person, not with clothing, hair styles, we do what we love…our home is a 1910 4 full stories craftsman home… I’m in my late 60’s and I still love what I bought in the 70’s…never fear in 3 mos it will be something else…love your homes, make you feel like your at home..
So true! I love to hear that!
Loved this post, Leslie. There’s no way my shiplap walls are ever going away. Glad yours won’t be either.
Thanks Kim! 😊
If you incorporate things in your home that designers dictate are “in and out”, you will never truly love your home and consider it your sanctuary. It would be like trying to live with and love other people’s stuff and never your own.
Very true!
I will never forget what a professor told me while attending design school, “trends are for the unimaginative with no creative vision”. You should always incorporate what you like and what makes you happy. Trends come and go, why should anyone let someone else dictate what they put into their home. Trends can be fun, but a little goes a long way. Leslie, please, can you tell me if you painted the little picture of the wrapped gift in your home. An adorable wrapped gift, I think it was in an upstairs bedroom or bathroom, and appeared to be watercolor or gauche? I saw it about a year ago in one of your posts, and have been wondering ever since. If not, could you provide a source?
I love love love your blog, posts, and mostly creativity ! You mentioned a life changing book you read about creative people and needing to see their stuff …. I’m trying to find the name of that book. Help please 🥰