There's a timeless appeal to having a home in the country. When the hustle and bustle of urban areas get to be too much and you need a break, it's nice to escape to somewhere quieter. But designing your country dream home can be a daunting prospect! There are so many things to consider when designing and decorating a country home. Here are some farmhouse decor ideas you can use to help get you started.

Traditional Barn in the Back

A traditional barn is a staple of rustic atmosphere. Having a traditional barn in the back of your country house can be a great way to evoke that farmhouse feeling to your property, whether you’re raising animals or not. You can use barns for all sorts of things, from home offices to man caves or she sheds. We have several traditional barn designs and floor plans you can use to guide you. To create a sense of cohesion between your barn and your house, incorporate some of your barn decor ideas into your home and some from your home into your barn.

Wood Detailing

Country homes are a blend of practicality and comfort, and few materials used in homes lend themselves to both practicality and comfort like wood. The wide range of naturally occurring colors and timber textures makes it uniquely suited for decor in a country home. The emphasis on practicality does not mean that everything has to be unadorned. Wood detailing adds dimension and character to both furniture and decor pieces. You can alter the atmosphere by choosing different detailing. Straight lines and angles can suggest straightforward practicality, while curved lines and rounded shapes can foster a more relaxed atmosphere.

Reclaimed Wood Furniture

If you want to create a sense of history within your home or love the look of aged or distressed wood, consider using reclaimed wood furniture. Reclaimed wood is high quality, old wood that has been repurposed—in this case, as furniture. Reclaimed wood offers various benefits: it's environmentally friendly to use, resists wear and tear, and has a unique look and feel. Reclaimed wood is perfect if you want furniture that is sturdy and boasts a naturally rustic look.

Exposed Ceiling Beams

Leaving your ceiling beams exposed is another way to give a home a rustic feel. Because of their size, ceiling beams are striking and draw the eye upwards, creating the illusion of additional depth to a room. Depending on their alignment, they can make shorter rooms feel longer. Exposed beams can be great for the kitchen or living room, which are commonly used as gathering areas. Ceiling beams aren't limited to being a decorative element, either. With the installation of a few hooks, you can use them as a place to hang pots, pans, and other cookware, simultaneously freeing up storage space for other uses while further developing the country farmhouse aesthetic you're trying to cultivate. Just make sure nothing hangs low enough to hit your head-on.

Shiplap Walls

You can add some texture to your walls by using shiplap. Commonly used as an exterior siding material, shiplap has found its way into home interiors as well. Shiplap is characterized by a small gap between the boards. If you paint your shiplap walls, take care not to fill those gaps in with paint—they’re an essential part of the look! When aligned vertically, shiplap can make a room appear taller. Its design makes it relatively easy to install yourself, and it's comparatively affordable as a material for your interior walls.

Decorative Farm Equipment in the Yard

To add a real farmhouse feel to your country home's exterior, consider adding some decorative farm equipment to your yard. You have plenty of creative freedom here. You can opt for simple things like repurposing old aluminum buckets or feeders and turning them into planters. If you have a garden, taller gardening tools like shovels and rakes can be reconstructed into a trellis for climbing plants. You can even put together pieces of farm equipment to make picnic tables and benches. Whether you go small and simple, bigger and more involved, or a bit of both, there are lots of great ways you can repurpose farm equipment to give your yard a more authentic farmhouse feel.

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are a go-to flooring option these days. They're entirely in line with a country house too, so if you love hardwood, lean into the hardwood! Hardwood floors can be another great use of reclaimed wood. Because of its sturdy nature, wood tends to hold up better to wear and tear, and you can get wider planks than you could if you used younger, newer wood. Because they've been aged, reclaimed wood planks have a more weathered and unique appearance. If you want to give your home a unique ageless look, a hardwood floor made from reclaimed wood may be an excellent option for you.

Open Cabinets

If you want to add a contemporary touch to your country home, consider using an open cabinet style in your kitchen. Open cabinets are a great way to maintain easy access to items that you use regularly. It can also be a great incentive to keep things neat and orderly since you won't be hiding it behind a closed cabinet door.

One caveat: if you have small pets or young children who like to get into things, open cabinets may not be the best option for you. Consider blending it with more traditional cabinets. You can always have easy access to your most frequently-used items while keeping the rest out of small paws and hands.

Natural Wood on White

One of the ways you can make that wood stand out is by setting natural wood pieces against a white backdrop. White can help the natural beauty of the wood come out. Lighter wood against white can add a sense of warmth to the room. Darker wood stands out in beautiful contrast against a white background. If white is too stark for your preference, consider other neutral tones that highlight your wood pieces' natural beauty.

Small Indoor Plants or Flower Pots

Of course, no country home would be complete without some plant life. Small indoor plants and flower pots can be a great way to liven up your home. They can brighten up your space and elevate your spirit. Consider repurposing farm equipment as a pot or planter to hold your plants to add a country farmhouse style. You could even go a step further by collecting local flora to use as your decor.

Designing your dream country home can be a lot of fun. There are several aspects to consider and things to choose from, though, even once you've chosen the specific style you're going for. Consider using some of these farmhouse-based decor ideas to get started and let your creative juices go there.