31 Charming Farmhouse Living Room Ideas to Gather ’Round
Whether or not you actually live in the countryside, you can still design the farmhouse living room of your dreams by taking a cue from spaces that have mastered the look. It’s no wonder the style’s reach extends far beyond its rural roots; a farmhouse living room typically offers a polished yet cozy and unstuffy atmosphere, plus the style is conducive to large hangouts with plenty of seating for guests and lounging. Architectural features commonly present in farmhouse-style living rooms include working fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, shiplap walls, built-ins, and exposed beams.
Below, we’re sharing some inspiring farmhouse living room decor ideas from top interior designers with experience in the cozy aesthetic. These spaces prove that you can easily embrace the look through thoughtful furniture selections, a timeless, neutral color palette, and intentional decor—no sprawling countryside property required. Read on for answers to all your burning questions about farmhouse living rooms, including how to design one yourself.
What styles of farmhouse living room are there?
Before you get started designing your space, consider your desired outcome, as the look is versatile and can be taken in a number of different directions. For example, a modern farmhouse look might feature a more sleek, pared-back design, whereas a coastal farmhouse aesthetic would likely resonate with homeowners aiming for a more nautical atmosphere.
How can I design a farmhouse living room?
To design a farmhouse living room, start by selecting your seating. “Designing a farmhouse living room is about blending comfort with a sense of history,” says Laura Lubin, founder of Ellerslie Interiors in Nashville. She notes that oversized sofas and plush armchairs will look right at home in such a space. After addressing the seating situation, Lubin advises bringing in some rustic, natural materials as well as some vintage or antique finds. Last but not least: “Don’t forget a strong focal point, whether it’s a stone fireplace or a large piece of artwork, to ground the room and bring in that farmhouse charm,” she notes.
What are the hallmark features of a farmhouse living room?
When implementing the aesthetic, designers typically include a wooden coffee table, brass light fixtures, textiles featuring a striped or windowpane design, and some sort of chandelier—oftentimes one that is wagon wheel-shaped. The furniture in these rooms is generally a neutral color. Most thoughtfully designed farmhouse living rooms feature a fusion of old and new items, Lubin explains. “You want to mix modern design elements with traditional, timeless pieces,” she says. “Think reclaimed wood beams, exposed brick, or stone fireplaces, paired with contemporary furniture.”
Designers agree that natural materials are ideal for a farmhouse living room. “Reclaimed wood is a favorite; it brings in a sense of history and craftsmanship,” Lubin says, adding that linen, cotton, and leather are all excellent choices to fit the style. To contrast with these materials, consider incorporating metals—“like iron or brass in light fixtures or hardware,” which offers a modern contrast to the more rustic elements, creating a beautifully balanced space,” the designer adds. “It’s all about using materials that age well and tell a story over time.”
When designing a farmhouse living room, bring in neutral, earthy tones, Lubin says. “Soft whites, warm grays, and muted beiges create a calm, inviting backdrop, while natural greens or rich navy blues offer a subtle pop of color,” she states. “The goal is to keep the palette warm and approachable, enhancing the natural textures and materials in the room.”
Still wondering how to nail the look? Consider these 31 charming farmhouse living room ideas.
Photo: Joshua McHugh1/31Incorporate a working fireplace
A working fireplace is a common characteristic of many farmhouse living rooms. A stone fireplace adds a warm, cozy feel to this spacious room designed by Bruce Fox, the founder of Bruce Fox Design in Chicago. The gathering space also features other classic farmhouse elements, including wide plank wood floors, plaid and striped textiles, and exposed wooden beams.
Photo: Angela Newton Roy2/31Use neutral furniture
If you love farmhouse style but are drawn to neutral furniture pieces, you can incorporate those into your living room design too, as exemplified by this space designed by Kristin Harrison of Bungalow 10 Interiors in Northern Virginia. Harrison opted for a symmetrical setup in the space, bringing the farmhouse aesthetic to life by installing two wagon-wheel-style chandeliers with exposed bulbs, opting for a shiplap ceiling, and filling the open shelves with ceramics full of rustic charm.
Photo: Emily J. Followill3/31Incorporate a dramatic chandelier
Featuring a vaulted ceiling and a dramatic chandelier, this farmhouse living room draws the eye upward. Jeffrey Dungan, the founder of Jeffrey Dungan Architects in Mountain Brook, Alabama, paired warm wood with classic stone in the space, keeping textiles simple in design to allow these natural elements to take center stage.
Photo: Rachel Robshaw4/31Dress up your coffee table
Adorn your coffee table with dried florals in rich hues to add instant life to any farmhouse living room, as exemplified by this space from Kathryn Hunt, the founder of Kathryn Hunt Studio in Mattituck, New York. If you’re drawn to modern farmhouse style in particular, integrate contemporary touches into your space, perhaps by hanging a Serge Mouille–style chandelier or displaying small framed abstract works on the wall.
Photo: Paul Dyer5/31Include a Chesterfield sofa
Chesterfield sofas shine in a wide range of spaces, including farmhouse style living rooms, like this one by Kendall Wilkinson, the founder of Kendall Wilkinson Design in San Francisco. Farmhouse decor is heavy on brass accents, so don’t be shy about including them in your living room, whether in the form of sconces, floor lamps, trinkets on built-in shelving, and more.
Photo: Richard Powers6/31Let reclaimed wood shine
Furniture made from reclaimed wood will instantly bring about rustic farmhouse vibes in your living room. Draw inspiration from these low-to-the-ground coffee tables that Kligerman Architecture & Design in New York styled in this living room. Due to the expansive size of the sectional, it makes sense to opt for two tables to ensure that all guests have space to set down plates and glasses during gatherings.
Photo: Victoria Pearson7/31Pick a focal point
Lonni Paul, the founder of Lonni Paul Design in Los Angeles, opted for a blue, white, and gray color palette in this farmhouse living room, styling plush armchairs alongside a simple sofa. An ornate chandelier adds a dose of glamour to the space and serves as the focal point of the room.
Photo: Stephen Karlisch8/31Add a table behind the sofa
For extra storage—and style—in your farmhouse living room, consider placing a wooden table behind the sofa, where it can house a mixture of functional and decorative pieces. This style of console complements the farmhouse aesthetic perfectly and plays to the other wood tones in the room, which was designed by Sarah Eilers, cofounder of Lucas/Eilers Design Associates in Houston.
Photo: Pär Bengtsson9/31Infuse colorful accents
Gone are the days of overly stuffy living rooms—today’s spaces, such as this room by Meg Lonergan, the founder of Meg Lonergan Interiors in Houston, are places in which family and friends can gather and relax. Celebrate farmhouse design while also making your living room nice and cozy by incorporating plenty of striped throw pillows, laying down a soft rug (or layering two, as seen here), and introducing shiplap walls. When it comes to selecting artwork, don’t be afraid to mix design styles and hang an abstract work in your modern farmhouse living room. The green hues in this painting complement the farmhouse look present and break up the otherwise neutral color scheme.
Photo: Shade Degges10/31Make sure to include texture
Textural accents are a key component of any farmhouse living room, as illustrated by this space designed by Denise Morrison, founder of Morrison Interiors in Costa Mesa, California. Start by laying down a classic jute rug on top of your wood floors—this material is known to be resilient and is seen as a classic. When it comes to farmhouse decor items, style some candlesticks on the mantel or coffee table and set out a terra-cotta vase filled with branches (greenery is a must in a farmhouse style space).
Photo: Michael J Lee11/31Add a barn door
This living room’s white walls got a major upgrade in the form of a barn door, which adds visual interest to the space when not in use. Designed by Robin Gannon, the founder of Robin Gannon Interiors in Lexington, Massachusetts, this living space is also home to the ever-popular wagon-wheel-style chandelier, jute rug, and wooden coffee table, but it also contains something unexpected: a velvet sofa, which adds a touch of glam.
Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg12/31Keep it cozy
Designed by Ballard+Mensua Architecture in Washington, DC, this living room features bold blue walls paired with a mostly neutral palette. The room is extra cozy with not one but two stone fireplaces present. The leather sofa will stand the test of time and grow more rustic in appearance with additional use.
Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg13/31Find ways to make it airy
Take a cue from Winn Design + Build in McLean, Virginia, and make over a dated sofa using a slipcover, which reflects the farmhouse aesthetic and is easy to pop into the wash as needed, for a laid-back, welcoming look. Incorporate side tables throughout the living room so that friends and family have room to set down a glass or a book while they relax in the space. Though this room does not feature an overhead light fixture, expansive windows, along with a duo of table lamps placed behind the sofa, ensure that the space remains airy.
Photo: Julie Soefer14/31Fuse aesthetics
Kara Childress, the founder of Kara Childress Interiors in Houston, introduced a modern acrylic coffee table alongside more obviously farmhouse style pieces, including the wagon wheel chandelier and wooden cabinetry, in this living room. Here, she proves that it’s always possible to artfully fuse together multiple aesthetics.
Photo: Julie Soefer15/31Mix current and traditional fabrics
Here, Ryan Street, the founder of Ryan Street Architects in Austin, also mixed contemporary and classic farmhouse while adhering to a neutral color scheme. The bouclé on the midcentury armchair is an example of a more current fabric, while the striped chair closer to the fireplace leans traditional.
Photo: Carina Skrobecki16/31Disguise a television with farmhouse-style art
Farmhouse living rooms are meant to be functional, and these days, most people want a television somewhere in their living area. Emily Ruff, the founder of Cohesively Curated in Seattle, opted for a Samsung Frame TV featuring a farmhouse-style screensaver that adds the appearance of a framed piece of artwork. “We wanted to make the space feel warm and inviting,” the designer says.
Photo: Aaron Dougherty17/31Incorporate exposed wooden beams
Wooden beams steal the show on the ceiling of this living room—and one makes its way over to the mantel too. “In this project, the beams allowed us to transition from a lower ceiling in the kitchen to a higher ceiling in the living room, adding character to what was once just a wide-open room,” Holli Esmundo, senior designer at Angeline Guido Design in Dallas, says of this space.
Photo: Marco Mendez Styling: Heide Donohue of GTHRd18/31Say yes to plaid
Plaid ottomans provide extra seating options in this layered farmhouse living room, which is rooted in a variety of neutral hues. “To evoke warmth and a cozy atmosphere, include a variety of textures and patterns,” says Tiffany Matthews, the founder of Motif Homes in Greensboro, North Carolina, of designing farmhouse-style spaces. “For furniture, choose warmer tones like creams, reds, various shades of brown, and deep greens to create a harmonious look.”
Design: Paloma Contreras Design. Photo: Aimée Mazzenga.19/31Round up some farm animals
Incorporating farm animal motifs can look stylish when executed in thoughtfully and in moderation. Paloma Contreras, founder of Paloma Contreras Design in Houston, executed the look in a reserved yet playful fashion via a decorative sheep. She also took cues from nature by bringing in blues and greens. “I personally prefer a neutral, high-contrast color palette in simple, farmhouse spaces,” she says. “I find that a bit of contrast lends gravitas to an otherwise laidback space.”
Photo: David Christensen20/31Embrace natural stone
Natural stone found on site during excavation makes for a stunning fireplace material in this farmhouse living room by Blackberry Farm Design in Maryville, Tennessee. “Not only is this more sustainable, but it also brings the actual outdoors of the site indoors,” says Christine Carney, the firm’s director of design. “When we are working on a farmhouse-type space, our key goal is to incorporate local vernacular design elements and local materials.”
Photo: Allison Elefante21/31Create an inviting space for conversation
Farmhouse living rooms are all about gathering together as a large group, and with that, you’ll want to ensure that yours features plenty of seating options for everyone. Lubin recommends weaving in oversized sofas and plush armchairs, as she did in this home. “Comfort is nonnegotiable,” she says. “A farmhouse living room should be a place where everyone feels at home.”
Photo: Courtesy of Pacaso22/31Lay down a jute area rug
Not sure what type of area rug to use in your farmhouse living room? Try a jute. “A jute rug is a great option for adding texture and warmth, and its durability makes it a solid choice for high-traffic areas,” explains Lauren Farrell, principal designer at Pacaso, a service that offers luxury vacation homes for co-ownership. “These, combined with a bit of oil-rubbed bronze and pewter metal elements, invoke a warm and inviting feeling,” she says.
Photo: Kip Dawkins23/31Opt for landscape art
The two landscape pieces hanging in this farmhouse living room by Richmond, Virginia–based designer Ashley Hanley are actually framed wallpaper panels that depict a pair of historic Virginia spots: Monticello in Charlottesville and Colonial Williamsburg. Hanley says her client was looking to add character to the room and was eager to avoid a too-sterile version of “the trendy ‘farmhouse’ look that has swept the nation,” so she infused the space with plenty of blues and greens.
Photo: William Jess Laird Styling: Martin Bourne24/31Bring in some leather
Leather sofas add a luxe but lived-in touch to this moody farmhouse living room designed by Clive Lonstein. “Look for leather with a rich patina and woods that have weathered over time,” says the New York–based creative. “Choose materials that draw inspiration from the outdoors, blending rustic elements that create warmth and character.”
Photo: Jacqueline Marque Styling: Jo Gremillion25/31Incorporate wood paneling
Bridget Tiek, the founder of Baton Rouge, Louisiana–based design studio Tiek Byday, opted for a wall of wooden paneling in this living room. The feature adds some rustic warmth to the space while also providing an immediate focal point. “Designing a farmhouse aesthetic is all about embracing natural and practical materials that lend to a comfortable, no-fuss environment,” the designer says.
Photo: Molly Rose26/31Make a modern-vintage melange
Don’t be afraid to mix and match different furniture styles into your space to create a custom look. An antique wooden hutch nicely fits into this farmhouse living room designed by Bill Guidero, the founder of Guidero Design in Newport Beach, California, while a more modern-looking glass coffee table anchors the room. The clear piece adds a touch of visual interest to a room rooted mostly in wood tones.
Photo: Molly Rose27/31Slide in storage solutions
Since farmhouse living rooms aren’t ultraformal, yours may function more as a laidback family room—a place to read or work, or for kids to play. Embrace that versatility by weaving storage baskets into the space’s design in order to keep essentials handy, as JZ Interiors founder Jaime Zehner did here. Be sure to skip the plastic bins, though; instead, opt for a material that complements the farmhouse aesthetic. “Jute or sisal rugs, along with wicker or rattan accents, provide textural contrast and further enhance the farmhouse’s connection to nature,” says Zehner.
Photo: Jacqueline Marque. Styling: Jo Gremillion.28/31Display a versatile bench
A long wooden bench, like the one Tiek incorporated into this farmhouse living room, can easily accommodate extra guests or serve as a side table to house drinks and snacks. While the plain wood is beautiful on its own, you could add some extra texture to the vignette by draping a cozy plaid throw over the top of it.
Photo: Marisa Vitale29/31Design with classic checks
Who doesn’t love a cheery checkered print? These blue-and-white throw pillows make the sofa—the focal point of a living room by San Marino–based designer Amy Peltier—really pop. “The marker of a farmhouse living room is a casual, approachable, simple design aesthetic,” Peltier says. Incorporating accent pillows with a bit of color to them adds “a modern pop of personality,” explains the Peltier Interiors founder.
Photo: Jacqueline Marque30/31Tap into classic shiplap walls
Shiplap walls, generally painted white, and farmhouse-style spaces go hand in hand. Don’t worry that your living room will appear too bland if you opt for this look; in a farmhouse living room, cozy rugs, a mix of furnishings (like the leather and cloth pieces here), and wooden beams do the heavy lifting to add dimension. “Neutral palettes are most common to a farmhouse living room, yet the rooms never feel one note because of the heavy layering of textures used,” says Tiek, who designed this space.
Photo: Anice Hoachlander31/31Bring in reclaimed wood
Reclaimed wood furnishings and accents will fit nicely into any farmhouse living room. “We utilized reclaimed wood in this new house to create a rural French interior reminiscent of homes found from Normandy to the Dordogne regions of France,” says Stefan Hurray, an associate with BarnesVanze Architects in Washington, DC.
