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If the beach and the farm had a baby…
So you are a lover of coastal style decor. But you also adore the shabby chic elements of the popular farmhouse design.
No need to make a choice.
You can successfully combine the two styles to create a coastal farmhouse home that is both traditional and trendy. The look is positively comfort and relaxation.
You can create the look without buying a farm or needing to sell the farm to afford a look you love!
Traditional coastal style takes advantage of the colors of nature — sand, sea and sky. The overall aesthetic is bright, open, airy and casual. But with a few tweaks and additions to basic coastal interior you can easily create the newer Coastal Farmhouse style.
PHOTO CREDIT: Feature image via Eye For Style on Wayfair
10 Ways to Get the Coastal Farmhouse Look
Typically you’ll choose light paint colors, natural elements, painted and distressed wood furnishings, and low-sheen metals. Based on my 10 Basic Layers of Coastal Design, here’s a step-by-step way to DIY Coastal Farmhouse decor.
I’m a firm believer in using what you have on-hand. Your basement, garage or attic probably hides unforgotten good stuff perfect for upcycling.
Here’s a great DIY Idea!
Coastal Farmhouse is a dream style choice for the avid DIYer. Download The Ultimate DIYer Toolbox List, which is perfect for Home Decor Crafters and Makers. You’ll have lists of common items needed for any decorating or crafting. It will help keep your work area ready for the next project.
Take advantage of yard sales for accessories and accent furnishings. There’s no shame in picking up somebody’s else’s junk on the side of the road. Hey, one woman’s trash…right?
Fortunately there are plenty of retail store and online sources to satisfy any coastal farmhouse obsession! At the end of this post is a link to our updated guide: The Best Online Sources for Coastal Home Decor.
Watery or from Nature Colors
The largest room surface is your walls. Water inspired colors like teals, blues, and greens, in all shades, are a good starting point. For a fun twist, consider white or cream walls and a slighter darker accent color on the ceiling.
Rustic Moldings
Architectural details and embellishments add value to homes, but also a ton of charm and character. Coastal farmhouse takes advantage of craftsman tradition and country home.
If your home already has beams or crown moldings, put that in the win column. If not, consider adding real or faux wood elements.
Wide shiplap on the walls, installed horizontally or vertically are pure farmhouse. But its primitive appeal is perfect for a beach house too. Beadboard is a narrower wood that works well as a backsplash or on a ceiling.
Metal railings speak to more of an industrial farmhouse decor but you can inject metalwork in a softer way by using a coffee table with metal legs.
Salvage yards, tag sales and online shopping sites are some resources to find an antique door, corbels, a fireplace mantel, metal works and more.
Installed Floors and Area Rugs
The cool thing about blending coastal and farmhouse is the way decor can cross-over and just work.
Both styles make use of natural hardwoods, tile and area rugs. Painted flooring is a great option to DIY a less-than-stellar-condition wood floor. Plus there’s no anxiety with spills, scratches and sand.
Natural Rugs like hemp, sisal and jute are both functional and sturdy. Don’t be afraid to use color or pattern. Just keep the color neural and pattern simple like these beach and coastal and farmhouse area rugs.
Unfussy Furniture
The hallmark of Coastal Farmhouse (or Farmhouse Coastal) is the laid-back overall feel of the decor. Nothing about furnishings for this style have hard lines or stiffness. Formality is not even a whisper in this design choice.
That said, there’s no need to rescue a couch on the side of the road…unless it’s in sturdy shape and in need of love! A good washing and slipcover will hide a multitude of sadness.
Upholstered furnishings with soft edges are an invitation to curl up your feet and relax. Rolled arms, over-stuffed cushions, and simple legs are key. Slipcovers are a lifesaver with kids and pets and after beach bodies.
Once again, choosing a neutral color will give you long-term flexibility. Remember, neutral doesn’t mean everything must be beige! A quick change of pillows and throw blankets will give your space a fresh look for cheap money.
Seagrass Armchair by ElanaMay Designs. Couch and Ottoman in this collection.
Fabric Choices
Picking out fabrics is where the fun begins, and your personality shines. Because one of the easiest decorating elements to change is fabric.
Once the larger decisions have been made — paint, flooring and large investment furniture — you get to play more freely with colors, patterns and textures. You’ll do this with fabrics and textiles for drapery, tablecloths, pillows, bedding, throws.
It’s much more budget-friendly to swap out new pillows than replace flooring, so cut yourself a little slack and pick items that match what you love.
If you lean more beach than farmhouse, consider these:
Cabana Stripes are perfect for window treatments (draperies, valances), toss pillows, seat cushions, duvet covers, light upholstery projects and tote bag projects.
Large pattern palm leaves for drapes or dining room tablecloth.
Whimsical or Coastal Motif patterns for an accent chair, pillows, ottoman cover or curtain topper.
For more farmhouse than coastal, choose buffalo checks, plaids, backgammon patterns in your coastal color scheme. The look will be a sweet blend of your two favorite styles.
If you’re working on a small project like a toss pillow cover, table runner, place mats, tote bag, etc. you’ll likely score a great piece of fabric in a remnant fabric bin for a great discount.
I’m a sucker for a bargain! Typically high-end fabric (talking about $25 or more per yard) are only a few bucks for a remnant. Most of the small projects I mentioned take less than a yard to make.
Source: Fabric.com
Floor to Ceiling Lights
You’ll need lighting for different uses in your home. Pendant lights are perfect for over an island or kitchen sink. Wall mount lighting like sconces will flank a fireplace or bathroom sink or light a hallway. Don’t forget the table and floor lamps for reading and tasks.
For a mix of rustic farmhouse and coastal select metal frames finished in artisan rust. The jute rope accents (as in the Globe Chandelier image) add a touch of texture and breezy appeal.
Pendant lights are perfect for illuminating a compact entryway or lining a few up above the kitchen island to cast a warm glow over morning meals. Shop these Large Globe Pendants by Heritage.
Workhorse Accent Pieces
I call accent pieces the workhorses of home decorating because they do the heavy lifting in terms of making a space truly function well.
Basically you need flat surfaces to put things on. This includes end tables, coffee tables, shelving, consoles, etc.
Accent pieces can be upcycled or renovated in whatever color scheme you’ve chosen. The more rustic or shabby the better. Really. See the reclaimed pallet coffee table I made and dry painted. You won’y worry about spills or dings with this one.
DIY ENTRYWAY CONSOLE
Reclaimed fencing from a barn was scrubbed clean first and cut to make this Console Table. Then I bleached it (equal amount bleach and water) and let the finished piece dry in the sun. I love the rustic and coastal combination.
If there’s one thing that is the cornerstone of any type of farmhouse decor, it’s reclaimed wood. The authentic rustic feel of reclaimed wood makes your space feel cozy and worn-in. If you’re looking to add some serious rustic flair to your space, consider building your own farmhouse table with one of these free farmhouse table plans from Insteading.
Make sure your accent pieces are large enough for the job. Skip the puny side tables. A few generous size accent pieces are pleasing to the eye.
Art, Mirrors, Statement Pieces
The arched window mirror is reminiscent of glass windows in old barns and farmhouses.
If you’re a follower of the Fixer Upper TV show you know big clocks always make an appearance in the final reveal. Consider hanging a coastal big clock or farmhouse big clock as the statement piece in one of your rooms.
Lean reclaimed exterior shutters against a wall or mount on either side of an archway. Keep its weathered condition as is for the farmhouse look. For a refreshed look, wipe it down with a white, cream or light gray paint. Or paint the shutters a beachy color you’ve pulled from an inspiration piece, like a painting, fabric or rug.
You can purchase handpainted signage at places like Etsy, or better still, make one of your own. Here’s an easy DIY Sign Tutorial that requires no special equipment.
Interior Plants
Plants help to blur the space between indoors and outdoors leaving you to listen for birdsongs and rolling waves.
Faux plants and trees are a good choice if you lack (or have no interest) in cultivating a green thumb.
Natural Elements
Be sure to include natural wicker, rattan and seagrass baskets and bins as pretty storage places for magazines, shoes, toiletries, toys and more.
Put your beachcombing finds to good use! Gather shells, sea glass, driftwood and other collected sea treasures. Arrange them in clear glass bowls or hurricane lamps you can find a the dollar store. Wrap the neck or base a few times with a thin hemp rope for instant coastal decor.
If you love collecting shells from your travels, create a pretty label with the name of the place or beach. These make sweet personal keepsakes and gifts for those who traveled with you.
Beach glass is another lovely beachcomber treasure. Display in clear vases like shells or turn them into art objects, like wreaths, wind chimes, decorative plates or jewelry.
Here are a few ideas how you can turn your seashells or seaglass into a decorative wreath.
Mix and match beach and rustic influences to get the Coastal Farmhouse look
Blending two of the most popular styles — coastal and farmhouse — is a no-brainer to achieve. Their similarities make mixing and matching easy.
Follow the 10 Basic Layers of Coastal Decor for a step-by-step guide to getting the look you’ll love. Add in farmhouse pieces and voila!
Starting with a shared use of white color shades and casual shabby chic elements, the beach and farm play nice together. Mix and match coastal and farmhouse furnishings, fabrics and decor items without worry. Don’t forget to have fun.
Do you LOVE this style? This COASTAL FARMHOUSE DESIGN GUIDE is for you!
Posts You’ll Like:
Coastal Farmhouse Decorating Style | DIY and Decor Ideas – Learn the style basics plus more ways to add the look to your home.
DIY Handpainted Wood Beach Signs – No fancy equipment needed.
10 Basic Layers of Coastal Decor – A step-by-step approach to complete and cohesive decorating.
DIY Beach Cottage Coffee Table from Wood Pallet – A dumpster diver’s dream project! Perfectly suited for a coastal farmhouse style decor.
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