Interior Design Trends: Moving Beyond Farmhouse Style

Why Interior Designers Are Moving Beyond the Farmhouse Style and What's Next

I'll be honest with you - I used to be completely obsessed with farmhouse style. Those Pinterest boards filled with shiplap walls, sliding barn doors, and those perfectly imperfect "Live Laugh Love" signs? Guilty as charged. But lately, I've been noticing something interesting happening in the design world, and frankly, it's got me rethinking everything I thought I knew about creating beautiful spaces.

The truth is, what once felt fresh and cozy now feels a bit... well, predictable. And I'm not the only one feeling this way. Interior designers across the country are quietly steering their clients away from the farmhouse aesthetic that dominated our homes for the better part of a decade. So what's really going on here, and more importantly, where are we headed next?

The Farmhouse Phenomenon: How We Got Here

Let's take a step back for a moment. The farmhouse craze didn't just appear out of nowhere - it had some pretty influential champions. Remember when Chip and Joanna Gaines first burst onto our screens with "Fixer Upper"? Those two basically wrote the playbook for modern farmhouse living, and honestly, we ate it up.

There was something incredibly appealing about their approach. The idea of taking a run-down property and transforming it into this warm, welcoming space that felt both rustic and refined? It spoke to something deep in a lot of us. We wanted homes that felt like they had stories, spaces that wrapped us in comfort after long days in our increasingly digital world.

The Gaines effect was real, and it was powerful. Suddenly, everyone wanted exposed beams, vintage-inspired fixtures, and enough shiplap to build a small barn. Home improvement stores couldn't keep up with demand for mason jars and galvanized metal accents. It was like the entire country decided to embrace their inner Little House on the Prairie fantasy all at once.

When Good Style Goes Bad

But here's where things started to get messy. What began as a genuine appreciation for rustic charm somehow morphed into a paint-by-numbers approach to decorating. Elizabeth Cross-Bear from Palm Henri Interiors puts it perfectly when she talks about how "the overuse of shiplap along with forced white and black exteriors, especially in new build construction, has saturated this aesthetic-stripping the once unique design of character."

I've walked through neighborhoods where every single house looks like it could be featured on the same HGTV episode. Gray everything, white shiplap everywhere, and those same mass-produced "farmhouse" accessories scattered throughout. What was supposed to feel authentic and personal started feeling like we were all shopping from the same catalog.

Kristina Lawrence, another designer I really respect, nailed it when she described how the "endless parade of gray upholstery, white painted shiplap, and 'Live Laugh Love' signs" went from "cozy chic" to "monochrome blah." That stung a little because I definitely had my fair share of those signs, but she wasn't wrong.

The real kicker? Designer Ruthie Staalesen made a point that really hit home: "Every home decor store carried this look, and now all homes look the same. Who wants their home to look like everyone else's?" Ouch. But also, exactly.

The Great Design Shift

So if farmhouse is out, what's in? Well, that's actually the beautiful part - there isn't one single "next big thing." Instead, designers are pushing for something much more meaningful: authenticity.

The movement now is toward what I like to call "collected style." Think spaces that look like they've been curated over time by someone with real personality and life experiences. Instead of buying a complete room set from one store, we're talking about mixing pieces that actually mean something to you.

Ruthie Staalesen really drives this home when she says, "True design is a style you curate for yourself that you love, not just a trend you follow because it's popular." It sounds simple, but it's actually pretty revolutionary when you think about how we've been approaching home decor for the past few years.

What This New Approach Actually Looks Like

I'm seeing some fascinating trends emerge from this shift. One of my favorites is the way designers are blending modern and traditional elements without following any strict rules. Picture a sleek, contemporary sofa paired with a vintage coffee table that has actual history behind it. Or a cutting-edge light fixture hanging over a dining table that's been in the family for generations.

There's also this growing emphasis on what designers call "quiet luxury." It's not about showing off expensive pieces, but rather investing in quality materials and craftsmanship that you can feel the moment you walk into a room. Think hand-woven textiles, solid wood furniture that gets better with age, and art that actually speaks to you - not because it matches your color scheme.

The texture game has gotten really interesting too. Instead of relying on that safe farmhouse palette of whites and grays, people are bringing in rich, earthy tones and mixing different materials in unexpected ways. Velvet next to raw wood, vintage brass with modern ceramics - combinations that shouldn't work but absolutely do when they're chosen with intention.

The Farmhouse Revolution: How America's Favorite Style is Growing Up

You know that feeling when you walk into a coffee shop and suddenly realize you've seen this exact same aesthetic in twelve other places this month? That's what's happening with farmhouse style right now, and frankly, it's got me-and a lot of other design enthusiasts-feeling a bit restless.

Don't get me wrong. There was something magical about the farmhouse movement when it first swept through our homes. After years of stark minimalism and cold contemporary spaces, farmhouse brought back warmth, comfort, and that sense of "home" we'd been craving. But somewhere along the way, what started as an authentic return to our roots became a checklist of design elements you could pick up at any big box store.

The Farmhouse Formula We All Know Too Well

Let's be honest-we've all seen the playbook. White shiplap walls? Check. Mason jar light fixtures? Double check. "Live, Laugh, Love" signage and a barn door somewhere, anywhere, even if it makes no practical sense? Triple check.

What began as a celebration of authentic rural living somehow morphed into a mass-produced aesthetic that you could assemble like IKEA furniture. And that's where things started to feel a little... hollow.

The problem isn't farmhouse style itself-it's that we got so caught up in recreating the look that we forgot about capturing the feeling. Real farmhouses developed their character over decades, even centuries. They told stories through layers of paint, mismatched furniture collected over time, and the beautiful imperfections that come with actually living in a space.

Giving Farmhouse Its Grown-Up Moment

Here's the thing-if you genuinely love farmhouse style, you don't need to panic and start over. The secret is evolution, not revolution. It's about taking what works and making it feel less like a Pinterest board and more like your actual life.

Start with materials that have real stories to tell. I'm talking about wood that shows its natural grain and color variations, not the stuff that's been painted to look "distressed." Find stone that actually has some age and character, metals that develop their own patina over time. These elements bring an authenticity that no amount of faux aging can replicate.

Then there's color-oh, the possibilities when you step outside that safe white-and-gray box! Rich, earthy tones are making a serious comeback. Think warm caramel browns, deep forest greens, and burgundies that feel both grounded and sophisticated. These colors don't just look good; they make spaces feel more intimate and personal.

And let's talk hardware for a minute. While black metal had its moment, we're seeing a beautiful shift toward brass, bronze, and copper finishes that actually improve with age. There's something deeply satisfying about watching these materials develop character over time.

The real magic happens when you stop trying to make everything match perfectly. Layer different periods and styles together. Mix that antique dresser your grandmother passed down with a contemporary lamp you fell in love with last month. The goal isn't catalog perfection-it's creating a space that feels like it evolved naturally, because it did.

What's Coming Next: The Future of Home Design

As I spend time with designers and homeowners across the country, I keep hearing the same word: authenticity. People are hungry for spaces that feel real and personal in a world that often feels increasingly artificial.

Sustainability is becoming a major player too, and not just as a buzzword. People are genuinely rethinking the cycle of constant redecorating. Instead of overhauling entire rooms every few years to chase trends, we're seeing a shift toward investing in quality pieces that will last and choosing items with genuine meaning.

Personalization is exploding, but not in the way you might expect. It's less about custom everything and more about thoughtful curation. People want their homes to reflect their actual lives-their travels, their hobbies, their family history-not what looks good on social media.

Technology is playing a fascinating role too. Yes, smart home features are becoming more seamless and integrated, but there's also this beautiful counter-movement toward analog experiences. People are craving handmade pottery, vintage textiles, and other tactile elements that provide a break from our screen-dominated lives.

The Real Story Behind the Shift

The truth is, farmhouse style isn't disappearing-it's just growing up. And honestly, that feels like the natural progression of any good design movement.

The best elements of farmhouse will always have a place in good design: the emphasis on comfort, the appreciation for natural materials, the desire for spaces that feel welcoming rather than intimidating. What's changing is the approach.

Instead of following someone else's formula, we're being encouraged to think more intentionally about what we bring into our homes and why. It's about creating spaces that feel authentically ours, filled with objects that have stories and meaning.

Making It Work for You

Whether you're starting fresh or looking to update your current space, the message is surprisingly simple: trust yourself. Your instincts about what makes you feel comfortable and happy in your home are probably better than any design rule you'll find online.

Invest in quality over quantity. Choose pieces that will age well both physically and aesthetically. And remember that the most beautiful homes aren't the ones that look perfect in photos-they're the ones that feel genuinely lived in and loved.

The farmhouse movement taught us something important about the power of comfort and warmth in our living spaces. Now it's time to take those lessons and make them our own, creating homes that don't just look good, but feel like the truest expression of who we are and how we want to live.

After all, isn't that what home should really be about?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What exactly is wrong with farmhouse style?

Nothing is inherently wrong with farmhouse style itself - the issue is how oversaturated and formulaic it became. When every home starts featuring the same shiplap walls, gray color schemes, and mass-produced "rustic" accessories, the style loses its authentic charm and personal character.

2. How can I update my farmhouse decor without starting over completely?

Start by introducing more natural wood tones instead of painted white everything, add richer color accents beyond the typical gray palette, and swap out some mass-produced accessories for pieces with genuine history or personal meaning. Focus on creating layers and mixing different periods and styles rather than matching everything perfectly.

3. What should I be looking for in upcoming design trends?

The biggest trend is actually moving away from following trends blindly. Look for quality craftsmanship, sustainable materials, and pieces that reflect your personal story. Think "collected over time" rather than "bought all at once," and prioritize authenticity over what's popular on social media.

4. How do I make my home feel more personal and unique?

Start by incorporating items that have genuine meaning to you - family pieces, travel souvenirs, art that speaks to you personally. Mix different styles and periods, invest in quality pieces that will age well, and don't be afraid to break traditional decorating "rules" if it feels right for your space.

5. Is it expensive to move away from farmhouse style?

Not necessarily. The shift toward personalized design often means buying fewer, higher-quality pieces rather than constantly updating with trendy accessories. You can also work with what you have by adding personal touches, incorporating natural elements, and mixing in vintage or secondhand finds that have character and history.