Farmhouse style has dominated American home design for approximately 15 years, fueled largely by HGTV programming and the influence of popular designers from Waco, Texas. While this classic aesthetic predates the modern farmhouse movement by decades, various iterations have emerged over time, including modern industrial, rustic refined, and numerous styles in between. Despite these variations, the fundamental qualities that define farmhouse design remain consistent: charm, soul, and comfort.
While certain farmhouse elements like exposed wooden beams, wood paneling, and open floor plans will always remain timeless, several prominent interior designers have identified specific trends they believe homeowners should retire. These professionals argue that some ubiquitous farmhouse features have become overused and detract from authentic design.
The first problematic trend involves excessive use of reproduction items rather than authentic pieces. Ali Mahon, designer and owner of Connecticut-based antiques shop The Barns, strongly advocates against inauthentic decorative elements. "I would steer away from kitschy Americana reproductions, such as signs, weathervanes, and game boards," Mahon explains. "Instead, I prefer decorating with authentic folk art. Nineteenth-century examples are highly collectible with stories and soul." In Mahon's own farmhouse dining room, she demonstrates this principle by pairing rattan armchairs with an antique trestle table and incorporating a vintage folk art rooster that adds genuine patina and unique character.
Another overused approach is the strict adherence to black and white color schemes throughout farmhouse interiors and exteriors. Austin-based designer Jamie Allen acknowledges that while black and white combinations will never completely go out of style, limiting designs to this palette can make modern farmhouses feel tired and uninspired. "I am still a huge fan of floor-to-ceiling windows with black frames, but I'd love to see homeowners incorporate more color on the exteriors and interiors of their farmhouses," Allen states. She recommends richer interior colors like Benjamin Moore's Solitude or Smokey Mountain, while suggesting exterior colors such as Benjamin Moore's Collingwood or Edgecomb Gray as alternatives to pure white. Allen particularly emphasizes the importance of bold front door colors, recommending options like Behr's Hidden Gem or Sherwin Williams' Salty Dog.
The pursuit of overly polished perfection represents another trend that designers want to see eliminated. New York-based designer Christina Salway advocates for patina over polish in farmhouse design. "There is a mega-modern farmhouse aesthetic that I think is overly polished with spotless engineered French oak floors, gleaming synthetic stone counter tops, blacker-than-black hardware, and faucets," she explains. Salway champions the use of natural materials that develop character over time, arguing that synthetic materials feel "trapped in amber" and never develop the authentic aging that gives homes personality and warmth.
Excessive wall-to-wall open shelving, particularly in kitchens, has also become problematic according to design professionals. While open shelving can look impressive in photographs, Austin-based designer Murphy Moon points out the practical drawbacks. "Rustic wood open shelves always look really cool in photographs of farmhouse kitchens, and I'm not against having one. But a whole wall of open shelving can get a little messy," Moon explains. "I don't want to burden my clients with the task of keeping the items on the shelves curated—not to mention dusted." As an alternative, Moon recommends glass-door cabinets with reeded or seeded glass, which provide visual depth while maintaining organization and reducing maintenance requirements.
Mass-produced barn lighting fixtures represent another trend that designers hope to see retired. Ali Mahon emphasizes the importance of minimizing mass-produced elements, particularly in lighting choices. "Try to source a vintage one-of-kind gooseneck lantern or an original wheel chandelier," she suggests. For homeowners unable to find authentic vintage pieces, Mahon recommends custom-designed lighting fixtures that create unique heirlooms. She specifically mentions Deep Landing Workshop as a notable source for handcrafted interior and exterior lighting solutions.
Finally, interior barn doors, while undeniably charming, present practical challenges that many designers believe outweigh their aesthetic appeal. These doors typically fail to provide adequate privacy and consume significant wall space that could be utilized more effectively. Jamie Allen acknowledges that barn doors have their appropriate applications, such as utility rooms or pantries, but suggests alternatives for most interior applications. "Five-panel doors can be inexpensive, and they're timeless and mesh with many different styles," Allen notes. She dreams of finding dealers with beautiful carved, old-world solid wood doors but acknowledges that even standard slab doors can be enhanced with glossy paint finishes to add visual interest and personality to farmhouse interiors.
