Farmhouses and farmhouse styles have been trending upwards in popularity over the last several years. These rural, functional homes have a lot of personality and a lot to love about them that have made many homeowners start seeking them out.
True farmhouses aren’t always easy to come by, however, so homeowners are also beginning to remodel their existing homes to give them the look of a farmhouse as well. This includes both interior and exterior renovations to help capture some of the details that make the farmhouse style what it is.
If you’ve been wondering how to get the farmhouse look for your home, consider these attributes that may be able to help.
Big Front Porch
One of the hallmarks of the farmhouse style is the wide front porch. Porches are designed to be used on the farmhouse, and are typically at least as long as the front of the building, if not designed to wrap around to the side or sides as well. Porches can be added onto any style of home, including those that walk out at ground level. Make sure yours is big enough to accommodate plenty of seating, as well as a welcoming front door.
Farmhouse Style Siding
One way to give your home the look of a farmhouse is to use a traditional farmhouse vertical siding. Board and batten siding was first introduced to rural homes and farmhouses shortly after the first sawmills were introduced. It was originally made of wide boards installed vertically, with thin furring strips called battens fastened over the seams.
Today, board and batten siding comes in a range of materials, all with the same classic look. Steel siding is one material that makes board and batten installation easier, as well as requiring less maintenance. The siding goes up in sections for a quick makeover, and the color won’t peel or fade away, so you won’t need to worry about scraping and painting to maintain your new look.
Two-Over Windows
The classic farmhouse design features windows in a couple of different styles. One of the most common, and which can still be found today is called the two-over. This means using windows with two panes over another window. Sometimes a two-over-two is used, meaning that two window panes are installed above two other panes, and sometimes for modern farmhouses whose inhabitants want a slightly less obstructed view, the two-over panels exist over a single, larger panel underneath.
Lights and Whites
While many barns were originally stained red, the farmhouse itself is usually white or light neutral in color. White is also currently trending as a popular color for any exterior, and is the most sought after color for a modern farmhouse design.
White siding looks its best when it’s fresh, crisp, and clean. Opting for a siding material like steel siding, which doesn’t peel, chip, or need to be repainted every few years can help you keep the look of your fresh, clean farmhouse for longer. This is especially true if you’re planning on using a classic board and batten style, since this look can be notoriously hard to keep up with when using wood.
Lighting
Any lighting that you include on the interior and exterior of your farmhouse needs to help show it off at its best. Look for typical “barn” style lights, that use oil rubbed bronze or wrought iron in fixed lantern styles. Include lots of lighting on the front porch, both around the door for visitors, and for those people who are using the porch in the evening hours.
Repeat the same light styling on the interior of the home as well to help tie in the look throughout.
Carriage Style Garage Doors
Not all farmhouses have barns, but most homes today do have a garage either attached or detached from the rest of the house. Capture more of that farmhouse style by including classic carriage style or barn door style doors for your garage. Opt for either real wood or for materials that can be fashioned to give you the look of a barnwood door. Include heavy duty hardware and handles to help complete the look, and make sure that you accent the door(s) with some fixed barn style lanterns on either side.
The color of the doors can either stand out if the garage is detached, or can blend in with the rest of the siding for a more subtle look if the garage is attached.
Get the Farmhouse Style for Your Home
Farmhouses are more popular today than ever before. Whether you’re renovating an older farmhouse to give it a more modern look, or you’re remodeling another style of home to get the farmhouse look for the first time, there are many attributes you can capture to help achieve an iconic look for your property. Make sure you pay attention to both classic and contemporary styles to find the right fit for your home, and to get the look that you’ve always wanted.
For more information on getting the perfect farmhouse look, contact an expert at TruLog today.
