Farmhouse decor has taken some heat over the past few years as people have grown tired of its popularity. Nonetheless, it’s still a favorite home decor style for many folks. And while farmhouse furnishings continue to be available in many home stores, it’s also a great style for anyone who loves to DIY and upcycle it instead.
Farmhouse Decor Ideas
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Even as other home decor styles have grown in popularity (I’m looking at you, Boho), farmhouse style is still a favorite theme. And you can find a lot of farmhouse-style pieces– some vintage, some reproductions- at thrift stores. Which means you can decorate your farmhouse kitchen, living room, or bedroom very inexpensively- perhaps with some of these upcycling ideas.
Farmhouse Decorating with Tool Totes
Image credit: Confessions of a Serial DIYer.
Wooden tool totes are a favorite in farmhouse decorating because you can style them in any number of ways. But it’s the details on this DIY version that really put it over the top. From the upcycled handle to the salvaged hardware that was painted, this one is the ultimate farmhouse style tote.
Vintage Washboards
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Vintage washboards aren’t just for the walls at your local Cracker Barrel restaurant. They make excellent wall decor in a farmhouse-inspired laundry room, as well. And with a few tweaks, you can keep it functional- for holding stray socks or collected pocket change, for instance.
Windmill Wall Decor
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
The TV show, “Fixer Upper”, showcased the use of old windmills as wall decor on several episodes. But on a smaller and MUCH thriftier scale, this version is lightweight and upcycled from something pretty common.
Farmhouse Decorating Ideas with Metal Baskets
Image credit: Domestically Speaking.
Metal baskets play a large role in farmhouse decorating, and this upcycled version couldn’t be easier. Sometimes, it just comes down to find the right pieces at the thrift store and pairing them up.
Library Card Catalogs
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Authentic card catalogs salvaged from libraries have been a staple (and favorite) of vintage and farmhouse decorating for a while now. What is it about those little drawers that bewitch us so much? But this one started out as a jewelry box from the thrift store- and got a makeunder more than a makeover to look like this.
Weathered Wood
Image credit: Homeroad.
From the whitewashed weathered wood to the styling with greenery and rust, everything about this shelf just says farmhouse decor. But personally, my favorite aspect of it is that it was made using an old cutting board that had cracked in half.
Farmhouse Decor with Stoneware Crocks
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Vintage crocks are a staple of farmhouse kitchens, often holding utensils or cooking tools. But if you can’t find or afford the real McCoy, then some textured paint and a touch of stenciling can upgrade any old container to look like stoneware.
Chippy White Paint
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Chippy white paint is a bedrock of farmhouse decor. Touches of aqua or green elevate the typically neutral palette; and framing older linens, like these doilies, add an authentic vintage touch.
Burlap Sacks
Image credit: Organized Clutter.
Burlap and farmhouse decor go hand-in-hand, whether you use an authentic feed sack or stencil your own from a pre-made bag. Either way, burlap adds great primitive texture to a farmhouse-inspired home.
Cotton Boll Wreath
Image credit: My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.
Cotton boll stems are often used in farmhouse decorating- which means a cotton boll wreath is a great accessory on your farmhouse door.
From the Barn to the Farmhouse
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Eliciting the look of a milk pail, wooden buckets are a fun accessory in farmhouse decorating. But the authentic kind can be pricey (or maybe a little too icky to bring inside, if we’re being honest). This one, however, started out as a thrift store ice bucket, believe it or not- it just needed a farmhouse-y makeover.
Galvanized Metal
Image credit: Salvage Sister and Mister.
Metal elements are popular in farmhouse decorating- the more worn or weathered, the better. To keep things economical, a cake pan like this is perfect for upcycling into a farmhouse wall shelf.
French Farmhouse Decor with Grain Sack Stripes
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
For a French country approach to farmhouse decor, grain sacks and grain sack stripes are a key element to incorporate. Thankfully, those straight lines are easy to replicate with paint and some simple stenciling. Same look, much smaller price.
Wire Baskets
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Silver plated bread baskets are a dime a dozen at thrift stores these days- we’re just not that formal anymore. But they’re easy to upcycle into a farmhouse bowl like this. Some paint, some burlap ribbon, and suddenly you have a wonderful centerpiece for the kitchen table.
Farmhouse Decor with Grandma’s Quilt
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
An antique quilt- especially one that is falling apart and can’t be used on a bed anymore- is easy to frame for your farmhouse home. Especially if you use a vintage window like this for even more farmhouse-y charm.
Rustic Photo Displays
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
A broken washboard is ideal for upcycling into farmhouse decor. In this case, the actual washboard itself was missing and just the wooden frame was left. So, chicken wire was attached to the back and is the perfect way to display old photos in a rustic, farmhouse-y sort of way.
Upcycling Ideas for Farmhouse Decor
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Hope these upcycling ideas inspired some future ideas for your own farmhouse home! There are any number of items from thrift stores, yard sales, and flea markets that are just waiting for a farmhouse upcycle.
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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