Trying to achieve a rustic farmhouse vibe? Nothing says “true farmhouse” like weathered wood, galvanized metal, and vintage accents.
Transforming your space into a cozy, rustic haven doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. The rustic farmhouse style is all about charming simplicity. It’s about infusing a little old-world character into your home.
Today, we’re going to cover some easy ways you can bring in rustic farmhouse vibes. I’ll even share some paint color ideas to help you finish off the look. So if you’re ready, let’s get started!

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Rustic Farmhouse Color Palette
The rustic farmhouse color palette is all about warmth and simplicity.
Start with a calming foundation of creamy whites, warm grays, and earthy beiges. Then bring in some muted hues, like sage green, dusty blue, and warm terracotta. Add contrast with a charcoal accent, or perhaps a bold red.
If you need a little help narrowing it down to specific paint colors, fear not! I have you covered with my Sherwin Williams Rustic Farmhouse whole-house paint color palette.
This digital download includes:
- 12 specific color recommendations
- six mini color palettes
- room recommendations
- helpful worksheets
You can either visit my shop here or click on the image below to grab your copy.

Weathered Wood Accents
Reclaimed wood – or salvaged lumber from old buildings – is a staple in the rustic farmhouse. Don’t you just love the idea of repurposing old barn wood?! In fact, someone had taken old barn wood and built a storage closet in a home I’d previously owned, and it was pretty neat!
If possible, avoid re-finishing the lumber, allowing the old, weathered finish to shine.
You could use reclaimed wood to build a distressed mantel over the fireplace. Or add a weathered coffee table to the living room. And you can bring in additional charm with rustic wood trays and hand-lettered signs.

Mason Jar Decor
Who doesn’t have old jars sitting around, collecting dust?? But why not give them a purpose, rather than letting them take up valuable space….
Mason jars are popular in farmhouse decor, and they have more uses that I could list. For example, you could use them as vases for wildflowers, lining them up on open shelves. Or turn them into pendant lights as a creative lighting solution.
For a glamorous touch, fill mason jars with fairy lights! If you’d rather keep it a little more on the natural side, go with pinecones and dried herbs instead.

Galvanized Metal
Galvanized metal is yet another common finish in the rustic farmhouse style home. Metal buckets make great planters – or even entryway storage containers.
You could add a galvanized metal tiered tray to your dining table as a centerpiece. Galvanized serving trays or utensil caddies also make stylish kitchen additions.

Burlap and Linen Textures
Linen and burlap are classic farmhouse material choices. Pair a burlap table runner with weathered wood furniture in the dining room. Mix linen pillows with stripes, plaid, or floral patterns in the living room or bedroom.
Layering textured fabrics, like burlap and linen, with soft throws lends a cozy, inviting vibe to any home. And the rustic farmhouse style is all about “cozy and inviting”!

Repurposed Furniture
Waste not, want not, as they say. So why not repurpose old furniture by turning it into something brand new?
For example you could turn a vintage dresser into a bathroom vanity by incorporating a sink. Or use an old door as a headboard.
And an old wooden ladder makes the perfect blanket ladder. Add some string lights to it for a more “rustic glam” aesthetic.
I’m sure you can come up with better ideas than I, but hopefully these ideas at least spark your imagination!

Sliding Barn Doors
I’m going to be brutally honest here – sliding barn doors are NOT my cup of tea. But people seem to love them, so I couldn’t neglect to add them to the list.
Sliding barn doors add a little bit of somethin’ to your rustic farmhouse, for sure. They could work well for separating spaces like kitchens, laundry rooms, and pantries.
But whatever you do, don’t use it in place of an actual bathroom door. Trust me, it just doesn’t give the same privacy level as a normal door.

Woven Basket Decor
Baskets work well in the rustic farmhouse (along with many other decorating styles). While some people – my dear hubby, for instance – might roll their eyes at yet more baskets, don’t let them get you down.
Decorative baskets look great! Plus, they’re perfect for organizing clutter and keeping it out of sight.
A gallery wall of woven hanging baskets adds texture and warmth to the room. Oversized baskets are great for firewood storage near the fireplace. And small baskets make nice bathroom storage solutions for rolled towels or toiletries.

Farmhouse-Inspired Lighting
When we moved into our current home, it had black metal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. They were perfect representations of the farmhouse style. (I’ll admit to replacing them, though, since I was moving in a different stylistic direction.)
But black metal chandeliers with candle-like bulbs might work well in your own home. Perhaps some lantern-style pendant lights over the kitchen island. Or industrial sconces with Edison bulbs in the hallway.

Accents of Greenery
Once again, decorative greenery makes it onto my list, and do you want to know why? It’s because plants look great no matter what style you’re going for.
Plants not only freshen the air, but they work with EVERY decorating style. They fill empty spaces, they’re unobtrusive, and they add a little touch of coziness.
And best of all? If you don’t have a green thumb, there are so many realistic faux plants to choose from, as well.
Display larger potted plants in wooden crates, woven baskets, or galvanized metal buckets. Fill a long wooden dough bowl with small potted plants and candles to use as a centerpiece. Consider delicate plants like eucalyptus, ferns, or ivy if you want to bring in a touch of femininity.

Vintage Finds and Antiques
Vintage kitchen tools will give you that nostalgic farmhouse vibe. Even a well-worn suitcase or a stack of vintage trunks could make an interesting focal piece.
Scour flea markets and antique stores for unique finds. Antique clocks, old books, and glass bottles will add the finishing touch to your rustic farmhouse.

Final Thoughts on Rustic Farmhouse Decor
Rustic farmhouse decor is charming, yet simple. You’ll see plenty of mason jars and barn doors in this particular decorating style. You might also notice warm neutrals and bold accent colors.
Happy decorating!
Read More:
9 Popular Sherwin Williams Farmhouse Paint Colors