20 simple ways to Achieve the Farmhouse Look in Indian Homes

1.Wood Furniture

Furniture is probably one of the most important pieces that you must invest thoughtfully in( Presume a Lifespan of 10-20 years if not more). Invest in solid hardwood pieces in classic timeless designs that last a lifetime. Stray away from Plywood, Veneers, Laminated and engineered wood. Teak if you can afford or else Mango , Acasia , Sheesham, Pine, Oak all work depending on the usage. Farmhouse, Cottage Core , Country Style is all the rage now and its truly about the old world charm of wood and its deep exposed Grains and Patina. Whether its Painted, Stained , Raw or Distressed, it’s REAL WOOD , as in real solid hardwood remember. Combine wood with other natural materials like Cane , Rattan, Bamboo with Clean lines in different shapes and sizes to create interest.

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2. Neutral Colours

India loves colours and our Homes are no different , it depicts also through our outfits and traditional crafts that are bright and cheerful. But my friend for a Farmhouse style decor you will have to hold onto neutrals and pastels and earthy tones as a base. The more Color you add it tends to drift towards Bohemian feels not that this is bad its a personal choice and today we are talking the much talked about ‘ Farmhouse Style ‘. Neutral tones such as Whites , Creams, Caramels , Greys , Browns, Terracotta , Sage work better. You can always add pops of colour here and there in form of cushions and throws , decor pieces or even through accent walls if you must.

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3. Breathable Furnishings

After Furniture , this probably is the second most important thing or investment. What kind of furnishings does one choose with the Plethora of designs available in the market right now. I would say choose natural fibers that are breathable like Cotton, Linens , Jute , Woven natural fibers and handlooms in neutral shades also work well. Rebember its all about the warm , fuzzy , lived in look. Stray away from shiny , glossy silks and synthetics, if you must rather choose then settle for something hand woven like Tussar silk in earthy tones. And its just not the Fibers and Colors, the kind of prints we choose play a huge role too. If you ask me they should be subtle and understated and bit minimalist , Vintage Florals in Pastel hues, Stripes, French Ticking & Toile, Buffalo Checks nothing overpowering basically. A good investment that you could make is investing in some Flax Linen , this Fabric has been my favourite ever since I started my Textile Career with a Brand called Anokhi, I used to save my salary and buy their Linen shirts because hardly anyone else did them, but now the market has umpteen options and it has made a major major come back in Home Furnishings, I couldn’t be happier. If you can get your hands on some Grain Sack Fabric & Burlap nothing like it.

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4. Choose Natural Materials & Metals

Incorporate natural Materials like Cane , Jute, Bamboo and opt for Metals over Plastic. Glass , Copper , Brass and Galvanized Tin works wonderfully well . Raid your Grandma’s Trunk ,you’ll find gems there like the rusted Cookie Tins , Oxidised Brass and Silverware grab them. Might as well even take that Trunk too (Ha Ha Ha I’ll tell you why just keep raiding I meant reading). And Please stray away from buying Plastic henceforth. There are ways you can upcycle the ones you already have just think creatively before you make the swap and chuck them in the neighbourhood landfill.

6. Lights

Add Rustic Lights in warm tones to make it dreamy – Wall Scones , Vintage Chandeliers in Etched glass, Brass Candle Holders, Wrought Iron Chandeliers , Stained Glass all of these work brilliantly . Also remember the Lumen when you choose the Led Bulbs. They have to be a warm white or a mellow yellow. And can I just write this in capitals – REMOVE THOSE GARISH TUBELIGHTS

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5. Add Plants

The first decor piece one must ever buy should be a Plant, if you ask me after all its a Living Breathing thing . Farmhouse Style Decor is all about feeling warm and fuzzy and bringing the outdoors inside. It also helps instantly calm ones senses. Actually Plants must be a part of all decor styles, Farmhouse , Cottage , Shabby Chic, Bohemian, Mid Century , Modern, Indian Ethnic whatever it is or even if its a mixed bag , there has to be Plants in your Home as per the Law. For the Farmhouse feels get a few big statement plants like the very popular and fussy Fiddle Leaf or The Rubber Plant. Pop them in a brightly lit corner in Terracotta , Ratan , Cane , Galvanised Planters and there you have it.

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7 . Opt for Open Shelfs & Racking

Another Fun part after years of sucking our blood with expensive Modular Kitchens , the old Vintage style is back Ladies and Gentlemen. If you can’t have an all open Kitchen or dining space just replace one Cabinet with open shelving. Display your Vintage Crockery , Tea cups , Teapots and Kettles. Hang your Pots and Pans and even the Kitchen Cloth with ultimate pride. This reminds me I have to steal my moms Vintage Enamelware only so I can display it. Its all about showing off Trust me.

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8. Organise & Decorate with Baskets

My best friend last year complemented me on a Black Iron Basket that I used to display some books in my living area. I immediately told her whoever discovered Baskets as a storage cum decorating medium needs to be awarded a Nobel definitely ( Ha Ha Ha I mean it, what’s not to like) Functional and so chic in plain sight its absolutely incredible. Choose Trays & Baskets in different mediums from Metal/Cane/ Rattan and Display Books , Knick-knacks, Kitchen Accessories anything in them. Hang them up on the Walls with flowers or create a Gallery Wall. I am not kidding Baskets are probably my Favourites so affordable and Versatile. Cant find a basket get your hands on a ‘Wooden Crate’ thats even better. Wondering where to shop Planters & Baskets in Rattan, Cane , Bamboo. You might want to check this Article where I cover some of the Best brands to shop these in India. Shop Farmhouse Style Planters & Baskets here

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9. Upcycled Decor

Here’s the fun part and you can really play around with your imagination here. In fact when it comes to Farmhouse style decor you don’t need to buy tons of statement pieces that burry a hole in the wallet, you could raid your Pantry and Cupboards and come up with unique finds. Upclycled Jars , Bottles used as Vases , Milk Cans , Water cans, these are all functional items that double up as Decor elements in this style. How amazing is that.

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10. Botanical Frames & Chalkboard Art

Well this just might be my favourite, I personally am after my sister to do some Botanical Oil paintings for me but that will happen when it has to. Until then Pressed Flower Art works brilliantly. Go out for a Walk , return with 10 Flowers and Leafs , Press them in your Diary until dry. Hang these up in Rustic Frames to create a Botanical Gallery Wall. If you choose Prints or Artwork choose Vintage Floral motives, Portraits and Landscapes done in Oil or Watercolour mediums work so well. Old Sepia Pictures of our grandfathers also look beautiful.

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11. Statement Accent Pieces

A distressed Mirror or an Antique Brass Mirror , Candelabras and Big Lantern’s all exude the Farmhouse charm like none other. Choose one or two Big statement pieces that can draw attention in the room doesn’t have to be something exorbitantly expensive rather ‘ GO THRIFTING ‘. Don’t forget to light those Candles every evening too for the warm glow. If you live in the Hills in India or any place that witnesses winter weather a Fireplace with Accent pieces on the Mantel is just perfect. I forced my folks when I was just 16 to build a faux fire place & a French Window in our Jaipur Home so ya its possible you just need a mad kid in your life blahhhh.

12. Rustic Vases

Well we have all seen it , Instagram is flooded with it. Big Jugs and Pitchers double up as Vases and Decor pieces unlike any other. The Traditional Indian Pickle Jars work fabulously too. You don’t need to shed tons of money here, even the Basic Glass, Terracotta ones can be converted to something grabbing eyeballs . (Check out this DIY on how to convert a Basic Terracotta Pitcher into a Statement Vase). Watering Cans , Milk Cans , Tea Pots , Mason Jars all these are meant for Flower Arrangements remember.

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13. Foraged Flowers & Foliage

Another inexpensive way to bring the outdoors indoor. And Flowers could cheer my Maths Teacher too so yes why not. Choose Fresh or Dry. Don’t have access to a Florist better go out on a walk and forage. From Foliage Stems to Fallen Dry branches they all look stunning and shout Farmhouse loud and clear.

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14. Display Old Books

Old books are a treasure yes in every sense. I love the smell of an old moth eaten book, so much Nostalgia and probably the second best practical inexpensive decor after Plants. Display them Stacked , On top of Cupboards, Shelfs , on the Kitchen Slab, The Coffee Table anywhere and everywhere.

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15. Display that Chopping Board

Who said Chopping Boards were only meant to chop vegetables. Your Open shelfs needs a stack of Chopping board and some old books to scream Farmhouse (Ha Ha ha) But yeah Farmhouse style is a lot about using Functional things as decor , So a set of Chopping Boards stacked vertically on the Kitchen Counter or on a Shelf waitttttt also Hung up on the Wall in the dining area. Get as creative as you want.

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16. Trunk Cum Coffee Table

Ask any Fauji what a SETTIE is. A Wooden Trunk with a Mattress and some cushions was found in the living rooms as an extra sitting in every Army Home . Trust me it was a customary thing in the 90’s in every Fauji Home because most army guys had about dozens of Trunks and very little salary. But the recent avatar also has it as a Coffee or a Side Table. If you can get your hands on a Vintage one nothing like it. Trunks double up as Tables with Storage and actually fit small apartments perfectly as a functional piece. This is the next switch I want to make. Replace my Coffee Table with a Trunk and dump all my winter wear in there that I will no longer need in Hyderabad.

17. Make a DIY Ladder and Rustic SignBoards

Well gone are the days when Ladders were used only to Change our ceiling bulbs Ha Ha Ha. Make a DIY Branch ladder and Hang your Throws on it or you could use it as a Towel rack in the washroom wait I haven’t finished yet heard about a DIY Herb Ladder. Get some railing planters and hang them on the DIY ladder for the oh so chic Farmhouse feels. Rustic Pantry & Farmhouse Signboards are easy to make & don’t cost a dime. All you need is some Wood and Paint that may already be lying around in the house. So get your Creative Juices flowing. You may want to check out these DIY Farmhouse Signboards here for inspiration.

18. Style it with Fruits

Doesn’t get easier than this or does it. Eat your Fruits fast and don’t stock them in the refrigerator for days. Display them in the dining area, Kitchen counter or even the Coffee Table for a fresh feel and Grab me Snack. Honestly I reach out for Fruits now instead of that Bikaneri bhujia ( Indian Spicy Snack). What you see is What you eat SIMPLE !

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19. A Wreath for every Season

Until few years ago I only knew the Christmas Wreath and the Funeral Wreath and I am not even Joking, born and raised in India after all. But Pinterest introduced us to Spring Wreaths , Dry Flower wreaths , Beautiful Entrance Door Wreaths etc etc there is always one for each season. Spring and Autumn ones are my favourite and trust me its one of the easiest & an totally inexpensive DIY. GET YOUR WREATH GAME RIGHT BABY !

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20. Display Your China

So I talked about displaying your Pots and Pans in the Kitchen. Now its time to display your ceramics. If you have Vintage Plates , Cups and Saucers even if they are not in sets you’ve hit a Jackpot. Hang those Plates and make a beautiful Gallery Wall, Display your Pitchers , Cups and Saucers , Bowls on Open Shelfs or the Crockery cabinet. Next time you travel to Europe, Japan , China google some thrift stores, I found so many in Prague few years ago. In India probably Bombay , Goa , Kochin , Pondicherry, Chennai are some places where you can get lucky with vintage crockery. If you have the Dollars and can afford the shipping Etsy has great finds too.

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So that’s it summed up some ways you can achieve this look in your Beautiful Homes. There are hoards of simple DIY’s too but we’ll keep that for another day another blog. Whats your favourite, or tell me How you do it, leave me a comment below or Tag me in your pictures on Instagram. I am always a ear for some interesting and creative ideas.

Ciao & Ciao

Kamakshi