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
Photo source: 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.
Vintage Washboards
Photo source: 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
Photo source: 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.
Library Card Catalogs
Photo source: 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.
Farmhouse Decor with Stoneware Crocks
Photo source: 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
Photo source: 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
Photo source: 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.
From the Barn to the Farmhouse
Photo source: 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
Photo source: 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
Photo source: 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
Photo source: 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
Photo source: 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
Photo source: 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
Photo source: 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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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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