Photos of 2013: The Most Popular Farmhouse Spaces

I grew up in Texas with a buddy whose family had a little farmhouse on 60 acres in the middle of nowhere. I’ve been going to that property almost every year for as long as I can remember, and the trip always makes for some of the most relaxing moments in my life. The pace is slower at a farmhouse; you do simple tasks like clear brush and cook hearty meals. Most of all, you spend a lot of time doing nothing — swinging on a big porch swing, napping on a big cushy sofa or sitting in a rocking chair while staring at a bonfire.

Today, with the relentless integration of technology into our lives, and living for years with an unsettling economy, many people have embraced this easygoing lifestyle. That’s because farmhouse style is one that favors simplicity and comfort above all. Linen-draped sofas, storage-heavy entryways and sun-filled living spaces invite homeowners to sit back, slow down and get comfortable.

Here are the top 15 most saved photos of farmhouse-style spaces uploaded to Houzz in 2013. Which one makes you long for life on the farm?

1. If first impressions are everything, then the entryway is one of the most important elements of a home. We all want to feel uplifted when we get home after a long day, and we want guests to feel welcome when they come over. Here oversize planters, antique-style light fixtures and a crisp white exterior paint made this the most saved farmhouse photo uploaded in 2013.

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Paint: Natural Choice, Sherwin-Williams; flooring: Transcend decking in Gravel Path, Trex; wall lanterns: Williamsburg 16-inch Flush Mount in Natural Gas, Bevolo; hanging lantern: French Quarter 21-inch on Yoke Bracket in Electric, Bevolo; doormat: braided coir, double wide, Restoration Hardware


2. As we’ll see over and over in our top photos of 2013, making storage and organization look good reigns supreme. And this modern mudroom, with its charcoal-gray cabinets and accessible coat hooks, shoe cubbies and bench, nails it.

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3. A large family likely inhabits this modern barn house in Toronto. It would explain this well-organized walk-in food pantry that extends to the ceiling and spans two long walls.

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4. This photo shows that not all mudrooms have to be, well, rooms at all. A comfy banquette with underseat storage and a cozy green beadboard backing can be a beautiful addition.

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5. The spaces in this renovated Atlanta farmhouse come up frequently in our top photos of 2013. This wonderfully bright living room with a cloth sofa just begs for a do-nothing day.

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Chandelier: Laurenza 8 Light Chandelier LC624 from Ballard Design; drapery fabric: Fluting Stripe, Tracery Interiors; drapery hardware: Deauville Finial & Rod Set (FG048), Classic Ball in Black, Ballard Designs; firebox: Vent Free Series by Isokern, Earthcore; fireplace surround: Soho Boutique Surround in Oyster Shell Honed, Eldorado Stone; mantel: custom wood millwork by John Bynum; rug: braided jute RN006 in Natural, 9 by 12 feet, Ballard Designs; table behind sofa: vintage; sofa: Chichester Chesterfield 1120-LL, C.R. Laine; sofa fabric: Sailcloth Salt 32000-0018, Sunbrella


6. In the same house, a side porch epitomizes the look and feel of a casual, comfortable modern farmhouse.

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Flooring: Transcend Decking in Gravel Path, Trex; wall lanterns: French Quarter 14-inch on Original Bracket in Electric, Bevolo; rug: Suzanne Kasler ikat indoor-outdoor RW216, Ballard Designs; chairs: Capri Chair SC425, Ballard Designs; blue pillows: Outdoor Piped Throw Pillow 16-inch square FP560 in Sunbrella Spa Blue, Ballard Designs; stools: Lotus Garden Seat in White AM923, Ballard Designs;
lanterns: Borrby Lanterns, small 301.561.08 and large 901.561.10, Ikea


7. The owner of this Philadelphia farmhouse is a stonemason and custom built this flower-topped fountain.


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8. For this New York farmhouse, getting two beds in a 14- by 9-foot room while maximizing space was a challenge. A custom-designed unit with two twin beds separated by a shared headboard did the trick.

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Paint: Spring Valley, Benjamin Moore


9. Of course, simple sliding barn doors like this one are beautiful to look at, but in small spaces they’re also extremely practical. Note the amount of space saved here by not having a door that swings out.

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10. Sliding barn doors using metal rolling hardware go hand in hand with farmhouse style. The double doors in this San Francisco home are a stunning example.


11. This Greek revival farmhouse bathroom in Minneapolis (in the same home as photo No. 2) is the only bathroom on the list. Houzz users love the fresh feel, soft colors and big bathtub with what we can only assume is a spectacular view.

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12. Mudrooms show up frequently in this list because they have roots in farmhouse design. (Farmers need a place to take off their muddy boots and overalls before coming into the house.) They’re used as drop zones for wet or muddy clothes and shoes, and also as spots for stashing purses, keys, backpacks and more.

See more photos: Houzz Tour: Reviving a Half-Finished Farmhouse in New England


13. When I think of a farmhouse, an exterior usually comes to my mind. But surprisingly, this is the only exterior photo that made our list. No doubt the serene setting and warm, rich colors set this one apart.

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Siding paint: Hawthorne Yellow, Historical Color collection, Benjamin Moore; trim: Powder Sand, Benjamin Moore; door paint: Lafayette Green, Benjamin Moore; lights: Hubbardton Forge



14. From the sun-filled windows to the linen-draped sofa, the living room in this Atlanta house conveys comfort.

See more photos: My Houzz: French Country Meets Southern Farmhouse Style in Georgia

Sofa: Pottery Barn; wall paint: White Sand, Benjamin Moore


15. The foyer in the same house features an antique sideboard that the homeowner finished herself.

See more photos: My Houzz: French Country Meets Southern Farmhouse Style in Georgia

Mirror: Home Decorators

Tell us: Which farmhouse design is your favorite?

URL: Photos of 2013: The Most Popular Farmhouse Spaces http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-22340.html