Today’s modern farmhouse designs showcase an urban edge while retaining a warm, approachable feel. The style is simple and clean, featuring practical materials and a high-contrast color palette. The flexibility of the modern farmhouse style appeals to many homeowners, as it offers the versatility to customize according to personal preferences. Hallmark features include clean lines, a high-contrast exterior, large-scale windows with black trim, and a spacious porch or entryway.
Traditional farmhouse style, also known more formally as American Farmhouse, emerged in the Midwest in the mid-1800s. It’s typically one-and-a-half to two stories and features an asymmetrical structure with a gable at the front, a central chimney, and a wraparound porch. Traditional farmhouse exteriors feature a broad color palette of earthen hues, including white, cream, blue, brick-red, and gray. Single window units are common.
Modern farmhouse style takes inspiration from the traditional farmhouse style, but incorporates Scandinavian minimalist characteristics with cleaner lines, large doors and window combinations, and an emphasis on natural light and indoor-outdoor living spaces. The signature exterior color palette is white with black accents, but tone-on-tone black has also emerged.
Explore our take on five farmhouse styles, ranging from traditional to contemporary.
Depending on the desired look, single- or double-hung windows with a 2-over-2 pattern and casement windows without grilles are recommended for a modern farmhouse. Windows typically feature matte black trim, offering a sharp contrast to a typically white exterior. Windows are grouped in large combinations, creating striking facades, often with expansive walls of glass that create dramatic sightlines and infuse natural light throughout the home. Gliding windows, or sliding windows, are also an option in areas requiring horizontal window placement, such as in a kitchen.
Modern farmhouse door selections should complement the window selections and overall style of the home. A modern farmhouse with traditional elements could feature a black-painted door with a glass top half with thin grilles, while an edgier style may be a full glass-panel door with black trim to maintain a minimalist aesthetic. Black-painted doors are the tried-and-true option for the signature black-and-white farmhouse palette, but natural wood stains or an accent hue are also seen. Find more tips for choosing a farmhouse front door.
While front porches are a farmhouse staple, most modern farmhouses also incorporate backyard or side patios for more private gathering spaces. Hinged or gliding patio doors are both commonly used and encourage indoor-outdoor living. A bi-folding door also gives a contemporary edge and a seamless connection to the outdoors.
For the most architectural authenticity in your modern farmhouse, look to our A-Series product line. You can also achieve this look with our 100 Series and 400 Series product lines.
