A Complete Guide To European Farmhouse Style

This post is about the European farmhouse style.

If you’ve ever dreamt of creating a cozy yet refined space, the European farmhouse style might be just what you need.

What is European farmhouse style?

The modern European farmhouse style is a blend of old-world, rustic elegance and timeless beauty. It’s a combination of a lot of the elements you’d find in countryside homes in Belgium, France and England.

The beauty of this style is in its balance. You’ll find a lot of rough, organic and natural textures – like stonework – mixed with the clean lines of more contemporary details – like black metal windows.

This type of home has certain elements that distinguish it from other styles. These include:

Natural materials: Stone, wood, brick, and metal are used throughout on the exterior and interior.

Old-world craftsmanship: Handcrafted elements like forged iron light fixtures, vintage-style hardware, and reclaimed wood give the home character and depth.

Neutral color palette: Whites, creams, taupes, and greys create a neutral and calming feeling.

Layered textures: Natural textures like linen, cotton, wool, and leather create a cozy, lived-in feel without being too fussy.

American modern farmhouse vs European farmhouse

Modern European farmhouse is a VERY different style from American modern farmhouse.

American modern farmhouse style:

• Bright white walls with stark black accents
• Shiplap
• Subway tile
• Sliding barn doors

European modern farmhouse style:

• Warm whites and other neutral paint colors
• Stone walls, flooring and fireplace
• Exposed wood beams
• Large metal windows

European farmhouse exterior

The exterior of a modern European farmhouse-style home is probably the best example of how this style is all about balance.

These homes will feature materials like weathered stone, light brick, and exposed wood beams with other contemporary materials like black board and batten, copper gutters or vertical cladding.

You’ll see that most houses with this style have steeply pitched roofs, gabled dormers, and large windows that let in natural light.

European farmhouse interior

Open floor plans with spacious kitchens continue go especially well in this type of home because it makes the space feel so much bigger and airy.

A lot of the same materials featured on the exterior carry over inside. So you’ll find wide plank wood flooring and usually the same stone on the fireplace or in the kitchen.

The overall color scheme of the whole house will be in shades of warm white, cream or taupe.

The trick is really to blend the rustic elements with a touch of sleekness and minimalism. So oversized metal windows and contemporary furnishings bring in that modern element.

How to decorate a European farmhouse living room

In a modern European farmhouse living room, the goal is to create a space that feels inviting yet refined.

Think high ceilings with exposed wooden beams, large stone fireplaces, and neutral color palettes.

Furniture: Opt for large, comfy seating like slipcovered sofas or leather armchairs. Pair them with antique or reclaimed wood coffee tables and side tables.

Lighting: Wrought iron chandeliers or lantern-style fixtures give an old-world feel, while large windows flood the room with light.

Decor: Incorporate vintage artwork or pastoral landscapes, woven baskets, and simple ceramic pieces for a charming, understated look.

Designing a European farmhouse kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home. In the modern version, clean lines and rustic materials create a seamless blend of old and new.

For cabinets, choose a light oak wood and keep these either natural (unpainted) or paint them with a beautiful warm white or other soft color like sage or pale grey. And for hardware, you can’t go wrong with an unlacquered brass that will bring in that craftsmanship vibe.

Open shelving made from reclaimed wood is super popular and gives the space a more open feel.

A stone wall or backsplash is what really creates that WOW factor in a modern European farmhouse kitchen. It’s also another great way to coordinate the interior with the exterior and make the whole house feel more cohesive.

Stone or marble countertops are a must and of course a large farmhouse sink completes the look.

European farmhouse dining room

Like most modern homes now, the dining room is typically open to the kitchen, or at least connected to it, so it feels like a space for gathering and entertaining.

If you haven’t caught on yet, wood is a BIG design element in this style of home. So the dining room is almost always going to have a large, wooden table as its focal point.

You could also use wood dining chairs, but I prefer to bring in a little softness with linen slipcover chairs.

Decorating a European farmhouse bedroom

The modern European farmhouse bedroom is all about serenity and comfort.

Keep paint colors light and muted and layer soft linens on the bed to create a cozy and calming room.

Add in subtle, rustic elements like wood nightstands and a vintage rug.

Must-haves for a European farmhouse bathroom

A modern European farmhouse bathroom is like being at an old-world spa.

The color palette is also neutral here with light walls to help the space feel airy and serene..

A freestanding tub gives the room a spa-like feel.

You can also bring in some of the natural stone here as well.

Is the modern European farmhouse style trendy?

I’m starting to see more and more of this style home pop up as new construction homes. So I do think it’s a growing trend.

But I don’t think you have to worry about this look feeling outdated in the future.

Natural materials and neutral color palettes are always timeless. Unlike the American modern farmhouse trend that took over EVERYTHING in the 2010s, I don’t predict that this design will become oversaturated.

So, if you’re building a new home or thinking of doing a renovation and you’d like to incorporate more of this European farmhouse style into it – go right ahead!