As remodelers, we see a lot of home design trends come and go. Some trends turn the corner as quickly as they come, while others become staples and stand the test of time. The farmhouse trend is one that has been around for quite some time now and isn’t showing signs of going away anytime soon. The surge in popularity is credited to the airing of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper,” which began in 2013, though some variation of this style can be traced all the way back to the ranch style farmhouses in the rural Midwest.
“It’s a style that perfectly blends coziness and functionality,” said one of our designers, Jayde, when asked why this style is still so popular. “Traditional details like dark wood tones combine with updated functional pieces like apron front sinks to create a look that we’ll be seeing for a long time.” The classic farmhouse sink is a great example of the combination of aesthetics and utility. Originally made for butler’s pantries in 17th century England, they became quite popular as heavy duty laundry and dishwashing sinks. Today, we see the utility of these fixtures as something beautiful and practical.
One of the things our design team loves most about the farmhouse kitchen is that whether you choose to stick with classics or go contemporary, it’s still recognizable as a farmhouse kitchen. Our “Chic Farmhouse Kitchen” remodel leans more on the traditional side with a rustic wood countertop and column-like details on the island. The antiqued cream colored cabinetry and traditional farmhouse sink top off the classic farmhouse look.
In contrast, this “Northwest Farmhouse Kitchen” remodel leans more contemporary, but is still very much a farmhouse kitchen. The apron front sink, white shaker style cabinets, and rustic wood details are the epitome of the farmhouse style, while the open shelves and bright white countertops bring it into 2020. The backsplash tile is the best of both worlds – the color and shape are modern and clean, allowing the handmade look to add a rustic tone.
So where is the farmhouse look headed? It seems likely that white cabinets will always be the go-to for this style, whether bright white or cream colored, antiqued or fresh. Blue and green are certainly making a comeback as accent colors, but we also expect to see even more raw wood tones and pieces made of reclaimed wood moving forward. Open shelving is beginning to shine in places where we once saw only glass front cabinets. As for the look as a whole, it’s safe to say that the farmhouse style is here to stay.
All photos from Powell Construction projects