This post explores 28 easy and budget friendly ways to get the modern farmhouse look.
The modern farmhouse aesthetic has become one of the most sought-after design trends, blending rustic charm with sleek, contemporary elements.
Its emphasis on natural materials, cozy textures, and functional designs makes it an ideal choice for creating a welcoming, stylish home.
However, achieving this look doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. With a few strategic updates and creative solutions, you can transform your space into a warm, modern farmhouse retreat without breaking the bank.
In this post, we’ll take a look at 28 budget-friendly ways to achieve the coveted modern farmhouse style.
Whether you’re refreshing a single room or giving your entire home a makeover, these practical and cost-effective tips will help you infuse your space with timeless farmhouse charm while staying within your budget.
From DIY projects to smart shopping tricks, these ideas will help you design a home that feels both cozy and contemporary, all while being kind to your wallet.
28 Budget-Friendly Ways to Get the Modern Farmhouse Look
1. Use Paint to Create a Fresh Canvas
A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to revamp your space.
Choose neutral colors like whites, grays, or soft beiges, which are synonymous with the modern farmhouse style.
For a rustic touch, you could also incorporate a matte or chalkboard finish to your walls.
Tip: Paint your kitchen cabinets in a crisp white or soft gray to instantly elevate the space.
2. Incorporate Wooden Accents
Wood is at the heart of the farmhouse aesthetic. If you’re working on a budget, consider adding wooden shelves, reclaimed wood wall panels, or wooden furniture.
These pieces don’t need to be brand new—thrift stores often offer rustic wood items that can be easily refurbished.
Tip: Add a floating wood shelf in your kitchen to display vintage dishware or plants.
3. DIY Farmhouse Signs
Farmhouse-style signs with sayings like “Home Sweet Home” or “Gather” are both affordable and easy to make yourself.
Use reclaimed wood or inexpensive pine boards, along with stencils or paint, to create your own signs for a personal touch.
Tip: Place these signs in your entryway, living room, or dining area to create an inviting atmosphere.
4. Mix New and Old Furnituret
Mixing modern furniture with vintage finds gives your space character while maintaining the farmhouse vibe.
Look for second-hand furniture at thrift stores, garage sales, or online marketplaces. Refurbish or repaint these pieces to give them a new life.
Tip: Find a solid wood dresser at a flea market, then sand it down and repaint it in white or gray for a more modern farmhouse look.
5. Use Burlap for Textiles
Burlap is a quintessential farmhouse material, and it can be used for curtains, cushions, or table runners. It’s inexpensive, and its rough texture adds a rustic charm to any room.
Tip: Use burlap as a tablecloth or cushion covers for a simple, budget-friendly way to inject farmhouse style into your home.
6. Repurpose Mason Jars
Mason jars are synonymous with farmhouse decor. You can repurpose them in multiple ways, such as for flower vases, storage containers, or even as lighting fixtures.
They are affordable and versatile, making them perfect for modern farmhouse style.
Tip: Create a mason jar pendant light fixture by using a few mason jars and a pendant light kit.
7. Add Woven Baskets for Storage
Woven baskets can serve both as storage and decor.
These budget-friendly items are perfect for creating a clutter-free home while enhancing the farmhouse aesthetic with their natural textures.
Tip: Place large woven baskets in your living room or hallway to store blankets, toys, or shoes, or use smaller baskets in the kitchen for fruits and vegetables.
8. Swap Out Hardware
Upgrading your hardware, such as cabinet handles or knobs, is a small yet impactful change.
Opt for vintage-inspired brass or matte black hardware to enhance your modern farmhouse style.
Tip: Replace the drawer pulls in your kitchen with aged bronze handles for an affordable farmhouse-inspired upgrade.
9. Create a Rustic Gallery Wall
Gallery walls are a fantastic way to showcase personal artwork, family photos, or vintage prints.
Instead of spending money on expensive frames, use simple wooden or metal frames from thrift stores or discount stores.
Tip: Combine various sizes and finishes of frames to add visual interest and give your wall a curated, eclectic feel.
10. Add a Farmhouse-Style Rug
An area rug can define the space and contribute to the overall farmhouse aesthetic.
Choose a patterned rug with neutral tones such as black and white, or opt for jute or sisal rugs, which are naturally textured and complement the rustic style.
Tip: Look for affordable rugs in neutral shades and natural fibers, such as cotton, jute, or wool, which give off that rustic farmhouse charm.
11. Install Shiplap Walls on a Budget
Shiplap is a signature element of modern farmhouse decor.
If you can’t afford the high-end versions, consider using MDF boards, which are more affordable, and paint them to mimic the look of traditional shiplap.
Tip: Create a feature wall in your living room or bedroom using DIY shiplap boards to instantly add farmhouse charm.
12. Opt for Vintage-Style Lighting
Farmhouse lighting is often vintage-inspired and can be found at budget-friendly prices.
Look for light fixtures made of aged brass, iron, or metal, which add warmth and style to your home.
Tip: Swap out your existing light fixtures with vintage-style pendant lights or a wrought-iron chandelier.
13. Add Farmhouse Curtains
Curtains in simple linen or cotton fabrics help complete the modern farmhouse look.
Stick to neutral tones like whites, grays, and soft beige, which allow natural light to filter through while still creating a soft, cozy atmosphere.
Tip: Choose simple linen curtains that you can find at budget-friendly prices and hang them on wooden rods for a rustic touch.
14. Embrace a Neutral Color Palette
A neutral color scheme is key to creating a modern farmhouse look.
Stick to whites, off-whites, soft grays, and beige to keep things light and airy, and then accent with darker tones like navy or black.
Tip: Paint your walls in soft whites or light grays to set the stage for rustic furniture and accessories.
15. Use Wooden Trays for Decor
Wooden trays are versatile and budget-friendly decor items that fit perfectly into the modern farmhouse aesthetic.
They can be used to display candles, vases, or small decor pieces.
Tip: Use a wooden tray on your coffee table to create an easy and affordable focal point.
16. Add Greenery with Fake Plants
Plants bring life to any room, and faux plants can give you the same effect at a fraction of the cost.
Choose simple greenery like succulents, lavender, or small ferns to place in mason jars or small pots.
Tip: Incorporate faux plants on your kitchen countertops, bookshelf, or windowsill to bring in some natural greenery.
17. DIY Wooden Headboard
For a rustic farmhouse bedroom, you can easily create a DIY wooden headboard using reclaimed wood or inexpensive pine boards.
This is a great way to add a custom, personal touch to your bed frame.
Tip: Construct a simple wooden headboard with recycled wood and paint it a distressed white to create a shabby-chic look.
18. Upcycle Old Furniture
Instead of purchasing new furniture, consider upcycling old pieces to fit the farmhouse style.
A coat of paint and some distressing can transform tired furniture into beautiful, farmhouse-inspired pieces.
Tip: Take an old wooden chair and paint it white or gray, then distress it slightly to give it an aged farmhouse look.
19. Add Wrought Iron Elements
Wrought iron pieces like candle holders, wall sconces, or furniture legs can help infuse a modern farmhouse feel without high costs.
Look for these pieces at budget stores or online marketplaces.
Tip: Incorporate wrought iron furniture legs or candle holders to add a touch of farmhouse elegance without spending a lot.
20. Create a Farmhouse-Style Entryway
Your entryway is the first impression of your home, so make it welcoming with a rustic bench, coat rack, and woven baskets.
This doesn’t have to be expensive—DIY projects and budget-friendly finds can work just as well.
Tip: Install a coat rack made from reclaimed wood and add a rustic bench for an affordable, functional farmhouse entryway.
21. Use Whitewashed Furniture
Whitewashing furniture pieces gives them a fresh, weathered look that embodies farmhouse charm.
Look for old furniture at flea markets or thrift stores, then whitewash them for a beautiful, distressed finish.
Tip: Whitewash an old coffee table to give it a fresh farmhouse feel, and pair it with a cozy, neutral rug.
22. Incorporate Vintage Kitchenware
Vintage kitchenware such as old pitchers, enamel mugs, or cast-iron skillets adds authenticity to your farmhouse-style kitchen.
Look for these at thrift stores or flea markets for a fraction of the price.
Tip: Decorate your kitchen counters with vintage enamelware or mason jar storage containers.
23. Install Simple Wooden Frames for Art
Instead of spending on expensive art, frame affordable prints or personal photos in simple wooden frames.
These can be purchased cheaply at home goods stores and can easily mimic the rustic farmhouse look.
Tip: Display a series of framed black-and-white family photos on a wall for a heartfelt, rustic touch.
24. Use Old Crates for Storage
Wooden crates are inexpensive and can be used in multiple ways, from organizing clutter to creating stylish storage solutions.
Stack them or hang them on the wall for extra storage.
Tip: Stack a few vintage crates on your kitchen countertop to hold utensils or as a storage space for spices.
25. Repurpose Old Doors
Old wooden doors can be used as statement pieces in your home. Repurpose them as headboards, coffee tables, or even wall art for an affordable rustic touch.
Tip: Transform an old door into a unique coffee table or wall decor by sanding it down and adding a fresh coat of paint or a distressed finish.
26. Incorporate Distressed Furniture
Distressed furniture adds character and charm to any room. This technique doesn’t require new pieces; simply give your existing furniture a weathered look by lightly sanding edges and corners.
This will create that vintage, worn-in appeal that defines modern farmhouse style.
Tip: Distress a dresser or nightstand by lightly sanding the edges to reveal the wood underneath for a rustic, timeless look.
27. Use Galvanized Metal Accents
Galvanized metal is a classic farmhouse element. Affordable galvanized buckets, trays, or even small planters can be incorporated into your decor for an industrial twist on the rustic aesthetic.
Tip: Add galvanized metal trays or a metal lantern to your living room coffee table for a farmhouse-inspired touch.
28. Hang Open Shelving
Open shelving in the kitchen or living area is a key element of the modern farmhouse look.
Rather than purchasing expensive built-ins, install simple wooden shelves and display your favorite farmhouse accessories, such as vintage plates, mason jars, or glass jars filled with dry goods.
Tip: Install open shelving in your kitchen to display rustic dishware, cookbooks, or plants.
Achieving the modern farmhouse look doesn’t need to break the bank.
By incorporating budget-friendly elements like repurposed furniture, affordable DIY projects, and simple decor items, you can easily create a space that feels cozy, welcoming, and full of personality.
Focus on natural materials, neutral colors, and vintage finds to embrace the charm of rustic living while keeping your expenses low.
By using some of these ideas, your home can reflect the warmth and authenticity of farmhouse style without stretching your budget.