Luxury farmhouse design ideas: how to create your dream spaces

Your guide to building a chic contemporary farmhouse with timeless appeal

If you are interested in designing a bespoke modern farmhouse, you are most likely already aware that the design possibilities are almost endless. You can create a house that’s uniquely yours, combining a multitude of ideas to realise the vision you’ve dreamed of for your new life.

Typically, a modern farmhouse is designed with wide open spaces and large rooms, so your creative options are truly vast; which can be exciting, but overwhelming!

Every luxury home is different, but they all have one thing in common. They have a story to tell. The story of your farmhouse will be unique to you and your family, but this guide provides a comprehensive list of modern farmhouse design ideas to inspire your decisions.

Luxury farmhouse design idea #1

Structural features: adding an architectural feel

Designing a modern farmhouse interior involves more than just selecting colours and finishes. Before you start on any of those steps, the first thing to develop is the structural design of the house.

What will the floor plan look like? How will the rooms connect to each other? Which spaces are the focal points of the house, and which architectural features can you add to elevate their visual impact?

Ceilings

Vaulted ceiling (also known as raked ceiling)

A vaulted ceiling can add architectural interest to any room, not to mention making it feel larger and more open. This also works well in larger rooms, as it can visually break up the space and make the room appear taller; a popular feature in modern farmhouse design.

Double-height ceiling

A double-height ceiling can be a beautiful, functional addition to any room. It can also be a great way for increasing the perceived size of a room, making a room feel more open, and create a more dramatic setting.

Floor to ceiling windows

Floor to ceiling windows that let the outside natural setting in through them are an excellent way to make any room in your home more inviting. If you have a view that is pleasant, such as a garden outlook, you will be more likely to spend time in that room.

With their expansive, unobstructed views these type of windows can help make any space feel larger and more open. They can also serve as a beautiful backdrop for a variety of spaces in your home; particularly if your modern farmhouse is set in natural surrounds.

Ceiling recesses

A recess can be a great way to break up a large expanse of flat ceiling, adding visual interest and creating a focal point in a room. Make a statement by placing feature lighting inside or near your ceiling recess for a dynamic, designer look.

Feature bulkheads

A dropped ceiling feature or bulkhead can be a great way to accentuate a room’s architectural character. One of the most popular ways to use them in a modern farmhouse is above a kitchen island to help define the space.

Materials

Wood

Wood, especially reclaimed wood, is a very popular building material right now. It’s a great choice for a luxurious modern farmhouse, as it adds warmth and character. It’s a very versatile material, which allows it to be used in a variety of ways in the home; from hardwood flooring to timber-look laminate cabinets or traditional wall panelling.

Glass

If you are looking to add contemporary elegance to your home, then there is no better material than glass. Not only does it allow natural light to illuminate the interiors, it gives a high-end feel that can be used to create beautiful and functional spaces. Large windows are a hallmark of the modern farmhouse style.

Stone

Stone is an ideal choice for a luxurious modern farmhouse design as it is elegant, durable, and can give an earthy, rustic feel depending on your choice of texture.

Stone is most commonly used for benchtops inside the home and landscaping outside the home; however there are many other ways it can be used to add visual appeal.

Tile

There are many different types of tiles that can be used to create the flooring of your modern farmhouse. The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing tiles for your floors is that they need to be functional as well as beautiful.

Feature walls

In a modern farmhouse living room, you will often see an interior feature wall lined with a different material. Depending on your preferred design style, you may wish to utilise exposed brick, timber panelling, or other textures as a feature in your design.

Metal

Metal accents are especially popular in luxury homes, as they are a great way to convey an opulent style.

To get this look in your home, choose metal tones that fit the overall design style of your house; for example, black metal accents can be excellent for a minimalist design style, but brass or silver accents may match farmhouse style decor ideas more closely.

Built-in furniture

Cabinets with recess details

There are many ways to customise your cabinets depending on your preferred design style. Cabinets with inset panelling details can create a more traditional look; if you prefer a more modern style, opting for totally smooth cabinet doors is the way to go. Commonly, this approach will be employed in the kitchen, but it could extend to your living room, dining room table or built-in bedroom storage.

Handle choices classic or contemporary

There are many options for cabinet handles, and you can choose whichever suits your style best. For a modern farmhouse in the country, you can opt for natural materials such as rustic wooden handles or explore more contemporary options like wrought iron, copper, brass, or even matte black finishes.

Home theatre cabinetry

Another design idea is adding built-in cabinets to your home theatre that flow with your cabinetry selections elsewhere in the home. They are made to match the specifications of your home theatre and can be the perfect place to store your movie and audio equipment in a sleek, uncluttered place. It’s also worth considering adding similar built-in cabinetry to the living room of your modern farmhouse.

Feature shelving

Built-in shelving is a completely customisable luxury design touch that adds visual interest and function to any room or space. This can be a stunning architectural detail that allows you to put your most treasured possessions on show.

Flow between rooms

Consider using a cohesive colour palette for cabinetry in different rooms to create a seamless flow of ideas throughout the home.

Using exactly the same selections in every space can diminish the visual interest of the home; so try to find a balance between a cohesive, complementary style and occasional moments of contrast.

Other details

Skirting and cornices

Skirting and cornices are classic design elements in luxury homes, in both suburban and rural farmhouse designs. These stylish elements can transform the look and feel of your home, as well as accentuate existing architectural details.

When choosing the right type of adornment for your home, think about the bigger picture and how these details will contribute to the overall design style of your property; mix and match options to suit.

Stairs and balustrade

The staircase is a focal point in any home, serving as an architectural piece that visitors see whenever they enter.

The most important thing to keep in mind when selecting a staircase style for your house is to reflect the look and feel of its architecture in terms of materials, functionality, visual weight, and the tones of any wooden elements.

INTRODUCE A Fireplace

Contemporary fireplaces have come a long way from the days of standing close to a traditional roaring fire for warmth and light. Today’s chic fireplace options are a worthy addition to any luxury home because they are not only beautiful but they provide a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. For many people, settling down by a fireplace in the evening is a quintessential part of the modern farmhouse lifestyle.

External reflecting internal house style

As you go through the home design process, make sure that the interior design of your home suits the exterior. This might seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many people overlook this during the home-building process.

The exterior of your house is the first thing visitors see when they arrive at your door; it sets the scene for the rooms that await inside. This overall farmhouse style that you develop should inform which decor ideas you put into practice across your walls, furniture, bed linen, and light fixture selections.

Luxury farmhouse design idea #2

Purpose-built rooms: luxe spaces tailored to your family

With a huge amount of available space, your farmhouse can be full of dedicated rooms and spaces suited to your family’s needs and wants. There are many custom options, like a luxury home theatre, bar, separate zones for children and parents; or even an entire private wing for guests. Games rooms and adjoined indoor/outdoor entertaining spaces can elevate your home to the next level.

Home theatre

In many homes a home theatre has become a necessity – especially for families. Movie lovers, those who want a sanctuary to unwind in a quiet place away from life’s busy places.

Outdoor kitchen

Whether you are hosting an outdoor party or just hanging out on a warm summer evening, an outdoor kitchen is the perfect place to entertain guests or enjoy a family dinner outside. An outdoor kitchen will allow you to have the convenience of an indoor kitchen, but with the added benefit of being outside and enjoying the fresh air and warm weather.

Guest wing

Whether your visiting guests are friends or family, they’ll appreciate the added comfort of their own space. Whether you’re hosting your in-laws for the holidays or your interstate friends are in town, a luxurious guest suite will make them feel welcome and pampered.

Rumpus room

When you are looking for a way to improve the value of your home — a games room is a great way to do that. A games room with a bar is a great way to entertain guests; you might be surprised at how much fun you and your friends will have in this space over the years! Meals in the dining area can overflow into a more relaxed entertaining space later in the evening.

Extended garage

Construct a larger garage with big enough floor area to accommodate all of your household’s vehicles and enough space to store your boat or caravan. You could also consider adding a workshop to store your tools in a designated area for working on projects.

Spaces for work and play

When designing your floor plan, ensure you create spaces such as a home office, kids activity area, or homework nook. These specific areas will not only encourage productivity and creative ideas, but also help keep a busy family home organized.

Luxury farmhouse design idea #3

Chic storage: classic elegance and effortless practicality

Keeping a large home organised is easy when storage is taken into consideration early on; your new home can then fit everything it needs in an optimised space. Wherever possible, try to incorporate built-in storage into each of the rooms in your home design from the very beginning, so that it can be tailored to suit your needs.

Additional space in a butler’s pantry or scullery

A scullery can be used for more than just washing dishes; it can be a central part of your kitchen storage and organisation. A scullery can help you cut down on clutter and save you space in the kitchen. It is the perfect place to keep things you don’t use every day but want to keep close at hand.

Additional linen cupboards or walk-in storage

Walk-in linen cupboards are one of the most essential elements in today’s large homes. These large storage zones are a great place to store your linens and other items that you use on a regular (or irregular!) basis; your ironing board, vacuum cleaner, Christmas tree, and other bulky items. Planning more storage than you think you’ll need is a surefire way to create a natural spot for bulky items to go in the years to come.

Overhead cabinets

Not only are overhead cabinets incredibly useful, they’re also an efficient use of space that doesn’t increase the footprint of your kitchen. These cupboards are great for keeping extra kitchen equipment up and out of the way, particularly items that aren’t used too frequently; think platters, small appliances, and special-occasion items such as kids birthday supplies and fine dining silverware.

Your own workshop

You can also create a workshop in your garage by setting aside a space to installing cabinets, wall mounted shelves, lights, and a workbench. A workshop is a great way to organize your tools and keep them in one place where they’re easy to find when you need them. Those who love camping, working on project cars, or DIY will know that these hobbies can require a lot of equipment; a dedicated space to store it all can make life easier.

Walk-in wardrobes

There are several reasons you may want to upgrade to a larger walk-in closet. Clothes take up a lot of space, and a smaller wardrobe can be difficult for children to keep tidy. The whole family will find it easier to find what you’re looking for if they have larger wardrobe spaces to store their clothes in. And of course, anyone with a shoe collection will tell you that a large, contemporary walk-in wardrobe is a necessity for displaying their favourite items.

Luxury farmhouse design idea #4

Styling advice: elevate your farmhouse with designer touches

Just because we all know styling can elevate a home, doesn’t mean we all know how to achieve it.

For both the interior and exterior, there are a plethora of different design styles to choose from; but ultimately, your home should reflect your personality and design ideas. What materials you use can determine the level of warmth and overall feel of your farmhouse.

Aesthetic theming

Browse design styles such as Hamptons, coastal, country, contemporary, and industrial to guide your material selections. If you love a Hamptons style home, you may wish to bring in hardwood floors or white weatherboard elements; if you prefer the chic converted warehouse look, you could opt for concrete-look floor tiling.

Add your personal touch

Throughout your home, don’t be afraid to mix and match design styles if it feels right to you. One of the easiest ways to incorporate a personal touch into your modern farmhouse is through your wall decor. You can do this by picking out a few old or new pieces of art that have a special meaning to you, or by hanging up a photo that is close to your heart.

Lighting can make or break a space

Lighting can help set the mood, create a feeling of warmth, or highlight architectural features of your modern farmhouse. Of course, natural light is beautiful during the day, but you may still want to add some task lighting to key areas such as the kitchen using glass pendant lights.

After dark, the brightness and temperature of your lights will define the feel of each space as it reflects off your walls; and your choice of lighting fixtures can complement the overall design style. Living spaces will require different levels of lighting compared to bedrooms and bathrooms.

Plan your colour scheme before you shop

Before you start shopping for furniture and decor accessories or choosing paint swatches for your walls, come up with a general colour palette to guide your decisions and help you create a cohesive look throughout your home.

You can go with your favourite season, use colours that evoke specific feelings, or focus on your favourite rustic natural elements. Deciding on your colour scheme ahead of time makes it much easier to shop for modern farmhouse decor, furniture, and country inspired accessories.

Bringing your design vision to life: your luxury modern farmhouse

Our bespoke approach and specialist interior design team are at your service to guide you in bringing all the elements of your vision to light. A Benlin home is as unique as you are; we create each modern farmhouse design to suit the client’s individual design preferences, family way of living, and taste. We can assist you to source the right products for your home from our selection of trusted suppliers, crafting an elegant space from the entryway to the living room, bathroom spaces, bedrooms, and beyond.