If you’ve ever looked at country and farmhouse decor and thought they seemed interchangeable, you’re not alone. Both styles create a relaxed atmosphere, often incorporating rustic wood, vintage accents, and a sense of nostalgia. However, while they share similarities, they each have distinct characteristics that set them apart.
Country style leans into traditional charm with rich colors, bold patterns, and a collected-over-time feel. Farmhouse decor, on the other hand, has evolved into a more modern, minimal aesthetic, using neutral tones, clean lines, and a focus on practicality. So, how do you decide which style suits your home best? Let’s break down the key differences.
What Defines Country Style?
Country style is all about personality, and heritage. It embraces inviting colors like deep reds, warm blues, and buttery yellows that create a sense of comfort. Patterns play a major role, with florals, plaids, and patchwork designs bringing in that traditional, homey feel. Every piece in a country-style space feels intentional, often featuring vintage-inspired furniture and textiles that add a lived-in feel.
Country style is all about layering textures, making it perfect for seasonal transitions. In colder months, heavy quilts and braided rugs add a laid-back warmth to your space.
If you love a space that feels full of character, country style might be the right fit.
What Is Farmhouse Style?
Farmhouse style takes a more understated approach, emphasizing simplicity, function, and open spaces. Instead of bold colors and patterns, farmhouse decor leans into a neutral palette—whites, grays, and earthy tones—that create a fresh, timeless look. Natural textures like reclaimed wood, linen, and metal add depth without overwhelming the space.
This style is all about balance—airy, breathable fabrics paired with structured furniture to keep the home feeling light and uncluttered. Farmhouse spaces often feature coordinating decor, such as matching curtains, bedding, and shower accents, to create a cohesive look across multiple rooms. Vintage, industrial style wire baskets, wind vanes, washboards, or turn-of-the-20th-century rural farm objects can be used sparingly to evoke a bygone era.
If you prefer clean lines, minimalism, and a relaxed but polished atmosphere, farmhouse style may be the perfect choice.
Key Differences Between Country and Farmhouse Styles
So, what are the key differences between these two styles? While country and farmhouse styles share a love for warmth and nostalgia, they have some key differences that set them apart. The biggest one is colors. Country decor isn’t afraid of rich hues like deep reds, blues and even darker tones, while farmhouse sticks to a neutral palette of whites, grays and earthy shades for a cleaner, more understated look, saving color for carefully chosen “pops” to add energy.
Patterns are also a major difference between the two styles, playing a big role in differentiating them. Country loves classic prints like florals, plaids and ruffles, while farmhouse is more about solids, simple stripes, checks or natural textures.
Which Style Is Right for You?
So, which one is right for you? It really comes down to if you’re looking for a lived-in feel or a more modern feel.
You Should Choose Country Style Home Decor If…
If you love warm colors, vintage-inspired furniture and decorative touches that tell a story, country style might be the perfect fit. It’s great for those who appreciate a collected-over-time look with plenty of personality. Maybe you love the bold yet vintage-inspired table linens, rustic country quilts or the feel of traditional curtains—if that sounds like you, then country decor is definitely your style.
So, to sum up, if you like the following, country style is for you:
- Warm colors
- Bold but traditional patterns
- Patchwork quilts
- Braided rugs
- Laid back and comfortable look and feel
If you love these elements, embrace country-style home decor.
You Should Choose Farmhouse Style Home Decor If…
On the other hand, if you’re drawn to a more neutral color palette, clean lines and simple, functional pieces, farmhouse-style home decor might be more your speed. This style is perfect for those who prefer a clutter-free space with a relaxed yet polished look. Farmhouse decor leans into natural materials like wood, metal and linen, creating a fresh and airy feel. If this sounds like you, then modern farmhouse decor is a great choice.
So, to sum up, if you like the following, farmhouse style is for you:
- Neutral tones
- Minimalism
- Clean lines
- More understated patterns
- Vintage farm objects and industrial materials
If you love these elements, embrace farmhouse-style home decor.
What If You Like Both?
Okay, but what if you like both styles? There’s nothing that says you need to stick to one style or the other. You can mix elements from both styles in certain spaces of your home. You could also vary the type of decor style by room if you want to.
For example, maybe you love the soft colors and patterns of country decor but want to balance them with the clean simplicity of farmhouse furniture. Or perhaps you prefer a mostly farmhouse look but want to add a few country accents to add character and warmth to your room. This approach allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
If you’re not sure where to start, try looking at small decor pieces from each style and see what speaks to you. A neutral farmhouse sofa can look beautiful paired with a floral country-style throw pillow. A rustic farmhouse dining table can feel extra inviting with a classic country-style braided rug underneath. What’s really important is to create a space that feels comfortable and—most importantly—something that makes you happy.
So, it’s important to note that both country and modern farmhouse decor styles bring comfort and a laid-back feel to a home. However, they do this in their own unique ways. Whether you love the cozy, collected feel of country style or the fresh, airy look of farmhouse, there’s no wrong choice—it’s all about what makes your space feel like home.
So, which style speaks to you the most? Are you drawn to the timeless feel of country decor, or do you love the simplicity of modern farmhouse style?
If you’re in the market for some new home decor, don’t forget to browse our wide selection at Country Village Shoppe. We have everything from curtains to bedding to kitchen accessories! We’re sure to have something that you’ll love as you decorate your home.