Whether you’re tackling a bathroom remodel with the help of a bathroom designer, an architect or a contractor, being able to pin down your favorite style will help get your project off to a smooth start. If you love practical simplicity with a bit of modern flair and a dash of rustic charm, farmhouse style might be right for you. Read on for the need-to-know details about this popular bathroom style, including key elements, color palettes, fixtures and finishing touches.
Farmhouse-Style Bathrooms at a Glance
Farmhouse style today honors regional rural heritage and finds beauty in simplicity — without sacrificing modern comforts. Here are some farmhouse-bath elements to look for:
Farmhouse style today honors regional rural heritage and finds beauty in simplicity — without sacrificing modern comforts. Here are some farmhouse-bath elements to look for:
- Shaker-style cabinets with simple hardware
- Industrial or barn-inspired lighting
- Wall paneling
- Open shelving
- Claw-foot or freestanding bathtub
- Exposed beams and natural wood accents
What You Won’t Find in Farmhouse Bathrooms
The emphasis in a farmhouse bathroom is on simplicity and rustic charm. While there are modern elements at play, this isn’t the place to experiment with trends. Here’s what you won’t see:
The emphasis in a farmhouse bathroom is on simplicity and rustic charm. While there are modern elements at play, this isn’t the place to experiment with trends. Here’s what you won’t see:
- Supersleek finishes
- Envelope-pushing trends
- Highly embellished millwork
- Busy patterns
- Cluttered surfaces
Heritage Hues
Farmhouse bathrooms favor simple, natural color palettes. White with crisp black trim is a popular choice; for richer hues, look to nature-inspired neutrals and other classic colors.
Colors for farmhouse bathrooms:
Farmhouse bathrooms favor simple, natural color palettes. White with crisp black trim is a popular choice; for richer hues, look to nature-inspired neutrals and other classic colors.
Colors for farmhouse bathrooms:
- Crisp contrast. White, cream, black
- Natural neutrals. Buttermilk, straw, gray, khaki, stone
- Other classic colors. Barn red, denim blue, robin’s-egg blue, sage, deep green
Shaker-Style Vanity
The graceful simplicity of Shaker-style cabinetry is well-suited to farmhouse bathrooms. Shaker-style cabinets can be painted or simply finished to allow the natural beauty of the wood grain to show through. Flat-panel cabinets and furniture-style designs in natural wood tones can also work well. Bin pulls, latching hardware and simple knobs provide just the right finishing touch.
The graceful simplicity of Shaker-style cabinetry is well-suited to farmhouse bathrooms. Shaker-style cabinets can be painted or simply finished to allow the natural beauty of the wood grain to show through. Flat-panel cabinets and furniture-style designs in natural wood tones can also work well. Bin pulls, latching hardware and simple knobs provide just the right finishing touch.
Design Detail: Barn Lighting
The bold shape and industrial styling of barn lighting adds a stylish touch to farmhouse bathrooms. Look for pendants and sconces in classic galvanized steel or brightly colored powder-coated steel. Looking for something a bit different? Try simple glass bell- or cylinder-shaped vanity lighting with traditional or filament bulbs.
The bold shape and industrial styling of barn lighting adds a stylish touch to farmhouse bathrooms. Look for pendants and sconces in classic galvanized steel or brightly colored powder-coated steel. Looking for something a bit different? Try simple glass bell- or cylinder-shaped vanity lighting with traditional or filament bulbs.
Design Detail: Subway Tile
Bridging the gap between rustic and modern elements with ease, subway tile is crisp, clean and affordable and goes with just about anything. Try pairing it with dark grout for a fresh twist.
Bridging the gap between rustic and modern elements with ease, subway tile is crisp, clean and affordable and goes with just about anything. Try pairing it with dark grout for a fresh twist.
Claw-Foot Bathtub
An iconic claw-foot tub immediately adds farmhouse character. If you opt for a refurbished vintage tub, know that cast iron tubs (which most vintage tubs are) are very heavy. You’ll want to check with your contractor or designer to make sure your floor can handle it, particularly if it’s being installed in a second-floor bathroom. New clawfoot tubs made of lighter-weight materials and freestanding pedestal bathtubs also work well.
An iconic claw-foot tub immediately adds farmhouse character. If you opt for a refurbished vintage tub, know that cast iron tubs (which most vintage tubs are) are very heavy. You’ll want to check with your contractor or designer to make sure your floor can handle it, particularly if it’s being installed in a second-floor bathroom. New clawfoot tubs made of lighter-weight materials and freestanding pedestal bathtubs also work well.
Design Detail: Sliding Barn Doors
While not traditionally used in farmhouses, barn doors inside the house do have undeniable farmhouse appeal. If you install a barn door, bear in mind that they do not provide complete privacy, making them a better choice for a private master suite (as shown here) than adjacent to a gathering space.
While not traditionally used in farmhouses, barn doors inside the house do have undeniable farmhouse appeal. If you install a barn door, bear in mind that they do not provide complete privacy, making them a better choice for a private master suite (as shown here) than adjacent to a gathering space.
Trough Sink
Just as the apron-front sink adds appeal to a farmhouse kitchen, trough sinks ramp up the rural character of farmhouse bathrooms. Made from white fireclay or porcelain and with options for multiple faucets, this type of sink is ideal for busy households. And when installed as a drop-in with a beautiful wood counter — as shown in this space from Chango & Co. — a trough sink strikes just the right balance of hardworking and elegant.
Just as the apron-front sink adds appeal to a farmhouse kitchen, trough sinks ramp up the rural character of farmhouse bathrooms. Made from white fireclay or porcelain and with options for multiple faucets, this type of sink is ideal for busy households. And when installed as a drop-in with a beautiful wood counter — as shown in this space from Chango & Co. — a trough sink strikes just the right balance of hardworking and elegant.
Wall Paneling
Wall paneling is sometimes uncovered during renovations of older homes, but your home doesn’t have to have this original feature to benefit from its timeless farmhouse appeal. In this bathroom from Wild Rose Interiors, shiplap paneling adds architectural interest to a newly constructed home and sets the farmhouse tone. Tongue-and-groove and beadboard paneling are also good options for farmhouse bathrooms.
Wall paneling is sometimes uncovered during renovations of older homes, but your home doesn’t have to have this original feature to benefit from its timeless farmhouse appeal. In this bathroom from Wild Rose Interiors, shiplap paneling adds architectural interest to a newly constructed home and sets the farmhouse tone. Tongue-and-groove and beadboard paneling are also good options for farmhouse bathrooms.
Finishing Touches
Farmhouse-style bathrooms balance rustic appeal with simplicity-loving modern sensibilities. Finishing touches that work well include striped rugs and bath linens, woven baskets, glass apothecary jars, modern stools, matte black hardware and artwork inspired by farm life.
Farmhouse-style bathrooms balance rustic appeal with simplicity-loving modern sensibilities. Finishing touches that work well include striped rugs and bath linens, woven baskets, glass apothecary jars, modern stools, matte black hardware and artwork inspired by farm life.
Your turn: Are you a fan of farmhouse style? Describe or show us your favorite farmhouse-style bathroom in the Comments.
Content provided by Laura Gaskill at Houzz.com
Top 10 Most Expensive Mistakes You’re Making on Your Home
