Different farmhouse styles have evolved and have been increasingly rising in popularity for years. Nowadays, many homeowners and designers are looking at these kinds of styles as inspiration for their new construction or even home improvement project.
If you’re planning to build a new house or thinking of remodeling and are currently choosing between Industrial Farmhouse and Modern Farmhouse, then this article is for you.
We will break down the two farmhouse styles, Industrial Farmhouse and Modern Farmhouse, including their differences to help you decide which one suits your preferences and needs. Keep reading for our comprehensive comparison guide to Industrial and Modern Farmhouse styles.
What is an Industrial Farmhouse?
The industrial farmhouse is one of the different farmhouse styles. It is a home decorating style that integrates the industrial and farmhouse decor trends to create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere with the rustic and weathered aesthetic.
This type of home decorating style balances the contrast between the two home decorating styles, urban and rural, by merging the old and new, soft and hard, vintage and modern accessories, accents, patterns, finishes, and textures. It creates a contemporary yet timeless minimalist look.
This type of home decorating style balances the contrast between the two home decorating styles, urban and rural, by merging the old and new, soft and hard, vintage and modern accessories, accents, patterns, finishes, and textures. It creates a contemporary yet timeless minimalist look.
It was said that the Industrial Farmhouse style was based on the Industrial Revolution, where a period of major transition in social and economic innovation began during the late 1700s and early 1800s. The agricultural or rural societies transformed into industrialized, urban communities, hence the hybrid of two home decorating styles.
What is a Modern Farmhouse?
The Modern Farmhouse style is one of the farmhouse styles rising in popularity over the past years. It combines sleek, modern, or industrial elements with the rustic farmhouse aesthetic and other natural elements to create a sleek yet homey contemporary design.
This type of home decorating style features the perfect balance between the homey country vibe and stark minimalism to create a chic yet refined design style comparable to Scandinavian design.
The term modern farmhouse hasn’t been utilized until 2016 when New York Times article used the term to describe a featured home makeover. After that, the phrase modern farmhouse grew in popularity as many people have been searching it on Google. The style also popped over different social media sites, including Pinterest and Instagram.
Industrial Farmhouse vs Modern Farmhouse: Color Comparison
Both Industrial Farmhouse and Modern Farmhouse play by a neutral color scheme or palette.
we refer you to read our article on farmhouse roofing color schemes for more details.
However, for the industrial farmhouse, it utilizes more of the cooler neutral tones in darker shades, including the spectrum of white, black, grey, and brow with wood tones. In comparison, the modern farmhouse uses cool to warmer neutral tones, such as white, off-white, greige, taupe, and gray.
The two home decorating styles also incorporate darker or bolder accent colors, such as cream tones, deep red, mustard yellow, navy, and many more, adding a pop of color and edge.
A neutral color scheme with different layers or tones for the two farmhouse styles gives the space a balanced, clean, cozy yet sophisticated look. It also gives flexibility or freedom to experiment with different textures, finishes, and accessories to bring out the design elements and provide dimension.
Different layers of neutral tones also allow the space to look more open, larger, and airier. It also works well and is compatible with a wide range of styles, providing a perfect backdrop or foundation for decorating.
Industrial Farmhouse vs Modern Farmhouse: Key Elements Comparison
Various key elements make up an industrial farmhouse’s rustic yet comfortable look. One of the most important key elements for this style is focusing on repurposed or new materials that look antique or old to create a weathered, rugged, and natural look. Examples of staple materials for the industrial farmhouse style are reclaimed coffee tables, bookshelves, dining tables, wood surfaces, shiplap, and unfinished hardwood furniture.
Another key element for an industrial farmhouse is existing structural elements, such as an open floor plan, bare lights, exposed brick walls, piping, wiring, ductwork, wood ceiling beams, high ceilings, concrete floors, counters, and metal-grid windows.
In addition, architectural fixtures and other elements for industrial farmhouses focus on clean, strong lines solid, and clean graphic lines using copper, stainless, black metal, or oil-rubbed bronze as a contrast to the wood. Weathered leather or natural textiles for accents and furniture are also a must for this farmhouse style to create coziness and warmth.
One key element of the modern farmhouse style is using natural materials and textures to create the perfect blend of authentic, traditional, and comfortable looks. Natural textures and materials include wood floors and furniture made of cotton, sisal, bamboo, rattan, wicker, woven furniture, linen, canvas, leathers, stone, fabrics, and galvanized metal.
This farmhouse style also incorporates another key element, weathered finishes, to the modern features to embody the perfect mix of a conventional and contemporary approach. It includes salvaged materials, reclaimed wood, vintage accessories, or vintage-inspired decor pieces, adding a vintage finish, rustic texture, and warmth.
In addition, another key element for a modern farmhouse is accessories using industrial fixtures to create a sophisticated and sculptural detail. It includes accessories, such as wrought iron accents, stainless steel, granite countertops, sleek lighting, window frames with black accents, railings, hardware, and other light fixtures.
Using accessories also provides a focal point and highlights the design elements. Modern farmhouse style also focuses on geometric decorative pieces for a minimalistic approach.
Industrial Farmhouse vs Modern Farmhouse: Final Showdown
Both Industrial and Modern farmhouse styles provide a cozy, comfortable yet contemporary look by using various key elements like natural and repurposed materials with a touch of steel and metal accents.
The Industrial farmhouse style embodies the combination of industrial decorative elements and traditional farmhouse look for a rustic yet homey appeal to a living space. It is also rooted in the transition of farmhouses and old factory designs to comfortable living spaces.
On the other hand, the Modern farmhouse focuses on clean lines and modern, minimalist design with weathered farmhouse designs for a sophisticated yet contemporary look. This style is somewhat similar to the country style but keeps the accessories to a minimum.
If you prefer a farmhouse style that is more rustic and uses darker accent colors, textures, and finishes, then the industrial farmhouse style is for you. On the other hand, if you want more sleek, clean, white, and shiny design elements, the modern farmhouse style is more suitable.
