Farmhouse style or Cottage style - What's in a name?

Quite a lot actually...

If I asked you if you’d rather live a farmhouse lifestyle or a cottage lifestyle which would you choose? Do they sound different to you or would you say they’re much the same?

For many people farmhouse living or cottage living are one and the same. And that’s fair enough. Both describe ‘country living’ and tap into a desire for a slower pace of life and a lifestyle more in tune with the seasons. But in terms of interior-design styles, cottage style and farmhouse style can be really quite different and - as someone who constantly veers between the two in my own home - I’ve found it helpful to try and define what it is that makes each one unique.

Why does this matter?

Well, in some ways it doesn't. However you decide to decorate your home is up to you and every home will be completely unique, woven through with personal choices and individual quirks. But being able to see the history of a particular interior style, and also being able to communicate what your style is to others, can be both interesting and helpful.

Even if you end up defining your style as 60% farmhouse, 30% cottage and 10% coastal mermaid (always interested in that random 10%), it can be interesting to sit down for a minute and have a think about why that is and what draws you to that particular style (or styles). Because each of these ‘styles’ encompasses an approach to life and a lifestyle that can chime with our own desires and in looking at the elements that appeal the most, we can sometimes learn more about ourselves and the way we want to live.

In the past I’ve definitely described my dream interior as ‘farmhouse style’ but when I look at the checklist below, I tick nearly every single box for ‘cottage style’ instead. And if I’m being truthful, every time I’ve tried to decorate in a pared-back farmhouse style I last about 5 minutes before I end up throwing a load of colour, pattern, flowers and cottage-style accessories at it. I think I want to live a minimal lifestyle, but I’m drawn to craft, pattern and colour like a butterfly to a flower.

So, in case you also find checklists helpful, here are how I define the main characteristics, and differences, of Farmhouse style and Cottage style.

See which one calls your name the loudest…

Photo by Sosey Interiors on Unsplash

Farmhouse style

This tends to describe an interior that uses a lot of raw, rustic materials and textures and has a functional beauty that’s rooted in the practicalities of country living.

How the style developed

Historically, a farmhouse was always situated at the heart of a working farm, so the house had to be practical and functional enough to withstand the rigours of farm life. As such farmhouse interior style is unfussy and has a simplicity that’s suited to a hard-working rural lifestyle; think stone floors, practical furniture and hard-working fabrics. Farmhouses also tended to be larger than cottages and often had other farm buildings attached or close by, so had a roomier feel than a cottage, with space for larger pieces of furniture such as a kitchen dresser or large farmhouse table, for example.

How it looks today

In a modern farmhouse-style interior this history is reflected in the way everything has a purpose and a function. Colours tend to be muted and natural, drawing on warm creams and natural wood tones. Practical items such as copper cooking pans, brushes and kitchen linens often double up as decoration through being stored on open shelves or hooks (see above). Texture is brought in through hardwearing fabrics such as natural cottons, linen and wool. This is a style that prioritises practical minimalism and rustic charm.

Key style elements: 

• Unpainted wooden furniture

• Tongue and groove wall panelling

• Stone or wooden flooring

• Open display shelves and peg rails

• Hardwearing cotton and linen fabrics

• Rustic pottery and ceramics

• Muted and calm colour palette

• Stoneware table lamps

• Copper pans

Photo by Megan Bucknall on Unsplash

Cottage style

On the other hand, cottage style tends to describe an interior that’s smaller, cosier and more personal than farmhouse style and draws less on utility and more on character.

How the style developed

Dating back to the Middle Ages, a cottage was a home rented out to a ‘cotter’ or farm worker and often surrounded with a small garden for growing food. It was smaller than a farmhouse and more modest which dictated a cosier interior style. Because it wasn't at the heart of a working farm, the decor could presumably afford to be more decorative and personal and much was handmade or crafted. Herbs, fruit, vegetables and flowers were often grown in the land directly around the cottage and the produce could then be turned into jams and preserves, home remedies or cooking.

How it looks today

In a modern cottage-style interior, wooden furniture is often painted a cheerful colour, or even decorated with folk patterns. Patchwork quilts, bright colours, vintage floral patterns, stripes and ginghams are all key elements and are often mixed and matched together. Antique and vintage items are prized, craft and handmade items are common and each element is woven though with folklore, history and storytelling. This is a style that prioritises traditional skills, practical crafts, and seasonal living.

Key style elements: 

• Painted wooden furniture

• Bright colour palette

• Decorative paintwork or pattern

• Patchwork and embroidery

• Floral, gingham and ticking stripe fabrics

• Folk patterns on paintwork and textiles

• Vintage quilts and eiderdowns

• Antique linens 

• Enamel bakeware 

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Looking back at those two descriptions, and seeing how many boxes I ticked for each one, I’d say my own personal interior style is currently hovering around the 80% cottage style, 20% farmhouse mark. But that could change…

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Over to you…

Are you team Farmhouse or team Cottage? Or is your style a mixture of the two, or something else entirely? Let me know which style calls your name the loudest.

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