There’s nothing quite like having an outdoor living space to relax, entertain, and take in the fresh air. If you love the charm of modern farmhouse style, bringing that cozy vibe to your patio or deck is easy with the right decor touches. From rustic furniture to vintage-inspired accessories, you can create a space that feels like an extension of your home. Follow these tips to give your outdoor oasis a dose of farmhouse charm.
Choose the Right Outdoor Furniture
The furniture you choose will set the tone for your patio’s style. Look for pieces made of natural, rustic materials like wood and metal to complement the farmhouse aesthetic. Here are some key pieces to incorporate:
Farmhouse-Style Wood Tables
A farmhouse table is a must-have for outdoor dining areas. Opt for a trestle table, harvest table, or other wood dining table with a classic farmhouse shape and thick plank top. Distressed, repurposed, and reclaimed wood table tops add rustic character. If you’d prefer something more sleek, choose a table with galvanized metal bases or legs. A wooden picnic-style table also evokes a family-friendly farmhouse vibe.
For smaller patios, a bistro table is ideal. Look for cottage-style bistro tables made of salvaged wood in a washed finish. A wood slab bistro table and galvanized metal chairs create a modern farmhouse look.
Porch Swings and Hammock Chairs
A porch swing is a quintessential farmhouse feature that offers seating and relaxation. You can hang a wooden swing from your home’s porch or install a freestanding swing set with an overhead frame elsewhere on your patio. For a contemporary twist, opt for a modern curved swing in woven resin wicker. If space is limited, hanging egg chairs or hammock chairs can provide a cozy perch.
Rustic Metal Seating
Galvanized metal stools, chairs, and benches complement wood furnishings without the extra maintenance. Look for vintage-inspired seating with scrolled details. A classic galvanized metal glider or vintage metal rocking chairs create a welcoming spot for sitting and chatting. For extra durability, choose powder-coated metal furniture in earthy hues like olive green, rust, or charcoal.
Incorporate Farmhouse Patio Decor
The right outdoor accents can transform your patio into a charming farmhouse escape. Focus on textiles, greenery, warm lighting, and accessories with rustic character.
Cozy Layers with Textiles
Textiles like cushions, rugs, and linens add visual interest and a cozy vibe. Outdoor pillows in weather-resistant fabrics let you carry your color scheme outside. Similarly, outdoor rugs in natural fiber weaves like jute add warmth underfoot. For tablescapes, use gingham, ticking stripe, burlap, or linen tablecloths. Hang napkins from command hooks on your home’s exterior siding.
When not in use, neatly fold throws and linens in galvanized buckets, vintage crates, or woven baskets. Use removable command hook strips to hang quilts, tablecloths, or aprons from your patio’s walls or pergola. The layered textures beautifully balance the rustic materials.
Vintage-Style Accessories
Displaying vintage-inspired metal, wood, and fabric accessories makes your space feel collected over time. Galvanized tin pails and watering cans are perfect for displaying flowers clipped from your garden. Vintage-style garden signs with cheeky sayings add whimsy. An old step ladder gets new life as a towel rack or pot rack for suspended greenery. For wall decor, hang framed botanical prints, etched zinc plates, or even repurposed window panes.
Warm Lighting and Greenery
String lights instantly create a welcoming glow, whether draped overhead or wrapped around pillars and railings. Hang lanterns from shepherd’s hooks planted throughout your patio. Their soft flicker mimics candlelight. For portable lighting, cluster galvanized buckets, lanterns, and pillar candles on tables. Potted herbs, trailing ivy, vertical gardens, and rows of planters will green up your space.
Design a Multifunctional Layout
Rather than just plopping down a table and chairs, think through how you want to use the space. Design different activity zones like dining, lounging, or gardening. Choose furnishings and fixtures to designate each area.
Create a free-flowing shape to your patio rather than just a square perimeter. Use curving borders planted with blooms to divide zones. For dining, position your table near the home for convenient access to the kitchen. Place a seating area with a conversation-friendly arrangement of chairs and sofas nearby. Tuck a metal fire pit, chiminea, or fire bowl into a corner to define a cozy gathering spot.
If you have room, build a small pergola or overhead structure to provide shade. You can hang hanging chairs or a swing from the pergola beams. Underneath, add a stone fire pit, cushy seating, and side tables to create a living room-like hangout. A built-in brick or stone bar with barstools makes an ideal outdoor kitchen for prepping meals and casual snacking.
Add Special Touches with DIY
Part of farmhouse style is embracing imperfections and a lived-in, collected over time look. Adding handmade personal touches with DIY projects is very rewarding. Plus you can save substantially by finding and repurposing flea market items.
Sand and stain a salvaged side table to use as a coffee table. Paint vintage crates in cheery colors to use as planters. Add character by painting worn wooden chairs in chippy off-white or pale blue. Use spray paint and stencils to personalize galvanized buckets or tin cans. Sew simple pillow covers and throws from discounted linen or cotton fabrics.
Display meaningful pieces like an antique washstand inherited from relatives or an old family shutter in a place of honor. The nostalgic items and homemade accents infuse your space with personality.
Bring the Indoors Outside
To really extend your interior style outside, echo your indoor decor in the patio furnishings and accents you select. For a cohesive look, incorporate greenery, natural materials, and mix-and-match pieces just like you would inside.
Incorporate Greenery
Modern farmhouse style combines classic and contemporary elements, and greenery is a perfect way to bring the outdoors inside. Adding potted plants, hanging baskets, or vertical gardens to your patio can instantly transform the space into a modern farmhouse oasis.
Use Natural Materials
Opt for furniture and decor made of natural materials such as wood, stone, or metal. These materials not only fit the farmhouse aesthetic but also add texture and depth to the space.
Mix and Match Styles
Modern farmhouse is all about blending traditional and modern elements. Try mixing vintage and contemporary pieces to create a unique and eclectic look. For instance, pair a rustic wooden bench with a modern metal bistro table.
Choose a Color Scheme
Farmhouse style typically features a neutral color palette, such as white, gray, and beige. However, to add a modern touch, you can also incorporate pops of color through accent pillows, rugs, or planters.
Incorporate Lighting
Lighting is a crucial element in creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Install string lights or lanterns to illuminate your space in the evening. Their warm glow will make your patio even more welcoming after the sun goes down.
Creating a modern farmhouse patio has never been easier. Start by choosing durable, high-quality furniture and decor pieces with natural rustic charm. Incorporate vintage-style accessories and plenty of greenery to soften the space. Use lighting, textiles, and purposeful layouts to make different activity zones. The result will be a multifunctional outdoor oasis with timeless farmhouse appeal. With a little imagination and these decorating tips, you can cultivate a patio that truly feels like home.
