What to do we mean by replace this with that? Are you looking to update your home, but you aren’t sure where to start? Well, I’m so glad you’re reading this! It’s about that time of year again and I had the privilege to attend the Bryan-College Station Parade Of Homes. It was there I was able to check in on what’s trending from the top builders and interior designers in the area.
Luckily for me, with it being in Texas, a majority of the homes still featured modern farmhouse design! I was so excited to see some new trends emerge, some of them I predicted and some that were just a pleasant surprise. Fortunately, a lot of the new trends are simple to update.
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Replace This With That
Now I know not everyone wants to have the “trendy home,” and that’s perfectly okay! I understand it can be financially irresponsible to redecorate every time a new trend emerges or you may prefer to keep an original look that defies the trends. This is why I’ve compiled a few simple “replace this with that” options you can make to update your farmhouse if you choose! If trends aren’t your thing, keep reading as well because a few of these updates are still quite classic!
Say Goodbye To Word Signs
I toured over 20 homes in 48 hours and not a single one of them had a word sign in sight. What they did have though, were stunning works of art hung throughout the home. If you’re looking to update your modern farmhouse, clear out those words signs and make room for some artwork! These are the perfect anchors or focal points for any room.
Need some suggestions on where to put your art? Here are a few suggestions:
- On or above the mantle in your living room
- Above or on your entryway table in the foyer
- Above your bed
- On a decorative shelf
There are plenty of places to hang your unique piece, but it’s more important to ensure it’s sized appropriately for the space. A general rule of thumb is to multiply the width of your wall by .57 to get the ideal width of your artwork. If you’re using multiple pieces, follow that same guide while allowing for 2-3 inches between each frame.
Hello Color!
I think I’ve said this before, but the color is back! No more neutral rooms with grey walls and neutral decor. Instead, modern farmhouse design is bringing back color, especially one color specifically. Can you guess it? If you guessed blue, you got it!
I would say 95% of the houses had blue in their designs this year and I LOVE IT! Blue is such a classic farmhouse color and there are so many unique ways to incorporate it into your home. Whether you add a printed tile on your floor or backsplash, update your bedroom linens or add in a few blue decorative accents, blue can add the perfect pop of color to your home.
Bring In Gold & Black
While a nice nickel or oil-rubbed bronze became a popular farmhouse finish, matte black has come in and stole the show. I don’t know what it is about these two finishes, but they instantly make any space feel more luxurious. I knew this swap was coming but seeing it in action from doorknobs to faucets and pulls was a magnificent sight to behold. Truly, the upgraded hardware makes a major difference in any space they’re in.
I do need to clarify a bit more about what I mean when I say gold. I’m not talking about the cheap, antique gold finish that used to plague houses in the early 2000s. The new “gold” is more of polished or satin brass. This accent truly elevates and compliments the new trend of color, especially the bolder, moody colors!
Spice Up Your Doors
If you’re going to upgrade your hardware, it deserves a beautiful backdrop. Swap out those plain white doors and trim for grey or black. One of my favorite trends I noticed was the painted doors and trim. There was just something magical about a grey or black painted door and trim that completely transformed the space to a whole new level of fabulousness.
While this may not be everyone’s cup of tea, anyone can do this (and it’s pretty affordable). If you decide to go this route, I do highly recommend continuing this throughout the entire home. It may be a bit time-consuming, but the finished product will be well worth the effort!
Make Your Lighting Art!
With light fixtures being easy to swap out, this is an easy change to make! Replace your old, basic light fixtures with new abstract ones. Although we’ve always known that light fixtures can elevate a room, I don’t think they have always been used to their full potential. I loved how the houses on the parade utilized the light fixtures as true works of art.
Some of the light fixtures, like this one, had movable arms that you could bend into the exact shape you wanted. The unique and abstract light fixtures I saw throughout the home designs, truly brought out the modern in modern farmhouse. When it’s time to replace this with that, making this swap will certainly help any room transform into something special.
