God, I’m tired of seeing those words – “modern farmhouse” and “contemporary” – everywhere. But here I am writing about them anyway because honestly, they’re what everyone wants to talk about when building a new home.
After helping design custom homes for the past 8 years, I’ve noticed that people get stuck between these two styles a lot. And the thing is, pictures don’t really tell you what it’s like to actually live in these spaces.
Fancy Pinterest boards don’t show you how the light hits at 7am when you’re making coffee, or how the layout works when you have friends over.
Not Just Aesthetics: How These Styles Actually Live
Modern farmhouses feel cozy right away. It’s that warm hug when you walk in the door – lived-in but still pulled together. Contemporary homes can feel cooler at first, but many people love that sense of order and calm.
Makes sense why some families with young kids gravitate toward farmhouses (it hides messes better) while empty nesters often prefer contemporary’s clean simplicity.
The Defining Architectural Features You’ll Notice Daily
In farmhouse style, you’ll see pitched roofs, board and batten siding, maybe some exposed beams inside. The windows tend to have gridded patterns. Contemporary homes go for flat or low-pitched roofs, lots of glass, and minimal exterior details.
Inside, the farmhouse has all those charming ceiling treatments while contemporary lets structural elements speak for themselves.
You’d be surprised how much these differences affect your daily mood. The farmhouse elements make spaces feel established and safe. Contemporary features create this sense of possibility and openness.
Successfully executing these distinctive architectural elements requires partnering with a skilled custom home builder who specializes in your preferred style. Experienced builders can guide you through important structural considerations that photos don’t reveal-like how those pitched farmhouse roofs affect attic space, or how contemporary flat roofs perform in your local climate.
Material Choices That Set the Tone
Wood is everywhere in farmhouse style – reclaimed boards, shiplap walls, chunky wooden furniture. There’s usually some metal mixed in too, like wrought iron fixtures or galvanized steel accents.
Contemporary homes use a ton of concrete, glass, and metal. The materials are often left in their natural state. When wood appears, it’s usually in a cleaner, less rustic form.
Color Strategies: Warmth vs. Contrast
This is a big one. Modern farmhouse usually sticks to:
- Warm whites and creams
- Soft neutrals
- Maybe some muted blues or greens
- Black for contrast (like window frames)
Contemporary homes play with:
- Crisp whites
- Grays and taupes
- Bold accent colors
- High contrast between dark and light
Your personality probably already leans toward one of these palettes. I’ve seen people physically relax when they walk into a space with colors that match their sensibilities.
Space Planning and Flow: What Works for Your Family
Farmhouse designs tend to have dedicated rooms with clear purposes – separate dining rooms, defined living areas, etc. They’re more traditional in that way. Contemporary floor plans blur these lines, with open concept spaces that flow together.
Think about how your family actually lives. Do you need separate spaces for different activities? Or do you prefer one big room where everyone can do their own thing while still being together?
Furniture That Completes Each Look
Farmhouse style loves pieces with history or that at least look like they have some. Overstuffed sofas, farmhouse tables that can take a beating, lots of texture.
Contemporary spaces work better with streamlined furniture, clean lines, and often multi-functional pieces. Less is definitely more here.
Your Location Should Influence Your Decision
This gets overlooked a lot, but your surroundings matter. A contemporary home can look out of place in a rural setting, while a farmhouse might feel forced in an urban environment.
Though there are always exceptions that work amazingly well.
Resale Value: Which Style Ages Better?
Hard truth – contemporary design ages faster. The very cutting-edge contemporary home of today can look dated in 15 years. Farmhouse has more traditional elements that tend to have staying power, though the most trendy versions will also feel dated eventually.
Blending Elements Without Creating a Design Mess
You don’t have to pick just one style. Some of the best homes I’ve worked on take elements from both – maybe the warm materials and comfort of a farmhouse with the clean lines and openness of contemporary.
Just don’t go 50/50. Pick a primary style (like 70%) and incorporate elements of the other as accents (30%). This creates a home that feels intentional rather than confused.
Your home should feel like you. That’s what matters most. These styles are just frameworks – starting points to help you articulate what you actually want to live with every day.
