Meet Modern Cottage: The New Take on Farmhouse | Havenly (2024)

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Meet Modern Cottage: The New Take on Farmhouse | Havenly (1)

WORDS BY Kelsey Clark

Published on March 26, 2024

Home » Havenly Posts » Design 101 » Is Modern Cottage The New Modern Farmhouse? We Say Yes

Like us, you’ve probably noticed a new design movement unfolding online and IRL. It involves sink-into-me furniture, organic textures like linen and wood, and vintage accents (like Persian rugs) alongside edgier sculptural pieces. It’s a little country, a little modern, and there’s a lot to love about it. We’re calling it “modern cottage,” and it’s basically a chicer, more elevated interpretation of farmhouse style.

Don’t get this confused with cottagecore, which is much more whimsical (and involves all things floral). Rather, modern cottage combines the rustic and welcoming sensibilities of countryside living with contemporary twists that feel undeniably cool. The end result is a liveable, original space that prioritizes warmth, comfort, and style.

Ahead, find everything you need to know about the trending modern cottage aesthetic, plus tips and inspiration directly from our lead designers.

Meet Modern Cottage: The New Take on Farmhouse | Havenly (2)

Design by Brady Burke, Havenly lead designer

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The evolution of “modern cottage”

First things first: Where did modern cottage come from? As mentioned above, this emerging aesthetic takes inspiration from classic farmhouse style, which is warm, homespun, and comforting. But true to form, this look has evolved considerably and has only gotten more elevated with each passing year.

  • The 90s: Farmhouse masqueraded as “shabby chic” during this iconic decade. Think: florals, ruffles, and lots of distressed white furniture.
  • The early 2000s: Enter the ubiquitous and universally loved Pottery Barn era (who could forget the apothecary table from Friends?). This iteration was all about rustic woods, heftier furniture, brand-new pieces designed to look old, and all of the canvas accents.
  • 2010: This is when things got a bit more industrial, thanks in part to Restoration Hardware. Enter exposed lightbulbs, clean and modern lines, elegant neutral palettes, and even more reclaimed wood.
  • 2013: This year was all about Chip and Joanna Gaines and their hit show, Fixer Upper. They pioneered (pun intended) a new flavor of the farmhouse aesthetic —one with plenty of rustic heart, lots of vintage finds, and clever DIYs. Currently, when folks think of farmhouse, they think of Joanna Gaines and Magnolia.
  • 2022 and beyond: There’s a new kid on the block: modern cottage. It’s got all of the heart-warming and rustic accents that you know and love, but with a much-needed edge. It’s like rock-and-roll and country combined, with iconic designers like Leanne Ford leading the way.

Meet Modern Cottage: The New Take on Farmhouse | Havenly (3)

Design by Melissa Wagner, Havenly lead designer

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Why we’re loving it

The modern cottage aesthetic is truly a best-of-both-worlds situation: it combines the hospitality, comfort, and rustic warmth of farmhouse style with the edge and sophistication of modern design. Rather than being too much of one thing, it thrives on contrast. Think: a vintage wooden bookshelf lined with antique books framed by a marble plinth coffee table and a bouclé accent chair. It’s equal parts welcoming and aspirational; livable and original; cozy and unequivocally cool. It embraces imperfections and feels perfectly “lived-in” without being too kitschy.

Meet Modern Cottage: The New Take on Farmhouse | Havenly (4)

Design by Vivian Torres, Havenly lead designer

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How to pull off “modern cottage” in your home

While design almost always defies categorization, there are a few unifying elements that tie the modern cottage aesthetic together. To pull off the look in your space, consider our notes below:

  • Cozy, sink-into-me furniture (specifically slipcovered sofas and chairs)
  • Rustic and reclaimed wood for organic warmth
  • Natural textures like linen, straw, jute, and shearling
  • Neutral colors like whites, beiges, blacks, blues, and even moody sage
  • Vintage decor and family heirlooms (especially rugs and artwork)
  • Mixed metals, especially brass alongside matte black
  • Artisan accents like bowls, vases, and other collected pottery
  • Subtle patterns, like a hint of plaid or floral
  • Chips, cracks, and flaws in furniture and decor for a well-loved vibe
  • Minimal and simple, but warm
  • Foraged greenery and fresh flowers

Meet Modern Cottage: The New Take on Farmhouse | Havenly (5)

Design by Kelsey Fischer, Havenly lead designer

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Inspired to give the modern cottage aesthetic a spin in your own space? Our designers are standing by to help you pull together ideas and curate all the pieces you need to pull it off. Get started with our style quiz.

Words by Kelsey Clark

Meet Modern Cottage: The New Take on Farmhouse | Havenly (2024)

FAQs

How to get the modern cottage look? ›

Typically a modern cottage home will have a very light and neutral color palette perhaps with a few minimal pops of color and a lot of patterns. The use of pattern helps emphasize more natural colors while the main base of your furnishings and decor should be neutral.

What is the difference between a modern farmhouse and a modern cottage? ›

Modern Farmhouse touts a streamlined simplicity through tight neutral color stories, like white, cream, tan, and gray solid upholstery, whereas cottagecore tends to take more liberties through old-world accents and artwork, leaning into florals and embroidery with the intention of a look curated over time.

Is Modern farmhouse still in style in 2024? ›

If you love the charm and coziness of farmhouse-style homes, you're in luck – farmhouse decor and modern farmhouse design are still going strong in 2024!

Can you mix modern with cottage? ›

The modern cottage aesthetic is truly a best-of-both-worlds situation: it combines the hospitality, comfort, and rustic warmth of farmhouse style with the edge and sophistication of modern design. Rather than being too much of one thing, it thrives on contrast.

How do you get the modern farmhouse look? ›

Combine sleek wood, metal finishes, polished stone, exposed brick, and woven fabrics to achieve a cozy and effortless modern farmhouse aesthetic. Opt for white oak cabinetry and brass fixtures in the kitchen or a sisal rug and relaxed linen upholstery in the living room.

How do you make a new house look like a cottage? ›

How to Make Your Home Feel Like a Cottage
  1. Look for natural materials to incorporate into your home. ...
  2. Decorate with nature-inspired art. ...
  3. Stick to a pastel color palette. ...
  4. Try using wallpaper. ...
  5. Fill your space with nature. ...
  6. Get cottagecore-inspired light fixtures. ...
  7. Bring coziness to your living spaces with comforting textiles.
May 3, 2022

Can you mix modern and modern farmhouse? ›

So, can you mix contemporary and farmhouse decor? The short answer is yes. The beauty of contemporary farmhouse design is that it allows you to stay true to Americana roots while using sleek and modern lines and materials throughout your home.

Can you mix farmhouse and cottage? ›

As you can see, with some main characteristics in common, the starting point of both the farmhouse and cottage look is the same, making it easy to blend the two styles.

What style is replacing modern farmhouse? ›

“I think a more Euro-cottage look has already replaced Modern Farmhouse,” agrees Harrison, describing this emerging style as “more cozy and with more character, that shows more as a collection of pieces over time, rather than everything matching and being perfectly neutral.”

Are barn doors still in style in 2024? ›

Barn doors look great on a farm but in an urban residence it looks out of place. The biggest 2024 design trend we're seeing is geographically appropriate designs. Like shabby chic and the modern farmhouse, barn doors should go back to where they came from and stay there…the farm.

Is modern farmhouse too trendy? ›

Today's Modern Farmhouse tends to include elements of industrial and primitive style; loosely defined as rustic, yet chic, contemporary, yet country, modern farmhouse style marries what we hope is the best of old and new. And, if you're wondering if it is, finally, out of style, the answer is no.

Is Buffalo Check still in style in 2024? ›

Additionally, combining subtle patterns like gingham, buffalo check, and floral prints will add a touch of playfulness to the overall aesthetic. While neutral tones form the foundation of farmhouse decor, 2024 will introduce bold color accents to infuse spaces with personality.

How to decorate a modern cottage? ›

Key Elements of Modern Cottage

That said, this decor style is a fluid one, so you should make it your own. Cool, neutral color palettes: Focus first one neutrals such as white and gray and then fold in bold accents where you can. Exposed beams: Where you can, expose natural beams to give a rustic look and feel.

Can you mix French Country with Modern farmhouse? ›

Mix It Up

Lauren Vandiver combined two of our favorite styles, French country and modern farmhouse, into her living space, proving that mixing and matching different looks can most certainly be done in a stylish manner. Once again, we love the presence of the gold ornate mirror on the wall.

How can I make my home interior look modern? ›

Popularly, a modern home design uses neutral colors to elevate the sense of functionality. You can use black, white, grey, or beige colors on the walls and most of your furniture. Since these monochromatic shades tend to make the space feel dull, you can add pops of color to your home decor.

What is the new cottage style? ›

The modern cottage look embraces the antique aesthetic, but folds in modern elements such as moody paint colors, reclaimed wooden pieces, and chunky textiles.

How do I make my cabin look modern? ›

Styling with black accents throughout your cabin is a great way to add modernity. Here, black pendant lights and black trim window frames anchor the room while the natural color scheme, soft textures, and wooden beams on the ceiling keep everything feeling rustic.

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