Our Favorite Ways To Style A Modern Farmhouse Staircase
The modern farmhouse style is a favorite among homeowners. This charming design aesthetic is the perfect way to add cozy warmth to any space, including one of the most high-impact areas - the staircase.
A well-styled farmhouse staircase seamlessly connects the floors of your home while providing the perfect canvas to display this beloved look. From the materials and finishes to the shapes and details, there are countless ways to incorporate farmhouse flair on your staircase. Read on as we share our favorite tips and tricks for styling the ultimate modern farmhouse staircase.
Choose Natural, Textured Materials
One of the hallmarks of farmhouse design is the use of natural, organic materials throughout the home. This focus on all things natural should extend to your staircase as well. Opt for wood, stone, jute, linen or other natural fibers to lend a cozy, casual feel to your stairs.
Reclaimed or aged wood is a perfect choice for staircase treads and risers. The visible cracks, knots and imperfections in the wood will give a lovely worn-in look. For the stair railing, try incorporating wood planks or an aged metal balustrade for an appropriately rustic vibe.
Jute and Sisal Runners
Consider running jute or sisal fiber stair treads down the center of your steps. The organic, textured look and feel of these natural runners is quintessential farmhouse.
Rustic Wood Walls
If your staircase is boxed in, give the walls a quick farmhouse facelift by installing reclaimed wood planks. The contrast of the vertical wood grain against the horizontal steps looks beautifully rustic.
Brick or Stone Risers
For another nature-inspired touch, try swapping out your standard painted risers for ones made of brick, wood or natural stone. This adds organic texture and ties in seamlessly with the farmhouse aesthetic.
Embrace Neutral, Earthy Tones
When it comes to color, it's best to let the natural beauty of your chosen materials shine through. Neutral, earthy tones like cream, taupe, gray and brown work perfectly for a farmhouse staircase.
If your stairs and railings are currently a bolder color, it's easy to tone them down with a quick coat of neutral paint. For stained wood elements like railings or risers, a matte clear coat will maintain the natural wood look while protecting the surface.
Soft Whites
Crisp white painted spindles and railings look absolutely gorgeous against wood stair treads. For a truly farmhouse feel, use an antique white paint with a soft, creamy undertone.
Warm Grays
For a slightly moodier but still neutral look, try a warm medium-toned gray. This is an easy way to give dated oak railings and banisters a more modern, weathered appearance.
Add Vintage and Antique Touches
A key element of achieving that coveted farmhouse charm is the inclusion of vintage or antique-inspired details. This is a great opportunity to display treasured heirloom finds that may have been collecting dust.
For starters, swap out any overly ornate lighting fixtures for simpler lantern-style fixtures with an antique brass or bronze finish. You can also trawl local flea markets for old paintings or prints to hang in the staircase entryway. For a fun DIY touch, create a gallery wall of framed family photos on a stairway ledge.
Aged Hardware
Updating your staircase banister and handrail with aged bronze or brass hardware is an easy way to introduce a lovely vintage appeal. Try knobs, bolts or brackets with a gently worn patina.
Repurposed Wood
Using reclaimed wood with nicks, nail holes and varied stains and textures for your stair treads is the perfect vintage-inspired touch. Let the wood's natural imperfections and character shine through.
Employ Simple, Straight Lines
Farmhouse design is all about a casual, fuss-free aesthetic. Skip elaborate spiral staircases or any curved and ornate features. Simple, straight stairs with clean lines are the way to go.
To keep things pared back, stick to traditional rectangular step shapes and thin, straightforward balusters. Wide stair rails also align better with the farmhouse look than skinny spindles.
Visible Hardware
Exposed nuts, bolts or brackets on railings and banisters give a delightfully unadorned, industrial edge. Don't be afraid to let the functional hardware shine through.
Wide Plank Stairs
Thick, wide planks are the perfect farmhouse tread material. Narrow strips of wood or carpeting are best avoided. The clean-lined look of extra wide planks is so quintessentially farmhouse.
Incorporate Industrial Accents
Blending sleek industrial elements with warm, vintage touches creates a modern farmhouse style that feels fresh and inviting. This staircase trend checks all the right boxes.
Iron pipe railings, galvanized light fixtures and metal cable accents pair beautifully with reclaimed wood. Exposed treads and open riser stairs also straddle that line between industrial and farmhouse.
Metal Fixtures
A black or bronze metal balustrade and stair railing lend an attractive industrial edge. For bonus flair, incorporate woven metal cable inserts.
Exposed Beams
Leaving structural staircase beams exposed and unadorned gives a stylish, loft-like look. The raw wooden beams contrast beautifully with dressed up treads.
Incorporate Plants and Greenery
What better way to complement the natural materials in a farmhouse staircase than by bringing in some living greenery? Dot your stairway with an assortment of plants to really drive home that organic style.
Try adorning each step with mini potted succulents or trailing ivy. Hanging planters also work wonderfully hung from the railing. Just be mindful not to go overboard with the greenery.
Hanging Baskets
Suspending woven rattan or jute hanging planters from the upper railing is an easy way to work in some fresh florals. Just be sure to hang them high enough not to obstruct the stairs.
Potted Plants
Place a trio of petite potted plants like succulents or mini cacti on each step. The eclectic mix of whitewashed planters and lush greenery looks right at home in a farmhouse staircase.
Add Pops of Geometric Interest
Modern farmhouse design often weaves in geometric patterns and shapes to provide visual interest. Take a cue from this trend and incorporate geometric details when styling your staircase.
Hexagonal stair risers make a gorgeous statement, as do circle or triangle-shaped stair treads. Circular railing accents, triangular built-in shelves and diamond window pane accents are also fair game.
Hexagon Stair Treads
Swapping traditional rectangular treads for hexagon-shaped ones instantaneously livens up your staircase. Complement them with jute stair runners for even more depth and texture.
Circular Railing Accents
Jazz up a simple wood railing by incorporating iron circles or wraps around the balusters. This is an easy DIY way to add geometric flair.
Include Plenty of Storage
Finding ways to incorporate discrete storage is key for keeping clutter at bay in a farmhouse. Fortunately, staircases provide the perfect opportunity for inconspicuous storage solutions.
Built-in benches with storage cubbies make use of the awkward space under stairs. Wall ledges dressed up with baskets create attractive display space. Even open riser stairs can stash baskets within each riser.
Under Stair Storage
Maximize the use of wasted space under stairs by building in bench seating with hidden storage cubbies. The storage potential is huge.
Woven Baskets
Incorporate loose blankets, linens and other stairway items into your decor by storing them in neutral woven baskets on ledges or individual steps. So chic!
When it comes to staircases, a modern farmhouse style strikes the ideal balance between vintage charm and contemporary function. Following these tips will help you to stylishly transform your staircase into a cozy yet modern farmhouse statement.
Remember to focus on natural, high-quality materials, weathered finishes, and an uncomplicated, casual layout. The end result will be a light and airy staircase with timeworn character and plenty of rustic warmth. Your new farmhouse staircase is sure to become a beloved focal point that seamlessly connects the home together.