What has rustic charm and character to boot? Farmhouse design. If you want to spruce up your dining room with a bit of country decor and furniture, you've come to the right place. But what exactly makes a room resemble the comfortable, nature-driven look of this style?

Let's take a look at what furniture, decor and color combinations work well for a modern take on a timeless classic. This will help you understand what pieces and inspirations are essential before working with an interior designer to make your ideal dining room a reality.

What Is Farmhouse Design?

The farmhouse interior style is pretty flexible but is most often split into two categories: traditional farmhouse and modern farmhouse. The classic farmhouse look is often defined by a more country look, using touches of vintage flair and shabby-chic furniture. The modern farmhouse design typically focuses on contemporary pieces, clean lines and a more neutral color scheme.

Furniture for a Farmhouse Look

Rounding up the perfect furniture pieces for your redecorated space? Whether you love the tried-and-true traditional farmhouse look or the newly popular modern take, your dining room can embody your desired style by choosing the right furniture and design elements. Farmhouse furniture is big, organic and comfortable.

Here's what you need for your dining room:

1. Large Dining Table

Some of the best memories are made during mealtimes, which means a proper table is essential for families and friends looking for the best dining experience. Being able to share a delicious dinner brings the people you love together like nothing else can. Ensure your dining room table is large enough to fit everyone comfortably. You can also mix and match different farmhouse dining table styles by having a solid wood top and painted table legs for contrasting colors.

Typical tables for this type of home style are big and rectangular. If you opt for an oval or round dining table, no worries! Just be sure to allow enough spots at the table for plenty of guests.

2. Wooden Dining Chairs

Big, comfortable dining chairs can accompany the large rectangular table, giving people a great spot to sit and stay for a while. Some popular choices include rounded, wood seats with lots of intricate details and white upholstered chairs — perfect for chatting for hours without getting uncomfortable. Another fun option is metal chairs that really bring the rustic side of farmhouse design to life.

If you want to swap out regular wooden or metal chairs for benches, sturdy picnic-style seats are a great alternative that works in this style of room. You can use natural wood or black benches that comfortably fit three or four people on either side.

3. Statement Light Fixtures

Whether you want a wrought-iron chandelier or a geometric wood fixture, lighting up the dining area with a bold piece can do wonders. Typical farmhouse lighting includes black details, reclaimed wood and metal. Often, lights have exposed light bulbs, but fun options like a pendant light or shaded lamp can also look fabulous hanging above the dining room table.

If you select a larger fixture, give your guests plenty of space to stand up. Hanging the light too close to the table can make the room seem smaller and be dysfunctional or distracting. A good rule of thumb is to hang the light so its bottom is about 30 to 36 inches above the surface of your table. If you have a taller ceiling, it's probably best to add a few inches to that distance.

4. Extra Storage Hutch or Dresser

While some houses have plenty of storage for dishes, extra table mats and mugs, not all people are blessed with unlimited cabinets. A hutch or dresser set up in your dining room is a stylish solution to this problem. This piece can act as a place for extra items to live, but can also be a beautiful focal point for your dining room.

Whether you go with a solid wood option or a painted piece, a farmhouse-style hutch can complete your dining room and give your guests something to marvel at as they eat around your table.

Farmhouse Dining Room Essentials

Outside of furniture, your farmhouse dining room needs a few extra items to jazz it up. Here are a few finishing touches and farmhouse decor to include in your dining space:

5. Window Breakfast Nook

A designated window seat filled with pillows provides extra seating and influences the dining room with quintessential farmhouse style. This could be one side of your dining table setup or a completely separate eating area. Either way, a padded window seat can make the room feel extra cozy and add a pop of color to your neutral space.

6. Exposed Ceiling Beams

Whether you want a super antique look or desire a more modern spin, having exposed ceiling beams can provide the farmhouse allure you're looking for. If going for a more modern farmhouse dining room, cleaned-up dark wood works wonders for creating visual appeal. If opting for a less simplistic look, reclaimed wood beams embody a wood cabin or vintage barn — perfect for true farm lovers.

7. Earthy Colors

While there aren't any rules against using bright shades, most farmhouse dining rooms opt for neutrals. Colors like white, sage green, blue and dark brown are all wonderful options when picking an area rug, table centerpieces, wall art and draperies. These soothing hues are great conversation starters and can make your guests feel right at home.

Test out color placement by experimenting with different neutral-colored throw pillows in your window seat, dining table legs, linen draperies and artwork hung up on the walls.

8. Layered Textures

Modern farmhouse lovers know achieving the look is all about layering contrasting textures and materials. This could include rattan chairs and a wooden table or a linen lampshade on a brass light fixture. Combining several materials gives your eyes plenty to look at, making the room automatically more inviting — especially when paired with bright white walls and lots of natural light.

In your breakfast nook, play around with different types of fabric pillows, from woven knits to soft cottons. When placed on a padded bench seat and near draperies, all these textiles can work together to make an alluring spot to start your day with a cup of joe.

9. Shiplap Paneling

Shiplap has been popular for a while, and it's been associated with farmhouse styles since Joanna Gaines consistently used it in her home designs on HGTV. Homeowners have fallen in love with this calming wall design. These panels can fill your wall from floor to ceiling or be cut off in the middle for visual contrast. Paint them white or play around with fun colors like sage green, gray or dark brown.

10. Open Shelving

Kitchens aren't the only room where you can hang open shelving. Wooden shelves are a beautiful place to put your favorite family pictures, heirlooms, vases or sea shells from vacation. Choose one long piece or stack a few on top of each other. Not only does this make a fun display for your prized possessions, but it can be a focal point for your dining room.

Make Your Farmhouse Dreams Come True

You don't have to live in the country or have any animals to bring the charm and beauty of farmhouse living to your space. After you reach out to us, a personal decorator will visit your home to help you discover your style and what you want your dining room to look like. The interior decorator will come up with a blueprint for the space to achieve your desired style and layout.

If you're ready to get started, then we're excited to help! Find a decorator near you to create the farmhouse dining room for your family and friends to enjoy.