7 tips for a modern country-style home

Are you one of those romantic souls who simply devour the beauty of the past? In that case, you will want your home, your little nest of loving calm and nostalgia, to reflect it too. If you are looking for an idyllic interior design, go for the modern country style. 

Let your creativity run free, take a step forward and give old traditions a fresh scent of modernity. The modern country style turns your home into a perfect place with an old-fashioned sense of calm, but also with contemporary flair and energy.

Perhaps you are wondering how to combine the charm of the old with modern elements. Take a look at these 7 tips that will help you design and perfectly fine-tune the modern country style in your home.

Modern country style, a blend of old and new

Although the country style was a hit in past years, it is still one of the most popular and sought-after interior designs today. It will bring a mood of nostalgia, tradition and romance into your home. It is in harmony with natural beauty, creating a warm, loving feel that suits a family lifestyle full of children’s laughter and pet hair.

Does living in such surroundings appeal to you? Then go for the country style, which can be wonderfully refreshed with a modern touch. Combining the old with the new may sound like a strange oxymoron, but believe us, it will give your home just the right feel of returning to old values, in a stylish modern form. 

1. Create a sense of space

Country homes of the past are known for their huge spaces. Don’t worry, even if your rooms are not enormous, you can use optical illusions to create this feeling. Choose light colours and hang mirrors. Reflected light gives the impression that you are in a bigger room. 

If the overall structure of the house allows it, remove the partitions between rooms. This gives you fewer but larger rooms that combine several functions at once (for example, a dining room with a living room). In addition, using one floor covering for the whole area also helps create a more spacious impression. 

Also take care with the overall placement of furniture and choose smaller pieces for your home. Even details like these can make your home look larger.

💡 Tip: The modern country style favours open-plan kitchens dominated by a large counter that serves as extra work space or as a dining table for the whole family. 

2. Choose natural materials

The country style is in harmony with the beauty of nature, which is why it loves natural and raw materials. Wood dominates the interior, but stone, metal and even concrete are also very popular. Glass elements are no exception either. The charm of old-fashioned materials gives your home depth and character. 

Wooden floorboards and ceilings, stone-clad walls and furniture with metal elements look great and nostalgic. Patina is also often used, letting an object tell its old story while also giving it a modern undertone. 

Details such as textiles are also an important part. They perfectly complete the right atmosphere of the overall interior design. However, not all materials suit this style of living.

A modern country interior should radiate simplicity and nostalgic memories, so it is better to avoid “more luxurious materials” such as velvet. Instead, give a chance to linen, cotton, wool and anything else that looks natural.

3. Coordinate colour tones and don’t be afraid of patterns

Light colours capture the true country style perfectly. They radiate simplicity and neutrality through various natural shades of brown, beige, grey and white. These pastel colours preserve a traditional design that brings a sense of heritage.

For a more modern touch, the soft colours are highlighted with various accessories in green, red, yellow or blue shades. However, remember to keep a sense of calm and harmony, so don’t overdo them and ideally choose just one of these colours. 

The same applies to patterns, which belong to the modern country style, but be minimalist and use them to highlight only the most important things. Focus mainly on flowers, stripes or any other simple designs.

Ideally, complete the interior with various cushions, throws, small rugs and even old crockery in an accent shade. These decorative elements will give your home character and an original modern touch.

4. Go for antique decorations in a modern style

The appeal of modern country decorations lies in the fact that every object has its own unique story. Age-old treasures can also look modern. For example, old furniture showing signs of wear is also a current fashion hit. And what about whitewashed or otherwise treated wood paired with a stylish lamp or vase? It will give your home a pleasant nostalgic yet contemporary feel.

The country style tries to return to old values (family circle, nature and so on). Every object on display evokes the past, but it also helps bring in the right mood and give heart and soul to a modern home. Various natural accessories are popular, such as wicker baskets, handmade ceramics and knitted throws. 

Layering is also very important. The modern country style can hardly do without it, because it is exactly what brings depth and warm charm into your home. Spaces filled with personal items feel more relaxed and add pleasant warmth to colder surfaces.

5. Be practical

This point builds on and expands the previous tip. Practical homes are one of the key elements of the modern country style. When designing this interior, the main aim is to achieve maximum functionality.

Today, modern designs focus on including only what has some use. They therefore avoid decorative objects that serve purely as ornaments. Don’t worry, this does not necessarily mean you cannot display your treasured heirlooms.

One practical element is, for example, antique vases with flowers, which make a great decoration and lift the overall impression of your home. Many people like to grow various herbs or certain fruits and vegetables that are then used in the kitchen.

6. Combine old furniture with new

The modern country style is characterised by the charm of old times that also fits into the present. And distinctive, elegant furniture creates exactly this impression. These are often designer pieces made of solid wood, usually treated only with oil. However, they are quite demanding to maintain, so cheaper furnishings, for example made of veneer or laminate, are also chosen. 

Furniture is often complemented by various metal elements, and more worn pieces also stand out beautifully in this design. Patina is also appropriate, adding just the right stylish touch of the past. Add unique original elements to the decor, such as lights, pictures or rugs.

Don’t be afraid to combine old with new. Even modern stainless steel appliances can create a homely atmosphere of the past and the countryside. A glass display cabinet inherited from your grandmother will also fit in perfectly. Play with unique shapes and place comfortable, ergonomic furniture with simple lines on a warm floor. 

7. Highlight imperfections and informal elements

If you want to bring the modern country style into your home, focus on imperfection and informality. You can easily achieve this by not hiding any of your home’s flaws and instead highlighting and displaying them.

This damage can be anything, from various scratches to all kinds of dents, knots and bumps. Simply put, these are things that show your home is not the most elegant and luxurious display of formality, but rather a loving, cosy embrace of home.

Even the modern country style can conjure up a pleasant, warm home. More elegant furnishings and home accessories provide the modern element, while still conveying a sense of cosiness that blends with nature and family values.

The modern style is about minimalism, so avoid a home crammed with unnecessary things. Keep only the truly important treasures that evoke nostalgia and encourage a family atmosphere. Don’t be afraid to expose the bones of your house, such as bricks, bare plaster, concrete floors and cracked wood. All of this looks contemporary, yet also old-fashioned and rustic.