Top 5 Modern Farmhouse Flooring Picks

The modern farmhouse style is a look and feel that is relaxed and warm —the epitome of "home." However, that's not to say a lot of thought hasn't gone into achieving something so...easy-going. Quite the contrary and surprisingly, an aesthetic that is so fundamentally effortless takes some planning, and the right products to complete the look.

Much like the history that inspires this look, each finish and furnishing tells a story through proudly presented (and emulated) chips, scratches and artful imperfections.

As with all throwbacks, the modern-farmhouse aesthetic is an evolution of its namesake. This traditional-made-modern decor style is more refined than its original, featuring clean and contemporary elements mixing and mingling with those well-loved and well-worn pieces that bring some country into the modern urban home.

Types of Farmhouse Flooring

When it comes to selecting the right farmhouse flooring for your home, there are many options to consider. Farmhouse style flooring runs the gamut from hard surfaces like matte-finished porcelain tile and wide-plank hardwood to carpet in neutral colorways. In this article, we will explore the top five modern farmhouse flooring styles.

Farmhouse Luxury Vinyl Plank

With rustic charm being a key element to the modern farmhouse style, it only makes sense to work it into your decor, from the ground up. Our top pick is a medium-toned oak-look luxury vinyl plank, featuring a textural and warm aesthetic that's light enough to lend that cool and casual modern-farmhouse look to a space. For your farmhouse kitchen floor, this product pairs beautifully with black hardware and white or tonal painted cabinetry. Apart from its aesthetic attributes, farmhouse vinyl flooring is durable, so it's ideal for use in heavy-traffic area such as a mudroom or foyer.

Farmhouse Wood Flooring

Natural wood is the epitome of farmhouse-chic. It's earthy, simple and it's practical, and it looks great when it carries through the entire home —including the kitchen! As the main farmhouse wood floors throughout the home, use a wide-plank farmhouse style hardwood that boasts character and charm. This beautifully complements the modern farmhouse style. Choose a oak floor that's slightly warmer in a medium brown tonal effect to showcase the natural beauty with its characteristics in the knots of the white oak which is the notable theme in modern farmhouse wood floors.

Solid vs. Engineered Hardwood for the Modern Farmhouse Style

Design by MICHELLE BERWICK  Photography by MIKE CHAJECKI

While many farmhouse style homes opt for the traditional solid hardwood floors, engineered hardwood is a safer bet for most environments because it is waterproof. It can be easily installed in places like your bathrooms, basements and laundry rooms without fear of warping or water damage. Maybe you’re looking for a farmhouse kitchen floor that remains on trend with your shiplap walls but is also protected against spills and culinary mishaps. In this case, engineered hardwood flooring is the top contender for your home. Thanks to multiple layers of laminated plywood, engineered hardwood is stronger and more moisture-resistant than original solid hardwood.

Farmhouse Wood Flooring Characteristics

Wide plank floors are characteristic of the farmhouse style, so when shopping for wood floors, consider hardwood products that are sold six to ten inches wide. Wide planks lend your home an authentic old-world charm. Wood that shows graining and imperfections like wire-brushed and hand-scraped are perfect for the farmhouse style as the natural knotting adds a sense of character. Explore hardwood species such as pine, white oak, hickory and maple as these make for great farmhouse hardwood floors.

Farmhouse Laminate Flooring 

For those who love the look of wood, but want durability, laminate products are an option to consider. Laminates have come a long way from the kitschy tiles you might remember from Grandma's house way back when. Modern laminates are available in a range of looks and styles that give real hardwood a run for its money —and they're very affordable, too. Despite the changes in laminate over the years, they've stayed true to the functional features that made them a popular choice in the first place. They're durable, affordable and stylish and thus, a great go-to solution for a quick and easy floor update on a dime.

To get the classic farmhouse style with laminate flooring, try a lighter, vintage-washed wood look. Choosing a product that's lightly distressed, fits the bill for a relaxed look with modern and vintage elements. The more saw marks, large knots, and flaws, the more character.

Farmhouse Porcelain Tile

Porcelain flooring is a great choice for homes in all styles, because it's super durable, low maintenance and long lasting. To complement —or inspire —your modern farmhouse design, check out an unpolished porcelain tile.

A matte finish is ideal for laid-back farmhouse decor, plus it's also practical, since it's great at hiding your usual daily messes. Try installing this farmhouse tile in a staggered-brick pattern to achieve a cobblestone look. Consider contrasting the tile with a darker charcoal grout, which will make the farmhouse tile floor pop. Darker grout will also keep your floors looking fresher longer, since lighter grout will stain over time.

Farmhouse Flooring Options: Carpets & Rugs

What is a modern farmhouse without some cozy soft surfaces to sink your feet into? A wall-to-wall carpet will keep a bedroom feeling warm and cozy. In modern farmhouse living room, stick to areas rugs which allow you to combine the charm of hardwood (or reclaimed wood look floors!) with added warmth and texture underfoot. Stick to a neutral palette to make the room appear fresh and open. Consider keeping patterns simple, and bring depth to a neutral palette by incorporating a variety of textures in the carpet and other textiles throughout the space.

Farmhouse Style Flooring Colors

Design by TRISHA ISABEY  Photography by TREVOR COOPER

Lighter floors are great for modern farmhouse designs. It gives you the flexibility to lay darker area rugs, and mix and match different wood tones. Find woods in lighter colors with muted shades like natural, white-washed and gray to add an airy quality to your rooms. Lighter floors also bring brightness to the room, enhancing its sense of space.

Dark vs. Light Farmhouse Flooring

When thinking about light farmhouse flooring, look for North American species such as oak, maple and  hickory as these have more character and work well with farmhouse style white washes and grays. Lighter colored hardwood species are often preferred for farmhouse style homes because they allow more natural light and open up the space. Their knots, mineral streaks and graining are also quite popular since imperfections enhance the natural character of wood.

If you’re considering adding carpet to your modern farmhouse, look for light neutrals in whites, browns, grays and even light blues. Marrying pastel colors with antique wood can bring a countrified feel into your home, so oftentimes people choose to pair their hardwood floors with area rugs.

While modern farmhouse decor typically leans towards lighter, airy looks, there are several flooring options that still match the charm of this contemporary style. For example, honey-hued hickory, pecan in warm brown tones and dark oaks are beautiful accents to any farmhouse home. Darker hardwood often adds a more traditional aesthetic to your space, so if you’re looking for a reclaimed wood feel, this is great choice. Just be careful to choose neutral shades and avoid yellow, orange and red undertones as these tend to look more dated. You can keep your dark farmhouse flooring modern with matte or satin finish, since these look more natural.

When considering farmhouse tile colors for your home, look at slate, terracotta and patterned tiles in warm browns and reds to give your space a charming, contemporary twist.

Finding the Farmhouse Style for Your Home

For neutral looks, carpet options include plush beige carpets, white patterned cut-and-loop designs, and neutral textured carpets. These carpets have all the elements of modern-farmhouse charm —simplicity, warmth, and low maintenance. A cut-and-loop product can make a space feel welcoming, while being practical for everyday use.

The modern-farmhouse look is easy going, but don't misunderstand that for thoughtlessness. It is all about achieving the right character and charm —the imperfectly perfect. This aesthetic is less about location, despite the farm-inspired moniker. It's more so suited to a particular lifestyle: pet people, busy families and those who love relaxed living.

The goal is a home that feels welcoming and comforting. It's never too precious, and features finishes that can keep up with the lifestyle. Rooted in history, this style is easy to modernize with the right elements, starting from the floor up!

Carpet One Floor & Home carries a wide selection of modern farmhouse flooring. Check out a local store near you, or browse through our selection of luxury vinyl, carpet, tile, or hardwood in our catalog to get started finding the perfect farmhouse floors for your space.