Imagine waking up to the pleasant glow of morning light streaming through your windows, casting gentle shadows across your cozy farmhouse kitchen! The scent of fresh coffee fills the air as you pull back your carefully chosen curtains, revealing a picturesque view. Quite a delightful feeling, isn’t it? Part of it is brought to life by the windows, which is why choosing them is one of the biggest home renovation choices you’ll have to make.
If you still haven’t purchased them and are looking for some farmhouse window ideas, this article is exactly for you! If you’re just looking for some inspiration on how to decorate them, keep reading, as we’ve covered window treatments as well!
Key Takeaways
- Farmhouse windows are all about large designs with slim frames that maximize natural light and enhance indoor-outdoor connections, with styles like casement and double-hung being the most popular.
- Choosing the right frame materials and glazing options is crucial for functionality, aesthetics, and insulation. Magic’s Hybrid Fusion Frame is perfect for farmhouse windows thanks to its thin profile, incredible strength, and superior energy efficiency.
- Window treatments can vary widely from café-style curtains to lace balloon shades and cellular coverings, allowing for layered looks that blend modern and rustic styles while adding warmth and charm to any space.
Characteristics of Farmhouse Architecture
Farmhouse architecture emphasizes simplicity, functionality, and a connection to nature. With a blend of modern elegance and rustic charm, this design creates an inviting atmosphere in any house! Designers who work with farmhouse interiors often make use of natural materials like wood and stone as they add warmth and authenticity.
In modern farmhouse designs, windows are essential. Typically large and generous, they allow ample sunlight to flood interiors, enhancing visual appeal and creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.
The most popular styles are, without a doubt, casement and double-hung windows for their ability to maximize ventilation and light. They often feature simple, clean lines and minimalistic design elements. Combined with the right coverings, farmhouse windows can truly enhance the decor and create a cozy, country-style retreat.
Now, let’s discuss in detail the most popular farmhouse window types!
Best Farmhouse Windows
Double-hung windows are a staple in farmhouse decor, offering both practicality and charm. They slide vertically for excellent ventilation while maintaining a traditional look.
However, casement windows are quite common in farmhouse designs as well. They open outwards like a door, offering unobstructed views and maximum airflow. The glass can be decorated with lites for a more traditional look.
Awning windows are ideal for areas needing privacy without sacrificing natural light. They can also be left open when it rains due to their top-hinged design. However, since they’re smaller than casement or double-hung windows, awning windows are usually installed only in bathrooms and basements or as transom windows.
Last but not least – bay and bow windows are perfect for modern farmhouse designs, given their timeless charm! Their multi-panel design fills any living space with light and offers panoramic views, making them standout features in any farmhouse.
Choosing the Frame Materials and Glazing Options
Choosing the right frame material is the secret to creating an atmosphere typical for the modern farmhouse design. It goes without saying that wood is the best choice, thanks to its natural beauty and durability, matching the rustic charm of farmhouse decor. However, wood can be quite difficult to maintain, so homeowners often turn to other frame materials, adding a wood-like, natural finish.
For example, at Magic, our windows are made of aluminum, steel, and vinyl. They’re much thinner than others on the market, thus perfect for the farmhouse style, and they can have a wood-laminate texture – an excellent combination!
Glazing is just as important! Energy-efficient glass options are vital in modern farmhouse windows, especially since they often have large glazing areas. In this regard, you should look for ENERGY STAR-certified windows, which usually have double-glazing, gas fills, and Low-E coatings.
Not to be overlooked are the lites, which can be added to the glass for a traditional touch, being highly sought-after in farmhouse designs. They can be customized in countless ways, which is definitely a plus!
Farmhouse Window Treatment Ideas
Now that we’ve covered the basics about this architectural style and the window types that fit it best, let’s explore modern farmhouse window treatments. Luckily, there are countless ways to enhance your farmhouse windows – while we can’t list all of them here, we hope these ideas can at least serve as inspiration!
Linen or Cotton Curtains
Linen curtains are a timeless choice for farmhouse window decor, seamlessly blending elegance with simplicity. Their soft, billowing texture transforms windows into living art, and the light seeping through them breathes life into any room! Pair linen curtains with burlap pillows, and you’ll have a layered, inviting space that feels as cozy as it can get!
Don’t forget to choose curtain rods and tiebacks carefully; they beautifully complement the curtains, contrasting their delicate nature. For example, you can install iron curtain rods, but make sure they go well with the color of your curtains.
Alternatively, you can install cotton or burlap curtains, which are fantastic for bringing a touch of rural elegance to farmhouse windows. At the same time, they provide privacy and light control.
Adding Visual Interest with Patterns and Textures
Choosing window treatments with patterns and textures can really elevate your home decor. For example, install natural woven shades for more texture and warmth – they’re made of bamboo or other natural materials and let in light and air while still offering privacy.
Floor-length rustic window treatments with classic patterns like gingham and buffalo checks are highly sought-after for their timeless rustic appeal. You can find these patterns in a range of colors, from soft neutrals to bold choices like navy or purple that add a touch of sophistication.
To tie everything together with patterned curtains, try repeating the same pattern in other decor elements, such as throw pillows or cushions. This helps unify the space, making your farmhouse windows a standout feature while keeping the overall design harmonious.
Incorporating Rustic Wood Elements
Wood elements can serve as excellent decor additions to your windows as they impart a cozy, rustic feel.
For example, you can install reclaimed wood valances or shutters or floor-to-ceiling barn door shutters, all being charming, rustic options that can easily become the focal point in any room. Plus, they’re sustainable and cost-effective.
Café-Style Curtains
Café-style curtains are a delightful addition to any farmhouse kitchen, bringing a sense of nostalgia and warmth.
By covering just the lower half of the window, they let in natural light while still offering privacy where needed. Their simplicity and practicality make them a favorite choice in farmhouse decor, perfectly capturing the traditional aesthetic. These curtains also give you great flexibility when it comes to controlling light.
Whether your walls are plain white or adorned with decorative touches, cafe curtains can truly enhance the cozy feel of the space.
Roman Shades
Roman shades are a perfect choice for farmhouse windows, as they offer a sleek look that works well with both modern and rustic styles. These window treatments can be made from various materials, including linen and cotton, to suit various farmhouse decor elements. Since they are perfect for light and privacy control, Roman shades are often installed in kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms.
There are plenty of customization options for Roman shades, so you can choose different colors and patterns to enhance your interior design. Plus, you can add standard or blackout liners to gain more control over light and privacy.
Roman shades come in two-fold styles: flat fold, usually installed for a contemporary feel, and soft fold, usually installed for a more traditional look.
However, remember that Roman shades tend to gather dust more easily than other window treatments, so you’ll have to dust/clean them regularly.
Lace Balloon Shades
Lace balloon shades are synonymous with shabby chic style, emphasizing vintage aesthetics and a soft, romantic vibe. Made from sheer lace fabric, these shades provide a lightweight, airy look that’s perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.
With new styles of lace balloon shades, it’s now incredibly easy to incorporate them into your farmhouse design. Whether you choose classic white lace or want to try other colors, these shades bring vintage charm and create a cozy, inviting atmosphere!
Cellular Shades
Let’s not forget about energy efficiency, and that’s where cellular shades come in. They have a honeycomb structure where air is trapped, thus serving as a barrier between the indoors and the outdoors.
They’re not the most aesthetically pleasing window treatments for a farmhouse design – not because they’re not visually appealing but because they’re rather simplistic for farmhouse windows and usually cannot be designed with patterns.
But, as the word goes, never say never! You can check with the manufacturer if they can match your cellular shades with other decorative pieces.
Layered Window Treatments for Depth and Functionality
Layered window treatments add depth and functionality to farmhouse interiors, offering increased privacy, light control, insulation, and visual interest. Here are some ideas on how to layer your window treatments:
- Combine draperies or curtains with shutters.
- Pair Roman shades with blackout curtains for complete privacy and light control.
- Install cellular shades for superior energy efficiency and combine them with valances.
- Combine curtains with… curtains! Install one layer of sheer curtains and complement them with thicker drapes.
- Pair bamboo woven blinds with linen curtains for a bright, airy ambiance and aesthetically pleasing texture.
- Combine curtains with Magic’s solar shades and thermal blinds.
Farmhouse Windows: Casing Ideas
Window casing may be exactly what you’ve been looking for, especially if you don’t want to frame your windows with curtains or drapes, which, truth be told, can be quite difficult to maintain.
Craftsman-style window trim is a go-to choice for farmhouse design, with its clean, straightforward lines. However, any trim can actually work well in a modern farmhouse-style home as long as it blends seamlessly with other decor elements.
Another thing to consider when designing the window casing is its color – you can either choose one that matches the walls or you can go bold and pick a contrasting color. For instance, if the window is surrounded by beige or white walls, you can go for a wooden-colored window casing – the windows will undoubtedly become the focal point! Add some other wooden or brown-colored decorative elements, and voila, you’ve got yourself a farmhouse design at its best!
Don’t forget about other decorative pieces like corbels – they can make a huge difference!
Extra Tips on Choosing and Decorating Farmhouse Windows
Settling on a window type and design is quite challenging, especially if you’re not a design aficionado. There are so many options to choose from and so many decor details to combine that the process can quickly become overwhelming! To help you, we’ve added some general tips on choosing and decorating farmhouse windows that can help you prioritize or eliminate some ideas:
- Go for windows with sleek profiles and clean lines. For example, vinyl windows are probably not the best for a farmhouse style. Their frames are bulky and limit the glazing area. Instead, you can choose Magic’s Hybrid Fusion Frame, which is much thinner because of its superior strength.
- Don’t be afraid to play with colors. While most farmhouse-style windows have earthy tones, you can easily go for black instead. Black windows have actually become quite sought-after and will likely be in style for years to come.
- Don’t settle on standard window shapes if you know you want more! Find a window manufacturer who can accommodate your dream windows. For example, you can pair a casement window installed above a farmhouse sink with an arched window, which will have a big impact on the overall design.
- Replace some windows with a window wall or a patio door for more light and views.
- When choosing a window style and its coverings, consider the maintenance they require. For example, if you don’t have too much time on your hands, it’s probably better to steer away from heavy drapes. They collect dust easily and have to be cleaned regularly, which is quite time-consuming. You’ll have to take them down, wash and iron them, then hang them back.
- Consider the climate, which matters for both window style and treatments. For example, sliding windows aren’t the best for houses in cold climates because they’re not well-insulated. Then, you should choose window treatments carefully, considering the humidity levels in your region and in your house, because they can easily get moldy or damaged.
Looking for Farmhouse Windows or Window Treatments? Call Magic!
If you’ve just started your home renovation project and are looking for the best farmhouse windows in the GTA, consider installing Magic windows, which are praised for their durability, energy efficiency, and functionality.
At Magic, we prioritize our clients’ feedback. This is why over the years, we’ve developed various advanced technologies that make our windows incredibly easy to open and close and highly durable, maintaining their peak performance for 40 years!
Additionally, we’ve built a unique screen system that improves Visible Transmittance and energy efficiency. Our windows and doors, as well as our window walls, come with a built-in, fully retractable insect screen. In other words, when not in use, the screen stays hidden within the window frame, offering unobstructed views, which is of utmost importance for farmhouse windows! Then, you can also choose to install solar shades and thermal blinds, which provide excellent light and privacy control and improve a window’s energy efficiency by 40%.
Ready to give us a chance? Contact us today for your free in-home consultation!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best window styles for modern farmhouses?
Double-hung, casement, awning, and bay or bow windows are your go-to types for the modern farmhouse style. They really help brighten up your space and keep things feeling airy and welcoming.
Why is choosing the right frame material important for farmhouse windows?
Choosing the right frame material for farmhouse windows is super important because it affects the windows’ design, performance, energy efficiency, and functionality. Choose thin frames that are made of durable materials that can withstand the weather conditions in your region.
How can I add a rustic feel to my farmhouse windows?
To add rustic charm to your farmhouse windows, try incorporating reclaimed wood valances or cafe-style curtains.
What kinds of window treatments suit a modern farmhouse?
For a modern farmhouse, consider installing linen or cotton curtains, rustic wood elements, Roman shades, lace balloon shades, or combining various treatments for a layered design – curtains with Magic’s solar shades and thermal blinds, for example.
Are Roman shades suitable for farmhouse windows?
Absolutely, Roman shades are a great choice for farmhouse windows! They have a farmhouse-matching design, come in plenty of materials, and offer nice light control while keeping your space private.