Tips for Giving Your Living Room a Country Feel With a Modern Twist

You might not have known, but country and modern go together. You're probably thinking, "That sounds like an oxymoron."

But it isn’t! In fact, you don’t have to choose between them when you can have both by merging them seamlessly and creating the perfect blend of sophistication and charm.

Not everybody’s personal taste can be summed up by one style, but by tastefully adding a little of each, you can create a beautifully styled room that lets you have your cake and eat it, too,

Learn how it’s possible to fit this bar stool in a country-style setting.

Add a Little of This and a Little of That 

This is specifically how you fuse that bar stool to have a more traditional feel.

Veer away from going too modern or too country, or you may find the furnishings aren't cohesive. As you’re decorating, if you notice you’re leaning far one way, bring it back with a few pieces from the other side. 

For instance, adorn the table or bar with a handcrafted wooden tray, a farmhouse-style lamp or two, an antique-looking candy dish, or wrought-iron knickknacks. You’re tipping that scale toward the country side and combining the best of both worlds.

Make the Lighting Enhance the Space 

Illuminating the space begins with making it warm and inviting for the country appeal.

Prime example: pendant lamps are rustic, but with a frosted-glass globe or a black, cage cover, you’re getting a little of each style for a big impact. Either style will blend well with either look. 

Or, use track lights. Hear us out before you form an opinion... yes, they’re about as modern as you can get, but you don’t have to opt for metal only. Instead, look into wooden options that give you the modern-esque style of track lights while including a nature-inspired element, perfect for a vintage look.

And don’t think for a second you have to limit the lighting to one option. Layering them is so modern but casual that it’s almost uncanny. By layering, we mean adding some overhead and a few table lamps or even a floor lamp or two to create depth and set the mood of the space.

Incorporate a Lounge Chair or Two 

What says down-home vibe more than lounge chairs? They literally have the word ‘lounge’ in their name, just asking for you to come and unwind in one!

You don’t have to tip one way or another with one (or two) of these, as you can find them in either style. Just beef up the other side of the fence as you’re striving for harmony and balance. 

Make a Fireplace the Focal Point 

A fireplace is a relaxing centerpiece for a living room that gives the space rustic charm, adding warmth (literally, if you have a working one) and character. It's also a cost-efficient way to bolster the coziness and aesthetics of the room, at that matter. 

If you don't have a fireplace, portable ones are available, or you could consider getting a wood stove — the ultimate in vintage style and functionality. 

While a stand-alone fireplace or wood stove brings all the homey feel you could ask for, you don’t have to stop there. Add some country appeal surrounding it, like a bookshelf for the wood. 

For a recessed fireplace, dress the mantel up with some greenery. Just make sure it’s fake if your fireplace works (for an obvious reason).

Try a painting over the mantel. An outdoor scene brings tranquility, and that earthy vibe is the cherry on top. However, a painted family portrait personalizes the space while retaining a timeless appeal. Even a seasonal display exudes that farmhouse style. 

You could also do a complete 180 when you adorn this eye-catching element. Rather than rustic, shake things up with modern pizzazz — think a mirror over the mantle or an abstract vase or two. 

Dare to Mismatch Furniture 

Your furniture doesn’t all have to encompass the same color and pattern. The concept of all the woods and hues coming together in a uniform style is so 1990s. Room fashion has shifted in a direction toward eclecticism, where contrast and individuality meet and are celebrated. 

As you clash your furniture (nothing too crazy like zebra print, flowers, and polka dot), you create a comfy feel, not too streamlined or busy but one that has depth. 

If you’re a bit confused about how to begin to pull off this design, here’s some inspiration:

• A leather sofa with a handcrafted wooden table

• A vintage-patterned rug with a solid-colored sofa

• A glass coffee table matched with a worn armchair 

• A handmade (even if it’s by not your hands) quilt over a modern-style sofa

Consider Oversized Furniture  

Oversized furniture works for either style, modern or country, when done right. That overpacked sofa makes for an inviting ambiance for family and guests. Picture it now: your kids snuggled up on the couch in their PJs, pillows, and blankies, complete with you and the family pet, all enjoying a Saturday night movie binge. That genuinely exudes country living to no avail. 

However, a generous seating area is also functional and stylish in a modern setting. It’s all about balance and cohesion. Ideally, you want oversized furniture in rooms with adequate space, or it could feel more cluttered than trendy. 

Opt for colors like black or white that give your sofa that sleek edge contemporary furnishings are known for. We can’t forget to note that it’s super simple to merge a solid, neutral color with any accessories, like a painting of a winding pathway extending to a serene creek, a wicker basket filled with throws, or a wooden lantern candle — all excellent ways to merge new and old.

And don’t forget the accent pillows; those and cozy go together with a farmstead vibe like peanut butter and jelly!

In With Both New and Old 

Aiming for a country chic doesn’t mean buying every single piece fresh off the showroom floor (or webpage). While some new pieces give the room that fresh flair, some vintage pieces from the flea market can be just what you need to tie modern and country together with a pretty little bow. 

If you’re a DIYer, refinishing a piece can be an excellent way to feel proud of your accomplishment while keeping your site set on the main concept — creating the ultimate union of rural simplicity and contemporary edge.

Modern and country don’t have to be opposites when you unite these seemingly unrelated styles to make a dynamic, stylish fusion of current and timeless elegance. While mixing it up half and half is one approach, nothing says it’s the only. So use these tips to your advantage and experiment until you find the look that speaks to you.

Unsure of where to begin? Check out the assortment of living room furniture available from Wooden Soul.