Farmhouse Backyard Ideas

If you’re fond of the farmhouse look with its rustic wood and utilitarian metal then you might want to think about the kind of backyard you can create to be in keeping with that theme.

There are some simple updates you can do in your own garden to create a comfy, country farmhouse style. So if you have this design in your home, you can simply continue this to the outdoors and relax in your very own farmhouse backyard.

Pretty Pergola in Farmhouse Style

For a backyard area oozing ease and sophistication, carve out some space to add a chunky wood pergola. This has a deliciously rustic look, especially when adorned with festoon lights for evening entertaining. 

You can install a pergola or arbor over a deck or a graveled area. But for a designer touch, why not shape the base and add a curved patio or stone seating area. 

Then style your seating, preferable natural wood or painted metal, with cushions. Then dot around neat cottage planters, all in a natural color palette. 

Evening Entertaining

To go one step further for your outdoor entertaining, you could construct a covered bar with a slate roof. For this build, use natural stone and exposed timber to stay with the farmhouse theme. You could try to build a covered patio yourself, if you have the tools, the skills and the will!

Wood benches with cushions and a woven rug will complete the look. And, if you want to have friends around to watch the game, you could even install a TV on the wall! Just make sure it’s waterproofed for those wet days or easy to remove and put away in the winter.

Outdoor Farmhouse Kitchen

So if you have covered your patio or have a lean-to in your backyard, you might want to think about adding an outdoor kitchen. For those who like to live outdoors all year round, this is the perfect solution. 

To make it farmhouse themed, use natural wood, metal hardware and a stone or concrete countertop. Very rustic!

For lighting, add metal wall sconce fittings in a traditional design and dress with jute storage baskets and natural, olde worlde ornaments and treasures.

Beautiful Farmhouse Deck

If you want to sit out and look at the savanna, prairie, countryside, or perhaps just your own pretty backyard then a raised deck will do the job.

Built from wood and kept natural or painted with a cedar wood stain, this will complement your farmhouse style. Situated under a tree would be just perfect. Add cane chairs and place planters with blooms and tall grasses for that true country look.

Pretty Outdoor Seating

The most ideal kind of farmhouse garden will have an exposed stone wall, plenty of trees and foliage, and if you’re lucky enough to have varying levels, perhaps some stone steps.

Think English cottage garden for planting. So forget exotic palm trees and large rubbery leaves and instead go for delicate foliage and blooms in pinks, whites and blues. 

For the right seating, you could install a pastel painted wood dining table and chairs. Add neutral colored seat cushions and dress the table with cute white flowers.

Al Fresco Dining

This is one of those looks for those who cannot get enough of interior design, even outside. There’s so much fun in getting the dressing right and the fabrics and place settings when you’re eating outdoors.

First, you need to get the foundations right. So you can grow a gorgeous pink flower over a natural wood arbor with trellis. Your dining chairs can be set with chintz floral cushions, and the table laid with grandma’s embroidered tablecloth.

Then, add some daisies or a similar pot plant and gather gorgeous old-fashioned glassware and dishes for the perfect al fresco lunch. Perhaps you can sit out and enjoy with a girlfriend for some salacious gossip over a glass of crisp white wine. 

Cozy Evenings Around the Fire Pit

Fire pits have been big news in recent years, and with good reason. We all like the idea of an outdoor fire, whether on the beach or in our own backyards but it can seem like trouble to organize. 

A fire pit is such a simple way to have a safe, contained but beautifully warming outdoor fire. Ideal for when the sun goes down but you want to stay out. 

You can build a circular seating area and surround your metal fire pit with wood chairs. For an added farmhouse touch, add pretty cushions and layer with blankets. Your guests can wrap up warm and continue talking and partying right into the night. 

Heavenly Hammock

What wouldn’t look more country than a hammock swinging in your backyard? Makes you think of Huck Finn, mischief and lazy, sunny days!

If you don’t have a tree in your backyard to hold a hammock, you can get freestanding versions and be safe in the knowledge that they’ll take an adult’s weight. 

For the delightful farmhouse look, create a little resting nook in the garden and surround with metal lanterns, ferns and flowers. And of course for the hammock itself, you’ll want gorgeous woven cushions and a cozy blanket to snuggle up and snooze in the outdoor air. 

Farmhouse Swing

The farmhouse backyard look can work well in just a few touches. A large antique outdoor swing will be just right for some cozy evenings or for sitting out in the sun.

While you can paint your outdoor furniture in pastel shades don’t worry about it being too perfect. A little peeling paint adds to the rustic aesthetic. So if you’ve found a gorgeous old porch swing, you might want to leave at least some of it au naturel.

Your seat should have cushions and layering of fabrics, as well as some country lighting or a string of fairy lights or festoon fittings. 

A surprising but very on-trend rustic look is to take an old window and hang it in the garden. It adds to the interest and will make for a talking point if nothing else!

Bench Lights for Farmhouse Nights

If you have a substantial wood table and bench but you’re unsure how to add lighting as there are no walls or fences nearby, then this is a super ingenious idea.

Cut two six foot logs of at least a six inch diameter, place them in plant pots and fill with gravel or cement to make sure they are firmly in place. Then position them at either end of your table and attach a string of lights across the top, a little like a washing line.

This creates the coziest outdoor eating area. Simply, effective and wonderfully romantic. You’ll be giving off that farmhouse vibe in spades. 

In Summary

For the outdoor farmhouse look, the materials are chunky natural wood or pastel-painted wood or metal, metal lanterns and abundant delicate foliage and flowers.

For something out of the ordinary in your backyard, you could add a hammock or create clever lighting over a bench. Or even hang an old window frame as a piece or farmyard art.

For those who like to live outdoors in the warmer months, then a pergola or dedicated eating area is a must. You might also like to try a covered patio, or better still an outdoor kitchen and bar.  

For the simplest of evening updates, a metal fire pit does the trick. Sit around in chunky wood seating and cozy up with blankets. The area can be dotted with festoon lighting for an easy garden update that’ll keep you entertaining outdoors under the moonlight.