Mirrors definitely help—I put one opposite my kitchen window and it made a noticeable difference. Not sure I'd mess with the awning fabric myself though... sounds like a weekend project that could easily turn into a month-long saga, haha.
I hear you about weekend projects turning into month-long sagas... last summer I thought painting my front door would be a quick afternoon job, but three trips to the hardware store and one spilled paint can later, I learned otherwise. Do you think farmhouse style windows work best with curtains or blinds? Still debating myself...
"Do you think farmhouse style windows work best with curtains or blinds? Still debating myself..."
I get why curtains or blinds seem like the main contenders, but honestly, have you thought about shutters? We put in wooden shutters a couple years ago, and they're super practical—easy to clean, great for privacy, and they really nail that farmhouse vibe. Plus, no more battles with tangled cords or uneven curtain rods... just saying, might save you another trip (or three) to the hardware store next time.
Shutters are solid, but personally I found them a bit heavy-looking in my space. Ended up going with simple linen curtains—lightweight, easy to wash, and they soften the room nicely. Blinds always felt a bit too modern for farmhouse style, at least to me. But hey, every room is different, so maybe grab some samples first before committing? Saved me from buyer's remorse more than once...
"Blinds always felt a bit too modern for farmhouse style, at least to me."
Hmm, really? I've seen some wooden blinds that actually looked pretty farmhouse-y. Maybe it's the material or color choice? But yeah, samples are definitely your friend—saved me from some questionable decisions too...
I get the hesitation about blinds—they can definitely lean contemporary depending on the design—but I've noticed that wider-slat wooden blinds or even bamboo ones can complement farmhouse style quite nicely. The key seems to be in choosing finishes with a rougher texture or muted, earthy tones rather than sleek, polished surfaces. I agree samples are helpful; seeing them in person changed my mind more than once...
Good points here. A few quick thoughts from my experience:
- You're definitely right about wider slats. I've installed lots of wide-slat wooden blinds in farmhouse homes, and they blend nicely without looking too modern.
- Bamboo blinds can be hit or miss, honestly. I've seen some that look perfect—especially with rougher textures—but others can feel out of place. Samples are crucial here.
- Texture and finish matter more than people think. Matte, distressed, or earthy finishes almost always work better than anything glossy.
- Don't forget about layering options either. Sometimes pairing blinds with soft linen curtains can soften the look and add warmth.
Sounds like you're on the right track... good luck!
Great suggestions overall, especially on textures—I completely agree about matte finishes working better. When we updated our farmhouse-style living room, we initially went with bamboo blinds thinking they'd add a nice rustic feel. But like you mentioned, bamboo was tricky. Ours ended up looking a bit too tropical instead of farmhouse cozy—lesson learned the hard way, haha.
We ended up switching to wide-slat wood blinds in a distressed white finish, which made a huge difference. Also, your note about layering is spot on. We added lightweight linen curtains in a neutral shade, and it softened everything perfectly, especially in the evenings when the lamps are on. Definitely recommend considering how they'll look both day and night.
One thing I'd add is hardware—small detail but choosing simple matte black curtain rods and rings really enhanced the farmhouse vibe without making things look too modern or fussy. Little touches like that ended up mattering more than I expected...
Good point about bamboo blinds sometimes feeling tropical, but honestly, it's all about context and styling. I've seen bamboo shades totally nail the farmhouse look when paired with heavier, textured fabrics or vintage decor pieces. Maybe yours felt tropical just because of the room's other elements...? Anyway, distressed wood sounds nice too, just saying bamboo can still work if balanced right.
- Totally agree context is key—bamboo can surprise you.
- Had bamboo shades in our guest room, paired them with chunky knit throws and vintage quilts...felt cozy farmhouse, not tropical at all.
- Distressed wood sounds great too, though. Either way, trust your gut and play around with textures—you'll find the right balance.