Farmhouse Essentials: Why Shutters Make a Difference

Farmhouse decor remains one of the most sought-after and enduringly popular interior design aesthetics. Its rustic charm and cozy warmth beckon the modern homeowner.

But what originally began as primitive 18th-century rural farm dwellings has evolved into a full-fledged style capturing the imagination.

To truly tap into farmhouse’s heart and soul requires thoughtful detailing – and no detail matters more than the windows dressed to perfection with iconic farmhouse shutters.

Read on to discover why proper shutters make all the difference in creating an authentic farmhouse atmosphere.

Farmhouse Style Explained

Before diving into shutters, let’s break down what defines the essence of traditional and contemporary farmhouse style.

Traditional Farmhouse Characteristics

• Simple one or two-story rectangular cottages
• Often wood-framed with wood or brick siding
• Prominent front porches for relaxing outdoors
• Double-hung windows with divided lights
• Sleeping lofts on second floors
• Pitched roofs often with dormer windows
• Rustic materials like stone, timber, stucco
• Inviting large kitchens as the home’s heart
• Separate formal living and dining rooms
• Modest cozy spaces without lavish ornamentation
• Natural color palette of whites, browns, blacks
• Handcrafted textiles like quilts and rag rugs
• Vintage touches like painted furniture, antiques
• Functional spaces for rural living

Contemporary Farmhouse Trends

Today’s farmhouse-inspired homes blend traditional charm with modern livability:

• Open floor plans
• Vaulted ceilings
• Earthy natural materials mixed with polished finishes
• Expanded master suites and baths
• Bonus hobby, office, and entertainment spaces
• Smart home technology integration
• Sustainability features like solar power
• Turning attics, garages, and barns into additional living areas
• Mixing rustic and contemporary elements
• White-washed woods, lighter color schemes
• Architectural metal accents and black window frames
• Antique-inspired modern furniture

The contemporary farmhouse remains faithful to the past while accommodating 21st-century lifestyles.

The Evolution of Farmhouse Style

Farmhouse as a descriptor today represents more of a conceptual style tied to wholesome rural living versus literal unadorned agrarian dwellings.

Some distinguishable movements within the broader farmhouse style include:

Traditional Farmhouses: Faithful re-creations of 1700-1900s rural farm cottages. Simplified rectilinear shapes, often one story.

Country Houses: Larger rambling two-story farmhouses with added neoclassical detailing popular in the early 20th century. Embrace more ornate decoration while maintaining farmy motifs.

French Country: Inspired by idyllic provincial French farm cottages. Feature light and airy rustic elegance.

Shabby Chic: Distressed wood, peeling paints, floral motifs coupled with refined antique accents.

Industrial Farmhouse: Mixes utilitarian metals, exposed brick, reclaimed wood, and minimalist forms associated with industrial lofts and barns.

Modern Farmhouse: Incorporates clean-lined contemporary elements like bright white walls, bold black window frames, and open concept floor plans into traditional farmhouse bones. A popular current iteration.

The farmhouse style spectrum offers varied takes on pastoral charm to suit personal tastes from classic to adventurous.

Why Shutters Matter for Farmhouse Character

Amidst the chatter about farm sinks, shiplap walls, and butcher block counters, the humble farmhouse window shutter often gets overlooked.

But make no mistake, proper shutters make or break farmhouse authenticity.

Here’s why they matter:

Historic Accuracy

Shutters originated as practical fixtures shielding farmhouse windows before screens and air conditioning existed. They exemplify quintessential heritage charm.

Rustic Beauty

Timeworn wood shutters evoke the pastoral romance found in aging barns, fences, and farm buildings subject to the elements. Textural perfection.

Country Elegance

Crisp white shutters add refined sophistication contrasting with cozy farmhouse living spaces. An enduringly classic accent.

Added Privacy

Farm life required privacy from neighbors. Closing sturdy shutters turned homes inward for family seclusion.

Temperature and Light Control

Shutters regulated light and temperature fluxes throughout the seasons on rural homesteads. Keep interiors cool and dimmed.

Storm Protection

Shutters protected fragile glass panes from errant tree branches, hail, and other storms common to farms.

Security

Locked shutters deterred trespassers both human and animal before rural electrification. Let the family sleep soundly.

Beyond aesthetics, weathered wood shutters link tangibly to farmhouse origins and function. They truly capture farm living essence.

Farmhouse Shutter Recommendations

Now that you appreciate their significance, how do savvy homeowners choose perfect farmhouse shutters?

Follow these recommendations:

Materials

• Natural unfinished woods like poplar, oak, cedar, and pine have an authentic timeworn patina
• For a lighter look, maple provides pleasing country character
• Salvaged wood shutters add idyllic weathered texture
• Composite wood shutters offer realistic woodgrain without the maintenance

Configurations

• Board + batten shutters with vertical planks suit rustic aesthetics
• Divided light louvered shutters complement heritage farmhouses
• Barn door style shutters mimic rolling originals to conceal openings

Finishes

• Stains in subdued galvanized tin, driftwood, buckskin, and barnwood tones
• Rough-sawn texture maintains the hand-hewn farm charm
• Matte black or dark walnut evoke dramatic sophisticated farmhouse
• Bright white for crisp easygoing country elegance
• Natural wood grains showcased with clear sealants

Hardware

• Black wrought iron handles, hinges, and latch hardware
• Aged bronze, pewter, or nickel for patinated character
• Rustic latches made from leather, galvanized pipes, ropes, or raw wood

Mixing natural unfinishedshutters where aging shows with painted white shutters provides pleasing contrast.

Let weathered imperfections tell the story rather than seeking flawless uniformity. Beauty exists in variations that come with age and use.

Farmhouse Shutter Uses

Beyond covering windows, consider unique ways to incorporate shutters to enhance farmhouse ambiance:

Room Divider

Use shutters as rustic room dividers or hallway screens tying spaces together.

Café Shutters

Café-style shutters neatly divide kitchen seating areas with charming country appeal.

Ceiling Accents

Hang old shutters as sculptural panels along vaulted beams.

Pantry Doors

Sturdy shutters fronting the pantry neatly conceal contents.

Mud Room Lockers

Shutters make novel doors for mud room cubbies to stash kid boots and gear.

Closet Doors

Small shutters add intricate vintage personality as closet doors.

Cabinet Fronts

Transform kitchen upper cabinets using shutters. Try open-backed to display beloved dishware.

With creativity, salvaged shutters find renewed purpose enhancing farmhouse homes in clever ways.

Recommended Australian Farmhouse Shutter Brands

Seeking well-crafted shutters suiting Australian farmhouse aesthetics without busting budgets? Consider these quality local brands:

Framed Shutters – Specialize in salvaged antique wood shutters with unbeatable heritage charisma. Vintage collecting ensures no two are alike.

Countryside Shutters – Offer durable cedar and pine shutters handcrafted from sustainably sourced Australian timber. Stunning textures.

Coastal Shutters – Perfect for relaxed seaside farmhouses. Composite woods resist moisture and maintenance demands.

Frontier Shutters – Rugged and reliable shutters purpose-built for Australian rural and Outback homes. Withstand the elements.

White Oak Shutters – Clean-lined white oak or maple shutters suit lighter modern farmhouse settings. Affordable durability.

The right window shutters tell a beautiful visual story reflecting pastoral farm living. Let timeless heritage shutters transform your home into a welcoming Aussie farm cottage.

Creative Farmhouse Shutter Embellishments

Take your standard farmhouse shutters up a creative notch with these charming embellishments:

Patterned Cutouts

Adorn shutter focal points with custom cutout motifs like flowers, farm animals, trees, or stars.

Painted Scenes

Have local artists hand-paint pastoral landscapes across shutter panels for whimsical artisan accents.

Nature-Inspired Hardware

Twigs, galvanized pipes, ropes, and antique door pulls make novel hardware.

Faux Distressing

Load on character with sanded corners, woodburned divots, visible brushstrokes, and crackle paint effects.

Stenciled Lettering

Use stencils to add the family name, quaint sayings, or dates to shutters.

Rag Tags

Tie burlap, lace, or rickrack along shutter edges for textural homemade charm.

Faux Water Marks

Strategically paint water stains along shutters’ bottom edges to emulate weathering.

Make tired recycled shutters sing or amplify the charm of new ones with these creative touches celebrating pastoral farm life.

Contact Our Shutter Experts

We hope you’re feeling inspired to create a magnificently cozy farmhouse environment using our shutter recommendations.

Our team would love to help select the perfect shutters to complement your unique farmhouse vision.

Contact us for a free design consultation or quote. We’ll assess your space, suggest creative ideas, and show affordable options to achieve shutter perfection.

Together we’ll create a farmhouse home you’re proud to call your little slice of the countryside.