The farmhouse style is all about natural simplicity. It’s not a look, it’s a feeling. But even the most beautiful farmhouse is incomplete if the landscaping doesn’t carry that same welcoming vibe. The good news is that you can extend that warm feeling to your yard, whether you’ve got acres of land or a piece of suburban ground. This list of farmhouse landscaping ideas will help you bring your farmhouse feeling outdoors.
1. Picket Fence
Nothing says “farmhouse” quite like a classic white picket fence. It’s so recognizable that it’s become a symbol of farmhouse living. As beautiful as a picket fence is, it’s also practical. It frames your home and garden while adding privacy and security. You don’t have to fence the entire yard if you think it’s too much. Just a section around the garden beds, a small contained area for kids and pets, or a front walkway can make as much impact. Allow climbing flowers such as morning glories or climbing roses to drape naturally over the fence.
2. Outdoor Dining Area
Your farmhouse experience isn’t complete without an outdoor dining spot. Place a long wooden table with benches or a mix of chairs beneath a large shade tree or pergola. Create a warm atmosphere with simple linens, fresh flowers, and a few lanterns. It’s perfect for family breakfasts or evening dinners. Even in a smaller yard, a thoughtfully arranged dining nook can feel intimate without overwhelming the space.
3. Wooden Pergola
You don’t need an outdoor dining area to add a pergola to your farmhouse landscape. Rustic wooden beams with climbing plants like wisteria, grapevines, or clematis create a natural canopy. It’s perfect for hosting outdoor events, creating a quiet reading nook, or adding depth to your garden. Drape string lights or fairy lights across the beams to transform the space at night, ideal for sundowners and midnight parties.
4. Wildflowers
Pollinators absolutely adore wildflowers, but that’s not all they’re good for. Planting wildflowers all over your yard, in a dedicated patch, or scattered along your pathways creates a wonderful meadow. You can even allow them to spill over grassy areas. Picture those nostalgic paintings of a little girl and her border collie running through fields of wildflowers for inspiration. They even reseed themselves over time, so it’s an effortless landscaping option that gives your farmhouse a carefree, countryside feel.
5. Multi-Level Terraces
Sloped yards can be tricky and they can make it unnecessarily difficult to accomplish some farmhouse landscaping ideas. Multi-level terraces made from stone or wood will solve all of your problems. They prevent soil erosion, create usable planting areas, and give your landscape a layered look. Each terrace can showcase different flowers, herbs, or vegetables, or you can keep it balanced with a single choice throughout.
6. Outdoor Heater Accents
The farmhouse style is synonymous with warmth. With an outdoor heat source you can enhance that sensation. A stone fire pit surrounded by wooden chairs or concrete benches invites conversation, while a brick fireplace provides a stunning yet practical year-round focal point. If you prefer flexibility when entertaining, a movable grill is the perfect choice. These small impactful elements turn your yard into an extension of your living space, perfect for cooking in nature, chilly evenings, or social gatherings under the stars.
7. Porch Swing or Rocking Chairs
A cozy front porch is the final touch to a true farmhouse facade. It’s an investment that you’ll be thankful for when your hair turns gray and your mornings become intensely valued. A wooden swing, hanging bed, or a pair of rocking chairs sets a relaxed tone. Add soft cushions and blankets in natural fabrics to create a comfortable spot for sipping tea, reading, or simply enjoying the sunset.
8. Edible Garden
Homesteading and growing your own food is a privilege that comes with the farmhouse aesthetic. A vegetable patch, herb planters near the kitchen, or fruit trees along the property edge bring fragrance and flavor to your yard. It looks and smells great, attracts the birds and the bees, and saves you money. All while keeping the tradition of living off the land, even in a suburban area.
9. Birdhouses and Birdbaths
Is it really a farmhouse without birds chirping and splashing in water? Encourage winged friends to come visit by adding birdhouses, feeders, and baths to your yard. Rustic wood is an eco-friendly option that looks natural, and it doesn’t pose a risk to the birds. You don’t need to create an entire aviary, but a couple of accents will bring life and sound into your farmhouse.
10. Steel Planters or Pots
Repurpose galvanized steel buckets or tubs and vintage milk cans as planters. The weathered finish of rustic steel accents tie perfectly into farmhouse aesthetics, especially if you fill them with flowers, small shrubs, or herbs. You don’t have to worry about rust over time because the more it rusts, the better it looks.
11. Wood Planters or Barrels
It isn’t a list of farmhouse landscaping ideas if it doesn’t involve wood. Use old wine barrels, wooden buckets, or pallet planters as containers for your favorite plants. They look natural, hold plenty of soil, and you can arrange them in groups for a layered effect. The best part is that wood looks good with any seasonal plants or flowers.
12. Mailbox Garden
A bare mailbox grabs attention for the wrong reasons. Surround your mailbox with flowers, succulents, herbs, or even rocks to turn an everyday structure into a welcoming feature. Even the smallest flower bed or a single climbing plant trailing over your mailbox’s post will completely change the look. You can also add some lighting features to give your curb appeal a boost, even at night.
13. Lighting Accents
Your entire farmhouse yard can look magical after dark, especially if you enjoy late outdoor adventures or summer evening gatherings. Hang bulb string lights across your porch, line your walkways with solar lanterns, or stuff mason jars with fairy lights or tea candles. It’s a non-tacky way to brighten up your farmhouse landscape to emphasize its beauty after dark.
14. Garden Signs
Wooden signs convey the countryside feeling with words. Hang a wooden sign with a saying like “Home Sweet Home” or “Welcome to the Farm” to bring personality to your landscaping. Handpaint your signs or use reclaimed wood for a more personal effect. It’s a way to add authenticity and welcome your guests without much cost or trouble.
15. Succulents and Cacti Gardens
Succulents and cacti are both low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. They’re also a great option if you’d like to add some depth to your landscape. Plant them in old troughs, buckets, or wooden crates, or in a simple garden bed with rocks or mulch. Alternatively, incorporate succulents with other farmhouse landscaping ideas by adding them to your outdoor dining table or steel planters.
16. Antique or Rustic Garden Decor
Wagon wheels, broken windmills, ancient bicycles, and vintage plows aren’t meant for the scrapyard. The same goes for old wells and rusty garden furniture. Repurpose them as decor by scattering them thoughtfully throughout the garden or by using them as statement pieces. Any type of plants, from succulents to climbing plants, go well with antique garden decor.
17. Rustic Water Features
It’s always surprising that a simple water feature can bring so much life to a garden. Add a hand-pump fountain, whiskey barrel waterfall, or a small stone pond to your landscape. It can be a main focal point or you can surround it with greenery or bright flowers. Even a rock outline can do the trick. The sound of the water trickling brings peace to your outdoor space and it complements the farmhouse aesthetic beautifully.
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.