Feeling bored by the modern farmhouse look? An interior designer in Canada has revealed how homeowners can refresh their spaces and move away from the now-ubiquitous home design trend.
Courtney Ungaro, 41, based in Kelowna, British Columbia, has been an interior designer for 20 years and launched her firm, Courtney Ungaro Space + Design (CUSD), in 2018. She and her team work remotely on residential and commercial projects across North America.
In a video shared on her TikTok account @courtneyungarodesign, Ungaro highlights some key tips for those who have fallen “victim” to the trend that’s been popular among millennials, those born roughly between 1981 and 1996.
She says in the viral video: “What do you do if you were a victim of the modern farmhouse trend that a lot of you got suckered into over the last few years?”
In the video, titled “How to cure the modern farmhouse,” Ungaro acknowledges that modern farmhouse homes are often beautiful but notes that the style has become so widespread that “every one of your neighbors now has the same house.”
A ‘Victim’ of This ‘Out of Style’ Trend
Speaking to Newsweek, Ungaro defines modern farmhouse as “a mix of ‘rustic’ and ‘contemporary’ styles.”
“It is often a mix of bright white exteriors, black windows, and light/warm grey wood tones. Interiors are often light/warm grey hardwood floors, bright white walls/shiplap, millennial grey accent walls, and black metal accents. It started to take off about 10 years ago in Western Canada and I think it is now out of style because it has been oversaturated in new homes & renovations,” she told Newsweek.
The appeal of the style was its balance between tradition and modernity. “The modern farmhouse was an approachable design style when homeowners were wanting the warmth of traditional styles and the clean lines of contemporary homes. It is an easy design style to replicate for builders and homeowners to do themselves,” Ungaro explained.
Now, she says, homeowners are seeking ways to personalize their spaces and break away from the trend.
@courtneyungarodesign on TikTok
How To ‘Cure’ Your Home From the Modern Farmhouse Trend
Ungaro offers practical solutions to help homeowners make their homes feel more unique.
Terra Cotta Tiles
One of the most recognizable elements of the modern farmhouse look is a white exterior with black windows and a plain concrete porch.
“Nothing screams modern farmhouse more than a white exterior, black windows, and that concrete porch. Whether it’s concrete or a concrete-looking tile, that needs to go,” Ungaro says in the video.
As an alternative, she suggests swapping out concrete for terra cotta tiles, which “give a little pop of color, a little bit of added interest.” The video showcases a before-and-after transformation, replacing a concrete porch with a warm terra cotta flooring.
An Arched Door
An arched front door can also be a game-changer for those looking to move away from the modern farmhouse look.
Referring to the aforementioned alternative look shown in the video, Ungaro notes “I understand that this is an arched door and that’s also going to change your look.”
For those who aren’t ready for a full door replacement, she suggests a more budget-friendly approach. “If you don’t want to go to that extreme renovation of changing out your front door, just adding in this different tile, whether it’s terra cotta or a more hand-painted looking tile, or maybe it’s a mix of both, is going to give you a little bit more interest to your entryway,” the interior designer said.
Checkerboard Flooring
Ungaro also suggests incorporating checkerboard flooring in muted tones for a more classic and less farmhouse-inspired look.
“Another option is to do a light muted checkerboard as well as changing out the black lights to white lights,” she advises.
Go All Black
For those willing to make a bold statement, Ungaro recommends changing the color palette entirely.
“Another detail that can differentiate you is by restringing your wood to a dark chocolate brown or if you really want to be bold, paint the entire exterior black,” she says.
Following Your Personal Style Vs. Trends
The desire to move away from modern farmhouse decor reflects a broader shift toward more personalized home design.
“I think people are starting to realize homes should reflect their own personal style rather than follow a particular trend, which often leads to a combination of styles,” Ungaro told Newsweek.
She sees a growing interest in “Spanish modern blended with coastal influences,” incorporating “plaster, hand-painted tiles, arches, and a mix of bright and natural elements like linen, stone, and rattan all featured on a warm white backdrop.”
Another emerging aesthetic she has been designing for clients is “West Coast contemporary combined with modern mountain aesthetics.” She describes this style as blending “natural elements that maintain a timeless appeal with minimal yet bold features that create dramatic accents.”
Despite changing trends, Ungaro has long admired mid-century modern design, which she considers a timeless classic.
“I was recently in Palm Springs, where it further deepened my appreciation for mid-century modern architecture and Spanish modern design,” she said. “Even though these two styles gained more popularity in the early 2000s, which makes people think they can be ‘trendy,’ I feel like when done right, they can remain timeless classics.”
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