Try These Rustic Farmhouse DIY Ideas

by Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES 01/16/2022

Rustic farmhouse style celebrates all things natural and comfortable. While relatively uncomplicated, the style does shine through decorative accessories and larger pieces. Here we’ll go over some ideas for DIY projects you can do to enhance or add the rustic farmhouse style to your interior spaces.

Dress Up an Old Ladder

Ladders are a popular trend in interior design, used in everything from bookcases to pure decoration. One of the easiest ways to turn a wooden ladder into a rustic farmhouse decor is to use it as a blanket or towel rack. Hang chunky knit throw blankets over several rungs to add coziness to your living room or use it to hang hand towels in your kitchen or bathroom.

Wrap It in Twine

Twine is a favorite among DIY experts creating a rustic farmhouse feel in their home. Adding a few loops of twine around flower pots, mason jars and other small items will transform them instantly and create a cozy, rough-hewn vibe. Another way to use twine is to accent drawer pulls and handles. Wrap them in twine and secure with hot glue and you’ll add rustic charm to the entire space.

Build a Basket Centerpiece

If you’re searching for a simple DIY project to enhance the aesthetic of a table, try making a simple rectangular basket out of paint sticks. Sand or paint over any graphics or lettering for a clean start, then lattice them together using either hot glue or a staple gun. Once you have the basket you can get creative with the contents to make a unique and charming centerpiece.

Mason Jars for Everything

Mason jars are incredibly useful for DIY projects and fit perfectly with the rustic farmhouse style. A popular DIY project is to create lanterns with mason jars and tea light candles, but you can also use them to display fresh (or faux) flowers, store utensils or to drink out of. Dress up plain jars with homemade canning labels or wrap them in twine for a rustic vibe. For an easy and inexpensive decoration, collect a handful of sticks from your yard and arrange them in the jar as you would flowers.

Style Your Storage

One thing that makes the rustic farmhouse style so easy to adopt is its love for practicality. Simple necessities with rough-hewn details are key and one of the easiest ways to achieve the aesthetic and improve organization is to bring the style to your storage. Try attaching small wire baskets to planks of reclaimed wood to hang for storing smaller items while saving space. You can re-use the paint stick basket idea to store spices and kitchen items you want close by or to organize inside of cabinets and drawers.

Once you begin to use the rustic farmhouse style in your home, you will recognize more DIY opportunities. Stick with natural materials and add charm to necessities and you will create a charming and cozy atmosphere and perfect rustic farmhouse design.

About the Author

Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES

Ann Marie Damashek has always been a natural at helping people prepare their homes for sale. She started out with a successful business selling goods for people on eBay. "Nine times out of ten they were hiring me because they were down-sizing,” Ann Marie says. "So I decided to get my license. I said, ‘Might as well sell their house too.’” The transition was a smooth one and for nine years she’s had a thriving full-time real estate business that allows her to marry her entrepreneurial spirit with her passion for helping others. With an office in Larchmont, New York, she serves all of Lower Westchester County, with her primary market in the Sound Shore region. The majority of her business is "sphere of influence” with former clients referring her to friends and family. A gifted communicator, Ann Marie quickly builds trust and rapport with her clients by being both thoughtful and responsive; she understands that during the purchase or sale of a home, a quick response time is crucial. "I am very accessible,” Ann Marie says. "I always make time for my clients. They can call me, text me, email me up until 10 o’clock at night and I will respond. I’m available on weekends. I get back to people very promptly. I’m very customer service-oriented.” Her clients appreciate her professionalism, passion and enthusiasm and as a result her repeat and referral rate continues to grow each year. While selling real estate is serious business, Ann Marie knows that at times humor and a moment of levity can be a relief to clients. While she has a laidback and easygoing personality, she can be assertive when needed on her clients’ behalf. She loves being of service to them, and the continually changing nature of the work keeps her engaged and fulfilled. "It’s never boring,” Ann Marie enthuses. "Every day is different. That’s probably what I like most about it. But I also enjoy helping people sell or buy and educating them about the process. I love helping them achieve their goals.” This ethic of service has resulted in well-deserved recognition. Ann Marie has received the Westchester Magazine Five Star Real Estate Agent Rating four years running, in 2015 and 2016 she was the #1 agent in her office, and she’s a Zillow 5-Star Premier Agent. To keep in touch with former clients, Ann Marie sends cards to mark special occasions or reaches out via email. To market her listings, Ann Marie uses Multiple Listing Services (MLS), as well as Listingbook.com, a service that allows both agents and their clients access to MLS data. She also uses a Facebook business page and ads to boost new listings or promote upcoming open houses. "That drives a tremendous amount of traffic,” Ann Marie says. She also uses the most popular real estate websites such as Zillow and Trulia. A strong believer in giving back, Ann Marie sits on the Board of Trustees of her church and is involved in a variety of social justice projects. She’s affiliated with Furniture Sharehouse, a furniture bank for Westchester County, which collects and distributes gently used furniture free of charge to those in need. "I love it on so many levels because as a realtor, it’s helps my sellers downsize through charitable donations. I like the environmental aspect of it as well. And it helps people who truly need things.” She’s also involved in Impact 100, a women’s philanthropic giving organization. In her free time, Ann Marie enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. For the future, Ann Marie wants to continue expanding her business and developing her brand, and she someday hopes to grow a strong team. But her main goal is to stay in the real estate business, helping her clients to achieve their dreams.