The cream of the country living crop is revealed from a modern perspective, both inside and out. Whites and off-whites are the colors of choice but are often contrasted with bright, bold hues. Furniture and fixtures might include a mix of chipped paint and sleek metals. Picture a large, reclaimed-wood kitchen table beneath low-hanging galvanized steel pendant lights. Unlike its rural, traditional farmhouse predecessor, today’s Modern Farmhouse is found all over—the country, the city and even in the suburbs. Like its traditional farmhouse predecessor, the Modern Farmhouse exudes warmth and comfort that make you want to come home and stay awhile. Preferably with an ice-cold glass of homemade lemonade.

JOANNA GAINES INFLUENCES MODERN FARMHOUSE DESIGN

Country-chic Joanna Gaines has undoubtedly been a driving influence in the upsurge in America’s obsession for “all things farmhouse.” Browse through her blog and find a recipe for homemade ice cream, spotlights featuring artisans from the Waco, Texas, area, and even a a guide on creating hand-made paper mâché fruits and vegetables. She brings out nostalgia for living in the past and adds unpretentious flavor that many want to emulate. Her style fits perfectly into our growing online collection of Modern Farmhouses, whether that includes ideas for outfitting a great room, whitewashing powder room walls, adding a sliding barn door in the master suite or prettying up a porch.

LARGE, COVERED PORCHES

Spacious covered porches are a staple of Modern Farmhouse living. These relaxing, welcoming spaces often wrap around the house and are wide enough to accommodate porch swings, rocking chairs, tables and lots of loved ones, pets and friends. After all, farmhouse living of yesteryear often took place outside and big-ole’ porches were an informal gathering place for visitors and homeowners alike. That hasn’t changed. The new twist on the porch, however, is that not all of America’s Best House Plans’ Modern Farmhouse plans have porches. Some, instead, feature a covered deck or no porch at all—reiterating how this house style breaks the confines of tradition and lets personal preference guide the way.

SPACIOUS KITCHENS

Kitchens in these plans are usually large, open and easy to move through. They nod to the past when much of the meal came from the land and the cooking was almost continual. Today, the cook in the house probably doesn’t need the space to churn butter or sew clothing, but does want plenty of room to cook while being surrounded by family and friends. Many of these plans often feature large, center islands and possibly wooden countertops and open shelves. Site lines are open to other rooms in the house and offer plentiful window views as well.

LUXURIOUS AND SIMPLE SHARE THE SPOTLIGHT

It used to be that everything in a farmhouse existed for a reason and often served multiple purposes. An oversized kitchen sink—today considered a luxury—was large enough for the matron of the home to scrub large pots after feeding her family and perhaps a small army of farmhands. It was also sizeable enough to bathe a baby or small child. Today’s Modern Farmhouse is both simple and luxurious with a mixture of trendy and timeless. You’ll find wide plank floors beneath a glass-top end table: breakable yet likeable. Rustic and chic. A comfortable, well-worn wing chair topped with an old quilt and faux-fur accent pillows. Exposed wood ceiling beams or wood accents, although not necessary, are an integral part of the design, look and feel. But the oversized master bath and large, walk-in His and Her closets incorporated into some of these plans? A modern luxury for sure.

ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL

Big or small? The size of a home is often dictated by a family’s size, budget, and preference regarding how much or how little space they want to decorate, maintain and live in. Search online through our plans that cover a wide range—from the cozier 1,000 square-foot home to the more sizeable plan that tops 5,000 square feet. If 2,500 or 3,000 square feet is your size of choice, we have those, too, and are constantly refreshing our site by adding new plans every week.

DESIGN ELEMENTS WITH ONE OR TWO STORIES

Whether you’re in the market for a one story, one-and-a-half story or two story home, America’s Best House Plans offers a wide range of floor plans conducive to your lifestyle, budget and preference. You can find a sprawling ranch with a traditional layout or a two story home with an open floor plan—and vice versa.

BASEMENT CHOICES TO FIT YOUR NEEDS

A basement is a great way to maximize the use of available land and a relatively affordable way to increase the value and size of a family home. People either want them or they don’t, and size of family often dictates the need for a basement. They are beneficial for families housing more than one generation, those with teenagers who want a semi-private place to hang out with their friends, and are a great place to store seasonal or other items. Many of our Modern Farmhouse plans come with basements and when not, can be modified to add one.

GARAGE OPTIONS ABOUND: ATTACHED, DETACHED OR NONE

Many farmhouses from the past either featured a detached garage or no garage at all. Our Modern Farmhouse collection offers several options, from garage-less to one large enough to house four cars. Whether you prefer detached because it eliminates a garage-dominated façade or attached because of its easy entry and exit points into your home, we have plenty of choices. You can always modify our plans to fit your garage preference needs.

THE PERFECT PLAN FOR YOU

Modern Farmhouse plans are reminiscent of the past but updated with many modern conveniences you’ve come to expect. This growing collection offers the feel of casual, uncomplicated living—regardless of the plan’s size. If you’re searching for a plan with oodles of charm and a nod to a time gone by, look no further. We have the plan that’s perfect for you and if you can’t find it, give us a call.