Farmhouse style decorating may have exploded in popularity after Joanna Gaines made it more mainstream, but it can hardly be considered a trend. This homey, cozy style is here to stay, and can easily be replicated with the right furniture and decor.
Today we’ll discuss charming and chic DIY farmhouse chairs – because while you could just go shopping and buy one for several hundred (or a few thousand) dollars, it’s much more satisfying and budget-friendly to build one or make over your own. And there are many beauties below to inspire you!
First, what are some common elements of farmhouse chairs and seating? Here are some popular characteristics:
- Paint: Usually white, neutral, or pastel colors
- Wood: Natural, whitewashed, or bleached
- Chippy or distressed finish – sometimes rustic, sometimes romantic (think French Country farmhouse)
- Caned back, sides, or seat
- Fabric on upholstered pieces: Ticking stripe, grain sack, drop cloth, gingham or buffalo check, toile, or simple floral pattern
- Deconstructed fabric/burlap with upholstery tacks visible
Here are some fantastic DIY farmhouse chair makeover ideas and woodworking plans to build your own:
Thrifted chair given a farmhouse makeover with a weathered wood technique and Chalk Paint – via Blesser House.
Antique parlor chair painted black and upholstered in 100 year old European grain sacks – via The Rusted Roan.
Painted antique chair makeover in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint with new reupholstered seat – via Girl in the Garage.
Button tufted chair makeover with ticking fabric – via This Mama’s Dance.
Antique bentwood Thonet chair updated with fresh wood stain and a custom stencil – via Pocketful of Posies.
Learn how to build your own wooden farmhouse chairs with slatted backs with plans from Twin Civit. This one has a white painted distressed finish with stained wood seat.
Garage sale chair updated with a vintage feed sack for authentic farmhouse style – via Robb Restyle.
Extra chippy paint on a farmhouse painted chair with a striped grain sack seat – via Q is for Quandie.
Farmhouse style antique dining set makeover with distressed Chalk Painted chairs – via Girl in the Garage.
Learn how to build a DIY farmhouse chair with an X back and a cushioned seat with plans from The DIY Plan.
Antique pressed back chair painted coral, with natural wood spindles – via Start at Home blog.
This thrifted chair was reupholstered in black and white toile fabric for a crisp and clean farmhouse look – via Farm Fresh Vintage Finds.
Check out this charming deconstructed chair with grain sack striped fabric (totally farmhouse style) – via My Thrifty House.
Mismatched pastel painted chairs to go with a DIY handmade farmhouse dining table – via Sweet Pickins Furniture.
French chair reupholstered with tan and blue grain sacks – via Miss Mustard Seed.
Yellow chippy painted telephone bench with recovered fabric seat – via The Golden Sycamore (website no longer active).
French farmhouse style bench makeover with faux grain sack stenciled onto a drop cloth – via Girl in the Garage.
Grain sack and gingham reupholstered farmhouse style chair – via Cobani Bleu.
Learn how to build a DIY church pew bench and give it an aged finish, perfect for your farmhouse decorating – build plans via Rogue Engineer.
Songbird shares how to update an antique chair with old Dutch mailbags – via Songbird blog.
See how this vintage chair was deconstructed for a charming farmhouse look – by Fletcher Creek Cottage.
This thrifted vintage bench was updated with paint and a sweet ruffled slipcover – Tidbits by Cami shows you how she did it.
Pair of antique chairs painted and reupholstered with grain sack fabric – via Timeless Creations.
Old dining chair to upycled farmhouse high-back chair – image via Pinterest here but original blog and tutorial no longer available.
Blue farmhouse-style garden bench made from two dining chairs – via My Repurposed Life.
Refresh original wood like this old church pew update – via Lehman Lane.
An estate sale bergere chair reupholstered in toile fabric, an antique grain sack, and the seat cushion’s slipcover made from an antique quilt – via Edith and Evelyn.
Old chair reupholstered in burlap coffee sacks and Ralph Lauren linen – via Doesn’t Cost the Earth Interiors.
Brooke repurposed an old bed footboard into a gorgeous DIY farmhouse bench for her entryway – via Start at Home Decor.
I’m not sure where this charming project came from (if you know, please share with me) – ruffled and chic farmhouse chair inspo found via Pinterest.
Deconstructed antique sofa project with tutorial – via Beauty for Ashes.
See how this wingback dining chair was updated with stencils and distressed – via Bliss Ranch.
Friend, I hope you’ve been inspired by these amazing and charming DIY farmhouse chairs, whether you’re planning a makeover or to build one yourself. Which look is your favorite – simple and romantic, rustic and deconstructed, wooden or upholstered – or maybe another style? I’d love to know! – Jen
Julia Lahey says
The chairs are exquisite and you’re very talented at what you do! It was fun viewing your collection!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much, Julia!