The No. 1 Trending Home Style on Google Caught Us By Surprise

This was the year of inflatable furniture and alien-like lamps, but even so, people clearly still have a soft spot for tradition. Google just unveiled its 2019 Year in Search report, looking at the top trending searches in the U.S. over the past 12 months, and when it comes to homes, farmhouse style reigns supreme. We blame Chip and Jo. 

Look, we get the appeal: It’s cozy, familial, and just quaint enough without being precious. Modern farmhouses seem to lend themselves perfectly to a host of wholesome activities, from making cookies on the marble counter–clad kitchen island to curling up in front of a luxuriously large fireplace. But with a new decade coming up, we can’t help but think it’s time for a fresh spin—there’s only so much white shiplap a person can look at. We have an idea for its next iteration: a British twist. 

Interiors across the pond share similarly comforting qualities to farmhouse, so for anyone who isn’t ready to make a full departure from the classic look, it’s an ideal backup. Plus, lately, cool creatives such as Matilda Goad and Alex Eagle and brands like Plain English and DeVol Kitchens are putting their stamp on the aesthetic. Here are a few ways to go rustic, English-style: 

Rethink Your Lighting

In lieu of the massive metal pendants that usually feature prominently in a farmhouse-style home, try scattering accent lights for a different kind of statement fixture. Between scalloped and pleated lampshades and all the fun sconces, you won’t miss that industrial chandelier. 

Scalloped Lampshade, Matilda Goad ($214)

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Try Flashier Fixtures

A farmhouse sink is all well and good, but it’s not the only option with history out there. Go for an antiqued copper style or a colorful concrete basin—something that’s similarly hardworking but won’t look so commonplace. 

Stepp Basin, Nood Co. ($1,100)

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Broaden Your Palette

For starters, it doesn’t have to consist solely of solids. Although part of the farmhouse appeal is how cohesive and streamlined everything looks, there’s no reason not to pepper in prints—just choose a chintz within one color scheme, neutral or otherwise.

Branch Print Cotton Napkin, Zara Home ($15)

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See more decor trends: You Probably Bought One of 2019’s It-Decor Items Without Realizing It Pinterest Thinks You’re Going to Want a Garden Room Next Year Pantone’s 2020 Color of the Year Is Refreshingly Bold