12 Rustic Farmhouse Open Living Room and Dining Room Combos

Sharing is caring!

I am currently into open concept farmhouse spaces.

I was scrolling through Pinterest at 2 AM last week (don’t judge me), and I fell down this rabbit hole of the most gorgeous living-dining combos. You know that feeling when you see something and immediately think “I NEED this energy in my life”? That’s exactly what happened.

My cousin just bought this old farmhouse outside Santa Fe, and when she FaceTimed me from her gutted-out main floor, I literally gasped. The potential was insane. We spent three hours planning how she could make that open space feel cozy but not cluttered, rustic but not like a weird museum. So here’s everything we figured out, plus some ideas I’ve been hoarding for my own place.

Divide an Open Space Creatively

Save

You know what’s tricky about open concept? Sometimes it just feels like you’re eating dinner in your living room, which… okay, we all do that anyway, but you want it to feel intentional, right? I saw this incredible setup at my friend’s place where they hung these massive barn doors from the ceiling – not to close off spaces, but just to create this visual break between where you chill and where you eat.

The iron chandelier above their dining table was the real showstopper though. It was this handcrafted piece that looked like it belonged in some European farmhouse, but somehow made their IKEA table look expensive. That’s the magic of good lighting, I swear. You can literally transform any space with the right statement piece hanging overhead.

Celebrate Organic Finishes

Save

Okay, this is where I get a little emotional because my grandma’s house had these original wood beams that were probably 100 years old. When I see reclaimed wood floors and exposed beams now, it just hits different. There’s something about those organic textures that makes a space feel lived-in and loved.

Last month I was at this coffee shop in Taos, and they had these walls that looked like they were made of clouds – turns out it was gypsum plaster in this soft, creamy color. I took like fifty photos because the way the light hit those walls was pure magic. Paired with their mohair chairs (which I definitely Googled the price of and immediately regretted), the whole vibe was so dreamy and textural.

The Scandinavian rugs with those geometric patterns? Chef’s kiss. They bring just enough pattern without screaming for attention.

Add Comfortable Seating Nooks

Save

Can we normalize built-in window seats again? I’m talking about those cozy little spots where you can curl up with coffee and actually watch the world outside. My neighbor added one to her breakfast nook with these gingham pillows that make me smile every time I see them through her window.

The trick is making sure your dining chairs play nice with these built-ins. She went with these simple farmhouse-style chairs that don’t compete with the window seat but still feel like they belong in the same conversation. It’s like orchestrating a really good playlist – everything needs to flow together.

Balance Rustic Wood with Modern Accents

• Before you hit “buy” on your next decor order, there’s a free 10-second step you should never skip: checking Rakuten (Ebates). I simply find the store name, click the deal, and shop like normal, and Rakuten sends me real cashback! Prices keep climbing everywhere, but this is one way to get a little back on the things you were going to purchase anyway. New members even get a $30 bonus when they spend $30 — which means your first order could pay you back instantly. Don’t miss out again. Click here to sign up and save money!

*Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you join Rakuten through my link — but it doesn’t cost you anything extra. In fact, you’ll actually save more!

Save

This might sound weird, but there’s something so satisfying about mixing old soul with new attitude. I went to this restaurant last weekend where they had this weathered wood table that looked like it had stories to tell, paired with these sleek black metal chairs that were definitely from this century.

The contrast was chef’s kiss – like wearing vintage Levi’s with a fresh white tee. The industrial lighting fixtures they chose made everything feel current without losing that farmhouse heart. It’s proof that rustic doesn’t have to mean stuffy or stuck in the past.

Use a Neutral Base with Warm Wood Tones

Save

Here’s what I learned from watching way too many home renovation shows: start with a neutral canvas and let your wood tones be the star. Those creamy whites and soft greys on the walls? They’re like the perfect backdrop that makes your oak dining table or walnut coffee table absolutely glow.

My sister painted her open living-dining area in this warm beige that changes throughout the day with the light, and then added all these gorgeous wood pieces. The pine floating shelves, the walnut side table – each piece gets to shine because the walls aren’t competing for attention. It’s like giving your favorite jewelry the perfect simple outfit to show it off.

Layer Cozy Textiles and Vintage Finds

Save

You guys, this is where the magic happens. I’m talking about throw blankets that make you want to cancel plans and just nest. Plush pillows that are actually comfortable, not just pretty. Area rugs that feel like clouds under your feet.

I found this vintage mirror at a flea market in Albuquerque that was so weathered it looked like it held secrets. Paired it with some pressed flowers I made during lockdown (remember that phase?), and suddenly my dining area felt like it had this whole backstory. These little touches are what make a space feel like home instead of a showroom.

Add Architectural Details

Save

Shiplap gets a lot of attention, but can we talk about how exposed beams literally change the entire energy of a room? My friend’s place has these original beams that make her 8-foot ceilings feel cathedral-tall. And don’t get me started on barn doors – they’re functional art.

These architectural elements become like natural focal points. You don’t need a ton of wall art when you’ve got beautiful wood doing all the heavy lifting. It’s like having good bone structure – everything else just falls into place.

Create Flow With Light and Airiness

Save

Natural light is literally everything in an open concept space. Those big windows paired with light, flowy curtains – it’s like the room can breathe. I swapped out my heavy drapes for these linen panels last spring, and I swear the whole space doubled in size.

The key is not blocking any of that gorgeous light. Let it flow from the living area into the dining space and back again. It creates this seamless feeling where everything connects naturally.

Mix Seating Styles

Save

Matching furniture sets are so last decade, right? I love seeing spaces with benches mixed with stools, maybe a vintage chair that doesn’t match anything else but somehow belongs perfectly. It’s like curating a really interesting friend group – everyone brings something different to the table.

This casual, lived-in vibe is what makes farmhouse style so appealing. It feels collected over time, like each piece has its own story about how it ended up there.

Introduce Greenery

Save

Plants are like instant life injectors. I’m obsessed with olive trees right now – there’s something so Mediterranean-meets-farmhouse about them. Eucalyptus bunches make everything smell amazing and look effortlessly styled.

Even if you’re like me and have a questionable track record with keeping things alive, good faux greenery can totally work. The key is choosing pieces that look real and placing them where real plants would actually thrive.

Feature Statement Lighting

Save

Lighting is where you can really have fun and show some personality. Those woven pendant lights over a kitchen island? Pure magic. Metal chandeliers that look like they belong in a rustic Italian villa? Yes, please.

I saw these lantern-style fixtures at this amazing restaurant that created such incredible ambiance. The way they cast shadows and warmth across both the living and dining areas made the whole space feel like a cozy evening, even at lunch.

Use Textured Rugs to Tie the Spaces

Save

Here’s the secret weapon: a really good rug that bridges your living and dining areas. I’m talking about layered jute for that perfect casual texture, or a distressed wool rug that looks like it has history.

The right rug literally ties everything together – it’s like the period at the end of a really good sentence. It gives both spaces a foundation and makes the whole open concept feel intentional and pulled together.

Final thoughts

Honestly, creating the perfect farmhouse open concept is like putting together the best outfit – it’s all about mixing textures, balancing old with new, and making sure everything feels authentically you. These aren’t rules you have to follow exactly, they’re more like inspiration for creating a space that makes you happy to be home.

What I love most about farmhouse style is how it celebrates the imperfect, the weathered, the collected-over-time feeling. It’s not about having the newest everything – it’s about creating a space that feels warm, welcoming, and real. And honestly? In a world that can feel pretty chaotic, having a home that wraps you in that kind of comfort is everything.

• Before buying anything online, check Rakuten (formerly Ebates) — either with the browser extension or directly on Rakuten.com. Just type in your store, click the current deal, and shop as usual. Every purchase earns you cashback that can be mailed to you or sent via PayPal. In today’s economy, even a few dollars back can turn into a Starbucks latte, McDonald’s fries for the kids, or a little treat you don’t have to budget for. If you’ve never used Rakuten before, you’re missing out on free money — and right now, you’ll even get a $30 bonus when you spend your first $30. Click here to sign up and stop letting your online orders steal from you. Click here to sign up and save money!

*Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you join Rakuten through my link — but it doesn’t cost you anything extra. In fact, you’ll actually save more!