Amish interior design, also known as Amish country or simply Amish style, reflects the values and lifestyle of the Amish community, a group known for its simple, traditional, and often self-sustaining way of life. Key features of Amish interior design include
This article dives into the unique world of Amish-themed décor, offering a wealth of ideas on how you can infuse your home with the serenity, craftsmanship, and timeless charm of Amish design.
Whether you’re looking to add a touch of Amish flair or redecorate your entire living space with this theme, this comprehensive guide is filled with inspiration and practical tips that will help you achieve an authentic Amish look.
What Is Amish Interior Design
Before you think about designing your living space in Amish style, you must familiarize yourself with the values that govern the Amish way of living: humility, community, and harmony. These values reflect Amish design. You can’t find flashy styles or ostentatious ornamentation in Amish decor. Furniture pieces are durable, functional, and simple. It highlights the natural beauty of the design elements. Because of its neutral tones, Amish decor can easily blend with other accents you might have in your home.
The Amish style interior design is rooted in the practicality of things. By the beginning of the 0th century, Amish interior designs were incorporated into other interior designs, such as the Mission and Shaker interior styles.
The Amish people are one of those who shunned the advances of technology at the expense of the community. The 19th century saw the decline of people staying in the countryside and the uptick of people moving to large cities. The Amish people were among those who preferred to stay in the countryside and opted to stay close-knit in their own bubble community. This led to a more agrarian way of living. This way of living has reflected on how Amish interior design came about.
The Amish people are one of those who shunned the advances of technology at the expense of the community. The 19th century saw the decline of people staying in the countryside and the uptick of people moving to large cities. The Amish people were among those who preferred to stay in the countryside and opted to stay close-knit in their own bubble community. This led to a more agrarian way of living. This way of living has reflected on how Amish interior design came about.
Selecting Authentic Amish Furniture Pieces
When decorating with Amish furniture, look for pieces that showcase the fine craftsmanship and solid wood typical of Amish artisans. Items like handcrafted tables, chairs, and cabinets can add both beauty and functionality to your space.
The Role of Craftsmanship and Materials in Amish Furniture
Amish furniture is renowned for its superior craftsmanship and use of high-quality materials. The attention to detail and solid construction means these pieces are not just aesthetically pleasing but also durable.
Recent Post: What is Southern Home Decor
Amish Interior Design Features
Color Palette
Nature is the inspiration for the Amish interior design style. As such, it’s important to know which colors best suit the Amish furniture. Tan, cream, and sage green are the go-to colors for most Amish-style decor to accentuate the wooden furniture. For the accents, blue is the most common one being used.
Wood
Amish furniture is dominantly wood, which is often sourced locally. Oak is a common wood material used in this kind of design. Amish craftsmen use oak for kitchen chairs and tables. You can also use cherry if you want reddish grain that deepens as time goes by. Use maple wood if you want sturdier furniture and less prone to abrasion. Black walnut is used to create chocolate-colored furniture pieces. Another shock-resistant wood is hickory, commonly used for Amish-style sofas and TV stands.
Flooring
Amish homes have hardwood flooring. This complements the solid wood used for the simple furniture made. Make sure that the wooden floors are unfinished. The flooring should look like it aged naturally, and the best way to achieve this is not to apply any finish to the floor.
Craftsmanship
The craftsmanship of its furniture pieces makes Amish interior design stand out. Often made from solid hardwood, Amish furniture uses traditional carpentry techniques and avoids the use of technology.
Many people think Amish furniture is boring. On the contrary, Amish furniture design can be modern. But what makes Amish-style furniture stands out is, you’ve guessed it. Craftsmanship. It is designed to last for a long time. It is handmade and uses techniques handed down from fathers to sons.
Recent Post: What Is Venetian Interior Design
Vintage Lighting
Lighting can affect your mood. Harsh light can bring more stress, but subtle illumination can warm the soul. The Amish don’t use electricity. Not that you don’t need to use too, but you can surely take inspiration from the different kinds of lighting styles the Amish use. You can add vintage oil lamps as part of your accent pieces or use iron ceiling fixtures to imitate the ones the Amish people use in their homes.
Quilts
Quilts are highly associated with the Amish. The design is often conservative and similar to many Amish design elements; its functionality is put on the pedestal. Quilts nowadays are not just used as bed covers. You can use them as sofa throws, curtains, and even rugs.
Greenery
The Amish are people who live off the land for their daily needs and resources, so it makes sense that such principle reflects strongly in their interior design style, That being said, it’s common to see plants being added as interior design elements. Plants can either be hanging from the ceiling, put in large pots, or added to a bookshelf.
Photo by HomeLane .com on Unsplash
Clocks
Amish people discourage the use of technology, so they rely on the good ‘ol watch to keep the time, so it makes sense that such functional pieces become part of the design. Their timepieces are not ordinary-looking but vintage.
Amish Interior Design Tips
Amish interior design has a certain old-world vibe that invites you to stay longer. The Amish style is surprisingly very applicable and doable to many home designs. Here are some Amish decorating ideas that can help you achieve that look.
Start sourcing out Amish furniture. There are many Amish furniture shops you can check out. Such furniture pieces have excellent craftsmanship. Its simplicity is its greatest asset. Focus more on the expert handiwork and not much on the ornamentation, which, by the way, is hard to find.
Always find inspiration from your surroundings. This greatly influences the colors used by Amish interior design. It’s also a safe bet to use the Golden Ratio when choosing home decorating things.
Wall art is another way to inject some Amish decor to your room. Personalized wall decor is the way to go. Themes you should consider are the daily activities of Amish life. One fine example is adding a horse-and-buggy scene You can include spring flowers or fields of flowers as part of your decor.
Never forget to add quilts, be they decorative or functional. If you can find one that Amish women make, the better authentically make. Such quilts are best used on top of your bed or as wall decor.
Frame pictures of rural life such as barnyards would fit right in an Amish-inspired room. You can also add barn stars above your fireplace for that country look.
Amish furniture is always made of wood so carefully selecting the right kind would help you. As mentioned earlier, choose cherry or black walnut if you want a darker natural finish. Other kinds of wood are resistant to certain insects, while others are resistant to constant wear and tear. Knowing the extent of use and purpose of your furniture would greatly help you pick out which wooden furniture to use.
Add some hand-thrown pottery to the design mix. This contributes to the rustic mood this design aesthetics have.
Your draperies should be made of cotton. This falls within the aesthetics of the Amish interior design. Similarly, use linen for your throw pillows. These two naturally produced fabrics accentuate the earthy theme this design style imbibes.
Try to avoid creating a too uniform room. Mismatched design elements, albeit simple, are staples of an Amish home. If there is too much furniture in the design, soften the look by adding some rugs made of natural fibers. Better yet, leave the floor bare.
Place succulents on top of a solid Amish-inspired table. This should act as your centerpiece. Another way to update the Amish look is to add ferns and spider plants on top of a plant stand.
Combine light colored throw pillows with dark wood furniture to have an updated Amish interior design style.
Amish Decorative Items and Antiques
The Use of Antique and Reproduction Pieces
Incorporating antiques or reproduction pieces like oil lamps, pie safes, or dry sinks can add an authentic touch to your Amish décor. These items blend history with functionality.
Recent Post: Modern Arabic Interior Design?
To End
When selecting decorative items, look for pieces that harmonize with the simplicity and solid wood tones of Amish furniture. Items like simple iron ceiling fixtures or table lamps can enhance the overall look.
- Functionality: Amish design emphasizes practicality and utility. Furniture and decor are crafted with a focus on functionality and longevity.
- Handcrafted Furniture: Amish furniture is renowned for its high-quality, handmade craftsmanship. Wood is a dominant material, with a preference for oak, cherry, and walnut. Furniture often features traditional designs, such as ladder-back chairs and trestle tables.
- Minimalism: The Amish value simplicity and tend to avoid unnecessary ornamentation. Decor is typically understated, with clean lines and unadorned surfaces.
- Natural Materials: Wood, as well as materials like wool and cotton for textiles, are commonly used. There’s an emphasis on organic and sustainable choices.
- Solid Colors: Color palettes are often subdued, with earthy tones like browns, grays, and muted blues. Solid colors dominate both furniture and decor.
- Quilts: Amish quilts are highly regarded and often serve as both practical bedding and works of art. They are known for their intricate patterns and vibrant colors.
- Ample Storage: Given the Amish lifestyle, homes are designed with ample storage space for clothes, linens, and household goods.
- Family Heirlooms: Amish homes often feature family heirlooms, including handmade items passed down through generations.
- Handwoven Baskets: Amish handwoven baskets are functional and decorative, used for everything from storage to serving.
- Fireplaces and Wood Stoves: These are common in Amish homes, providing both warmth and a sense of tradition.
Amish interior design is a reflection of the community’s dedication to a simple, uncluttered, and sustainable lifestyle. It emphasizes the value of hard work, craftsmanship, and tradition, and it’s an embodiment of their commitment to living in harmony with nature and faith.
