How to Build a Modern Farmhouse in North Carolina

“Modern Farmhouse” conjures a feeling of peaceful countryside living. But in a traditional sense, this popular architectural style adapts the term “farmhouse” loosely.

Looking for modern farmhouse builders? Travars Built Homes can build a custom farmhouse on your lot in North Carolina. Here’s how:


A Modern Farmhouse is actually one of the most adaptable architectural styles, with the flexibility to invoke touches of urban, contemporary, traditional and industrial effects, on a palate that can be easily personalized with your own whimsey – like this:

White and Black Modern Farmhouse Bath | Mebane NC New Homes

Add a touch of Shiplap walls. Hint of cedar. Traditional brick fireplace surround. (Or a wide variety of other outdoorsy touches.)

Brick Fireplace Built Ins | Mebane NC New Homes

Nothing says “Modern Farmhouse” better than white board and batt. Metal roof accents. Black framed windows.

Mebane NC New Homes | White Farmhouse Exterior

Carry that theme inside, with back to back to basics simplicity in white and black kitchens designed for home cooking.

Chatham County NC Custom Homes | Two Story Kitchen

Modern Farmhouse kitchens get a lot of attention, as a great place to combine contemporary and urban appeal, with ample space to create.

Chatham County New Homes | Farmhouse Kitchen

Be clever with black hanging lights when you design your Modern Farmhouse feel. Consider creating a sense of support structure, with cedar wood beams in the ceiling.

Chatham County New Homes | Beam Ceiling

Another mix of architectural styles in Modern Farmhouses is the industrial look of metal to add functionality and style, like sliding barn door accents with black light fixture tie-ins.

Chatham County New Homes | First Floor Owner Suite

Consider the artistry of hand painted look like these faux wood gray framed mirrors, set amongst lantern style lights. Can you name the 3 architectural styles that blend into this small space?

Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse

Like the look of black framed windows that’s a signature look on many Modern Farmhouse exteriors? Carry that through to the glass in your bathrooms, for a bold, contemporary feel.

Farmhouse Bathroom | NC Homebuilder

Take your time looking at tile choices – what you do with your floors can add a lot of personality to small spaces. See how different a laundry room can look with a black and white pattern like this:

Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse | NC Homebuilder

Versus a black and white tile floor pattern like this. (Note the open storage spaces, too, that are also a big trend in Modern Farmhouse new homes in NC.

Laundry Mudroom Door to Master Closet | Mebane NC New Homes

Ask your NC custom home builder how many places you can add built-in storage centers, cabinets and closets. You might be surprised at the flexibility you have when you design build your new home with a builder like Travars Built Homes.

Built In Cabinets Walk In Closet | Mebane NC New Homes

Drop zones are a huge draw for every architectural style of new homes – and a must for a Modern Farmhouse feel. How big do you want it to be? What kind of tuck away access do you want it to have?

Raleigh Custom Homes | Built in Drop Zone

Bathrooms are one of the best places to mix architectural styles to achieve today’s Modern Farmhouse appeal – like this blend of quaint and classic, with a barn style framed mirror, trough sink and chrome faucets.

White and Black Bathrooms | Mebane NC New Homes

Get started here:

White and Black Modern Farmhouse Bath | Mebane NC New Homes

9 Modern Farmhouse Features in 2021 New Homes

Modern Farmhouse architectural styles are a top request for 2021 new homes in NC.

Farmhouse style homes feel familiar and flexible – designed with simple lines, covered porches, gable roofs, dormers, and big kitchens with islands open to living spaces. See some of the most popular modern farmhouse features in the photos, below. Contact Travars Built Homes for farmhouse floor plans and pricing.

Modern farmhouse feature #1: White exteriors (with black window frames)

This countryside modern farmhouse illustrates the simplistic allure of classic black and white – with a pop of color for the front door that adds interest.

NC Custom Home Photo Tours

Modern farmhouse feature #2: Built in bookcases and custom storage spaces

When you create your new home with one of the best custom home builders in Chatham County, you can ask for built-ins like this wherever you want them. Built in bookcases, cubbies and storage spaces are another practical feature in modern farmhouses.

Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse | Living Room Built Ins

Modern farmhouse feature #3: Board and Batten front exteriors with dormers

Board and batten is the top choice for exteriors on modern farmhouses. The classic lines you see here are framed by roof pitches and a dormer indicative of this popular architectural style.

Modern  farmhouse feature #4: Metal roof accents

Metal accents on modern farmhouse roofs like this add just a touch of texture, in a nod to historical structures. Popular locations for metal accents include the roof over the front porch, bump outs, and the roof over a back porch to give importance to outdoor living.

Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse

Modern farmhouse feature #5: Porches

Big covered porches and big screen porches are indicative of the emphasis on outdoor living inherent to modern farmhouse lifestyles. Custom builders like Travars Built Homes include extra details that make these spaces even more enjoyable.

Modern farmhouse feature #6: Open kitchen and great room

Wide open spaces reminiscent of prairies and heartlands compel the main areas of modern farmhouses to feel spacious. Beams, lighting, hardwoods and multiple entrances inspire free-flow traffic and conversation.

Chatham County New Homes | Vaulted Living Room

Modern farmhouse feature #7: Big island

Large kitchen islands have become the mainstay of modern farmhouses. Ask your builder how to customize yours to include everything from a sink, tuck under seating, wine cooler, microwave, cabinetry or other special features. Most of all – endless uses for the huge surface from gatherings to cooking, crafts and projects.

Modern farmhouse feature #8: White cabinets

A white exterior is often replicated inside new modern farmhouses, with white cabinets throughout the home – contrasted by pairings with dark gray, espresso, or even blue islands.

Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse | Hidden Pantry Cabinet

Modern farmhouse feature #9: Apron sink

Ceramic or stainless steel apron front sinks (also called farmhouse sinks) are considered to be a staple in modern farmhouse style homes. They typically are wide and deep, without a barrier in the middle. Like the picture below, they offer a seamless, smooth surface at the front, for easy cleanup.

Find more information about building a new modern farmhouse in North Carolina: