38 Self-Sustaining Farmhouse Homes for Eco-Friendly Living

Last updated on September 17, 2024

Check out all of these self-sustaining farmhouses that blend sleek design with eco-friendly features.

Picture a farmhouse that’s so self-sustaining it could make a Swiss Army knife jealous. Let’s dive into the quirky, the innovative, and the downright genius ideas to transform your exterior.

Forget the usual ho-hum designs. We’re talking solar panels that double as modern art and rain barrels that feel like they belong in a fairy tale garden.

Solar-paneled Roofs

1/38
modern farmhouse with solar panel roof in beautiful green valley 1
More like this: Farmhouses Forest Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Energy bills giving you nightmares?

2/38
modern farmhouse with solar panel roof in beautiful green valley 2
More like this: Modern Houses Mountain Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

A self-sustaining farmhouse with solar-paneled roofs means no need for counting the kilowatts.

3/38
modern farmhouse with solar panel roof in beautiful green valley 3
More like this: Modern Houses Dream Homes Mountain Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Embrace free energy straight from the sun!

4/38
modern farmhouse with solar panel roof in beautiful green valley
More like this: Mountain Houses Modern Houses Dream Homes
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Plus, rooftop sunbathing panels just sound fashionable, don’t they?

Rainwater Harvesting Systems

5/38
modern farmhouse with veggie gardens bordered with irrigation 1
More like this: Farmhouses Gardens
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Captured rain from gutters and downspouts fills large storage tanks.

6/38
modern farmhouse with veggie gardens bordered with irrigation 2
More like this: Farmhouses Gardens Forest Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Stored water is filtered for use in the garden and around the house.

7/38
modern farmhouse with veggie gardens bordered with irrigation 3
More like this: Modern Houses Gardens
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Minimizes dependency on municipal water sources.

8/38
modern farmhouse with veggie gardens bordered with irrigation
More like this: Farmhouses Gardens
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Reduces water bills while keeping plants happy.

Vertical Gardens

9/38
modern farmhouse with vertical garden in beautiful Scandinavian valley 1
More like this: Modern Houses Gardens
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

A lush tapestry of herbs, veggies, and flowers sprouting up your walls.

10/38
modern farmhouse with vertical garden in beautiful Scandinavian valley 2
More like this: Modern Houses Gardens Mountain Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Vertical gardens save space and look like Mother Nature’s masterpiece.

11/38
modern farmhouse with vertical garden in beautiful Scandinavian valley 3
More like this: Cottages Forest Houses Gardens
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

They provide insulation, keeping your farmhouse cool in summer and warm in winter.

12/38
modern farmhouse with vertical garden in beautiful Scandinavian valley
More like this: Modern Houses Gardens Forest Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Plus, they bring pollinators like bees and butterflies right to your doorstep.

Living Green Walls

13/38
modern a frame farmhouse with green garden walls stunning farmland with wheat fields 1
More like this: Farmhouses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Living green walls drape your home with lush vegetation, enhancing its visual appeal.

14/38
modern a frame farmhouse with green garden walls stunning farmland with wheat fields 2
More like this: Modern Houses Gardens Farmhouses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

They act as natural insulators, keeping interiors cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

15/38
modern a frame farmhouse with green garden walls stunning farmland with wheat fields 3
More like this: Modern Houses Gardens
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

These walls contribute to cleaner air by absorbing pollutants.

16/38
modern a frame farmhouse with green garden walls stunning farmland with wheat fields
More like this: Cabins Gardens
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Plus, they provide a beautiful habitat for local wildlife.

Recycled Materials for Construction

17/38
modern farmhouse with reclaimed wood siding farmland with corn fields 1
More like this: Farmhouses Forest Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Old barn wood can become charming farmhouse siding.

18/38
modern farmhouse with reclaimed wood siding farmland with corn fields 2
More like this: Farmhouses Modern Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Scrapped metal roofs gleam with rustic flair.

19/38
modern farmhouse with reclaimed wood siding farmland with corn fields 3
More like this: Farmhouses Modern Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Shipping containers transform into modern, sustainable studios.

20/38
modern farmhouse with reclaimed wood siding farmland with corn fields
More like this: Farmhouses Forest Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Even glass bottles morph into quirky, colorful walls.

Wind Turbine Installations

21/38
modern farmhouse with beautiful farmland with wind turbines 1
More like this: Modern Houses Farmhouses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Wind turbines generate clean energy right in your backyard.

22/38
modern farmhouse with beautiful farmland with wind turbines
More like this: Farmhouses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

They add a futuristic charm to your farmhouse.

These turbines harness nature’s own breath to power your home.

Plus, they’ll make your roosters jealous with how much they spin.

Geothermal Heating Systems

23/38
modern farmhouse in Iceland with thermal pond 1
More like this: Modern Houses Lake Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Imagine your farmhouse maintaining a cozy temperature without worrying about fuel bills.

24/38
modern farmhouse in Iceland with thermal pond 2
More like this: Lake Houses Modern Houses Mountain Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Geothermal heating taps into the Earth’s constant underground temperature.

25/38
modern farmhouse in Iceland with thermal pond 3
More like this: Modern Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

The setup can help you stay toasty in winter and cool in summer.

26/38
modern farmhouse in Iceland with thermal pond
More like this: Modern Houses Mountain Houses Lake Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Plus, your neighbors will be envious of your eco-savvy genius!

Permaculture Landscapes

27/38
modern farmhouse with permaculture landscape 1
More like this: Cabins Cottages Dream Homes Gardens Modern Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Imagine your garden as a self-sustaining buffet.

28/38
modern farmhouse with permaculture landscape 2
More like this: Forest Houses Gardens
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Fruits, veggies, and herbs thrive together in perfect harmony, without you breaking a sweat.

29/38
modern farmhouse with permaculture landscape 3
More like this: Farmhouses Gardens
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

These landscapes help reduce waste, conserve water, and invite friendly critters.

30/38
modern farmhouse with permaculture landscape
More like this: Modern Houses Gardens
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Plus, they look as lush as nature intended!

Outdoor Composting Stations

31/38
modern farmhouse with large veggie gardens and composting bins 1
More like this: Cabins Gardens
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Imagine turning your kitchen scraps into garden gold.

32/38
modern farmhouse with large veggie gardens and composting bins 2
More like this: Farmhouses Gardens
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Outdoor composting stations transform waste into rich soil, perfect for nourishing your vegetables.

33/38
modern farmhouse with large veggie gardens and composting bins 3
More like this: Forest Houses Gardens
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Talk about the ultimate recycling!

34/38
modern farmhouse with large veggie gardens and composting bins
More like this: Cottages Farmhouses Gardens
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Plus, they make you feel like a wizard every time you add that banana peel.

Edible Fences and Hedges

35/38
modern farmhouse paths with veggie hedges 1
More like this: Cabins Farmhouses Gardens Forest Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Imagine snacking straight from your fence.

36/38
modern farmhouse paths with veggie hedges 2
More like this: Farmhouses Gardens
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

That’s the magic of berry-filled hedges and grapevine-covered barriers.

37/38
modern farmhouse paths with veggie hedges 3
More like this: Gardens Cottages
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

They not only offer delicious produce but also add lush beauty to your farmhouse.

38/38
modern farmhouse paths with veggie hedges
More like this: Cottages Gardens Forest Houses
© Architect/Designer: BuildGreenNH

Plus, they keep nosy neighbors away while feeding your family.

Table of Contents