Planting Joy on the Farm: Simple Ways to Create Delightful Experiences Guests Will Remember
What makes a farm feel joyful?
According to designer and TED speaker Ingrid Fetell Lee, joy isn’t just an emotion — it’s something we can intentionally design into our spaces. In her TED Talk, Where Joy Hides and How to Find It, she explains that joyful places often share common characteristics: bright colors, round shapes, movement, abundance, playful surprises, and sensory experiences.
And honestly? Farms are already halfway there.
Pumpkins, flowers, orchards, bouncing animals, rows of colorful produce, winding paths, fresh air, giant tractors — agritourism naturally contains many of the elements that spark joy. The opportunity is learning how to amplify them intentionally.
Here are some simple, creative ways farms can incorporate more joy into their spaces — without needing a massive renovation budget.
Start with Color
One of the strongest themes in Lee’s work is the power of bright, vivid color. She notes that colorful environments naturally energize people and create feelings of delight.
Many farms lean heavily into natural wood, metal, and neutral tones — which makes pops of color even more impactful.
A few ideas:
- Paint old tractor tires in bright colors and turn them into flower or herb planters
- Use painted wooden pallets as colorful backdrops against barn walls
- Add painted murals or oversized flowers to otherwise plain buildings
- Use brightly painted benches, gates, or picnic tables throughout the property
- Create rainbow rows of planters, barrels, or birdhouses
- Hang colorful ribbons, pinwheels, or streamers near pathways
Color photographs beautifully, too — which means guests are more likely to share their visit online.
Think Big, Round, and Playful
Lee’s research found that people consistently associate round shapes and repetition with joy. Think bubbles, balloons, polka dots, wheels, or giant oversized objects.
That translates perfectly to agritourism.
Imagine:
- Giant fiberglass apples in an orchard
- Oversized pumpkins visitors can sit beside for photos
- Round flower tunnels or archways
- Circular seating areas around fire pits
- Hanging spheres, lanterns, or colorful globes in trees
- Repeating rows of bright umbrellas over walkways
- Large painted dots or patterns on pathways for kids to follow
The key is whimsy. Guests remember places that feel a little unexpected.
Add Movement Wherever You Can
Joy is physical. It feels alive.
Movement catches attention and instantly changes the energy of a space.
Easy ways to add movement:
- Wind spinners in flower beds
- Ribbon walls that flutter in the breeze
- Porch swings and hanging chairs
- Bubble stations for kids
- Water features or small fountains
- Flags lining driveways or pathways
- Interactive musical elements like outdoor chimes or drum walls
- Sunflower patches or tall grasses that sway naturally
Movement also encourages guests to linger — and the longer people stay, the more connected they feel to your farm.
Create “Joy Spotting” Moments
Some of the most memorable farm experiences are tiny surprises visitors stumble upon.
A hidden fairy garden.
A bright yellow chair in the middle of a field.
A tiny painted door on a tree.
A goat named Kevin wearing pajamas.
These small moments create discovery — and discovery creates emotional connection.
Try adding:
- Unexpected signs with funny sayings
- Tiny hidden details for kids to find
- Painted rocks along walking paths
- Quirky sculptures made from reclaimed farm materials
- Seasonal selfie stations
- Random bursts of flowers in unusual places
Not every area needs to be highly polished. Sometimes joy comes from the unexpected and imperfect.
Use Abundance as Decor
Farms already have one huge advantage over many attractions: abundance.
Rows of pumpkins.
Bins overflowing with apples.
Fields of flowers.
Stacks of colorful produce.
Lee describes abundance and repetition as deeply joyful because they create visual richness and excitement.
Instead of minimizing those moments, highlight them:
- Stack pumpkins by color
- Arrange produce in rainbow patterns
- Create dramatic harvest displays
- Use overflowing flower baskets intentionally
- Line pathways with repeated elements like lanterns or barrels
Sometimes the most joyful displays are simply taking what already exists on the farm and showcasing it creatively.
Don’t Forget the Adults
One important point Lee makes is that joy is often treated as something “for kids,” when adults need it just as much.
That means joyful design doesn’t have to feel childish.
A colorful flower field.
A cozy swing under café lights.
A beautifully painted cider barn.
A playful orchard installation.
These moments create emotional experiences for all ages — and emotional experiences are what bring guests back year after year.
Joy Creates Connection
At the end of the day, joyful spaces do more than look pretty.
They make people feel something.
And in agritourism, feeling matters. People may come for pumpkins, apples, berries, or events — but what they remember is how your farm made them feel.
A little more color.
A little more whimsy.
A little more movement.
A few unexpected surprises.
Sometimes that’s all it takes to turn an ordinary visit into a memorable experience guests can’t wait to share.
For more inspiration, watch Ingrid Fetell Lee’s TED Talk: “Where Joy Hides and How to Find It”.
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