Want to add a touch of rustic charm to your kitchen? There’s nothing like a farmhouse-style approach to this aesthetic. To get the look right, here are some of the top signature elements of a farmhouse-style kitchen that have been redesigned today.
The Basics of Today’s Kitchens
The farmhouse style is created to create the look and atmosphere of a traditional kitchen on a family farm, using a casual mix of ingredients, added to a special style of recipe with humility and enthusiasm.
Despite being somewhat modest, these kitchens are also very beautiful, and their style is completely out of fashion. Plus, they’re very practical.
Takeaway: Freestanding Furniture
Perhaps the first and most distinctive feature of the farmhouse style is the use of freestanding furniture rather than the typical built-in cabinets, islands, and appliances you’d expect to see in a more modern kitchen style.
In this kitchen, for example, you can see a rustic island, a tall pantry, and even a charming Smeg fridge, all of which stand on their own, avoiding a cookie-cutter look and creating a casual atmosphere.
The furniture-style island, in particular, adds some basic casual charm to the farmhouse kitchen. It gives the impression that the room was built over time and has its own personality, rather than being built all at once based on a cabinet catalog.
Like this island, the long-legged furniture you can see also makes the space feel more open, so even the most humble kitchen can feel big enough to do some real home cooking.
Palette
A farmhouse kitchen can have a variety of color palettes. After all, this style is meant to show warmth and personality. However, a typical farmhouse kitchen borrows from the colors and materials you would expect to see in an actual rural or farm setting, such as brick, stone, wood, and pastel, warm tones.
When dabbling in bursts of color, look for traditional shades that suit the timeless vibe of the style, rather than supersaturated, trendy tones that feel too modern. Of course, if you like a modern farmhouse style, feel free to try it out.
Must-Have: Milk Paint
During the American colonial period, paint mixed with milk was a popular choice for decorating walls and furniture, and it had a special soft matte finish. Nowadays, real milk paint is often praised for its eco-friendliness, but even without using real milk paint, the matte finish and pastel colors provide great inspiration for the farmhouse style.
Matte finishes have a softer sheen that is suitable for blemishes, but they’re not always easy to wipe clean, so be sure to choose a “washable matte” or something similar. To match this surprisingly happy blue-green hue, try the Sherwin-Williams Waterscape.
Materials: Bead and Paneling
Farmhouses are rich in enticing textures, and there’s nothing like beaded panelling and wood panelling to give your walls, floors and cabinets a rough touch. Whether it’s lacquered or dyed – or clear-coated to showcase as much of the natural texture as possible – the appeal of this simple striped pattern will sparkle.
This kitchen repeats the cladding panels facing both sides of the island as the backsplash material, creating a beautiful look that feels modern and historic at the same time.
Use looser paneling, as shown in the previous photo, for a woody, hut-like appeal, or tighter beadboarding, as shown here, for a more subtle, delicate effect.
Details: Rudimentary Hardware
There are many types of cabinet hardware that can be matched to the farmhouse style, but the best option is the cup handle, which has a well-functioning shape but is not flashy. You’ll also notice the latch handles on the upper and lower cabinets, giving a sense of history and a satisfying click when opening and closing.
To avoid fingerprints on the hardware, I recommend using a brushed or antique finish. For a pleasing shine to balance out the otherwise matte finish, use polished steel or brass, as long as you’re prepared for more maintenance.
Fixtures: Sink in Front of Apron
Another small sign of the farmhouse style is the sink in front of the apron. These sinks are made of porcelain, steel, stone, and other materials that bring this material to the forefront, not just the inside of the cabinets.
This turns the humble and functional sink into a decorative feature that celebrates the industrious spirit of a true farmhouse.
The apron front sink needs a special type of cabinet to accommodate it, so if you’re looking to install one, be sure to plan early in the renovation process.
Must-Have: Warm Wood
Whether it’s the flooring, cabinets or small details like a dining stool or a freestanding kitchen, warm and inviting wood is actually a must-have in a farmhouse kitchen.
Knotty local woods add a lot of rustic touches, ensuring your kitchen is unique and classic. Look for subtle, reddish or orange stains to bring out the alluring warmth of the wood and reveal knots and textures.
Material: Weathered Metal
There’s nothing better than brittle metal foil to warm wood – of course, a real farmhouse contains many metal barrels or tools – so it makes sense to find the touch of metal in a farmhouse kitchen.
Using too much smooth, polished metal in your space may push the look to a more modern or transitional feel, but don’t be afraid to use weathered or vintage metals like galvanized steel, antique brass, or black bronze. Add these with lights, storage bins, accessories, and brushed finish appliances.
Splurge: An Eternal Appliance
If you’re planning to splurge in a farmhouse kitchen, one of the best places to do is the oven and other large appliances. If you choose too many typically contemporary styles, they can wreak havoc on the timeless look.
A stove like this with a generous size and a traditional look is perfect for such a space.
Detail: Open Shelves
While it may feel like a modern trend, open shelves are actually a classic must-have that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Simple floating shelves, or cabinets or islands with open cabinets, allow you to display beautiful everyday essentials such as jugs, glassware or storage jars, as well as collectibles or “guest porcelain” so that you can still enjoy these items every day even if they are not being used directly.
A Must-Have: Retro Elements
When it comes to showcasing precious heirlooms, the farmhouse’s exterior also benefits from the addition of some vintage furniture. Colorful, paint-worn chairs, antique lamps or weather-beaten tables bring a sense of history and give your kitchen a sense of habitation.
Details: Dining Kitchen
Not every kitchen has enough space for a full dining space, but if you can work at a small table or even have a place to eat on the island, it will give the perfect welcome to your farmhouse look.
For extra style, mix and match your seats and have your guests pull out the chairs of their choice.
