People say that the kitchen is the heart of a farmhouse, so it’s important to make it feel warm and welcoming. But it’s also where all the magic of cooking happens, so it has to be useful and practical. The farmhouse-inspired design strikes the perfect balance between the two and is a great choice for anyone who wants their kitchen ideas to be both relaxing and practical.
FARMHOUSE KITCHEN IDEAS: WHAT YOU NEED FOR A RUSTIC LOOK
Megan Dufresne, the head designer at MC Design in New York, says that when most people think of a farmhouse kitchen, the first thing that comes to mind is the iconic farmhouse sink or shiplap wall treatments. “These aren’t the only choices for farmhouse-style kitchens by any means. The farmhouse style is appealing because it doesn’t go out of style and makes people feel at home and nostalgic.
Looking for inspiration for your own kitchen from farmhouse and rustic decorating ideas? We talked to a few interior designers and decorators about how to get the look of a farmhouse kitchen right.
1. BRING IN A QUIET COLOR PALETTE
Even though the main colors of the modern farmhouse look are cream and white, and there is a lot of wood, you can still use color in your farmhouse kitchen ideas. Just make sure that your kitchen color ideas and farmhouse wall decor are based on a soft, natural color palette.
Decorating your country kitchen with black and white will give it timeless charm and give you the chance to make an elegant space that will last for a long time. In this room, black and white filigree patterns give it a modern farmhouse look. They add a beautiful dimension of pattern and personality to the room.
2. GO FOR AN OPEN CONCEPT SPACE
If your home has an open floor plan, putting the kitchen in the middle can give it a uniform look, especially if you match your farmhouse kitchen ideas to the decor in the next room. Open-plan kitchen ideas also have a casual look that fits the homes and lifestyles of today.
Lina Galvao and Erin Coren from Curated Nest Interiors say, “Rethinking the modern farmhouse style in this project meant getting away from the trendy, expected black and oak look” (opens in new tab).
“The family room’s black, white, and blue colors, with natural wood accents, are brighter than those in a typical farmhouse, but they don’t hurt your eyes or ears. This works especially well in the open-plan layout of the home, where pale greys, whites, and light woods are used over and over to give the ground floor a “light and airy” feel.
3. CHOOSE MATTE BLACK HARDWARE
Adding black to your farmhouse kitchen is like putting a period at the end of a sentence. It helps tie together and make sense of everything else in the room.
Lindye Galloway, founder and chief creative officer of Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop, says that mixing ideas and textures like marble tile, rich woods, and shiplap up to the ceiling gives a sophisticated farmhouse feel (opens in new tab).
“Contrasting hardware, like matte black, helps to draw the eye around the space without taking away from the overall design aesthetic.”
You can give your farmhouse kitchen ideas an instant matte black touch by putting on new kitchen handles.
4. Use lighting in a creative way
The farmhouse style is all about comfort, simplicity, and friendliness, and the lighting you choose is a big part of that.
Andréa Chillds, the editor of Country Homes & Interiors magazine, says, “When you’re thinking about farmhouse kitchen lighting ideas, think about the functional lights you need to light up food prep and cooking areas, as well as accent lighting in glazed cabinets or niches.”
“But then be playful and creative with the lighting, which will add character and atmosphere. As Lindye Galloway shows, you could put a row of wall lights above a farmhouse dining table instead of a typical pendant. Or, for a more eclectic look, use a mix of different lighting styles with shades that don’t match.
5. Make the floor out of wide planks
Wide wood plank flooring is a must-have in a farmhouse kitchen, but it doesn’t have to be in rows that go straight up and down. Herringbone and chevron patterns add style to wood flooring, or you could mix wood and tile for a mismatched look. No matter what style you choose, the answer to the question “Is wood good for kitchens?” is “Yes.”
“Wood is a common element in farmhouse design, and it can give any kitchen a warm, cozy, and traditional feel,” says Teri Simone, Head of Design and Marketing for Nieu Cabinet Doors (opens in new tab).
“Wooden beams, floors, and old chairs that have been fixed up are good examples. Brass accents, like faucets or even pretty cookware from a thrift store, can also make your farmhouse style come to life.
6. Pick black-and-white decorations
This farmhouse kitchen from Urbanology Designs (opens in new tab) has clean white walls and black cabinets for a look that is both fresh and solid.
If you want modern farmhouse ideas that are all black and white, there are a lot of black-and-white kitchen ideas you can try. Linda D. Haase, an interior designer from Utah and advisor at The Project Girl, says that you could choose black cabinets with white trim, white cabinets with dark wood trim, or dark brown cabinets with light wood trim.
7. DIAL DOWN THE GLAMOR
Most farmhouse kitchen ideas don’t include features that are sleek, shiny, or very high-tech.
“Farmhouse style is a mix of function and the homeowner’s personal style, whether it’s DIY, modern, industrial, or coastal,” says Kate Hunt of Kathryn Hunt Studio in Connecticut. “It’s a mix of DIY, modern, industrial, and coastal styles that blend together for a lived-in look.”
“The location of a project often determines what materials are used, such as reclaimed wood, seagrass elements, and antiques. Lighting and furniture are often used again. Glam isn’t a word you’d use to describe farmhouse style.
8. DECORATE YOUR DRESSER
Cherie Lee, an interior designer, says that a glazed dresser can be a great addition to a traditional or farm kitchen (opens in a new tab). “Displaying ceramic pieces and wood boards will give the kitchen cabinetry a casual and natural look, which are both important parts of the modern farmhouse style.”
9. MIX MODERN WITH RUSTIC
“Larders and pantries are quickly becoming the status symbols of modern kitchens. The Cotswold Company’s Paul Deckland says, “They look stylish and offer easy, extra storage” (opens in new tab).
In this room, the farmhouse style works well because it is a mix of modern and rustic. The wooden stair ladder and wicker baskets go well with the sleek, modern charcoal larder.
10. ADD GLIMPSES OF COLOR
Adding colorful appliances to a kitchen with a farmhouse style is a great way to add accessories that go with the traditional earthy tones.
Graham Duke of Everhot(opens in new tab) says that the deep green cooker has a calming effect when it is paired with neutral colors.
11. CONSIDER VINTAGE PIECES
Phillip Thomas, an interior designer, says that a modern farmhouse kitchen should have pieces that have been around for a while (opens in new tab). When put next to the clean lines of the modern space, these pieces become works of art.
This room, made by Vipp, mixes old and new in a smart way, as the traditional larder goes well with the light colors.
12. DECORATE ABOVE KITCHEN
Phillip Thomas says that by their very nature, farmhouses are about how well they work. “Open shelving is one way to create a functional interior.”
Thomas says that you should put things on your open shelves that are interesting and useful at the same time.
13. OPT FOR A PATTERNED BACKSPLASH
“Earthy, spice-inspired colors are a great way to add warmth to a space,” says Andrea Freeman of Bushboard. “While shades of ochre aren’t usually found in the kitchen, they work great to give a farmhouse kitchen a fresh look.”
“Honey tones look great with wood shelving, worktops, or furniture in a kitchen. They add texture and warmth, and the pattern breaks up the warm palette to make it more interesting and make it look like other rooms in the house.”
14. Add a smooth marble surface.
Interior designer Birdie Fortescue says, “A sleek marble work surface can give a kitchen a modern feel right away” (opens in new tab). Even the most traditional farmhouse kitchen can be updated with a new hard floor like limestone or pale wood floorboards.
15. MIX NATURAL MATERIALS
Phillip Thomas says, “Mix natural materials to get the Modern Farmhouse to look in a kitchen.” “Match stainless steel or brass with wood and stone with glass.”
This space was made by Nordic House with a lot of thought. It uses natural materials to create a calming effect.
16. CHOOSE CABINETS WITH DIFFERENT STYLES
Adding different colors to your kitchen cabinets can give your farmhouse kitchen a more modern and stylish look. The kitchen feels warmer because of the deep cherry cabinet in this space.
Sinead Trainor of LochAnna Kitchens says that reds and deep cherry colors look best with lighter, cooler colors like beige, white, or grey.
17. CONSIDER HARDWEARING FLOORS
Installing laminate floors in your kitchen is a great way to get a rustic, farmhouse look while keeping your house modern and flexible.
Inga Morris-Blincoe of Lifestyle Floors says, “The wood effect decors are a more modern take on traditional wood, but they still have the same warm tones” (opens in new tab).
18. CHOOSE A SIMPLE LOOK
Birdie Fortescue says, “Keep the design of the cabinets as simple as possible.” “Keep this style all over, and don’t mix styles in the joinery or door hardware.”
“Add a piece that stands on its own, like a dresser or cabinet. Don’t put too many fussy things here, and make sure the whole thing looks clean and balanced.’
19. Spend money on a strong oak table
Cherie Lee, an interior designer, says that an oak table in the kitchen adds warmth and natural touch that is important in a modern farmhouse design. “As you use it, it will also show signs of age and character that add to the look of being worn-in and easy.”
20. INCLUDE BENCH SEATING
“Benches can feel cozier and less formal in the kitchen than dining chairs. Cherie Lee says, “It can really help you make a comfortable, laid-back kitchen style.” “A built-in bench with tongue-and-groove details will make the country or farmhouse look even better. For more texture, add soft furniture made of natural leather and wool.
21. ADD SOME NORDIC BAR STOOLS
Phillip Thomas says, “I love the way Nordic furniture looks in a modern farmhouse style.” “Even though the designs are often simple, the materials they use are very rich and have a soul.”
22. MIX COUNTERTOPS
Director of Purple Pepperpot Gary J. Fernandez says, “Always lean toward a mix of countertops.” “Try to use quartz and solid wood that go well together, or use wall units of different heights and thick wooden shelves to make it feel less like a showroom.”
23. OPT FOR AN APRON SINK
Fernandez says, “Always try to use a Belfast sink, but also think about a freestanding fridge freezer.” “It will always look more like a farmhouse than like it was put together.” Fernandez also recommends a range oven with a mantle as the room’s focal point.
The designer of this room, Handelsmann + Khaw, used a well-thought-out palette of tonal colors to make the space feel calm and put together.
24. HANG A POT RACK
“I really like retro-style accessories in farm and country houses because they add personality. Fernandez says, “I would recommend the KitchenAid Nespresso machine.” “Also, a hanging pot rack with copper pans over a farmhouse kitchen island will give you a very authentic farmhouse look.”
25. FIX DETAILED HARDWARE
Erin Coren, who is the Principal Designer at Curated Nest and lives in New York, says that beautiful hardware can also make a statement. Coren says, “We always think of lighting and hardware as the “jewelry” of a space.” “It can be the perfect mix of farmhouse and modern.”
Here, designer Sarah Sherman Samuel has made great use of the trend for copper and brass accessories.
26. REMEMBER TOE KICKS
Coren says that you shouldn’t forget about toe kicks either. “The cabinets in a farmhouse kitchen feel more like pieces of furniture.” We like to add feet to the corners of cabinets to give them a finishing touch and make them look like furniture.
27. GO FOR OPEN SHELVING
The kitchen used to be just a place to cook, but now it’s where families hang out, do homework, and talk about their day. Coren says that having open wall shelves instead of closed upper cabinets makes the room feel bigger and gives you a place to put bowls, cookbooks, and other decorations.
28. DECORATE WITH EARTHY TONES
Laura Mooney, the owner and head of creative at The Mohicans Treehouse Resort in Glenmont, Ohio, says, “After putting in new cabinets, we decided to paint them mossy green to give the room a clean, earthy feel.” “The Manor is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery and greenery, and it was important to bring the outside in,” Mooney says that earthy tones are a simple and inexpensive way to do this.
The same design philosophy was used here by the team at DISC Interiors, which was to make a color palette that fits in with nature and its surroundings.
29. CHOOSE YOUR FLOORS WITH CARE
Natural stone is the best choice for a farmhouse kitchen floor because no two tiles will ever be the same. This means that your floor will be one of a kind.
Stone has a classic and expensive look, and as it ages, it tends to look even better. Here, the designers at Amber Interiors have chosen a strong stone floor that will last for years and years.
Dufresne says that a great way to add natural texture to a room is to use wood. “Wood will add warmth to any farmhouse kitchen, whether you choose unfinished wood floors or add beadboard or shiplap to the walls,” she says.
31. HANG OVERSIZED LIGHT FIXTURES
Dufresne says that lighting is very important in traditional farmhouse decor. “Lanterns, drum pendants, library sconces, and wood chandeliers all look great in farmhouse kitchens.” These fixtures become beautiful focal points that also give you a chance to play around with the design and make it your own.
32. DECORATE WITH BRASS ACCENTS
Farmhouse kitchens are simple and have been around for a long time. Teri Simone suggests adding brass or painted faucet to your design to make it look like a farmhouse that has been lived in for years. The designers at Jean Stoffer Design used brass handles to add interest and mystery to this piece. They also look great against the olive green cabinets in the kitchen.
33. GO ANTIQUING
Simone says, “Don’t forget to have fun with your change.” “In farmhouse-style kitchens, especially, you can accept the flaws. Grab those old teacups to decorate your floating shelves or give a shabby-chic bar stool a makeover. You will love your farmhouse kitchen for years to come because it has a worn-in look that is simple, warm, and inviting.
34. CREATE A WARM BREAKTIME SPOT
If you and your family tend to gather in the kitchen at the end or beginning of the day, a cozy breakfast nook is a great addition. Think about giving the booth itself a board-and-batten wall look to give it a charming look.
35. Choose likability over cohesion
The easiest way to make your kitchen feel more like a farm? In place of a matching set, you could use accents that don’t match, like a kitchen island made of darker wood or a mix of chairs tucked under the dinner table.
36. DISPLAY FORAGE FOLIAGE
Live on a property that’s a good size? You might want to take ideas from your backyard and bring them inside. Putting a few strands of olive branches, pussy willow, or ornamental grass in a ceramic jar gives it an instant farmhouse look.
HOW DO I MAKE MY KITCHEN LOOK LIKE IT’S FROM A FARM?
People love the unique features of a traditional farmhouse kitchen. Things like exposed beams, inglenook fireplaces, and woven materials can all be made in a newer home.
But if you want a farmhouse look in your kitchen, it’s more about enjoying the laid-back feel of country life than about copying it to the letter. The key is to focus on things that add warmth, depth, and a sense of realness.
Don’t be afraid to combine different styles. For example, brass handles or steel windows can look great with traditional finishes and fittings. It’s in the small things…
HOW DOES A MODERN FARMHOUSE KITCHEN LOOK LIKE?
Traditional farmhouse kitchens tend to be darker and darker than modern farmhouse kitchens. The walls are white or cream, the surfaces or cabinets are made of oak, and there are touches of black in the hardware and ironmongery.
The editor of Country Homes & Interiors magazine, Andréa Childs, says that the modern farmhouse style may also have more industrial-style elements, such as steel surfaces and appliances and lighting that look like a cage. “Modern materials like polished concrete and marble could also be used.”
