Imagine the following: you enter a kitchen which immediately envelops you in coziness, and each of its sides tells you about homemade meals and family reunions. That is the charm of country kitchen, and frankly? I am totally addicted to this classic form. Having redecorated three kitchens (including my own nightmare of a galley kitchen), I have realized that country charm is not about having a farmhouse but about making a home no matter where you are living to.
Why Country Kitchens Never Go Out of Style
Country kitchens are also known to have something that modern minimalist spaces do not usually have, soul. These kitchens do not appear to be beautiful in the pictures, they are actually the working ones that serve real families who cook, bake and live in their homes every day.
I recall going to the apartment of my friend Sarah in downtown Chicago. She has made out of her small kitchen in her city home a country retreat that would be envied in a country farmhouse. The secret? She realized that country style is not a square footage but rather about making purposeful decisions that comfortable living is more important than fashion.
Have you ever found that country kitchens cause everybody to cluster around them? There’s science behind this! The warm colors, natural textures, and lived-in feel trigger our brain’s comfort responses. In my opinion, so that is why these spaces do not become outdated at all!
1. Embrace Natural Wood Elements
The Foundation of Country Charm
Any genuine country kitchen is made out of wood. However this is where the vast majority of people get it wrong; they believe that being country means that it should all be the same. Wrong! The application of mixed wood colors brings out depth and originality which could not be attained by perfect sets of sets which use wood as the main material.
This is something I learned through a hard way when I first tried country style. I purchased a full set of matching cabinets, island and shelves. The result? My kitchen was furnished like a display room and not a family room.
Smart Wood Choices for Every Budget
High-Impact Options:
- Reclaimed wood floating shelves ($50-150 per shelf)
- Butcher block countertops ($40-70 per square foot)
- Barn wood accent walls (DIY-friendly at $8-15 per square foot)
Budget-Friendly Alternatives:
- Wood-grain contact paper for cabinet fronts
- Faux wood vinyl planks for backsplashes
- Painted MDF with wood stain accents
The gimmick is in the superimposition of varying wood pieces, as opposed to the going the whole hog of costly custom woodwork. Start with one statement piece—maybe open shelving or a wood countertop—then build from there.
2. Install Open Shelving with Personality
Beyond Basic Storage
Open shelving is used as storage and display whereas country-style shelving tells a story. Disregard those sterile, minimalist floating shelves that you see everywhere. Shelving in the country should not be bought during a single shopping expedition.
The transformation that I loved most was in the rental kitchen of my sister. The cabinets were something that she could not replace, thus we only took off the upper cabinet door and inserted wood brackets that were made of rustic woods. Total cost: $75. Impact: priceless.
Styling Open Shelves Like a Pro
The 60-30-10 Rule:
- 60% everyday dishes and glassware
- 30% decorative elements (vintage finds, plants, cookbooks)
- 10% seasonal rotation items
Here’s what actually works on country shelves:
| Item Type | Examples | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Functional | Mason jars, vintage bowls, wooden cutting boards | Group odd numbers together |
| Decorative | Small plants, antique scales, woven baskets | Mix textures and heights |
| Personal | Family photos, handmade pottery, recipe books | These make it uniquely yours |
Want to know a secret? I do not purchase anything new without first having to shop in my own house. That cracked ceramic pitcher of your grandmother? Perfect for a country shelf. What out of place old crockery? Even better.
3. Choose a Warm, Inviting Color Palette
Colors That Actually Work
Ditch the white farmhouse craze- true country kitchens use comforting homey colors. I mean soft sage greens, creamy yellow-under-white and soft blues, reminiscent of old aprons.
The biggest mistake I see? Users select colors depending on Pinterest images rather than on the lighting situation on the ground. The blue on-line that you adored might appear gray and sad in your north kitchen.
My Foolproof Color Strategy
Start with your largest surface (usually cabinets), then layer in accent colors through:
- Backsplash tiles in complementary tones
- Window treatments in patterns or deeper shades
- Accessories like dishware and textiles
Winning Color Combinations:
- Sage green cabinets + cream walls + copper accents
- Soft blue lower cabinets + white uppers + natural wood
- Cream cabinets + brick red backsplash + black hardware
Pro tip: Paint huge poster boards in your possible colors and keep them a week. Believe me, you will have known which of them seems right.
4. Add Vintage-Inspired Hardware and Fixtures
Hardware That Makes a Statement
The hardware in country kitchen must be heavy and realistic. Even those little contemporary pulls can be smooth, but they are not suited to a country kitchen. You desire a hardware that can be held in your hand and that it looks like it can last decades.
I have ever spent three hours in an antique market searching the right cabinet pulls. Worth every minute! What I discovered were the brass handles of the old cabinets that turned my simple white cabinets into what looked like something out of a one-hundred-year-old farmhouse.
Where to Find Authentic Pieces
New Options with Vintage Appeal:
- Cup pulls in aged brass or oil-rubbed bronze
- Bin pulls for drawers (especially on islands)
- Thumb latches for cabinet doors
Actual Vintage Sources:
- Estate sales (goldmine for matching sets)
- Architectural salvage stores
- Online marketplaces (but verify measurements!)
Don’t Forget the Lighting
In country kitchens, there should be the lighting in layers that are warm and welcoming. Estrangely cold fluorescents will extinguish your country aesthetic quicker than you could utter the phrase of farmhouse chic.
Essential Lighting Elements:
- Pendant lights over islands (mason jar or metal barn-style)
- Under-cabinet LED strips for task lighting
- Table lamps or sconces for ambient lighting
FYI, my favorite lighting tip? Dimmer switches on everything. Mood lighting is required even in country kitchens:/
5. Incorporate Farmhouse Sinks and Vintage Appliances
The Farmhouse Sink: Worth the Hype?
I have lived with the undermount sinks as well as the farmhouse sinks, and I can conclude: farmhouse sinks are life changers. The deep bottom takes care of oversized pots, even flower arranging and the exposed front gives immediate country charm.
However, this is where the reality sinks in- farmhouse sinks need suitable cabinet support and plumbing needs. Do not do this as a DIY on the weekend unless you are a skilled carpenter and plumber.
Smart Appliance Choices
No old appliances are necessary to create the country style (but in case you find an old working stove, take it home!). Contemporary appliances in the correct finishes are a success:
Best Appliance Finishes for Country Style:
- Black stainless steel (hides fingerprints better than regular stainless)
- White or cream (classic and timeless)
- Colored enamel (think sage green or navy)
The Vintage Appliance Hunt
I will admit it, old fashioned appliances are beautiful and might be a nightmare to maintain. When you take this path, make sure to allocate money to repair and make sure you have an appliance repair person on speed dial.
Better option? Vintage-style new appliances. Firms such as Big Chill and Elmira Stove Works produce new appliances that have traditional vintage appearance.
6. Use Natural Textures and Materials
Texture Layering 101
The country kitchens are a success since they make several natural textures compatible with each other. Granite countertops, smooth and all, will not suffice, but you need the unevenness of a brick backdrop, the gentleness of linen drapes and the comfort of woven baskets.
My philosophy of texture: when you touch everything in your kitchen, there is no difference, then you need more variety.
Essential Natural Materials
Countertops:
- Butcher block (requires maintenance but ages beautifully)
- Natural stone with visible variation
- Concrete (surprisingly country when done right)
Backsplashes:
- Subway tile with wide grout lines
- Natural stone in varied sizes
- Reclaimed brick (stunning but needs sealing)
Window Treatments:
- Linen cafe curtains
- Roman shades in natural fabrics
- Simple cotton panels (avoid heavy drapes)
The Basket Revolution
Need upgrade to a country at the touch of a button? Add baskets everywhere. I have woven baskets under my island to store produce, on walls to store mail, and I corral snacks of the kids in the woven baskets. They are practical, gorgeous and shout country style.
7. Create Cozy Seating Areas
Beyond the Kitchen Island
Each country kitchen must have an ecstatic spot where people tend to congregate. This may be a breakfast nook, which has built in benches, or a small table that has been fitted into a corner, or bar stools that actually feel good to lounge over a cup of coffee.
I got to know this in the kitchen of my grandmother who had a small table by the window in which she used to sit up early in the morning and have her coffee. That table was the center of her kitchen–better than any fancy island.
Seating That Actually Works
Island Seating Mistakes to Avoid:
- Bar stools without backs (uncomfortable for long sits)
- Wrong height ratios (standard is 10-12 inches between seat and counter)
- Not enough knee room (minimum 6 inches)
Cozy Alternatives:
- Window seat with storage underneath
- Small round table for two
- Built-in banquette seating
Making Small Spaces Work
Live in a small kitchen? Make the impression of a sitting area using a small console table and a pair of stools under. It won’t fit six, though it provides that necessary meeting place.
Bringing It All Together: Your Country Kitchen Action Plan
And here is the real secret of furnishing a beautiful country kitchen: begin small and go on. You do not have to clean out your whole kitchen the next day. Start with one or two things that are calling to you and add on some country touches as time goes on.
My recommended starting points:
- Paint your cabinets in a warm, country-appropriate color
- Switch out hardware for something with more personality
- Add open shelving in at least one area
- Introduce natural textures through small accessories and textiles
Keep in mind, the prettiest country kitchens were not painted in a weekend. Allow yourself to build out your space over time, and do not feel the pressure of reaching a Pinterest-perfect space.
A country kitchen that you really enjoy spending time in includes cooking, eating and creating memories with those you love. Concentrate on this feeling and the charisma will come automatically.
What is your new first country kitchen upgrade? Believe me, you will not want to stop after you begin it!
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