Imagine the situation, you enter a kitchen and feel like taking a cup of coffee and spending hours there. There is the magic of a well-designed country kitchen it does not just look good, it smells of home. I have spent many hours working with homeowners to turn their cold cooking areas into the warm relaxed heart of their homes and, trust me, country style has never been out of style.
The best part? You do not have to live on a farm or have huge budget to pull this off. The design of country kitchen is all about the right balance of rustic-modern functionality. Are you ready to transform your kitchen into a cosy meeting place that you always dreamed?
The Heart of Country Style: Natural Materials
Wood Elements That Actually Work
Have you ever looked in some of those country kitchens in the magazines, and then in others that just read try too hard? The trick consists in the selection of the appropriate wood elements. I will always advise my clients to either go big or go home with their wood options but in a smart way.
Here you need reclaimed wood as your friend. The old barn doors are not just Instagram worthy but they add color, real color, which can never be duplicated. I’ve used reclaimed wood for:
Islands that turn into conversation pieces in the kitchen • Shelves that are open and reveal your favorite dishes on them • Beam ceiling that is architecturally engaging and creates stories in the form of the fronts of your cabinets.
This is the part where most individuals fail miserably, everybody thinks that all the wood should be the same. Wrong! Combining wood colours gives it a depth and it does not look like a furniture store that shouts artificiality.
Stone and Brick: The Foundation of Authenticity
Natural stone is the best way to instill the feel of a country kitchen, though the strategy of the wrong kind of stone will leave your interior more suited by the middleages than warm farmhouse. The limestone and slate are also good with the countertops and the wall of the exposed brick gives the space a good texture without saturating it.
FYI, when working with a smaller kitchen, you would use brick as a wall accent, but not cover all of the surfaces. Believe me, on this count I have been in too many kitchens that remind me of a pizza oven, as such!
Color Schemes That Don’t Bore You to Tears
Beyond Basic White and Beige
Admittedly, the white farmhouse kitchens are ubiquitous. They are undoubtedly pretty, but can they do with a little character? The combination of sage green, dusty blue and warm cream makes that country feel without putting everyone to sleep.
I was recently involved in the painting of a kitchen that we painted the lower cabinets in a beautiful sage green with the tops being crisp white. The result? A timeless and fresh atmosphere. Whenever a homeowner walks into such a kitchen, the homeowner receives compliments.
| Color Combination | Best For | Mood Created |
|---|---|---|
| Sage + Cream | Larger kitchens | Calm, sophisticated |
| Navy + White | Smaller spaces | Classic, clean |
| Dusty Rose + Gray | Vintage lovers | Soft, romantic |
The Power of Accent Colors
Like to find out what makes amateur country kitchens and the professionals different? Strategic use of accent colors. I am referring to that burst of burgundy in your dish towels, the dark forest green of your vintage canisters or the warm amber light of your pendant lights.
Such accents are to be built up, rather than bought in one shopping spurt. Hunt for pieces at antique stores, farmers’ markets, and estate sales. Your kitchen will reciprocate with your real character which cannot be purchased with money.
Storage Solutions That Actually Store Things
Open Shelving Done Right
Open shelving in country kitchens is not only the display of your pretty dishes (which is also good). It is all about making efficient display area to make your kitchen look inhabited and adored.
Here’s my formula for open shelving success:
Combine daily use objects with the ornaments • Put the objects with different color and height together to look good, there should be some empty space, overstocked shelves are cluttered.
The gimmick is to make these shelves look as though you are preparing something in this kitchen. No one thinks that you are only allowed matching white dishes so, do not act as such!
Pantry Solutions That Make Sense
Walk-in pantries or butler pantry Country kitchens frequently include walk-in pantry space or prep space, which doubles as a storage area. Should you lack the space to include a separate pantry, make one out of a large armoire (or a vintage cabinet) with a long arm.
I adore the idea to store spices and other small things in old pharmacy cabinets or library card catalogs. They include personality and make all things well-structured and easy to retrieve.
Lighting That Sets the Mood
Pendant Lights with Personality
Forget those boring builder-grade fixtures. Country kitchens should have statement pendant lights, which resonate with the rustic nature of the style. Mason jar fountain, wrought iron, and glass shades all inspired by the vintage are all good.
Finding the balance is the trick, your pendants must fit the size of your island or dining table. I would normally suggest standard kitchen islands that have a width of 12-20 inches.
Layered Lighting for Functionality
Nation does not mean dark and depressed. You must have adequate task lighting in the kitchen, ambient lighting in the party and accent lighting to showcase your gorgeous design.
Consider these layered lighting options:
Task lighting: under-cabinet LED strips Under-cabinet general lighting: recessed warm-bulb lights Sconce open shelving: accent lighting on either side of open sheltering Table lighting on counters: ambient lighting in table lamps
Appliances That Don’t Kill the Vibe
Hiding Modern Necessities
Admittedly, we require the use of modern appliances, and maybe, the stainless steel does not reflect much country-esque. Panel ready appliances allow you to wrap your dishwasher and fridge with matching cabinet fronts to keep it looking rustic.
With smaller appliances, an appliance garage can be made with a tambour door or simple cabinet. This stores your coffee maker, toaster and the blender in place but out of sight.
Vintage-Style Options That Actually Work
IMO, the appliance market has at last kept pace with our design dreams. Fridges, ranges, and dishwashers are now available in vintage appearance but with modern functionality to stash away when you do not need them.
Farmhouse sinks are another item of special mention. They are not merely pretty: the deep basins are of unbelievable utility in cleaning huge pots and pans. Choose fireclay or cast iron for authentic materials that age beautifully.
Bringing It All Together: The Details That Matter
Hardware That Tells a Story
Cabinet hardware may be viewed as an insignificant matter, yet it can ruin or make your country kitchen design. Crystallised bronze, rough brass, and black iron are all suitable to country style.
Mix different styles within the same finish family. Apply cup pulls on drawers, and knob with a different size on the door or a mixture of sizes. The idea is that the look that is gathered over time comes naturally.
Textiles and Soft Furnishings
Note the ability of fabric to cushion surfaces that are hard, and bring some warmth. Linen curtains, cotton dish towels, and braided rugs also help to add the country look to it.
A comfortable seating plan is always part of any country kitchen – a breakfast nook created by incorporating built in banquettes or a simple bar stool with cushioned seats. This makes it more welcoming and your kitchen will become the very core of your home.
Final Thoughts: Making It Yours
There is no strict formula to make a country kitchen that will be both stylish and comfortable. It is about mixing the things that speak to you without losing the main principles of the style, namely: warmth, authenticity and functionality.
The most attractive country kitchens are those that seem to have been developed over the years and each detail used is not only pretty but practical. Begin with the huge ticket storage such as cabinets and countertops, then add the smaller aspects that depict your way of life and personality.
Keep in mind that your kitchen must be functional to your real life, not the way you think you ought to. A really good country kitchen is one you can be happy to be in – cooking, eating and having great memories with people you love. And, frankly speaking, that is what home is really all about.
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