A kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home. It’s the room where all the meals are made and eaten, and it’s an area for family and friends to gather for games and socialization. As such, it is important for your kitchen to be a cozy, functional, and welcoming space. A farmhouse-style kitchen is one that fulfills these criteria well. If you’re updating your kitchen, here are some ways to give your kitchen a farmhouse style.
Consider Classic vs. Modern Style
The first thing you’ll want to do when designing your farmhouse kitchen is decide whether you would prefer a classic or modern farmhouse style. A classic farmhouse kitchen is reminiscent of an old country kitchen, with rustic wood accents, vintage furniture and decorations, and an air of simplicity. Modern style farmhouse kitchens can have similar themes but tend to be more minimalistic than country and feature industrial accents such as pipes or stainless steel kitchen appliances. Either type of farmhouse style is a beautiful and functional option, and the type you choose will mainly depend on your personal preference and which style goes best with the overall style of your home.
Color
The colors you choose for your kitchen can make or break the farmhouse feel. Neutral colors such as white, yellow, black, and brown are a good way to go. But don’t be afraid to add a pop of color! Soft, pastel colors like light blue, green, and pink can really add to the cozy, rustic feel of a farmhouse kitchen.
Walls and Flooring
When it comes to walls and flooring in a farmhouse kitchen, you’ll have a lot of freedom to choose the color, style, and material that goes best with the rest of your kitchen. The traditional style of flooring in a farmhouse kitchen is wood, which comes in a variety of types and shades to suit your look. Tile is also a gorgeous type of flooring that, depending on the style you choose, can add to your kitchen’s rustic aura or make the room sleeker and more industrial.
When choosing a color for your kitchen’s walls, take into account the other colors and textures you will be using in your kitchen and try to coordinate your walls with them. Wood-paneled walls are an option, and a brick or tile backsplash always looks great in a farmhouse kitchen.
Furniture
Typically, farmhouse kitchen furniture is made of wood and fits with the room’s functional, sturdy, and comfortable aesthetic. Fitting with the more industrial aesthetic, farmhouse kitchen furniture can also be made from metal or a combination of wood and metal. Below are some common pieces of farmhouse kitchen furniture for you to consider adding to your home.
Countertops
Part of what makes a farmhouse kitchen distinctive is its simplicity and large amount of counter space. Since your countertops will be a large part of what defines the style of your kitchen, it’s important to choose a style that you like! Marble countertops are a sleek and popular option, and they come in a variety of colors and designs, so there is something for everyone.
Island
An extension of your counter space, an island is a staple of your farmhouse kitchen design. Islands provide extra space for cooking, a fun place to display decorations, and extra seating for quick, casual meals. Islands are often installed during the construction or remodeling of a kitchen, but if you can’t afford or would prefer not to have one installed, it’s easy to buy a freestanding farmhouse style kitchen island. No installation is necessary!
Chairs
When choosing chairs for your kitchen, you’ll want to consider how many you need and which styles fit best with the style of the room. If you have a table in your kitchen, pair it with a set of chairs that either match or complement the color and style of the table. For a more rustic look, choose a wooden bench to go with your table. If you have an island in your kitchen, invest in a set of barstools to go with it and expand the seating capacity of your kitchen.
Farmhouse Sink
A large, classic farmhouse sink is a nice touch in a farmhouse kitchen. They usually come in white and are made of porcelain or a similar material, and the front side of the sink is exposed, adding to the style of your kitchen. These types of sinks have deep, wide basins that are ideal for washing dishes and cooking, making them as functional as they are beautiful.
Shelving and Cabinets
The style you choose for the cabinets and shelving in your farmhouse kitchen can really influence the aesthetic of the room. In the spirit of simplicity, replacing cabinets with open shelving is a popular design choice for a farmhouse style. As a bonus, open shelving allows you to display and use your dishware as part of your kitchen’s décor.
Another popular option is shaker style cabinetry. This style of cabinetry, made of five panels with a recessed center panel, is traditional, classic, and never goes out of style. White is an attractive color for these types of cabinets, but they are also available in a variety of other lovely colors. If you want to do something a little different with your cabinet design, experiment with adding two-toned cabinets to your kitchen.
Antique-Inspired Decoration
Finish off your kitchen design by adding some antique-inspired decorations to your kitchen. Put up a vintage wooden sign on one of your walls, add some vintage farm equipment to one of your shelves, or hang up some copper pots and pans or cute mugs. You don’t need to buy all new decorations if you don’t want to—try working with what you have, and you’ll be surprised by how many useful decorative items you already own.
When it comes down to it, you want your kitchen to be a comfortable place for eating, cooking, and relaxing in your home. A farmhouse style kitchen is perfect for all these things, and there are so many ways to give your kitchen a farmhouse style, even if you’d prefer not to renovate it completely. Vintage Mill Werks carries a variety of farmhouse kitchen furniture, from tables to benches to islands, and we make it our job to help you find the perfect new addition to your kitchen.
