Farmhouse appeal: 13 ideas for your very own classic, cozy Kitchen

Farmhouse kitchens are favorable for their irresistible charm of combining modern kitchen flair with antique furniture cues, creating an environment of warmth that every homeowner desires. With a bit of creativity and some useful tips, any kitchen, irrespective of its urban, suburban, or rural setting can possess a farmhouse touch. The following 13 tips can serve as your guide to achieving a rustic country-styled kitchen.

You may be shocked to learn that a farmhouse aura can be achieved in a small, 18th-century rowhouse. With large windows facilitating the intake of natural light and open storage to avoid a cluttered feeling, such a kitchen can feel inviting. This was the recipe employed by Miriam Dillon, an associate at BarnesVanze Architects, who cleverly concealed storage in tall cabinets along one wall while maximizing window spaces and complementing the range with unlacquered brass shelves.

Stepping back into history, a kitchen located in a 1815-built farmhouse can combine historical authenticity with modern aesthetics. Architect Seth Ballard, principal at Ballard & Mensua Architecture, proves this possible by using reclaimed walnut flooring, the original timber frame ceiling, cherry cabinets, and a hood made of copper and forged steel.

Keeping a farmhouse kitchen design up to date requires treading a fine balance between ancient and modern design features. When using reclaimed wood, mix it with bright, natural lighting to add freshness to its appeal. That's the concoction that Michelle Murphy, principal at MV Architects, follows to create a welcoming contrast with a neutral color palette and concrete countertops.

Making a farmhouse kitchen sparkle and stand out lies in the minor details. Brass hardware, honed marble countertops, unlacquered brass fixtures, and a powder blue Lacanche range can transform the space to feel warm and appealing, suggests Murphy.

Soapstone countertops, with their natural movement, coupled with warm ivory cabinetry, are ideal for a farmhouse kitchen. The combination feels simple, stylish, and very much at home in such a setting courtesy of a design by Lindsell Interiors.

Clean, modern elements and classic hallmarks of a farmhouse kitchen such as reclaimed wood and an apron-front sink can be combined expertly. Valerie Helgeson, the lead designer and founder of Design Directions, suggests adding a zinc-look range hood and zinc pendant lights for sparkle and a combination of white uppers and bold peacock blue base cabinets for a crisp, modern finish.

In small spaces too, a farmhouse allure can be achieved. Rustic elements create the perfect ambiance, and as Jacqueline Gonçalves, founder of Moksa Studio, shows, beadboard walls, vintage details, and a leathered granite countertop are perfect for this effect.

Considering the image of a farmhouse-style room to be bright, sun-filled, and bordered by a garden of fresh herbs, the kitchen should naturally reflect the same. Clear designs such as wooden Windsor stools and enamel pendants by Winslow Design bring a sense of timelessness.

Materials like locally mined marble and regional wood increase the connection of a farmhouse kitchen to its surroundings. Interior designer Laura Medicus suggests the use of tongue and groove, inset cabinets, and a thin stile with curved interior corners on glass cabinet doors.

Farmhouse style uses colors that are rarely vibrant or bold, instead, the colors often echo the natural palette. Interior designer Pascale de Fouchier explains that she wanted to create a timeless and lived-in kitchen by using thyme cabinets to recall the lakeside outdoors and Mykonos quartzite for warmth and elegance.

When the kitchen overlooks a picturesque scene, focusing on these vistas enhances the feeling of being connected to the outdoors. According to Joe Mackin, president, and co-founder of Period Architecture, this kitchen was designed with French casement windows that draw in fresh air.

Vintage-inspired hardware, like bin or cup pulls, are essential features of farmhouse kitchens and can add a farmhouse feel to any kitchen, points out interior designer Kate Maloney. And finally, an unexpected, warm, sunny color for the cabinetry can do wonders for your farmhouse kitchen as demonstrated by interior designer Jessica Blue.