Kitchen Workbook: 8 Elements of a Farmhouse Kitchen
Classic materials and vintage touches create a farm-style space that still feels fresh today
Farmhouse-style kitchens recall a time when rural communities and customs were still at the forefront of American living. Spacious, warm and homey, they anchored life amid the land, and today they evoke a bygone period that whispers of a simpler time. Try these eight elements to reinterpret the look for your kitchen.
More on Modern Rustic Farmhouses
More on Modern Rustic Farmhouses
1. Open shelving. In a classic farmhouse kitchen, wall-mounted shelves and doorless cabinets keep dishware and utensils easy to locate and grab. If your kitchen has traditional upper and lower banks of cabinetry, consider removing some of the doors for the look of open shelving, or replace upper cabinets with floating or bracketed shelves.
2. An old-fashioned range. As with any kitchen, the stove is the heart of a farmhouse cooking space. This AGA model calls to mind a vintage unit, right down to the stovepipe.
3. Classic flooring. Although wood floors in a farmhouse kitchen are always on point, they aren't your only option — black and white tile and checkered linoleum also feel true to the style. If you do choose wood, you can either leave it natural or paint it, both of which are appropriate.
4. Vintage accents. Period touches ground the farmhouse look in its old-fashioned roots. Consider pitchers, pottery, lighting and other accessories as nostalgic top notes.
5. A fireplace. Nothing makes a kitchen feel cozier than a fireplace, and in old farmhouse kitchens, the hearth formed a central gathering spot. Even if you can't install a working fireplace in your space, you can approximate the look by bricking in a section of the wall or mounting a mantelpiece and surround for decorative displays.
6. A big table. What's a farmhouse kitchen without an expansive, welcoming table? These workhorses pull double duty as eating space and food-prep surface — roll out dough, chop vegetables or perch pies and cakes to cool on them.
7. An apron-front sink. This is perhaps the single most important element in a farmhouse kitchen. With its broad face, deep bowl and sturdy construction, an apron-front sink stands up to heavy-duty use. You'll find plenty of new ones on the market, but you can also source vintage models from salvage yards and flea markets.
8. Freestanding cabinetry. Kitchens of the past typically included hutches, pie safes, presses and other stand-alone pieces rather than built-ins. Tuck a freestanding cabinet into your space or replicate the look with a built-in unit that has furniture-style detailing (such as bun feet) or is painted a different color from the rest of the cabinetry.
More kitchen styles:
Classic Kitchens
Contemporary Kitchens
Cottage Kitchens
Craftsman Kitchens
Eclectic Kitchens
Mediterranean Kitchens
Modern Kitchens
Traditional Kitchens
Transitional Kitchens
More kitchen styles:
Classic Kitchens
Contemporary Kitchens
Cottage Kitchens
Craftsman Kitchens
Eclectic Kitchens
Mediterranean Kitchens
Modern Kitchens
Traditional Kitchens
Transitional Kitchens
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