35 Farmhouse Kitchen Design Tips

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Try An Open Concept

farmhouse kitchen — Design: DuVäl Reynolds, Photo: Stylish Productions

Farmhouse living is centered around cooking spaces that can accommodate large gatherings and big, hearty meals. If the budget allows, create an open concept with an island spacious enough to serve as the main gathering in your home.

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Display Your Treasures

Curated shelves aren't just reserved for home offices and living rooms, kitchens (especially those inspired by farmhouse living) are also a perfect place to display beautiful cookware, well-worn antiques, unique finds, and entertaining essentials.

Threshold Aluminum Taper Candle Holders Gold $25.00

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Mix Old With New

The charm of farmhouse decor is found in the perfect marriage of old-world finds and new-school design. This bright white kitchen boasts a squeaky clean look, while the vintage-style industrial stove takes you back in time.

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Let Farmhouse Style Take The Floor

Eye-level design elements aren't the only ones that deserve the spotlight. The flooring you select is just as important as the color of your cabinets and the material of your counters. These honeycomb terracotta tiles perfectly tie together all the components of this farmhouse-inspired cooking space.

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Incorporate Tons Of Texture

Authentic farmhouse living is full of texture—think hay bales, wheat, and natural materials—so keep this in mind when redesigning a space. Consider incorporating tons of texture via shiplap, rattan, reclaimed wood, and fresh foliage.

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Go With Open Shelving

Swap the traditional kitchen cabinet setup for open shelving, especially ones made of reclaimed slabs of wood. Stack plates, platters for entertaining, vintage stemware, and everyday essentials in plain sight for all to see and help themselves.

West Elm Reclaimed Wood Floating Shelf, Reclaimed Pine $80,152.00

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Select The Perfect Range Hood

A range hood above the stove is the epitome of a farmhouse kitchen. Since it acts as a focal point for your layout, be sure to choose one with enough character to take on the rest of your gorgeous space.

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Hang Your Tools

farmhouse design — Design: Milk And Honey Life

There's something about hanging your cooking essentials and most-used tools that feels like farmhouse living. A copper rod with S hooks is all you need to store items like whisks, measuring cups, and spoons, and keep them within reach.

Pottery Barn Curtain Rod & Wall Bracket $79,159.00

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Let The Light In

Choose window treatments that let in the natural light and give the kitchen. Keep things light and airy via metallic details, bright white walls, tons of windows, and delicate design elements.

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Be Mindful Of Seating

We're big fans of a formal dining room, but this kitchen setup is what farmhouse décor dreams are made of. The white marble countertop contrasted by the industrial-inspired leather stools is inviting—just how the farmhouse style was designed to be.

West Elm Alden Wood Counter Stool, Mango Wood $199.00

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Think Outside The Box

We're obsessed with the personal and creative touch these glass-front cabinets boast. Upon second glance, you'll notice a pattern that mimics chicken wire, a material commonly found on any farm, making this kitchen design feel all kinds of authentic.

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Mix All Kinds Of Materials

Living on the farm inevitably incorporates as many raw materials inside the house as it does outside. This kitchen displays a perfect mix of wood, stone, metal, and stainless steel.

AllModern Perkins 3-Light Cluster Teardrop Pendant $150.00 $133.00

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Don't Shy Away From Bold Shades

Don't be fooled by traditional neutral-colored country kitchens of seasons past—there is absolutely a space for bold hues in your cooking corner. We love the shade of this sage-colored shiplap installed on the island.

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Be Mindful Of The Lighting

farmhouse decor — Design: GreyHunt Interiors, Photo: Christy Kosnic

Incorporating industrial-inspired lighting in your kitchen (and dining nook) will instantly turn up the design factor of any space. Look for elements like raw metals, exposed bulbs, and hanging designs for an authentic feel.

The Home Depot 5-Light Brushed Nickel Island Chandelier $179.00

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Embrace Exposed Beams

If you're lucky enough to have exposed beams in your home, give them the attention they deserve. Stain them in a dark shade and add extra contrast with a coat of bright white paint on the walls. If you don't currently have exposed beams, they're only a contractor call away.

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Go With Traditional Elements

Cross-back chairs like the ones in this sprawling space are a quintessential farmhouse addition. The light blonde wood paired with the iron light fixtures, and the black backdrop is kitchen perfection.

Pottery Barn Aaron Bar Stool $399.00

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Try An Achromatic Color Palette

Farmhouse decor can be approached in a variety of ways to suit your taste. While some may choose to do farmhouse in a rainbow of hues, this achromatic approach proves to be equally gorgeous. The black and white color palette, accompanied by wooden accents proves to be chic, but still rustic at its core.

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Keep Original Tile Work

When you're working on a redesign, gutting the space and starting fresh always seems to feel like step number one. However, stop and evaluate the original elements before you start demolishing. This kitchen looks like it boasts an original tile that fits right in (or dare we say, shines) in this updated space.

Floor & Decor Moda Del Mar Woodfield Lane Matte Porcelain Tile $2.00

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Go With Kitchen Color Blocking

We love the color blocking utilized in this kitchen. Not only does it create tons of visual interest, it feels modern, and also stretches the space vertically by painting the bottom half a darker greyish blue and reserving white only for the top half.

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Try A Variety Of Styles

The beauty of the farmhouse style is it has an eclectic undertone—anything goes when it comes to decorating. This statement chandelier hanging above the kitchen's island is usually designed with luxurious details but looks right at home in this farmhouse-inspired space.

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Repurpose Antique Bottles

Antique Glass Bottles — Photo by Jonelle Weaver/Getty Images

Browse garage sales or antique stores for a few vintage pieces that can be repurposed for utilitarian use. Old milk bottles or glass soda bottles get a new life as a windowsill vase. Mix and match styles for a rustic farmhouse look.

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Give Old Furniture New Life

China cabinet filled with antique decor. — Kaelyn Guerin

An old china cabinet can be transformed into a great showpiece with a little paint. Use bold colors and assorted hardware to turn a formerly boring cabinet into a work of art. Old chin cabinets are great ways to showcase favorite dishware or even an a cookbook collection.

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Transform Wicker Baskets Into Storage Containers

A large mudroom with a closet, several hooks, and a few baskets — Tyler Karu Design

Wicker is a great way to add texture and warmth to any room. Adding that texture in with baskets does double duty by providing essential kitchen storage. Look for baskets that fist snugly in cubbies or under a table.

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Make a Statement with Salvaged Wood Furniture

Salvaged Wood Dining Table — Restoration Hardware

Go bold with a salvaged wood piece. A kitchen or dining room table made with salvaged or repurposed wood makes a design statement and ads valuable seating. If you love a DIY project, find an old piece of furniture and strip the old paint yourself.

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Install a Farmhouse Sink

A light-filled kitchen with a rustic ceramic farmhouse sink — House Nine

Ripping out and installing a new sink may only make sense during a remodel, but a vintage sink (or newly made model designed to appear vintage) creates a beautiful design element. Farmhouse sinks, with their deep size and porcelain glaze, are also easy to keep clean.

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Add Soft Linen Tablecloths or Kitchen Towels

Farmhouse Pottery Agrarian Striped Linen Napkins — Courtesy of Food52

Dig into your mother's old storage cabinet for extra soft, well-worn linen table runners, napkins, or tea towels. The sturdy fabric becomes softer with age so this is a case where older is often better. If you buy new linen, look for items that have been prewashed to soften.

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Embrace Eclectic Design Elements

Original farmhouse kitchens were designed to be first and foremost useful. Take design direction from utilitarian kitchens and add pops of color by displaying china, paint window trim a bold color. or use assorted appliances to add more color and a lived-in charm.

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Create a Kitchen Herb Garden

kitchen herb garden windowsill — KOTOPHOTP/Getty Images

The best part of a farmhouse kitchen is the wide-open space for cooking. Enhance your meals with freshly picked herbs that can be grown on a windowsill or a counter that gets plenty of sunlight. The plants will also add softness, a pop of green, and fragrant aromas to the kitchen.

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Display Timeless Cookware

A pink kitchen lined with copper pots and pans — Pure Salt Interiors

Have a collection of copper cookware or antique cast iron? Hang your pots on a rail above the counter or stove. The cookware adds a touch of decor, and also puts commonly used items in close reach when cooking.

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Mix Farmhouse Classics with a Modern Hearth

After shot of sleek modern kitchen with open fireplace. — Design: Sarah Latham; Photo: Josh Wells

A crackling fire on a winter night creates a cozy atmosphere, but not all fireplaces are created equal. For those who prefer modern farmhouse design, keep the large cooktop, spacious island, and fireplace, but give the elements a more contemporary feel with modern updates like a gas fireplace that can be easily turned on and off.

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Invest in a Walk-In Pantry

If you are planning a kitchen remodel, consider a walk-in pantry. The pantry is a classic element to many design styles including farmhouse chic. In addition, a pantry adds tons of storage and organizational space.

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Go Back in Time to Brick Walls

1970s Brick in Kitchen — CC-Licensed; Flickr User: Katie Baby

For those who prefer retro farmhouse charm, take inspiration from vintage kitchens from the 1970s. Exposed brick walls and backsplash add layers of warmth and texture. For a modern translation, paint cabinets and woodwork white to contrast against the red brick.

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Add Sliding Barn Doors

Bring the barn indoors (at least part of the barn) by using salvaged barn doors. Installing the doors on a sliding track can separate the kitchen from the pantry or other rooms in the house. The large design element can act as a design focal point to bring the room together.

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Use Brass Buckets to Store Firewood and Other Large Objects

Accentuate the beauty of freshly cut wood logs by storing them in beautifully crafted brass containers. The storage vessels will keep the wood neat and tidy and add a bold splash of color to the room.

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Decorate with Small Rugs

Small rugs in the kitchen will keep your feet warm and they can add a vibrant pop of color. Use a runner-sized rug in front of the sink, or add several throws in different patterns for a more eclectic look.