A classic farmhouse style kitchen is a place you can easily picture a kettle boiling, fresh bread on the worktop and boots at the back door. A farmhouse kitchen bring a sense of warmth and will never go out of style.
However, designing a farmhouse style kitchen is far more than just adding a rustic dining table. A proper farmhouse kitchen balances vintage charm and modern day appliances and functionality. From the cabinets to the flooring, kitchen handles and taps, all parts play an important role.
The colours you use will set the tone of your farmhouse kitchen. You’re aiming for calming colours that feel homely, nothing too glossy. The right colours will make your kitchen feel warm and inviting. Keep things simple and let the surrounding materials do the talking.
Think creamy whites, warm greys and gentle pastels. They will create a clean canvas that will bounce light around the room and provide a canvas that works well with rustic fixtures. You want to create an airy feel without making the kitchen feel cold.
Matt paints work best in farmhouse kitchens because their softer appearance, avoid shiny or glossy alternatives.
The cabinetry is one of the most defining elements of a farmhouse kitchen. It need cabinets and fixtures that work hard but still maintain the vintage and warm style. Farmhouse kitchens are all about simple design, there’s usually no need to anything too flashy or built in. Your kitchen should be traditional and full of character.
The modern day go to choice for farmhouse kitchens are shaker cabinets. The clear square edges and understated detailing strikes the perfect balance between classic and functional. Shaker cabinet doors also look great in soft colours or neutral colours.
A true farmhouse kitchen will include freestanding units to provide the appearance that its been brought together over time. Think a separate larder cupboard, sideboard or vintage dresser.
The worktops in a farmhouse kitchen need to durable enough to handle the demands of a busy kitchen, but also bring natural charm. However, there’s a range of options open to you.
The classic look would be a natural wood worktop. The natural look of wood brings warmth and that cosy feel of the countryside. Natural wood also works well alongside painted cabinets and freestanding furniture. The downside is that natural wood needs regular care to keep it looking good.
If something more polished to your liking you could choose marble, which is hardwearing, easy to clean and can still complement the farmhouse style.
A great benefit of a traditional farmhouse style is that you can embrace a slightly mismatched look, especially where you have freestanding units. Mixing worktops (say just wood on an island and marble elsewhere) makes the kitchen feel evolved over time rather than a brand new installation.
In any kitchen the sink is real focal point. Paired with the right taps it being character whilst still doing a lot of heavy lifting.
You can’t talk about farmhouse sinks without thinking of a Belfast sink. These deep sinks are typically ceramic and have chunky appearance. They provide a real presence and are brilliant for washing larger trays and pans.
Your tap choice is also as important. Bridge taps, pillar taps or single lever taps in vintage styles will all suit, especially when finished in brass or copper. You could choose to add something more modern in a traditional finish as this can be more practical.
Flooring can easily be overlooked but it can be key to maintaining the farmhouse style. You want to add warmth with natural textures whilst also keeping it durable. It needs to feel authentic and age gracefully.
The classic look would be wide plank wood flooring. Wider boards have a historic feeling. Using a textured wood floor will ensure you’re not worrying about every scuff or scratch that will naturally occur in a busy household.
A truly farmhouse floor would be made of stone, a material that’s been used on floors for centuries. A stone floor is incredibly durable and tends to look better with age.
For something more fancy you could look towards terracotta tiles. The rich tones will complement wood and they often have a slightly uneven, handmade look that fits.