Your Guide to a Farmhouse-Style Kitchen
Crisp and classic hues, Shaker cabinetry, wall paneling and rustic modern touches define this look
Whether you’re tackling a kitchen remodel with the help of a kitchen designer, architect or contractor, being able to clearly define your favorite style will help get your project off to a smooth start. If you love practical simplicity with a bit of modern flair and a dash of rustic charm, farmhouse style may be right up your alley. Read on for the need-to-know details about this popular kitchen style, including key elements, color palettes, fixtures and finishing touches.
What You Won’t Find in Farmhouse Kitchens
The emphasis in a farmhouse kitchen is on simplicity and homespun charm. While there are modern elements at play, this isn’t the place to experiment with trends. Here’s what you won’t see:
The emphasis in a farmhouse kitchen is on simplicity and homespun charm. While there are modern elements at play, this isn’t the place to experiment with trends. Here’s what you won’t see:
- Super sleek finishes
- Envelope-pushing trends
- Highly embellished millwork
- Busy patterns
- Cluttered surfaces
Heritage Hues
Farmhouse-style kitchens tend toward simple, natural hues with a timeless feel. Crisp white with black accents is a popular choice, but it’s certainly not the only option. Look for color inspired by nature, historic homes and farm finds.
Colors for farmhouse kitchens:
Farmhouse-style kitchens tend toward simple, natural hues with a timeless feel. Crisp white with black accents is a popular choice, but it’s certainly not the only option. Look for color inspired by nature, historic homes and farm finds.
Colors for farmhouse kitchens:
- Crisp contrast. White, cream, black
- Natural neutrals. Buttermilk, straw, gray, khaki, stone
- Classic colors. Barn red, denim blue, robin egg blue, sage, mustard
Shaker-Style Cabinetry
Not as minimalist as flat-panel cabinets or as highly embellished as raised-panel designs, this cabinet style has a graceful simplicity that’s well-suited to farmhouse kitchens. Shaker-style cabinets can be painted or simply finished to allow the natural beauty of the wood grain to show through. Bin pulls, latching hardware and simple wooden knobs provide just the right finishing touch.
Find a kitchen cabinet maker
Not as minimalist as flat-panel cabinets or as highly embellished as raised-panel designs, this cabinet style has a graceful simplicity that’s well-suited to farmhouse kitchens. Shaker-style cabinets can be painted or simply finished to allow the natural beauty of the wood grain to show through. Bin pulls, latching hardware and simple wooden knobs provide just the right finishing touch.
Find a kitchen cabinet maker
Design Detail: Open Shelving
Since open shelving is so popular in kitchens today, it’s easy to think of it as a modern addition to kitchen design — but it’s actually one of the oldest storage methods. This blending of new and old makes open shelving especially well suited to a farmhouse-style kitchen. Use the open storage to display everyday essentials that are both useful and beautiful.
Since open shelving is so popular in kitchens today, it’s easy to think of it as a modern addition to kitchen design — but it’s actually one of the oldest storage methods. This blending of new and old makes open shelving especially well suited to a farmhouse-style kitchen. Use the open storage to display everyday essentials that are both useful and beautiful.
Design Detail: Paneling and Beadboard
Wall paneling is a good way to add character to a farmhouse-style kitchen. While paneling is sometimes uncovered during renovations of older homes, your home doesn’t have to have this original feature to benefit from its timeless farmhouse appeal. Tongue-and-groove, shiplap and beadboard are all good options for farmhouse kitchens.
Wall paneling is a good way to add character to a farmhouse-style kitchen. While paneling is sometimes uncovered during renovations of older homes, your home doesn’t have to have this original feature to benefit from its timeless farmhouse appeal. Tongue-and-groove, shiplap and beadboard are all good options for farmhouse kitchens.
Design Detail: Spacious Pantry
Whether incorporated into the main space or set apart, farmhouse kitchens tend to have spacious pantry areas. Look for built-in storage that matches the style and color of the kitchen cabinetry, barn door closures and library ladders.
Whether incorporated into the main space or set apart, farmhouse kitchens tend to have spacious pantry areas. Look for built-in storage that matches the style and color of the kitchen cabinetry, barn door closures and library ladders.
Design Detail: Apron-Front Sink
The classic farmhouse sink is generously sized and made from white fireclay or porcelain, although stainless steel or copper can be used as well. Apron-front sinks pair well with traditional bridge or gooseneck faucets.
Find apron-front sinks in the Houzz Shop
The classic farmhouse sink is generously sized and made from white fireclay or porcelain, although stainless steel or copper can be used as well. Apron-front sinks pair well with traditional bridge or gooseneck faucets.
Find apron-front sinks in the Houzz Shop
Design Detail: Subway Tile
Classic subway tile bridges the gap between traditional farmhouse elements and modern accents with ease. Subway tile can be applied in the traditional brick-like stacked pattern or in a herringbone pattern for a unique twist.
Find subway tile in the Houzz Shop
Classic subway tile bridges the gap between traditional farmhouse elements and modern accents with ease. Subway tile can be applied in the traditional brick-like stacked pattern or in a herringbone pattern for a unique twist.
Find subway tile in the Houzz Shop
Finishing Touches
Farmhouse-style kitchens balance rustic appeal with simplicity-loving modern sensibilities. Finishing touches that work well include modern lanterns; industrial or barn-style lighting; classic spindle chairs with an updated shape; butcher block accents and cream-colored ceramics.
Farmhouse-style kitchens balance rustic appeal with simplicity-loving modern sensibilities. Finishing touches that work well include modern lanterns; industrial or barn-style lighting; classic spindle chairs with an updated shape; butcher block accents and cream-colored ceramics.
Your turn: Are you a fan of farmhouse style? Describe or show us your favorite farmhouse-style kitchen in the Comments!
More on Houzz
Your Guide to Farmhouse Style
Browse photos of farmhouse-style kitchens for inspiration
Find a kitchen designer to get your project started
Shop for farmhouse kitchen products
More on Houzz
Your Guide to Farmhouse Style
Browse photos of farmhouse-style kitchens for inspiration
Find a kitchen designer to get your project started
Shop for farmhouse kitchen products
Farmhouse-style kitchens honor regional, rural heritage without sacrificing modern comforts. Here are some common elements to look for: