Farmhouse kitchens are considered the heart of the dwelling and as such, creating a cozy and inviting environment is key. But it’s also where all the culinary magic happens – so practicality and utility is paramount. Farmhouse-inspired design strikes the perfect balance between the two and is an excellent option for anyone looking for a juxtaposition of soothing and sensible for their kitchen ideas.

'When envisioning a farmhouse kitchen, the first thing most people think of is the iconic farmhouse sink or shiplap wall treatments,' says New York-based Megan Dufresne, principal designer at MC Design. 'These are by no means the only options for farmhouse style kitchens. The appeal of the farmhouse style is its timelessness and its ability to conjure homey and nostalgic feelings.'  

Looking for farmhouse decor ideas and rustic decor inspiration to help spark ideas for your own kitchen? Here, we spoke to a handful of interior designers and decorator on how to achieve a farmhouse kitchen look with aplomb.

BY ANDREA CHILDS

While the modern farmhouse look majors on neutral tones of cream and white alongside plenty of wood, there is scope for color in your farmhouse kitchen ideas. Just be sure that your hues are inspired by a gentle, natural palette when you're deciding on kitchen color ideas or farmhouse wall decor.

Decorating with black and white will bring timeless charm to your country kitchen, offering the scope to create an elegant space that will last a lifetime. In this space, filigree patters take on a modern farmhouse look in striking black and white, bringing a beautiful dimension of pattern and personality. 

Centering the kitchen at the centre of an open-concept space can create a coherent look across your home – especially if you align your farmhouse kitchen ideas with the decor in the adjacent room. Open-plan kitchen ideas also bring a relaxed aesthetic that suits today's homes and lifestyle.

'In this project, rethinking the modern farmhouse style was about getting away from the trendy, expected black and oak look,' explain Lina Galvao and Erin Coren from Curated Nest Interiors. 

'The colors in the family room – black, cream, and blue, with natural wood accents – prove to be more vibrant than in your typical farmhouse, but don't assault the senses. This works particularly well in the home’s open-plan setting, where a "light and airy" feeling is emphasized throughout the ground floor space with the repeated use of pale greys, whites, and light woods.

Using black is like adding punctuation to your farmhouse kitchen scheme – it helps to unite and make sense of all the other elements in the room.

'Mixing concepts and textures such as marble tile, rich woods, and shiplap up to the ceiling bring about a farmhouse feel in a sophisticated manner,' suggests Lindye Galloway, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop. 

'Contrasting hardware such as a matte black helps to bring the eye throughout the space without taking away from the overall design aesthetic.'

You can install new kitchen handles to introduce a matte black touch instantly to your farmhouse kitchen ideas.

The farmhouse look is about ease, simplicity and a sense of welcome – and the lighting you choose is key.

'When you're considering farmhouse kitchen lighting ideas, think about the functional lights you need, to illuminate food prep and cooking areas, as well as accent lighting in glazed cabinets or niches,' says Andréa Chillds, editor of Country Homes & Interiors magazine. 

'But then get playful and creative with the lighting that will create atmosphere and character. You could put a row of wall lights above a farmhouse dining table, rather than a typical pendant, as in this scheme by Lindye Galloway. Or use a mix of different lighting styles, with mismatched shades, for an eclectic look.'

Wide wood plank flooring is a staple of farmhouse kitchen design, but it doesn't have to be simple straight-up-and-down rows. Herringbone and chevron designs bring flair to wood flooring, or you could mix wood with tile for a mismatched look. Whichever look you choose, you can be reassured that the answer to 'Is wood suitable for kitchens?' is 'Yes'.

'Wood is an element that is seen throughout the farmhouse design, which can bring that warm, cozy and traditional feeling into any kitchen,' says Teri Simone, Head of Design & Marketing for Nieu Cabinet Doors. 

'Wooden beams, floors and rustic repurposed chairs are good examples. Brass touches like faucets or even decorative cookware found at the secondhand store can also bring your farmhouse design to life.'

This farmhouse kitchen from Urbanology Designs teams black cabinetry with clean white walls for a fresh but grounded scheme.

If monochrome is your choice for modern farmhouse ideas, there are a number of black and white kitchen ideas to try. 'You might opt for black cabinets with white trim, white cabinets with dark wood trim, or dark brown cabinets with light wood trim,' suggests Linda D Haase, an interior designer from Utah and adviser at The Project Girl.

Farmhouse kitchen ideas don't usually include the sleek and shiny, or super high-tech features.

'Farmhouse style is a combination of function and the homeowners personal style, whether it be DIY, modern, industrial, or coastal that meld together in an eclectic, lived in look,' explains Kate Hunt of Kathryn Hunt Studio in Connecticut.

'Often the location of the project influences what materials are used, such as reclaimed wood, woven seagrass elements, and antiques. Often lighting and furniture is reclaimed.  Glam is not a term that would be used for farmhouse style.'

‘A glazed dresser can make a great addition to a traditional or farmhouse kitchen,’ says interior designer Cherie Lee. ‘The display of ceramic pieces and timber boards will create an informal and natural feel to the kitchen cabinetry, both of which are key elements in achieving the modern farmhouse aesthetic.’ 

‘Larders and pantries are quickly becoming the status symbol of modern kitchens. Looking stylish and offering easy, additional storage,’ says Paul Deckland of The Cotswold Company.

In this space, the farmhouse style is perfectly crafted as modern is mixed with rustic. The sleek, contemporary charcoal larder is complemented by the wooden stair ladder and wicker baskets. 

Bringing colorful appliances into your kitchen is a great way to accessorise a farmhouse style space, complementing traditional earthy tones.

According to Graham Duke of Everhot, pairing the deep green cooker with neutral colors results in a calming effect. 

‘Incorporate pieces with age into your modern farmhouse kitchen,’ says interior designer Phillip Thomas. ‘Those pieces are elevated to works of art when juxtaposed with the clean lines of the modern space.’

This space, crafted by Vipp, cleverly mixes modern and vintage as the traditional larder complements the light color scheme. 

‘Farmhouses by nature are about streamlined functionality,’ says Phillip Thomas. ‘One of the ways to develop a functional interior is with open shelving.’ 

Thomas suggests stocking your open shelving with interesting materials and pieces that are aesthetically pleasing as well as functional.  

‘Earthy, spice-inspired hues are a brilliant way to add warmth into a space, and while shades of ochre are not usually commonplace in the kitchen they do work wonderfully to add an energising spin on a farmhouse kitchen,’ says Andrea Freeman of Bushboard. 

‘Honey tones pair beautifully with wood features such as shelving, worktops or furniture in a kitchen, continuing to add texture and warmth, while the pattern breaks up the warm palette to add interest and mimic other areas of the home.’ 

‘A sleek marble work surface can instantly give a kitchen a contemporary feel,’ says Interior Designer Birdie Fortescue. ‘Equally a new hard floor such as limestone or pale wood floor boards will update even the most traditional farmhouse kitchen.’

‘Mix natural materials to bring the Modern Farmhouse look to a kitchen,’ says Phillip Thomas. ‘Pair wood with metals such as stainless or brass and stone with glass.’

This carefully considered space, crafted by Nordic House, blends natural materials to a calming effect. 

Adding contrasting colors to your kitchen cabinet can bring a modern, stylish feel to your farmhouse kitchen. The deep cherry cabinet in this space adds warmth to the kitchen.

Sinead Trainor of LochAnna Kitchens recommends pairing reds and deep cherry colors with lighter, cooler tones such as beige, white or grey. 

Installing laminate floors in your kitchen is a great way to achieve the rustic, farmhouse style while keeping your house modern and versatile. 

‘The wood effect decors offer a more contemporary take on traditional wood whilst still retaining its warm welcoming tones,’ says Inga Morris-Blincoe of Lifestyle Floors. 

‘Keep the design of the cabinets as simple as possible,’ says Birdie Fortescue. ‘Maintain this look throughout and don’t muddle styles in the joinery or door furniture.’

‘Add a freestanding piece whether a dresser or cabinet. Don’t over decorate this with fussy objects and make sure the overall look is balanced and clean.’

‘An oak table in the kitchen brings warmth and an organic element from the natural material that is essential in a modern farmhouse design,’ says Interior Designer Cherie Lee. ‘It will also show signs of age and character with use that play into the effortless and lived in aesthetic.’ 

‘Bench seating can feel more intimate and casual in the kitchen than dining chairs. It can really assist with creating a comfortable and laid back kitchen style,’ says Cherie Lee. ‘Tongue and groove detail on a built-in bench will maximize the country or farmhouse look. Add soft furnishings in natural leathers and wools for additional texture.’ 

‘I love Nordic furniture in a modern farmhouse design,’ says Phillip Thomas. ‘While the pieces are often spare in their design, the materials they employ are very rich and have soul.’