The farmhouse look, despite how old it is, never really goes out of style. It relishes in simplicity, favoring a healthy combination of form and function, embracing change, and resting on a nice balance between rustic and modern.
If this appeals to you, then good news: there’s no big secret, no complication, no convoluted solutions to incorporating this style into your home. The idea here is to start simple and make small additions from there.
But enough meandering, let’s bring the farmhouse style to your kitchen!
“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. – E. M. Forster
Keep it simple
Perhaps the greatest lesson from the farmhouse style is to keep things simple – but remember that simple does not mean minimalist. One of the biggest appeals of the farmhouse style when compared to traditional house styles is that change is not only expected, but encouraged.
Nothing is set in stone. You don’t have to make additions for the sake of it, but at the same time, don’t hesitate to let things change. Install a tool rack, get a kitchen island, add some decoration – it’s your kitchen! It should reflect your taste and mood.
Natural beauty
The most notable visual appeal of the farmhouse aesthetic is how it frames natural beauty. You will see a lot of rustic raw wood, houseplants, antiques, and usually white walls and appliances all around – this way, the kitchen brightens up considerably, especially during daytime.
Plus, the abundance of white makes it so the wooden tones and plants have room to stand out, even in a busy kitchen. You can imagine how adding too many colors to the mix would quickly create some visual confusion!
Reclaimed wood
Reclaimed wood is the perfect fit for the farmhouse style. If you don’t know, the material is wood that has been reclaimed from their original purpose and processed for use once more, removing imperfections, nails, and making it primed for a new purpose. Many homeowners seek out reclaimed wood not only because of it’s beautiful look, but also because it’s an environmentally-friendly option for acquiring new wood.
And what can you make with reclaimed wood? Accent walls, furniture, dinner tables, kitchen islands… the sky's the limit! A local carpenter can help you finish any project you have in mind, be it a new island or just an accent on your kitchen.
Antique display
Collections in general fit very well in the farmhouse style, but a collection of antique kitchenware… well, now you’re just bragging.
Important to note that none of it has to be actual antiques. We’re well aware that real antiques can go for high prices and are not that easy to acquire. All that matters here is the aesthetic – if you can find collections that look like antiques, that already works! We just want to display something that looks nice and rustic, but we’re expecting you to rob a museum to achieve that.
But hey, if you have any antiques you acquired or inherited, now is the time to give them a proper home!
White and bright
As mentioned before, one of the most recognizable visual aspects of this style is the abundance of white. This is not accidental: by using a lot of white, you achieve two things:
- You allow the rustic tones of wood to stand out naturally. With no other colors fighting for attention, the wood has room to shine.
- You allow a lot of light to enter the room. A farmhouse kitchen looks particularly splendid during the day, when the sun is free to illuminate every corner of the room!
Fell in love with the farmhouse style? Get free quotes from a local interior designer and start your project!
MORE FROM HOMEYOU
10 Beautiful Ways To Decorate Your Fireplace Mantle
6 Creative Fall Decorating Ideas For A Beautiful Home
10 Most Popular Architectural Home Styles Explained