Are you looking to add some rustic charm to your home? Well, the farmhouse style (sometimes referred to as country chic) is the ideal way to do just that.
Many choose a farmhouse kitchen because of its timeless look and functionality, and we couldn’t agree more. Farmhouse-style kitchens are cosy, welcoming places where you can imagine baking a few loaves, pouring a couple of glasses, and enjoying some lovely time as a family together.
That said, channeling this style isn’t something you should do by halves; an incomplete farmhouse-style kitchen, with modern elements still attached, can look disjointed and jarring. Instead, let’s commit; here are 7 essential elements of a farmhouse kitchen, from farmhouse sinks to butcher’s block countertops and beyond.
The Farmhouse Sink
A constant in cosy country cottages and rustic farmhouses alike is the farmhouse sink. Their exposed front apron adds that distinctive timeless look to a kitchen, and that’s what we’re channeling here, right? Indeed, farmhouse sinks are much deeper, larger and altogether more spacious than their contemporary cousins and can become the focal point of the room.
Fireclay is the ideal material here if you want a true, original farmhouse sink; however, for reasons of practicality and comfort, you can also find apron front-styled sinks made of stainless steel, granite composite, cast iron and matte stone. Make sure to select the type that will match your home decor most succinctly for best results, making sure you bear in the mind the maintenance requirements of your chosen material.
In general, two-basin sinks are much better if you wash your dishes by hand, but if you have a dishwasher and your kitchen is what estate agents might generously term ‘cosy’, then a single bowl model would work better.
Farmhouse Furniture
If you have designs on your home channeling that rural aesthetic, then the best way to differentiate from a more ‘urban’ interior is through the deployment of texture and touch. This is most clearly and elegantly expressed through furniture.
Items which are sturdy and satisfying to touch make a worthy focal point for any farmhouse kitchen. We’re thinking a place to eat, drink and socialise here, and we think you’re picturing the same thing, too. You know the type – long, rectangular and wooden, with enough room to accommodate seating a large family; just perfect.
A gorgeous country display dresser also channels that country chic so perfectly. We think no farmhouse kitchen is complete without a crock collection on display, which brings us to our next point…
Pots, Pottery, Crockery & Antique Trinkets
If you’re after a simple way to add a farmhouse look which isn’t going to break the bank, then consider your pots, crockery and all things antique, and the way you display them.
We said it wouldn’t break the bank, but it will take time and effort to accumulate such a collection. Fear not; that cobbled together feel is what we’re going for here, so a trip to the local flea or antique market is in order. Display your kitchen finds on that dresser, or mount them on the wall for best results. Alternatively, hanging copper pans above your stovetop also evokes that rustic, farmhouse feel brilliantly. All you need now is some grouse or partridge to roast!
Butcher Block Countertops
Naturally antibacterial, strong, durable and biodegradable – we could extol the virtues of a butcher’s block countertop all day long. Sadly, we expect neither you nor us have the time. Coming in various wood species, from walnut to maple, cherry and oak, and even reclaimed countertops, this is the centrepiece you want in your farmhouse kitchen. And yes, while they are susceptible to some scratches and stains, we just think that this adds even more charm to them. Once that bloomin’ grouse arrives, we can put the block to good use…
A Range Cooker
Old-fashioned, inflexible, frighteningly expensive to run – yes, this is perhaps true of the older style range cookers. However, today you can buy range cookers that run off electricity, as well as finding dual-fuel combinations of electric ovens with gas hobs…both of which render the old assumptions about these types of cookers as factually inaccurate.
That’s not to say a heat-storage range cooker isn’t a massive investment – you’ll be looking at a four-figure price tag, not to mention the real estate they demand within the kitchen space. However, for many, range cookers are the ultimate kitchen centrepiece for a farmhouse kitchen, and we’re not arguing.
If you’re looking for something a little easier to run but still packs a punch in terms of aesthetics, then consider a range cooker – a visit to your local range cooker showroom will reveal an impressive array of options that deliver that farmhouse look without the traditional range cooker’s demands.
Now, where’s that grouse?
Open Shelving & Exposed Beams
Nothing quite says ‘farmhouse’ like the honest display of your kitchen’s bones and belongings. Open shelving transforms everyday dishes and glassware into decorative elements, while making everything wonderfully accessible for those impromptu family gatherings. Consider reclaimed wood shelves mounted on wrought iron brackets – they’re sturdy, authentic, and add that lived-in warmth we’re after.
As for exposed beams, whether original or carefully added, they bring architectural interest and that coveted rustic charm to your ceiling. Dark-stained oak or weathered pine beams create visual weight and grounding, making even the most modern kitchen feel like it’s been there for generations. If structural beams aren’t possible, decorative faux beams can achieve a remarkably similar effect without the hefty renovation costs.
Just ensure they’re proportional to your space – nothing ruins the farmhouse aesthetic quite like beams that look out of place.
Vintage Or Antique Light Fixtures
The right lighting can transform your farmhouse kitchen from simply functional to utterly enchanting, showing it in its best light whatever time of day. Think beyond basic overhead fixtures and consider pendant lights with Edison bulbs, wrought iron chandeliers, or repurposed mason jar fixtures that cast a warm, inviting glow across your butcher block countertops.
Industrial-style pendants over your kitchen island or dining table add both task lighting and period charm, while a statement piece like a vintage wagon wheel chandelier becomes an instant conversation starter.
Don’t overlook the power of lantern-style fixtures or milk glass shades – these classics have illuminated farmhouse kitchens for generations and continue to do so with good reason. The key is layering your lighting: combine ambient, task, and accent lighting to create that cosy atmosphere where family naturally gathers as the evening draws in.
If you’re looking for other ways to give your humble abode a rural feel, hop over to our article on 5 IDEAL ways to bring country chic to your home.
