
Farmhouse sinks, exposed brick, vintage-inspired appliances...the rustic country chic aesthetic is having a major moment.
But this trend isn't just about looking good on Instagram – it's about creating a kitchen with those copper accents and open shelving you've been pinning.
A kitchen that feels like a welcoming hug. Get inspired with these 40+ design ideas – they're the perfect starting point for your upcoming kitchen makeover!
Defining Rustic Country Chic
The rustic country chic style emphasizes natural materials like wood, stone, and metals with raw, distressed finishes.
It balances vintage and modern elements to create a space that feels welcoming, lived-in, and cozy.
Comfort and functionality also take priority in the layout and workflow while maintaining the nostalgic farmhouse vibe.
The look brings together the best of rustic charm and elegant designs for a relaxing yet beautifully styled kitchen.
Color Schemes and Materials
Ideal color palettes for a country chic kitchen include warm, muted earth tones like cream, sage, straw, and terracotta.
Soft whites and antique whites also help brighten the space while keeping to the subtle color scheme.
Touches of light blues, greens, or pinks introduced through accessories provide whimsical accents.
The materials used throughout the space should feel eclectic yet curated in their blending of modern, industrial, and vintage pieces.
Reclaimed or roughly hewn wood make an authentic statement for cabinetry, shelves, and tabletops.
Galvanized metal lends an industrial vibe on appliances, sinks, hardware details and countertops. Brick, natural stone, or wood introduce texture and traditional rusticity.
Cabinetry and Countertops
Cabinetry should feature glass-front uppers to provide transparency and prevent heaviness.
Open shelving offers handy display space for collections of cookbooks, dishes, or charming antique kitchen tools.
Painting cabinets in chippy off-whites or light blues helps modernize the farmhouse style while pale wood stains evoke a more traditional look.
Butcher block, marble, concrete, and metal can provide natural yet functional countertop surfaces.
A vintage-style farmhouse sink creates a nostalgic focal point. Glass knobs, hammered hardware, and soft closing hinges round out the custom details.
Vintage Elements and Antiques
Incorporating antique or vintage elements allows authentic details to shine through in a rustic country chic kitchen.
Make use of an old enamelware sink, clawfoot tub, or unique lighting fixture from a salvage reseller. This provides built-in character without hunting down expensive antiques.
Repurpose flea market dressers, cabinets, or drawers by restoring them into kitchen islands or storage units.
Floating shelves lined with collected bottles, glassware, or ceramics make charming displays.
Leave visible wear-and-tear on old items rather than refinishing them to maintain the vintage allure.
Lighting and Accessories
Lighting sets the entire ambiance for a kitchen space with layers of light sources required in a functional workspace.
Mini-pendants clustered over a central worktable provide focused task lighting. Wire-mesh covered glass pendants give an antiqued cottage feel over the sink space.
Cast metal sconces flanking a window or lining walls emulate traditional barn lighting. Under cabinet lighting illuminates counter tasks.
The careful homeowner will also include personal touches through displayed collections of antique dishware, cookbooks, or linens.
Freshly cut flowers in vintage bottles or planters full of living herbs bring organic life and brightness into the charmingly imperfect space.
Flooring and Wall Treatments
The floors can establish the traditional rustic foundation for a country kitchen with classic hardwood plank flooring in oak or pine stained in historically accurate driftwood or ebony tones.
Authentic vintage patterns can also be created through hexagonal or square terracotta tiles laid in a herringbone design.
Natural stone tiles in slate, travertine, or marble with roughhewn finishes also inject Old Word masonry character.
On walls, the warm, raw texture of shiplap siding or reclaimed barnwood boards add dimension while painted beadboard provides a more tailored cottage look.
Tile backsplashes framed with aged metal, marble inserts, or floating wood shelving generate visual interest while also being highly functional stations.
Exposed beam ceilings enhance height while plaster or brick walls add diverse materials and Old World notes.
Modern Amenities and Appliances
While retaining its nostalgic charm, a contemporary rustic chic kitchen still requires modern amenities for safety, convenience, and function.
Stainless steel appliances can be seamlessly integrated among more traditional cabinetry by selecting options offering a brushed metal finish rather than high-gloss.
Models providing a front panel overlay to match cabinet faces help them visually disappear within old style built-ins.
Clever solutions maximize storage like pull-out pantries, angled drawers, or slide-out trays in lower cabinets keep items easily accessible and prevent clutter in the open concept space.
New technology arrives through the latest intelligent kitchen gadgets and hands-free sensor faucets discretely installed to preserve the overall aesthetic.
Top performance vent hoods are veiled inside custom wood mantles fitted above a gas range offering both past and present benefits.
DIY Projects and Personal Touches
Rustic kitchens welcome personalized projects and artistic touches blending raw, imperfect finishes.
Painting or stenciling custom motifs onto tiles generates one-of-a-kind backsplash designs.
Building and mounting floating shelves with raw edges and visible hardware suits crafty homeowners and provides additional display ledges.
Sections of deliberately mismatched beadboard or salvaged wood create textural interest when applied to accent walls.
Make sure to incorporate sentimental items like framed family photos, linen inherited china, or grandmother’s antique cake dome to spark nostalgic connections.
Open shelves should exhibit items unearthed from trips to antique fairs. Empty frames await housing future wedding invitations or children’s art.
The rustic chic kitchen celebrates things that bare traces of the past and signs of being well-loved.