#1. Bright white accentuated by black and brown
A rustic looking kitchen should incorporate a strong sense of simplicity. Bright white block colors provide the ultimate platform for building a calm, clean, and inviting space that is perfect for creating a cabin feel but can also work with a wide range of rustic contemporary kitchen ideas.
Behr’s Color of the Year, Blank Canvas, is one of many great options available for your cabinets. White flooring can be achieved through hardwood or stone tiles. When combined with white ceilings, you will also note that it makes the room appear larger. You can even paint any visible wooden beams.
Using white, or an off-white, as the primary color in your rustic kitchen works extremely well for both contemporary and traditional trends. Still, you will need to accentuate the kitchen with some color to bring energy into the room. Black hardware for cabinets can be perfectly paired with a dark brown timber countertop. Stainless steel appliances are also for injecting some intrigue into the kitchen.
Stools featuring metal frames and dark brown seats will take the look to even greater heights. While this approach aligns well with a minimalist vibe, you can still add further flavor and personalization to the space through a small number of houseplants and wall hangings. For a cohesive look, try to find planters or frames that match the accentuating color.
#2. Open shelving for a country vibe
When completing a kitchen renovation, 70% of homeowners will avoid expanding the space while only 6% will increase the size by more than 50% of its current dimensions. When working with a more compact space, trading the bulky eye-level cabinets for opening shelving can work wonders.
It is a very useful option when you already have ample storage space courtesy of the cabinets found below your countertops. Meanwhile, you could still have a tall cabinet next to your refrigerator, for example, while opting for open shelving on one or two walls. Crockery, pans, and other items can be organized to add color and cohesion.
Opting for open shelving also allows you to transition away from an overly heavy reliance on wood in your rustic contemporary kitchen. Metallic shelving offers an added layer of visual engagement while it can also be matched to the hardware used on the below countertop cabinets. When fixed to the walls correctly, the open shelves will offer strength. This removes the fear of internal shelves breaking.
Open shelves can be used for functional storage or to add decorative homewares, thus giving the compact space a bigger vibe. Sturdy pot hanging racks may additionally be used to overcome the loss of cabinet storage space while simultaneously allowing you to showcase your kitchenware for a welcoming family vibe.
#3. Go rustic with your lighting choices
Lighting fixtures have the ability to set the tone of an entire kitchen. A rustic ranch kitchen could benefit greatly from having a chandelier, particularly when opting for a gothic candle chandelier style. The chains can add an instant attraction while also working exceptionally well with cast iron hardware or furniture.
Any form of hanging light can be incorporated into the rustic setting. Whether a row of lights is above your dining table or you have them over cooking workspaces is a personal choice. A lighting plan that’s supported by the use of lighting at different heights will bring even greater depth to the room. The brighter lighting will also work well against the darker tones often seen in a rustic kitchen.
To place greater emphasis on the lighting, you can opt for a muted color scheme, which also works well for a rustic appeal. Natural wood finishes against a dark brown or black countertop are a good example. Wood dining tables void of bold colors are suitable for this type of transformation.
Using rustic lighting fixtures doesn't necessarily mean you have to abandon modern lighting LEDs offer a wide range of benefits, including longevity and brightness. The fact that they also use less energy to cement their place as an environmentally-friendly option is ideal for rustic kitchen enthusiasts.
#4. Choose your sink wisely
Kitchens are home to many functional items, but arguably none are more important than the sink. It could be used during food preparation as well as cleaning duties. Furthermore, it is one of the most noticeable aesthetic features in the room. Frankly, the wrong choice could instantly destroy rustic kitchens design.
When buying a kitchen sink, you will need to take installation costs into account when making your decision. Kitchen sinks can be manufactured from various metals like stainless steel or copper to match other appliances and kitchen detailing. The consistency and cohesion will make the kitchen feel organized. It is also welcoming because you avoid the jarring effect of purposely contrasting sinks.
Stone sinks, for example, can blend into the countertops and (if applicable) stonewalls, especially when installed with a flush level. Semi-convex and recessed shapes are just two suitable examples while larger dimensions are great for the rustic vibe. The room will feel more homely when it is capable of making daily tasks feel easier.
The taps and other sink accessories will naturally help accentuate the kitchen environment, particularly when the other decor features are somewhat understated. Matching stainless steel or brass features throughout the room will underline the fact that decisions have been carefully considered.
#5. Natural wood on wood
Natural wood is a common feature in rustic kitchen styling. Layering wood on wood can add texture and depth to the room. Wood pairs very well with granite or marble countertops. You can build your kitchen up with gold, brass, or copper detailing as well as a simple paint job on the walls. Use neutral colors and earthy hues for optimal results.
The great thing about the wood on wood solution is that it offers great flexibility. Having the same wood and finish throughout the room could be overpowering. Therefore, you may wish to leave the exposed ceiling beams untouched while using a lighter timber shade for the flooring. Shelving could also potentially feature a different type of wood than the material used for your cabinets.
Depending on the size of the kitchen, you may have the opportunity to use two different woods for the cabinets too. For example, you can make the kitchen island stand out with a lighter or darker shade of the same wood. Or you can create a two-tone effect on either side of your stove. You should show consistency in relation to horizontal versus vertical lines.
As soon as you step into a room that features this type of interior design, you will feel the simplistic and warm vibes. Even when it incorporates the latest tech and appliances, the revamped kitchen will be the ultimate setting for long afternoons of baking and meal preparation. Some natural touches like plants on shelves can also aid the cause.
#6. Use concrete floors
Flooring choices have a telling influence on any room, and the busy kitchen is no different. You use it for a wide range of daily activities. Building the look and feel of your rustic kitchen from the floor up can be a very wise move indeed. Concrete floors make an excellent choice due to the strength and durability.
Aesthetically speaking, concrete floors offer an unmistakable level of luxury and timeless style. It also doesn’t matter if they encounter minor stains or imperfections in future years as this simply adds to the charm. Concrete floors are, therefore, a low maintenance solution that are also surprisingly affordable.
Concrete floors can be partnered with stainless steel appliances and metal stools to develop an industrial kitchen style. Alternatively, a shaker-style island with space underneath can create a playful atmosphere, especially when using a bold color, and enable you to still embrace the full merits of the concrete floor itself. This level of versatility ensures you can stamp your personality on your new kitchen.
When opting for concrete flooring in the kitchen, you’ll also have the choice of a plainish design or one that embeds stand-out elements that catch the light. Many rustic kitchen styles will opt for simple yet sophisticated plain concrete flooring solutions, but there are no rules on what can and can’t be achieved.
#7. Marry stone and wood for a match made in heaven
It’s likely that stone and wood will both feature to some degree within your rustic kitchen transformation. While the two materials deliver a clear contrast, they also pair perfectly to generate an awe-inspiring appearance that simultaneously feels welcoming and becomes the perfect place to spend time with your family.
Celebrating the natural brickwork is ideal for a rustic ranch kitchen. As long as its structural integrity is fine, you will require very little work to bring it up to scratch. Any alcoves or curved pantry entrances should also be emphasized rather than hidden too. They are room-defining characteristics that instantly establish a sense of belonging.
While the stonework is the attention-grabbing feature, exposed wood will tone it down and add to the rustic vibe. It’s like taking a step back in time without losing the functional benefits of modern kitchen designs and features like farmhouse sinks. Luxury, thick wooden doors will add a touch of added class to the kitchen space. Larger appliances, hanging light fixtures, and upholstered seating all add to the atmosphere.
The marriage between wood and stone will form the basis of the kitchen design. However, cabinets may still be used to add some bold accentuating colors. Popular examples include dark greens, passionate reds, and calming blues. Ultimately, though, you can focus on your favorite color palette, even using ideas like hanging pots and pans to your advantage.
#8. Embrace a tiled backsplash
Kitchen backsplashes are often left as something of an afterthought by homeowners. When the rest of the kitchen design is understated, this is a great way to add intrigue and personality. Some will opt for a design that's closely associated with the stove, cooktop, and range hood. Others look to make the backsplash one of the main standout features.
Tiled effects can work exceptionally well, regardless of the materials and finishes used on the appliances. Antique looking tiles are ideal for the country and farmhouse rustic style. A touch of green or blue can be especially rewarding if this is already the accentuating color seen throughout the room.
Antique tiles will also catch and reflect the light to sprinkle a little magic onto the kitchen design without detracting from the kitchen rustic tones. Millions of kitchen renovations are completed in the U.S. each year, and a new backsplash will be needed if you change the dimensions of your appliances or simply wish to breathe new life into the space.
Tiled backsplashes also boast the benefit of being low maintenance and easily cleaned. When you opt for a standard painted wall behind the area where you cook, the love you feel for the newly developed kitchen will soon be lost. That’s because food splatters and spillages will ruin the aesthetic. The backsplash is as practical as it is attractive.
#9. Log walls for a subtle rustic look
A rustic contemporary kitchen will often borrow elements from a range of other kitchen styles. In fact, you may find just one or two features to complete the desired theme. Log walls are a fantastic and bold choice that many homeowners won't dare to try. As long as the modern elements align with the pursuit of simplicity, the juxtaposition of new and old ideas can create a distinct wow factor.
Log walls could be designed to show the butts of the logs. This will allow you to see an array of unique markings on each log cutting. When preserved correctly, the maintenance of this wall will be minimal. Alternatively, log walls could feature horizontally stacked logs that show the rhytidome of the bark.
Whether a feature wall or a room-wide design, you will need to contrast this. Contemporary cabinets in mid-blues, bold reds, and energetic yellows are just three examples. The right choice of materials and metal sink taps will further complement the rustic elements of this kitchen design.
It can be a great solution for building a modern cabin kitchen atmosphere. Further personality can be achieved through a patterned rug or eye-catching spice racks and countertop plants. The concept additionally suits an open-plan kitchen-dining room family space.
#10. Ensure that some warm tones are integrated into the design
Rustic kitchen designs may focus on timber, stone materials, or ceramics. The primary colors used in your interior design plans will be beiges, creams, and other neutral tones. While they are great for building a timeless appeal that’s also inviting, it can leave the kitchen feeling a little void of energy.
Adding some warm tones should be a priority. A color palette that includes burgundy, terracotta, and similarly warm tones can be very effective. Viva Magenta, which is Pantone’s Color of the Year is a wise choice. The warm tones can be embraced with more impact than the accentuating features mentioned above.
The warmth can be seen through a feature wall, lamp shades, a teapot, flowers, or a feature cabinet. Even some appliances like refrigerators can be designed to offer more color than the standard options. It builds an eye-catching feature while also bringing balance to the understated surroundings.
When incorporating ideas for rustic kitchen transformations, it’s important to remember that the space must be suited to modern family life. If you have young kids, the small burst of color will make it a far more welcoming place for them. Seat fabrics and tablecloths may also use the secondary color as a route to warmer vibes. When you are planning a new kitchen make sure that you get the range hood the right heigh over your cooktop and that you pick the best copper sink, and lastly - if you want clean air, make sure to get the right cfm for your range hood.