Whether you’re tackling a kitchen remodel with the help of a kitchen designer, architect or contractor, being able to pin down your favorite style will help get your project off to a smooth start. If you love the natural beauty of the outdoors and feel drawn to spaces that pair rugged materials — like rough-hewn wood beams and stone — with cozy comforts, rustic style might be right for you. Read on for the need-to-know details about this popular kitchen style, including key elements, color palettes, fixtures and finishing touches.
Rustic-Style Kitchens at a Glance
Rustic-style kitchens are warm and welcoming, with an emphasis on natural materials like stone and wood. And while rustic style is inspired by the past, today’s interpretation can lean more contemporary depending on your personal design sensibility. Here are some common elements to look for:
Rustic-style kitchens are warm and welcoming, with an emphasis on natural materials like stone and wood. And while rustic style is inspired by the past, today’s interpretation can lean more contemporary depending on your personal design sensibility. Here are some common elements to look for:
- Materials with a patina, such as copper, stone and rough-hewn wood
- Apron-front sinks
- Open shelving
- Earthy, nature-inspired color palette
- Hefty, solid furniture
What You Won’t Find in Rustic Kitchens
The emphasis in a rustic kitchen is on simplicity and homespun charm. Even when contemporary elements are at play, rustic style keeps the overall feeling timeless and low-key. Here’s what you won’t see:
The emphasis in a rustic kitchen is on simplicity and homespun charm. Even when contemporary elements are at play, rustic style keeps the overall feeling timeless and low-key. Here’s what you won’t see:
- Bright color palettes
- Envelope-pushing trends
- Highly polished finishes like chrome
- Delicate decor and details
- Lucite, molded plastic and other clearly manmade materials
Nature-Inspired Hues
Echo the hues of natural materials like stone and warm woods with paint colors and accents in similar shades for a rich, cozy look.
Colors for rustic kitchens:
Echo the hues of natural materials like stone and warm woods with paint colors and accents in similar shades for a rich, cozy look.
Colors for rustic kitchens:
- Neutrals. Buttermilk, cream, straw, wheat, stone
- Earth tones: Chestnut, mushroom, umber, terra-cotta, sepia
- Spicy hues. Cinnamon, saffron, pumpkin, chile pepper, baked apple
Textured Stone
Stone counters, floors and wall treatments — like the backsplash shown here from Interior Concepts Design House — bring welcome texture to rustic-style kitchens. Look for rich, earthy materials like granite, slate, fieldstone, travertine and soapstone.
Stone counters, floors and wall treatments — like the backsplash shown here from Interior Concepts Design House — bring welcome texture to rustic-style kitchens. Look for rich, earthy materials like granite, slate, fieldstone, travertine and soapstone.
Design Detail: Apron-Front Sink
The classic farmhouse sink is generously sized and typically made from white fireclay or porcelain, although stainless steel, stone, copper and enameled cast iron can be used as well. In this kitchen from Circle Design Studio, a hammered copper apron-front sink and oil-rubbed bronze faucet and hardware add rustic patina to create a balanced rustic-and-modern space.
The classic farmhouse sink is generously sized and typically made from white fireclay or porcelain, although stainless steel, stone, copper and enameled cast iron can be used as well. In this kitchen from Circle Design Studio, a hammered copper apron-front sink and oil-rubbed bronze faucet and hardware add rustic patina to create a balanced rustic-and-modern space.
Natural Wood
Natural wood is essential in rustic kitchens, adding character, warming up cool stone and referencing the outdoors. Look for rough-hewn wood beams, stained wood cabinetry, flooring, farm tables and accessories. It’s hard to have too much wood in a rustic space!
Natural wood is essential in rustic kitchens, adding character, warming up cool stone and referencing the outdoors. Look for rough-hewn wood beams, stained wood cabinetry, flooring, farm tables and accessories. It’s hard to have too much wood in a rustic space!
Design Detail: Barn Door Hardware
While not historically used indoors, barn-style sliding doors do add undeniable rustic appeal to the kitchen. Use barn door hardware to hang reclaimed wood panels as an alternative to traditional cabinet doors (as seen here); replace a pantry door; or divide the kitchen from a breakfast nook or dining room. As with other rustic kitchen hardware, look for a weathered finish such as oil-rubbed bronze or black steel for an aged look.
While not historically used indoors, barn-style sliding doors do add undeniable rustic appeal to the kitchen. Use barn door hardware to hang reclaimed wood panels as an alternative to traditional cabinet doors (as seen here); replace a pantry door; or divide the kitchen from a breakfast nook or dining room. As with other rustic kitchen hardware, look for a weathered finish such as oil-rubbed bronze or black steel for an aged look.
Design Detail: Statement Lighting
Oversize lanterns, classic candelabra fixtures and industrial-style filament bulb lighting can all work well in a rustic kitchen. Look for lighting made from materials with a bit of natural patina, such as copper, reclaimed wood and wrought iron — and for maximum ambiance, be sure to include a dimer switch.
Oversize lanterns, classic candelabra fixtures and industrial-style filament bulb lighting can all work well in a rustic kitchen. Look for lighting made from materials with a bit of natural patina, such as copper, reclaimed wood and wrought iron — and for maximum ambiance, be sure to include a dimer switch.
Design Detail: Open Shelving
Since open shelving is so popular in kitchens today, it’s easy to think of it as a modern addition to kitchen design — but it’s actually one of the oldest storage methods. Use open shelving made from natural wood to display everyday essentials that are both useful and beautiful. Shelving with visible brackets come across as more traditional, while floating shelves (as seen here) bring a modern twist.
Since open shelving is so popular in kitchens today, it’s easy to think of it as a modern addition to kitchen design — but it’s actually one of the oldest storage methods. Use open shelving made from natural wood to display everyday essentials that are both useful and beautiful. Shelving with visible brackets come across as more traditional, while floating shelves (as seen here) bring a modern twist.
Finishing Touches
Help your rustic kitchen exude comfort and warmth with the right finishing touches. Look for cast-iron and copper pots; a flat-woven or kilim rug rug in earthy hues; softly glowing lighting and butcher block accents.
Help your rustic kitchen exude comfort and warmth with the right finishing touches. Look for cast-iron and copper pots; a flat-woven or kilim rug rug in earthy hues; softly glowing lighting and butcher block accents.
Your turn: Are you a fan of rustic style? Describe or show us your favorite rustic-style kitchen in the Comments!
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