31 Farmhouse Kitchen Ideas That Are Undeniably Charming
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When you think of the “heart of the home,” the space that comes to mind might be of the modern farmhouse kitchen variety (think classic wood floors, lovely painted cabinets and paneled walls, a verdant view, and, of course, exposed ceiling beams). Cozy design details like these make for a warm, welcoming space where you—and your guests—can spend endless hours. Read on to see kitchens from AD–approved homes that blend charming farmhouse-style accents and modern decor to great effect.
What makes a kitchen a modern farmhouse kitchen?
Generally farmhouse kitchen design employs more wood than typical kitchens. Think natural wood beams on the ceiling (whether original to the building or not), shiplap wall paneling, reclaimed wood tables as islands (rather than marble or stone ones), along with other wood accents. Farmhouse-style kitchen decor is also usually sprinkled in, in the form of rustic vases, decorative antique milk cans, and unfussy linens. Overall, modern farmhouse style tends to put functionality first, but without sacrificing personality.
What kind of countertops are modern farmhouse style?
Plenty of different countertop types can blend right into farmhouse style, but wood countertops remain popular among modern farmhouse kitchens. Dark wood is particularly great in that any scuffs or stains are less obvious, but light wood is a wonderful choice if you’re hoping for a space that’s bright and airy. However, there’s also the case for a neutral stone. Joanna Gaines, arguably the queen of farmhouse style, opted for marble countertops for the set of Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines, her cooking show. Farmhouse style is all about prioritizing comfort and functionality, so the most authentic choice will be what makes you happy and works for your life and priorities.
What is the difference between farmhouse and country decor?
Where country decor skews shabby chic, farmhouse kitchen decor is merely unfussy. Instead of intentionally distressed accents, farmhouse details tend to be deliberately utilitarian, but still cutesy, somewhat in a homestead way. Especially in the age of modern farmhouse mania, farmhouse decor is thought to be much less in your face than country decor, the latter of which often involves kitschy plaques and retro trinkets.
Photo: Lissa Gotwals1/31Incorporate natural materials in unexpected ways—including the ceiling
Wood may be essential to a modern farmhouse kitchen, but it doesn’t have to be used in an obvious format. The wood ceilings of this ranch-style North Carolina house adds charm and warmth to the space in a fresh way. “We wanted to provide a unique visual cue that differentiated the kitchen from the other adjacent areas,” explains Carrie Moore, interior designer and cofounder of Carrie Moore Interior Design, of the decision to add rustic planks to the ceiling.
Photo: Grey Crawford2/31Install a barn door
From the double islands to the coffered ceiling, there are many elements of farmhouse style in this Beverly Hills kitchen. But it’s the barn doors, which feature traditional paneling in a sleek finish, that fully capture its seamless blending of new and old. “This modern farmhouse style kitchen is derived and inspired by tradition but features modern amenities and vintage-inspired elements throughout,” says Jeff Andrews, principal designer and founder of Jeff Andrews Design.
Photo: Mike Van Tassell Photography3/31Skip tile backsplash for rustic stone
Blending modern luxury and rustic charm can bring depth and warmth to a space. For example, in this Colorado kitchen, the stone backsplash serves as an unexpectedly beautiful focal point. “This intentional decision grounded the space in old world charm, which created a sense of warmth and visual interest to an otherwise oversized painted wall,” says Lindye Galloway, founder and chief creative officer of Lindye Galloway Studio and Le Maé. An ornate French La Cornue range elevates the cookspace.
Photo: Sam Frost4/31Add contrast through color and material decisions
Both light and dark tones and mixed materials artfully contrast in this California kitchen, giving it a minimalist sophistication. “The thoughtful mix of materials, open shelving, and layered lighting can serve as inspiration for anyone looking to create a stylish yet functional kitchen space,” says designer Galloway. The island’s dark wood stands out, but the kitchen also includes more subtle accents such as a black faucet, framed shelving, and a rolled steel countertop. “The architectural ceiling detail, with their unusually thin profile, enhances the visual depth of the room, providing a modern charm without feeling heavy,” adds Galloway.
Photo: Brittany Ambridge5/31Use brick backsplash with colored cabinets
“The farmhouse aesthetic is brought to life by mixing vintage, industrial and heritage materials,” says interior designer Sarah Storms of Styled by Storms in Maplewood, New Jersey. Brick, another option in lieu of traditional tile backsplash, brings warmth to the space while deep blue cabinets add contemporary flair. While bright paint colors might not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of farmhouse style, blue cabinets feel purposeful in this beautiful kitchen. “If it calls to you, don’t be afraid of an untraditional choice,” says Storms.
Photo: Janet Kimber6/31Embrace a light color palette
A white modern farmhouse kitchen doesn’t have to feel cold and formal. “Use textiles, warm woods, and functional decor to infuse color so that you avoid a stark-feeling space that lacks character,” says Natalie Owens, founder of Stil James, who designed this country kitchen with Jennifer Robinson, founder of Wave Interiors. The designers mixed in honed natural marble, textured tile, and gold accents to allow the eye to find interesting moments throughout the large ranch-style home in Nova Scotia, Canada. They also embraced the dramatic vaulted ceiling by adding more beams with aged, crackled paint for more of a farmhouse look.
Photo: Carolina Andrade7/31Allow rich wood cabinets to be a focal point
Natural materials such as wood are a pinnacle of modern farmhouse design, and this kitchen takes things up a notch with walnut cabinets. “Walnut is warm and rich, which compliments the natural, rustic characteristic of farmhouse design while the full-slab cabinet doors add a sophisticated modern touch,” says interior designer Victoria Armour of Stil James in Halifax, who designed this kitchen with Owens. The waterfall countertop on the island adds more modern, clean lines to the space for an overall balanced design.
Photo: Julia Lynn8/31Carry wood tones from exposed beams down to cabinetry
Adding ceiling beams to a kitchen instantly infuses the space with rustic charm. This Kiawah Island, South Carolina, home takes farmhouse design a step further by continuing the same light wood tones down to the kitchen island and cabinets. “White oak cabinetry was used, along with one of my favorite go-to white paints, Benjamin Moore OC-17 White Dove,” says Margaret Donaldson, a Charleston, South Carolina-based interior designer and founder of MDI Luxury Design. Black accents infuse the space with modernity while adding contrast.
Photo: Julia Lynn9/31Install statement lighting
Looking to add more farmhouse-style charm to a modern kitchen? Use hanging statement lighting to accessorize the space, such as in this vacation home with rattan-wrapped lantern light fixtures by interior designer Donaldson. The pendants are a focal point amongst classic shaker-style white cabinets. When shopping for modern farmhouse lighting, look out for pieces that feature sleek lines, industrial accents, mixed metals, and natural materials.
Photo: Nicole Gerulat10/31Use dark finishes and metals for an industrial feel
“This kitchen demonstrates how the blending of seemingly contrasting styles can form a harmonious and striking look,” says Jennifer Chipman, ASID, cofounder and principal designer at Bond Design Company. Mixed metals and finishes are used throughout the speakeasy-inspired Utah kitchen to create a cohesive feel while copper accents, such as the faucets, infuse warmth and timeless elegance. The cabinetry and ceiling are made from reclaimed barn wood, adding texture and contrast to sleek blackened steel and glass cabinetry. The kitchen is a BlueStar Design Contest winner and is equipped with a 48" Platinum Series BlueStar range with stainless steel and copper finishes.
Photo: Michael Alan Kaskel11/31Use contrasting top and bottom cabinetry
While most kitchens have one cabinetry tone throughout, a well-designed space often emerges by subverting what’s expected. The mix of wood bottom drawers with white upper cabinets perfectly encapsulates the blending of old and new world charm in this Chicago kitchen by Rebekah Zaveloff, cofounder and creative director of Imparfait Design Studio. The kitchen island and shiplap hood add additional touches of farmhouse decor to the space.
Photo: Michael Alan Kaskel12/31Add wood window trim
Don’t forget about the little details. This Chicago kitchen designed by Zaveloff has a fairly classic base: white subway tile backsplash; marble countertops; and a traditional black, white, and brown color palette. Farmhouse accents, such as wicker counter stools, industrial-style pendant lights, and a metal hood, add panache throughout. The wood window trim, which was added to the kitchen to intentionally match other spaces in the home, moves the eye throughout the space. “Attributes that would be considered ‘modern farmhouse’ work beautifully with a lot of different architectural styles,” says Zaveloff on mixing traditional and contemporary decor.
Photo: Margaret Rajic Stylist Brandi Devers Russow13/31Lay a vintage mosaic tile floor
Skip hardwood floors for vintage mosaic tile to add charm to a modern farmhouse kitchen, as exemplified by this Chicago home. Susan Klimala, principal designer and owner of TKS Design Group, added additional farmhouse flair to the space with deep green cabinets and a zellige backsplash. “These accents were combined with modern elements such as updated appliances, functional storage, and hardworking quartz countertops, making a perfect kitchen for today’s home chef,” she says.
Photo: Dustin Halleck14/31Use modern black accents to achieve balance
Add black accents to a farmhouse kitchen to infuse the space with modern sophistication. “We wanted to step outside the box and not just do a basic bright white kitchen with black hardware—we had fun with the materials and created a nice balance of color and scale,” says Elizabeth Mollen, Chicago-based interior designer and CEO of Stone Textile Studio. The built-in here adds warmth with custom shiplap-inspired paneling and steel framed reeded glass cabinet doors that resemble a farmhouse window.
Photo: Gieves Anderson15/31Opt for an accent sink
The showstopper of this Pennsylvania home’s kitchen design is undoubtedly its original rustic farmhouse sink. JAM cofounder and principal Megan Prime chose to slightly relocate it to place the fridge in a spot where it wouldn’t be so in the way. “Because it’s more or less an unfitted kitchen, we wanted to build in some storage,” Megan told AD for a story on the entire home’s design. “Typically these sinks have a skirted fabric base to them or no base at all, so we had a local millworker add this simple cabinetry.”
Photo: Chris Mottalini16/31Strive for functionality
For the renovation of an 18th-century New York farmhouse, AD100 architect Elizabeth Roberts worked at making the grand property more livable for the 21st century. The kitchen went from low-ceilinged and dark to sun-drenched and spacious, employing painted white bricks that speak to the home’s farmhouse appeal. An old farmhouse table appears instead of a typical marble kitchen island and feels more harmonious with the aged structure.
Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg; Styling: Kristi Hunter17/31Don’t forget the color
When one Washington, DC, homeowner decided to trade city living for life on a 100-acre farm, they picked up and moved, but they still wanted a space that reflected their colorful tastes. Working with Cameron Ruppert Interiors, architect Suzie O’Brien and Jeffco Development, they created a space that honored the original structure and their own tastes. In the kitchen specifically this meant holding onto the existing range hood, tilework, and cabinets, the last of which they fashioned into a focal point by repainting them in Benjamin Moore’s Peale Green.
Photo: Michael Muller18/31Go simple
At Jared and Genevieve Padalecki’s modern farmhouse style home in Austin, Texas, the kitchen opens wide onto the large living room. Naturally, then, the kitchen was kept simple to not distract from the colorful and no doubt typically activity-filled lounge space. Pots and pans are easily accessible from their hanging rack and double as decoration in the white kitchen. Rather than a huge pendant light dominating the space, sconces line one wall and smaller spotlight-like fixtures dot the ceiling between exposed beams.
Matthew Williams19/31Match the countertops, backsplash, and shelves
There’s a soothing quality to this General Assembly–designed farmhouse kitchen, largely owing to the custom cream concrete from which the countertop, backsplash, and floating shelf were crafted. Though sometimes an absence of upper cabinets can lead to a lack of good storage options, the abundance of lower white cabinets and storage in the island make this lack a plus. The island’s contrasting black color calls to the black duct that’s nestled alongside the ceiling beams and the marble top offers an additional work surface.
Photo: Max Burkhalter20/31Add vintage accents
When celebrity stylist Leslie Fremar bought her 18th-century farmhouse, it was in desperate need of rehabilitation. And rehabilitate she did, with the help of architectural designer Oliver Freundlich. The kitchen underwent a full remodel and was left with a new subway tile backsplash and off white cabinetry, but it was important to keep the aged charm that she fell for in the first place intact. Instead of a marble-topped island, Fremar sourced a vintage table and stools, along with adding vintage home decor pieces throughout the space.
Photo: Björn Wallander21/31Maximize the island
This modern farmhouse-style kitchen was imagined as the heart of the home for a family that loves to cook and grows their own food. Architect and interior designer Niels Schoenfelder patented his ingenious island design that incorporates built-in drawers, shelves, a traditional AGA stove, a butcher block top, and a bar for guests to cozy up to while the homeowners cook.
Photo: Meghan Marin22/31Reimagine shiplap
Painted kitchen cabinets, copper cookware displayed over a fireplace, and copper pendant lights to match—there are so many modern farmhouse kitchen ideas to admire in celebrity hairstylist Harry Josh’s space. Rather than a tile backsplash, shiplap painted the same color as the cabinets is employed, with a special short shelf for Josh’s sizeable spice collection.
Photo: André Jones; Styling: Leila Nichols23/31Make room for dinner parties
While this Fritz Haeg and Jeremy Schipper–designed California home isn’t a farmhouse, its kitchen has a decidedly farmhouse bent. The space doubles as a dining room, with a large table in place of a kitchen island, surrounded by charmingly mismatched wood dining chairs. Both the cast iron sink and the windows are architectural salvage.
Photo: Pieter Estersohn24/31Create room for lounging
"It’s an all-embracing, old-fashioned way of vacationing,” decorator Thom Filicia previously told AD about the inspiration behind this retreat in the Adirondacks. Inspired by Gilded Age weekend homes, the kitchen includes a lounge area—perfect for family hangouts while dinner bakes.
Photo: Oberto Gili25/31Merge function and beauty
In Sir Evelyn and Lady de Rothschild’s Martha’s Vineyard getaway, cookware is decor. From the hanging pots to the bowls on the open shelving, everything is both functional and beautiful—exactly what farmhouse decor is all about. The kitchen’s pot rack is from Ann-Morris, the reclaimed-oak open shelves feature brackets by Rocky Mountain Hardware, and the backsplash tile and farmhouse sink are by Waterworks; a Ralph Lauren Paint white was used on the Rivkin/Weisman–designed cabinetry, and the antique granite flooring is from Exquisite Surfaces.
Photo: Nikolas Koenig26/31Frame the view
Large windows overlook the pasture in this Martha’s Vineyard kitchen by architect Mark Hutker. The view, framing a verdant pasture, acts as artwork in the kitchen, and the green is a lively contrast to the white and brown interiors. A La Cornue range and granite counters round out the space.
Photo: Oberto Gili27/31Maximize counter space with an island
This solid wood kitchen island isn’t just a wonderful accent in this kitchen designed by Genevieve Faure, but a practical one too. It greatly enhances the counter space, allowing ample space to cook and prepare food. Further, the rich brown stands out agains the overall white and cream palette.
Photo: Eric Piasecki28/31Mix styles
Who says a farmhouse can’t be a coastal one. In this Hampton’s house, farmhouse motifs take on a slight blue tint, reminiscent of classic beach decor. Designed by Steven Gambrel, the kitchen is appointed with a RangeCraft hood, a Lacanche range, Waterworks sink fittings, and cabinet hardware by Sun Valley Bronze; the vintage lanterns are from Olde Good Things, and the chairs are by TK Collections.
Photo: Joshua McHugh29/31Don’t forget the linen
Red Roman shades add the perfect pop of color in jewelry designer Elizabeth Locke’s Virginia kitchen, which was decorated by Jean Perin. Choosing window fixtures in classic prints—like stripes or checkered—can help enforce the simple, timeless appeal of farmhouse kitchen.
Photo: Björn Wallander30/31Prioritize ample storage
Bespoke cabinetry offers abundant storage in the kitchen of a Greenville, South Carolina, house decorated by Barbara Westbrook of Westbrook Interiors. Plenty of cabinets and drawers also ensure it’s easy to keep the room clean and polished.
Photo: Oberto Gili31/31Color drench
In writer Amanda Brooks’s Oxfordshire, England, country home, the wall, spice rack, and radiator are all painted the same charming pale blue. You could call it light color drenching. The hand towels add the perfect complimentary pop against the Lacanche range.
