Country kitchens have become a favorite with many homeowners. While they were traditionally designed for practicality over esthetics, these days you can enjoy both. That old style charm can integrate beautifully with the latest design trends in the modern home.
Let’s explore a few country kitchen designs and what they could do for your home.
Clear Cabinetry
19th century inspired apothecary cabinets with transparent panels can instantly transform a kitchen space. They provide an eye-catching display for your classic style dishes, ornaments, pots, and pans. Weathered wood cabinets provide great rural styling while LED lighting mounted under them will brighten the room further and accentuate displays to bring that modern and functional touch.
Open Shelves and Hanging Storage
Open shelves are a classic design feature of a country kitchen. Light colored wooden shelving stacked with ornate dishes and flour bags provide a farm atmosphere to the kitchen while also making the room feel more spacious.
Meanwhile, another country touch is to suspend pots, pans and utensils from cast metal hanging racks and hooks over the central island.
Wood Flooring Sets the Stage for Natural Tones
Wide-planked wood is the classic flooring choice for country kitchens. Dark hardwood is a popular choice for adding rustic charm. It allows designers to use more natural elements like solid wood benches, stone countertops, and stone highlights or backsplashes.
Treated right, hardwood flooring is durable for a lifetime. The colors are warm and each board is different with its imperfections in the grain to provide that weathered charm. A country kitchen just isn’t complete without it. Choose from oak, cherry, maple, walnut, hickory, birch, teak, and more. Just the names of the wood conjure up country living.
If solid hardwood (that can be sanded and retreated multiple times) isn’t for you, engineered hardwood looks just as good with different benefits. It is stable, can be laid over concrete as a floating floor with plenty of give, and it resists humidity.
Natural Light and Wall Colorings
No country kitchen design is complete without natural light. Make the room look more old style by enlarging or adding windows that have classic wood frames.
Finish off your country kitchen with wall materials and colorings. Light, faded colors will support the room’s rustic charm while accentuating sunlight. Highlights of bright yellows or gentle greens and blues will top off a relaxed, comfortable decor. If you prefer a cabin style of country kitchen, opt for wood paneling on the walls. The knottier the wood, the warmer and more charming it is.
Some Custom Feature Ideas
How about a wood fireplace or even a wood burning range or stove? Of course, still have your modern stove and oven, but an old style stove or fireplace is enchanting and allows you the occasional pleasure of cooking over an open flame. Imagine the combined scents of a wood fire and freshly baked bread.
For a simple custom design idea, have a wooden enclosure built around your fridge so it appears to be part of the woodwork in your country kitchen.
Hanging lights with decorative shades over the center of the kitchen will add a striking feature. So, too, will wood paneling and exposed beams on the ceiling.
Even city dwellers can bring country designs to their kitchens. Modern style is great for some but kind of sterile for others. The classic country kitchen style can combine older charm with modern features, techniques, and designs.
Greg Nelson is the owner of Nelson Construction & Renovations Inc. He is a Florida State Certified Building Contractor, creating artistry in all areas of design and construction projects. He is a musician, and artist. A husband and father, Greg appreciates all the wonderful elements of family life.
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