Farmhouse Kitchen Design, I will not be able to forget the experience of going into the kitchen of my aunt in a hundred-year-old farmhouse in rural Pennsylvania. The old-fashioned pine floors, the deep porcelain sink, the smell of the bread baking out of the old range provided an air that was both ancient and friendly. This experience created a seed in me, and after a few years when I was renovating my personal kitchen, I was once again attracted in the same aspects that made farmhouse kitchen so comforting.
The design of farmhouse kitchen has come a long way out of the farmhouse but what has held its presence in time is its capacity to be both practical and beautiful. Farmhouse kitchens are timeless unlike trend-driven styles which become outdated within a few years due to the basis on which they are made.
The Foundation: What a Kitchen Is Making a Farmhouse.
Fundamentally, farmhouse design glorifies minimalism, utility and natural substances. The old farmhouse kitchens were toil and trouble areas where families could cook meals to feed big families, store produce and sit around the heavy tables. This tradition is celebrated in the modern designs with the inclusion of modern comforts.
The color scheme is generally based on the whites, creams, natural gray, and natural wood. They are not merely aesthetic decisions, but they make the work environment look open and clean which was much needed in the kitchen working areas. I have observed that those clients who seem to be initially concerned with the idea of white kitchens being sterile soon become convinced that farmhouse textures and layering make such a kitchen not feel cold.
Cabinetry: The Anchor of Your Design.
Shaker style cabinets are the standard with gold in farmhouse kitchens, and rightfully so. They have a recessed panel design that is not fancy but elegant and the craftsmanship is not flaunted. When I completely renovated my kitchen, I chose custom painted cabinets in warm white, not stark white, which has never been a regret to me. The space does not feel too clinical due to the slight cream undertone.
Open shelving has now been nearly synonymous with farmhouse style, and I will admit to being not a fan of open shelving. I put open shelves in one of the walls of my kitchen and they look beautiful when decorated with dishes and old crocks but they need more maintenance than closed cabinets. Dust happens. But it is sort of satisfying to pick up a coffee mug which is sitting on a big wooden shelf every morning.
Glass-front cabinets provide a compromise- you view your crockery and at the same time dust is held away. I have also witnessed beautiful kitchens with upper cabinets that have glass panels but with muntins that are faint and do not use lots of space.
The Heart of the Home: Farmhouse Sinks.
The apron-front sink is the one thing that is screaming farmhouse kitchen. This is also referred to as a farmhouse sink, a deep basin that goes beyond the counter edge, thus it is more convenient to lean over it when washing huge pots or bushels of vegetables, a convenient aspect of its farming history.
The 33-inch fireclay farmhouse sink that I used in my renovation is probably the most discussed feature of my kitchen. The depth is, in addition to aesthetics, really functional. I will be able to stash dirty dishes prior to visitors coming and that washing large roasting pans will not seem like an athletics event to do.
Countertops: Having it all: Beauty and Practicality.
Butcher block counter tops are also a source of warmth and texture that beautifully complements the farmhouse look. Butcher block has been used by me in a number of design projects on islands and it looks great in comparison with painted cabinetry. Wood acquires a patina gradually in the course of time, giving it some character, but still needs regular oiling, and is not as carefree as stone.
In the case of perimeter counters, I would usually suggest quartz or marble. Carras marble is that traditional farmhouse appearance the slight gray veining, yet scratches and marks, which I discovered by the bitter taste of lemon juice. Quartz imitates the appearance of marble and is more durable than marble because of the busy households.
Lighting: Function and Ambiance Lighting.
Farmhouse kitchens have several sources of light which bring about the effects of warmth and shadows. I prefer large pendant lights with metal shades that are suspended over islands because they are used as task lights and they make a statement. Aged brass, bronze or matte black are successful finishes.
In the case of ambient lighting, one can take into consideration a statement chandelier on a dining table or breakfast nook. I have hung some of the wrought iron chandeliers in the kitchens of farmhouses and this gives them a touch of the unexpected sophistication into what would otherwise feel too casual.
Flooring: Experience Gives Way to Character.
The traditional and most used flooring is wide-plank hardwood which ages well in kitchens. I have heard of hundred-year-old pine floors with rutted walks which recount the tale of generations of people who were cooking in that room. In the case of new construction, the same appearance can be obtained with more moisture resistance using reclaimed wood or engineered hardwood with a hand-scraped finish.
Porcelain or ceramic tile that will resemble natural materials is useful in terms of functionality. One of the tiles, which I recently installed in the kitchen of a client, resembles old wood very closely- it does not mind spills, and it can be used with radiant floor heat.
From the Heart: Customizing It.
The most successful farmhouse kitchens are gathered and never painted. Antiques and other flea market items, old things, and new things mixed up give it an authenticity. I also have a crock on my counter holding a rolling pin belonging to my grand mother and wooden spoons made by a local antique maker. They are not design elements they are functional tools that have a story.
The style of farmhouse kitchen lives on as it is not trendy, but rather comfortable and useful. It is about making an atmosphere where the counters with flour all over are not a reason to panic and where friends will always find themselves at the island. Carefully done, it is the coziest room in the house.
FAQs
Which colors are the most appropriate in farmhouse kitchens?
The traditional color range is white, creams, soft grey, and sage greens, with the addition of natural wood colouring and hardware in matte black.
Do farmhouse kitchens cost too much to make?
Costs vary widely. Spend heavily on quality cabinry and sinks and save on accessories and open shelving made with reclaimed material.
Are farmhouse sinks easily scratched?
Cast iron and fireclay are very resilient. Stainless steel is more difficult to hide the scratches, and it is more maintenance-friendly.
Is it possible to use farmhouse style in small kitchens?
Absolutely. Use light colors, keep open shelves to a minimum and use a smaller apron-front sink (24-30 inches).
Will farmhouse style become out of fashion?
The traditional farmhouse features have been in demand over decades since they focus more on the comfort of the ages rather than a fad.
