Old country kitchens were once the driving force of day-to-day working lives. Hungry and industrious land workers would stop to socialise and refuel on freshly prepared food before heading back to the fields. Children would run off into the country spring air to fetch ingredients for the next day’s meals. It was a simpler time.
Nowadays, the modern home has an entirely different set of needs. Contemporary living is more complex, as are the relationships we have with our spaces. That’s why so many of us look to injecting our homes with the warmth and comfort of traditional country living.
Here are our design tips and ideas for creating a country style kitchen of your own.
Create more space
The first thing you’ll notice about a country style kitchen is their size. Much of their appeal is in the space they have available, which stems back to their history as busy and multifunctional rooms.
Don’t worry if increasing the size of your kitchen is out of the question. A country style can be achieved in a kitchen of any size. But with many space creating options available to you, you might find adding size is easier and cheaper than you think.
Your options include:
At Resi, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners increase the size of their homes. If you are looking to do the same, you can get free advice from our professionals. Book to speak to the team here.
Muted colours
Traditional country kitchens were inspired by their rural landscapes and so have muted, natural colour pallets. Such as:
Greens
Blues
Creams
Light browns / shadows
Greys
These colours will add a subtle warmth and rustic feel to the kitchen and can be accented further with dark features, such as:
- Darkwood flooring
- Wood, quartz and granite countertops
- Painted tables and chairs
They can also be accented with pops of bright colour with:
- Fruit bowls
- Flowers
- Bright or patterned curtains
Wood
The country style homes we look to imitate were built long before the plastics, laminates and resins of modern kitchens. Back then they relied heavily on their most accessible resource: wood.
That’s why wood features heavily in country style kitchens. You can look to wood for:
- Counter tops
- Tables, chairs and other furniture
- Cabinets and cupboards
- Flooring
- Ceiling beams
- Doors and windows
- Decorative pieces
While some wooden features can be painted to match your colour scheme, the natural texture and colours of wood are an extremely attractive kitchen addition, great for capturing the country life design.
Just as dark and light colours compliment each other, the right mix of woods and metals can really contribute to a beautiful country kitchen.
The metals that work best are:
- Cast iron
- Copper
- Brass
- Steel
And you can look to use these metals in:
- Taps and exposed pipes
- Cabinets and door handles
- Light fittings
- Shelving brackets
- Decorative pieces
Aged and worn metals work particularly well in these rustic kitchen environments. You can even buy faux rust paints if you want to go literally rust-ic.
Features
Here are some of the features that work particularly well in a country style kitchen.
Kitchen island
If you have the space and want your kitchen to be welcoming, warm and sociable, a kitchen island offers the perfect focal point. They give friends, family and party guests a place to congregate and socialise, as well as acting as another surface to prepare your signature dishes.
Dining table
A lot of country style kitchens will also include a dining table in the same space. These are not just another centerpiece, but they also aid health due to the physical and mental benefits of communal dining.
Stable/dutch door
If you have a door leading outside, a stable/dutch style door is both an aesthetic and practical addition to the country kitchen. Yes, they look the part, but they are also great for hot summer days, allowing you to open the door partially and let the cool breeze roll through.
Pendant lights
Pendant lights are frankly a great addition to any style of kitchen. They are both practical, lighting up a specific area or surface, as well as being stylish. But if you are looking to create a country inspired-design then pendant lights are a particularly good choice, as they offer an opportunity to introduce some of the copper, brass, steel and iron that work so well in these kitchens.
Decorations
You don’t have to be an experienced interior designer to know how trendy rustic decor is at the moment. And that means there is lots of it out there. Popular pieces include:
- Copper pans and kettles
- Toile porcelain
- Glass jars
- Vintage tins
- Wooden fruit crates
- Wicker baskets
- Flower vases and other pottery
- Chalkboards
When items become on-trend they will spike in price, meaning you might be surprised by the cost of country style decor. But a lot of rustic items are repurposed and reclaimed, which can be found much cheaper if you have a good look around online and in charity shops, as opposed to approaching boutique dealers.
Conclusion
Space is great for a country style kitchen as it offers multifunctionality and the opportunity for features like a kitchen island and dining table.
Muted, earthy colours make a good colour scheme and should be balanced with exposed wood and metal features.
Copper, brass, steel and iron work particularly well in kitchens. While copper and brass look good polished, iron and steel can look great with a bit of age.
Country style kitchens should be warm, welcoming and sociable spaces. Make sure they are accessible and inviting to everyone!
At Resi, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners create their dream kitchen. If you want guidance with your kitchen, or any part of the home growing process, book a call with our professionals and take the first step on your happy home journey.
