Farmhouse Kitchen: The 5 Essentials

A white farmhouse kitchen that showcases vintage tile floors, a copper lighting fixture, and open shelves.

Stan Fadyukhin,

Written by Christen Hong

Featured Image Styling by Jessica Jelly

Did you know that the kitchen is one of the most expensive rooms you can renovate? But it’s also the heart of every farmhouse, so you’ll want the style to be perfect for you and your family. The key is to make your space look effortlessly cozy and inviting, while also functional. Every decision, from the cabinets to the lighting and countertops, can have a huge impact. Here are 5 essentials that’ll help you create your perfect farmhouse kitchen.

A copper sink that stands out against white cabinets and a brick wall. — Stacey from At Home on Beech Tree added this beautiful copper farmhouse sink to her kitchen. It makes the space feel so much warmer and complements the red tones on the brick wall.

1. Farmhouse Kitchen Sinks

Farmhouse sinks, or apron sinks, are both stylish and functional. Set apart from other sink models by their exposed front sides, they were traditionally used for old-fashioned farmhouse kitchens. Because they’re deep and wide, they’re useful for just about any purpose, from washing large pots and pans to even the baby!

Simple white shaker cabinets and a marble countertop help create an elegant gray and white farmhouse kitchen. — Clean lines on these shaker cabinets add detail to the kitchen without being distracting. Stonington Cabinetry & Designs used these simple cabinets to create a bright, elegant kitchen.

2. Shaker Cabinets

This type of kitchen cabinet is ideal for farmhouse style because of its simple and classic design. Created by Shaker Christian communities in the US as early as the 1700s, this cabinet style is characterized by a recessed center panel in each cabinet door face. Shaker cabinets are elegant, understated, but effective at making a space appear effortless.

Three open shelves that showcase various glasses and dishes in a farmhouse kitchen. — Erin and Kirsten of House of Jade Interiors added open shelves to their kitchen to display their nice dishes and add layers to the space. There’s a spot for everything, allowing you to be creative with presentation.

3. Open Shelves

Another functional element that will add style, open shelves will instantly make your kitchen feel larger. They may take up less space than closed cabinets, and allow you to display your favorite pieces of dinnerware and other kitchen collectibles.

With everything in plain sight, open shelves are practical and aesthetically pleasing. However, you’ll watch out for dust that may accumulate. Try storing glasses and bowls upside down to help keep them clean.

Four wooden cutting boards hang from a rolling pan rack. A wooden vent hood also helps offset all the white. — Even just small pieces like wooden cutting board can be showcased as kitchen decor. Mikey and Carrie (@littlehillsidefarmstead) used a rolling pin rack to hang their wooden cutting boards and it really helps balance out all the white in the kitchen.

4. Aged Wood

Old, weathered, reclaimed or distressed wood elements will add farmhouse charm to any room in your house, but especially your kitchen. Wood naturally has a lot of dimension in it, which will help your space look rustic.

Chicken Coop Curb Appeal

You can use wood in large areas such as your countertops or cabinetry. Smaller touches, such as adding reclaimed paneling to the kitchen island or a display of cute cutting boards, will also add a rustic touch to your space.

Two industrial style pendants hang over the island of a white kitchen. — Sarah from Sugar Maple Notes used industrial styled pendant lighting to add a little bit of edge to her simple farmhouse kitchen. Industrial lighting helps make a space look more rustic, but still classic due to its sleek, minimalist design.

5. Industrial Lighting

Industrial accents are characterized by lots of metal, dark tones and an urban vibe. Industrial lighting often has wrought iron elements and shows off the light bulbs on the fixture. This type of lighting will add a little roughness and character to your kitchen, whether you add it through an industrial-style chandelier, pendant lights above the island or a single pendant light above the kitchen sink.

Of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of farmhouse inspiration!