A farmhouse kitchen combines modest comfort and classic elegance for a rustic look that’s both homely and functional. According to Google Trends, searches for this design style are currently up by 130 per cent on a year ago. There’s a reason the look is so enduring – it evokes the feelings of familiarity and warmth that many of us crave within our homes.
Mor Krisher, head of design at Caesarstone, the industry leaders in premium surface design, describes the aesthetic, saying: “Rich with rustic charm, farmhouse kitchens embrace design details like exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, and classic Shaker-style cabinetry in a soft colour palette.”
Read on to discover farmhouse-style kitchen inspiration and advice from leading design experts on how to achieve this look.
Oak country kitchen by Tom Howley
Bespoke kitchen maker Tom Howley recently completed a sprawling kitchen within a grade I listed Tudor house nestled in the picturesque South Shropshire countryside. Finely crafted shaker cabinetry in pale, warm neutrals and natural oak adorn the space, complementing the farmhouse-style surroundings – stone walls, a vaulted ceiling, and exposed timber trusses. Modern appliances are thoughtfully integrated throughout, providing optimal functionality without compromising the warm, traditional aesthetic.
Tom Howley, creative design director at the eponymous kitchen company, explains: “Farmhouse-style kitchens are designed with a focus on comfort, traditionalism and tactility, making this design an appealing choice for those wanting to create an inviting sanctuary.
“Traditional shaker style cabinetry is perfect for creating a welcoming, lived-in look. The shaker style has universal appeal with beautifully balanced proportions that focus on scale, symmetry and simplicity. Natural wood is an integral part of farmhouse kitchens, as it adds a sense of warmth and tactility. You can incorporate wood in the form of flooring, stand-alone furniture such as a farmhouse table, shelving, chopping boards or integrated wooden trays to break up painted cabinetry.”
Surface style
Caesarstone’s Krisher says: “In a farmhouse-style kitchen, shades of brown, blue, and cream create an inviting feel and pair beautifully with our highly tactile, rugged worktops – such as 413 White Ciment, 412 Beige Ciment, and 4044 Airy Concrete – to enhance the rustic aesthetic within the space.
“Alternatively, consider a veined, white marble-inspired worktop, like 5151 Empira White or 5031 Statuario Maximus. These elegant, sleek surfaces can provide a beautiful contrast to the otherwise coarse, raw materials throughout the kitchen.”
Solid foundations
Christoph Wellekoetter, head of product management at global flooring expert Parador, says: “Warm, rustic oak flooring is a timeless, go-to foundation in both town and country settings. The elegant chevron pattern adds texture and interest to an interior whilst remaining neutral.”
Responding to the increasing demand for parquet flooring, Parador’s new 2024 collection – available from March 2024 – features chevron and herringbone offerings, across its laminate, engineered wood, Modular ONE, and Vinyl ranges. This style sits beautifully underfoot in a farmhouse kitchen, complemented by a hearth-like range, Shaker-style units, rustic beams, and a deep ceramic sink, and dish racks brimming with china.
Curate your crockery
Create a cosy farmhouse atmosphere with traditional crockery from Burleigh, the heritage design brand handcrafting pottery in England since 1851.
Burleigh’s potters turn raw malleable clay into vibrant ceramics adorned with English country-garden florals and fanciful oriental motifs, using time-honoured skills that have been passed down through generations of craftspeople who worked in the very same hallowed halls. The brand’s iconic designs can be mixed and matched for a delightfully eclectic, country-inspired scheme.
