30 Inspiring Rustic Kitchen Ideas with Country Charm

By Interior Designer Tracy Svendsen | Published June 28, 2019 | Updated on March 07, 2024 |

Rustic Kitchen Ideas: Looking to add a touch of rustic charm to your kitchen? Look no further! This article will explore inspiring ideas that will help you transform your kitchen into a cozy, rustic retreat. From reclaimed wood accents and farmhouse-style furniture to vintage-inspired lighting and earthy color palettes, this collection of design elements will bring warmth and character to your space. 

Whether you’re a fan of the country farmhouse aesthetic or prefer a more modern rustic vibe, we have something for everyone. Get ready to channel your inner Joanna Gaines and embark on a kitchen makeover journey to enhance your space’s aesthetic appeal and create a welcoming space where family and friends can gather and create lasting memories. Feature image courtesy of Amber Lewis Design.

Here are a few design elements of rustic kitchen designs: 

Rustic Kitchen Ideas

Rustic Kitchen Design Ideas
Image courtesy of McGee & Co.

1. Bring the Outside In

A mix of natural materials such as wood, stone, brick, and patinated metals evokes a sense of timelessness that people crave today. Rustic design is often aligned with your region, and bringing the outside in is a great way to add rustic flair to your kitchen. Consider installing cabinets made from wood from the surrounding area. 

The same goes for your hardwood flooring choice if a good match is available. If your kitchen has gorgeous views of the lake, fields, or mountains outside, try matching the interior paint color to the dominant tones in the surrounding landscape. 

In the image below, photographer Haris Kenjar captured a beautiful English country kitchen designed by Landed Interiors & Homes. It’s a perfect example of timeless style and old-world sensibility. It boasts a hearth-like range, a large island, built-in cabinetry, and cheery paint 

Rustic Kitchen Ideas

Rustic Kitchen with Shiplap Walls
Image courtesy of Architectural Digest.

2. Use Earth Tones 

Be sure to incorporate an earthy, nature-inspired palette such as browns, deep greens, and rich reds. Materials with a patina, such as copper and rough-hewn wood, add warm and luxurious tones. 

A rustic kitchen should feel comfortable, inviting, and connected to the natural world. Use the colors of natural materials like stone, sand, and clay as your inspiration.

Consider adding color with vibrant accessories or artwork, colorful tiles for the backsplash, curtains or chair cushions in vibrant hues, or a statement piece of furniture. 

Rustic Kitchen Design Ideas | Earth Tone Colors

A Rustic Kitchen with Majestic Mountain Views
Image courtesy of Julie Soefer Photography

3. Incorporate Natural Materials 

Rustic charm retains a natural look, and hardwood floors are a better fit than tile or linoleum. In addition to wood, other natural materials are used to bring the design full circle. 

Stone has many colors and patterns and is an excellent choice for countertops. Wrought iron fits the rustic look, so incorporate some of it into your kitchen design with pot racks, recipe book stands, and baker’s racks. Clay and terracotta are perfect for achieving a rustic Southwestern vibe.

Rustic Kitchen Ideas

Rustic Kitchen with Warm Textures
Image courtesy of Design Shop Interiors

4. Incorporate Exposed Beams 

Many rustic kitchens already have support beams and buttresses exposed. But if not, you can add them for minimal money. Retrofitting the structure of your kitchen with the real thing isn’t cost-effective or even necessary. 

All you need are some prefabricated fake support beams. They look like the real thing but aren’t designed to be load-bearing. Most are three-sided, hollow, and installed, much like prefab crown molding. Keep it green, and look for faux beams made from reclaimed wood.

Rustic Farmhouse Kitchen

Stunning Farmhouse Kitchen
Image courtesy of Architectural Digest Photo: Roger Davies

5. Rustic Kitchen Cabinet Ideas 

A few kitchen cabinet options work well if you want a rustic feel. One option is to go for natural wood cabinets with a distressed finish. This will give your kitchen a warm, natural look that fits well with the rustic theme.

Another option is to go for cabinets with a more weathered or reclaimed look, such as those made from reclaimed wood or metal. These cabinets can add a lot of character to your kitchen and give it a unique, rustic feel. Whatever type of cabinets you choose, complement them with other rustic elements like natural stone countertops, exposed brick walls, or antique light fixtures to complete the look.

 
Modern Rustic Kitchen Design

Rustic Kitchen Design
Image courtesy of McGee & Co.

6. Adding Painted Cabinets for a Unique Design

Painted kitchen cabinets work well in rustic kitchens. Consider using a distressed or antiqued finish in colors that complement the natural materials used in the space. Soft blues, greens, and creamy whites can add a subtle pop of color while maintaining a rustic feel. Be sure to balance the painted cabinets with natural wood accents and other rustic design elements to achieve a cohesive look.

7. Two Tone Kitchen Cabinets 

Two-tone cabinets are a popular design element in rustic kitchens. This design concept involves choosing two complementary colors for the cabinets, such as white and gray or blue and green, and using them in different kitchen areas. For instance, you could use one color for the upper cabinets and another for the lower ones or alternate the colors on opposite sides of the kitchen. This technique adds visual interest and dimension to the space, creating a unique and personalized look.

 
Rustic Kitchen with Two-Tone Cabinetry

Rustic Kitchen with Two-Tone Cabinets by Joanna Gaines
Image courtesy of Real Homes

8. Cream Kitchen Cabinets 

Cream cabinets can also work well in rustic kitchens, providing a soft and warm backdrop for other rustic elements. Consider pairing cream cabinets with natural materials like wood and stone and earthy colors like brown, green, and red. Distressed finishes or decorative elements like beadboard or molding can add texture and depth to your cream cabinets. 

Rustic Kitchen with Cream Cabinetry

Stunning Kitchen Design with Wood Topped Kitchen Island & Cream Cabinets
Image courtesy of Veranda Homes 

9. White Kitchen Cabinets

When it comes to choosing cabinets for your rustic kitchen, white cabinets can work well to create a bright and airy space. However, choosing cabinets with a distressed or weathered finish is essential to keep the rustic feel. 

10. Black Kitchen Cabinets

Black cabinets can add a bold and modern touch to a rustic kitchen. While it may seem counterintuitive to incorporate such a sleek and contemporary element into a design style known for its cozy and weathered charm, black cabinets can work quite well in rustic kitchens. 

One way to make black cabinets work in a rustic space is to pair them with natural materials like wood and stone. For example, you could pair black cabinets with a matte finish, a warm wood countertop, or a natural stone backsplash.

 
Black Kitchen Cabinet Ideas

Black Kitchen Cabinets
Image courtesy of Scout & Nimble

11. Blue Kitchen Cabinets

Blue kitchen cabinets can also add a rustic touch to your kitchen design. Consider a deep navy blue or a muted blue-gray for a more subtle look. This works exceptionally well in a rustic coastal design. Pair the blue cabinets with natural wood accents, such as a butcher block countertop or open shelving made from reclaimed wood, to create a cohesive rustic aesthetic. 

12. Green Kitchen Cabinets

Green kitchen cabinets can add a unique touch of color to your rustic kitchen. Shades of green, such as olive or sage, can complement the earthy color palette often found in rustic design. 

 

Decorating with Sage Green

Green Kitchen Cabinet Ideas
Image courtesy of Tiffany Leigh Design

13. Hardwood Floors 

Wood flooring is an excellent choice for a rustic kitchen because it adds warmth and texture. Rustic design brings the outdoors in, and wood flooring accomplishes this beautifully. Hardwood floors have a natural, organic feel that is perfect for a rustic kitchen. Additionally, wood flooring is durable and easy to maintain, making it a practical choice for a high-traffic area like a kitchen. 

 
Luxury Rustic Kitchen Design | Rustic Kitchens

Glamorous Rustic Kitchen by Locati
Image courtesy of Locati Architects

14. Incorporate Wood

Hickory, alder, and cherry are all wood that will work in a rustic kitchen, but none represent the charm of rustic design more than pine. Heart of Pine flooring, made from the tree’s heartwood, can range from dark brown to deep orange. 

Pine is also excellent for cabinetry, butcher block countertops, and kitchen islands. When it comes to rustic charm, the knots in the pine are a plus, so when seeking out your materials, the knottier, the better.

Rustic Kitchen Ideas

Pilar Guzman & Chris Mitchell’s Hampton Home
Image courtesy of Architectural Digest

15. Open Shelving 

Open shelving is an excellent addition to any rustic kitchen. The open design allows easy access to your favorite cookware and dishes, making meal prep and cleanup a breeze. 

Additionally, open shelves will enable you to showcase your unique style and personality by displaying decorative items and vintage pieces. Open shelving is also a cost-effective option compared to traditional cabinetry, making it an excellent choice for those on a budget.

16. Display Rustic Pottery & Cutting Boards 

Displaying rustic pottery and wood cutting boards in a rustic kitchen can enhance the space’s overall aesthetic and bring warmth and character to the design. Rustic pottery can add texture and earthy tones, while wood cutting boards provide a natural and organic feel. Plus, displaying these items can also be practical, as they can be easily accessible while cooking and serve as decorative elements when not in use.