Decorating a Country Kitchen with Style

When it comes to decorating, many times the kitchen is one of the last rooms on our list. It's easy to think of paint, pictures, and odds and ends for rooms like the living room and bedrooms, but if you already have cabinets, countertops, and appliances in your kitchen, what else is there? Turns out there are lots of ways to decorate your kitchen, and country decorating is a great option. Choosing a kitchen with a country theme is a timeless way to give your kitchen a finished look, and can be done extravagantly or on a budget. A rustic kitchen harkens back to the old days when families gathered for their evening meal around a sturdy table, bread was still made fresh by hand, and produce was brought in from the fields outside instead of the grocery store. The key to a country kitchen is a warm, soft palette (think sage greens, cranberry reds, medium blues with gray undertones, buttery creams & yellows, and touches of black & white), wood tones, fabrics in plaids and florals, and plenty of imperfections. Even if you have a more modern kitchen, by changing just a few key elements you can have the look of a country kitchen without a remodel. These tips will help you achieve a beautiful country kitchen that will quickly become a favorite gathering place for family and friends.

Cabinets
The key to a country kitchen is to choose worn surfaces that look like they have been there for a long time. Certain rustic wood tones also add to a warm and lived-in look for a rustic kitchen. If you have builder's grade cabinets, a great way to give your kitchen a country theme is by sanding them down and either painting them or staining them. Then, sand the edges unevenly for a worn country look. If you prefer a more pristine look, try white, cream, or sage green cabinets with bead board fronts and wooden or brushed nickel knobs. Half-moon metal knobs on cabinet drawers also give your kitchen cabinets a country look.

Countertops
Depending on the size of your kitchen, countertops can actually be an inexpensive way to decorate your kitchen. For a country kitchen, wooden butcher block-type countertops give a rustic feel. Another great choice is stained cement; this natural element has a less polished look than granite or other stones. But if you prefer other surfaces, go for a color that blends in with the overall look and scheme of your kitchen. For a countertop surface like granite, cream tones work well in a kitchen with a country theme.

Floors
When you decorate your kitchen, flooring can be the last thing on your mind, depending on how much you want to renovate and what your budget is. A hardwood floor, especially one with wide, uneven boards, gives a great rustic look to a country kitchen. But if you don't want to go that route, tile that looks like stone can also warm up your kitchen and blend in with your country theme. Even a checkerboard pattern in black and white or red and cream can look great in a country style kitchen. Many linoleums and peel-and-stick tiles also have a great stone look at the fraction of the price. As long as the colors blend, your kitchen will have cohesive look.

Ceiling
While many people don't even stop to look at their ceiling on a regular basis, this can be a great place to add country charm to your kitchen. A bead board ceiling, either in a rustic wood tone or stained gives a great country, farmhouse look to your kitchen. A tin ceiling (especially one that looks like it's been worn over time) is another great alternative. If you really want to add country style and have the budget to do so, rustic wood beams, either hand-milled or reclaimed will add a lot of depth and character to your country kitchen and really warm up the space. Hang an iron pot rack or baskets from the beams for an added lived-in look.

Appliances
Any finish of appliances works in a rustic kitchen, so don't feel like you have to buy all new ones to redecorate. I actually have stainless steel in my country kitchen; it gives it a modern, industrial twist that I enjoy, blending old and new. As long as the color of your appliances blends with the color scheme you've chosen, they'll fade to the background as everyone notices your other country decorating touches. However, if you're remodeling and really want to go all-out in your country kitchen, you can purchase modern appliances that look vintage, so you get the convenience of today's technology blended with the look of old appliances. A farmhouse sink also adds a nice touch to your rustic kitchen.

Elmira Stove Works
Vintage-looking modern appliances in styles from the 1850s to the 1950s

Antique Vintage Appliances
Actual vintage appliances restored to look brand new

Table
Your kitchen table sees all sorts of action each day, from eating to homework to play, so it's good to choose one that's sturdy and will last. A farmhouse-style table is the best choice; its slats of uneven wood and worn finish will add instant country character when you decorate your kitchen. Tables in wood tones or black that match the rest of your kitchen look best, though some opt for reds, greens, or creams. Just make sure your table contrasts with your cabinets so the look isn't too overwhelming. Ladder back or shaker-style chairs work well to give your country kitchen an authentic look.

Classic Farmhouse Table from L.L.Bean $499-$699

Alexander Paul Antiques
Antique Rustic Farmhouse Tables

Lighting
Lighting can really make a kitchen, especially above an island or table. Worn metal or black chandeliers and light fixtures are great for country decorating. Oversized metal lights can also give a country look with an industrial edge, combining a worn modern aesthetic with a country theme. Sconces are nice, too, to give localized light, and countertop or tabletop lamps can cast a warm, intimate glow on your space. Lampshades in plaids or coordinating colors look nice in a country kitchen. Lamps with bases made out of rustic elements like an old milk can also look great.

Rustic Country Chandeliers from Great Windsor Chairs

Country & Primitive Lights and Lampshades from Lake Erie Gifts & Décor

Accessories
Thrift stores and antique shops are great places to find accessories for your country kitchen. Since a kitchen needs to be functional, don't go overboard on countertop decorations, but a few odds and ends can really give your kitchen a pulled-together country look. When you decorate your kitchen with accessories, think about scale. Tiny pictures or knick-knacks can get swallowed up in a large space, just as huge wall hangings can look cumbersome in a cozier space. Go for a few stand-out pieces, such as an antique butcher block or hutch, metal star for the wall, wire or wooden reed baskets that can be used to store kitchen items or hung from the ceiling, antique flour & sugar canisters, or a collection of antique pitchers or dishes displayed or hung in your country kitchen. Plaid fabric seat cushions or curtains can add a warm touch, as well as a rustic shelf for your cookbooks or country pillows sewn with primitive images on a window seat. Even plaid or rustic-looking dish towels go a long way in country decorating. Choose accessories that you love and that won't get in the way of the daily functions in your kitchen.

The Country Porch
Country dishtowels, dishcloths, placemats, napkins, curtains and chair pads

By using some or all of these tips, you'll have a beautiful kitchen with a country theme that you'll enjoy every day.