Whether you live in an old farmhouse, a suburban semi, or a high-rise city apartment, a country kitchen is something that everyone can enjoy in their home. The traditional feel of the country style reminds us of simpler times from days past, and adds a wonderful sense of comfort. A country kitchen is a kitchen that you want to spend your time in, and with our tips, you can create your very own…
1. Use natural materials
To create an earthy, rustic atmosphere so crucial to a country kitchen, choose natural materials like wood, ceramic tile, and stone. Wooden doors and units add an instant country feel, and ceramic tiles and stone hint to the work-ready practicality of a real country kitchen.
2. Go for neutral colours or earth tones
The colour choices you make can really help to bring an authenticity to your country-style kitchen. Neutral colours such as white or bone can work very well. Earth tones, such as clay reds, blues and greens also look great for a country-style finish.
3. Simple or decorative units
There are no steadfast rules when it comes to the style of your units in a country kitchen. So whether you choose decorative units, or simple shaker-style units, the trick is to find the balance with the rest of your work tops and furniture.
4. Contrasting unit and work top materials
It is important to keep the natural theme with your choice of materials for units and work tops, but choosing contrasting materials is a great way to add interest to the overall look, while staying true to the country style. For example, wooden unit doors in a natural finish look great alongside stone, or ceramic tiled work tops.
5. Display your wares
A lovely touch in a country kitchen is to display plates and crockery on shelves, or through glass cabinet doors. Country kitchens should always give the impression of being a place where hearty meals are made from fresh ingredients. So don’t be afraid to leave your favourite herbs, spices, and other ingredients where they can be seen.
6. Add modern touches
We live in a modern world, so while having an open fire or a traditional cooker may be more authentic, a few modern touches to your country kitchen will bring it up-to-date with your modern needs. The contrast between the rustic surfaces of your units and work tops, and the sleek modern features of contemporary appliances not only looks great, but adds a flash of futuristic excitement to your country kitchen.
7. Your pots and pans
Add shiny copper, stainless steel – such as the IKEA FAVORIT series- or enameled pans to your country kitchen, and have fun finding interesting ways to display them. For example, a few copper pots hanging from the ceiling can look very attractive and helps evoke the country style.
8. Rustic flooring
For a country kitchen, choose flooring materials that have the feel of being close to nature and a little rustic and textured. Terracotta tiles, brick, stone and wood all work equally well.
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9. Add a kitchen island
Nothing says ‘country’ quite like a kitchen island, the modern equivalent of the work surface in a traditional farmhouse kitchen. If you have enough space, a kitchen island, like the GROLAND kitchen island from IKEA, offers a practical place to prepare meals, and a focal point for country-style touches.
10. The final flourishes
The ultimate test of a country kitchen is to not only look the right way, but also to feel warm and welcoming. Adding simple, comfortable furniture, like BERTIL chairs from IKEA, a few flowers, and even the odd landscape painting can help to add the final flourishes to your wonderful country creation.
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