Most rustic kitchens are bright, but you can still add rustic charm to your non-white farmhouse kitchen without sticking to the usual color scheme. This guide shows you how to make a farmhouse kitchen using more natural wood and less white to feel more organic and connected to nature.
1. Plan and design the kitchen layout
Decide where everything will go, starting with the main items, like a sink and cooker. In this example, a double sink is installed in a corner to add a personal touch to the kitchen layout. Additionally, you gain more natural light from two windows, and you will have more room for everything else.
The cooker hood, responsible for removing cooking smells and steam, should be the centerpiece of your kitchen. It’s best to position it in the middle of your cooking area.
You’ll also need an island, provided your kitchen is big enough to support it. This free-standing piece of furniture takes center stage, and it’s quite useful for preparing food while entertaining guests. To save space, hang pots and pans above it.
For your dining area, think about adding faux wood beams above it to enhance the rustic farmhouse vibe – they look like real wooden beams but are lighter and easier to install. If you have space, a metal baker’s rack tucked in a corner serves as a stylish and practical storage solution.
2. Choose materials and colors
The dominant material for this non-white kitchen farmhouse design is natural wood. From cabinets to dining tables, wood adds a warm and earthy feel to the kitchen. When selecting the type of wood, consider the color, grain, and texture you like best for the overall look.
White remains a key component of this design but only as an accent color, such as white walls or specks of white in the marble countertops. This bright accent balances the richness of the wood and adds depth to your kitchen.
Make sure to introduce pops of color throughout your kitchen. For example, curtains made from a repurposed tablecloth with vibrant floral prints add a vintage touch that blends with the whole farmhouse look.
3. Install the range hood and light fixtures
After picking the layout, colors, and materials, you can install essential features. The range hood is the focal point of this kitchen design. Once you install it, you can make it more appealing by adding lights and decorating it with a lovely lemon wreath.
Apart from the range hood, ensure your kitchen has adequate lighting. Illuminate your workspace on the island, highlight your dishes on the baker’s rack, or accentuate the natural wood texture with strategically placed lights.
4. Organize your kitchen
The farmhouse style is all about practicality. For instance, hanging pots over the island frees up cabinet space and places cooking tools within easy reach. Meanwhile, the double sink in the corner makes it easier to wash dishes while staying out of the way of others.
The industrial baker’s rack offers plenty of space to store and display kitchen essentials or decorative items. Its open design fits the airy, spacious feel of the farmhouse kitchen style and allows easy access.
5. Incorporate decorative elements
With the basics set up, infuse your non-white farmhouse kitchen with personal touches. Here are some examples:
- Place a mini lemon tree in a red-painted terracotta pot to add a vibrant pop of color.
- Use Dollar Tree flower seed packs and mini terracotta pots to introduce a garden-like feel to the kitchen.
- Hang a repurposed window above the gas stove for a unique, vintage touch.
- Complement the whole design with colorful, floral-print curtains to provide a refreshing contrast to the natural wood.
- A distressed barn door is functional and stylish, thanks to its vintage look that contributes to the rustic feel of the space.
Judy
Kitchen looks great, Debbie. But it always did look great! I am right there next to you on team NOT white kitchen. I need color in my life, lots of color! Happy Saturday!
debbiedoo's
YAY to color!~ Thanks for visiting Judy.
Anonymous
Love the new valances!
Judy Voldstad
Now that is what I call a beautiful kitchen that you should be very proud of-I love it-love the wood!!!Everywhere you look it makes you SMILE I bet-very cheerful-Thank You so much for sharing.
Hugs
debbiedoo's
Thank you Judy for your kind comment:) It is a lot of wood..but we like it too. Thanks for visiting.
bee
I am also a fan of barn type lighting….love yours. I have a log cabin kitchen and a lot of stainless and galvanized decor. Love your colorful touches!!
debbiedoo's
Thank you Bee!
Anne in Virginia
Love Love Love the valances Debbie! Good choice!
debbiedoo's
Thank you Anne!
Josephine Howland
I love your new valences. I am so glad that there are others out there who are tired of the white on white on white theme.
debbiedoo's
I suppose that is why you are here:) No white
Linda
With beautiful cabinets like you have, who wants white! The wood makes it feel much warmer! I think I’ll go clean and polish mine now!!
debbiedoo's
HAHAHAHA..yes I just did mine a few weeks ago.
Katie
Your corner sink has been my inspiration for mine. Although I havent changed anything yet.
debbiedoo's
Well I am happy to hear that Katie. Enjoy
lazzara
Complimenti tutto bellissimo mi piace tanto il porta rotolo dietro al lavandino , dove lo hai preso? anche quello su Amazon? grazie
debbiedoo's
That is an original oldie. They only sell one bad knock off of it on Amazon and I would not recommend it. Thanks for your visit and kind words.
Kathleen Clinton
Love your kitchen, especially the shelf in front of the window. Have to ask my husband to do that!
debbiedoo's
Hi Kathleen! Yes your hubby can do it. I needed a place to showcase some pretties, and this was the perfect spot.
Nana Diana
It looks good, Debbie. Kind of a combo-bit of farmhouse but I also see lots of French Country there, too. Lovely and I love the curtains! Hugs- Diana
debbiedoo's
Thank you Diana very much. xo
LS
I think your kitchen style is more French Country. Very cute!
debbiedoo's
Thanks LS..yes but with the farmhouse elements incorporated. I guess it’s a mix HA!
Gigi
Your kitchen is amazing. Farmhouse eclectic.
I’m a very eclectic decorator.
Good job!
Sandy Hawley
Looks great!