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Rustic style is making a comeback, and it's no surprise so many people are incorporating it into their houses. Part of the reason rustic style is so appealing is because it looks "lived in." The materials that it uses and highlights are natural and harken back to nature, as well as simpler times. However, that doesn't mean that rustic style can't fit into sleeker, more modern design style as well! Whether you like modern design, traditional, or something else, you can still create your own rustic style. Here are are tips and tricks for how to create a rustic kitchen.
Even though rustic design is very focused on natural elements, that doesn't mean you're limited to a neutral color palette. Use those dark woods to harken back to nature, but don't be afraid to use other colors like these blues in your rustic design. If you feel like that doesn't call back to rustic style enough, look at your hardware; using metals like brushed bronze and copper is another key component of rustic design, and adding them to your kitchen is a subtle way to add a more rustic feel.
While the wood cabinetry may be the star of this traditional kitchen, it's not the only thing that creates the rustic tone. There are natural materials all around this kitchen: the cabinets, the marble backsplash, mixed wood furniture, and wood floors are the big ones. However, this look wouldn't be complete without the iron features in the handles, pulls, and light fixtures. To tie together the rustic look in your kitchen, add in more natural elements than just wood: think of your backsplash, for one thing. If you go with simple wood and countertops, you can let your backsplash shine by having a marble texture. Then tie it all together with those iron features to make the space feel traditionally rustic.
Texture is such a huge part of rustic style, and there are many ways to add that texture to your space. In this classic kitchen, there are three shining examples of texture: the hood vent, the floor, and the dining table. All three use straight pieces of wood in their design, but the hood vent stands out by using those wood planks in a herringbone pattern. If you like a kitchen with a lot straight, neat lines, try incorporating at least one element that using those lines in a special way, like the vent. This unexpected contrast will add a pop of flair and drama to your kitchen.
This rustic kitchen fits into both rustic and modern industrial design. To effectively blend the two styles, use simple wood cabinets, drawer pulls with simple, metallic lines, and use metal elsewhere in the kitchen. Here, you can see it incorporated in the appliance and the kitchen island. If you really want to lean into rustic, industrial style, having a floor like this one--unfinished, textured, and urban in feel.
Since rustic style is known for incorporating wood tones, it's only natural to incorporate wood cabinets in your kitchen to reflect that style. That being said, if you go with dark tones like this one, be sure that it still has warmth and texture like natural wood does. Also, it's a great idea to incorporate dark handles and appliances, but try to have lighter walls and countertops so that the space doesn't feel too dark.
One good feature about rustic style is that you can mix wood tones and have it look natural. In this case, you can see the wood beams in the ceiling, the floating shelf, the lower cabinets, table, and chairs all have wood elements in them. What they all have in common, though, is very natural wood textures. To recreate a kitchen like this one, you'll want to lean into a "man-made" look versus factory made. Choose furniture with flaws and imperfections to create a well-lived look in your kitchen.
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Going with light wood and dark countertops is another way you can create a rustic feel in your kitchen. If you do enjoy both rustic and modern design, follow this kitchen's example by using cabinetry with clean lines and no handles. Incorporate the black from the countertops into other areas, like the backs of the open cabinets below the stove, in hanging lights, and in your accent pieces. Working with lighter wood cabinets gives you the opportunity to experiment with darker accents, so play around with it to your heart's content!
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We've already seen how mixing woods and highlighting wood through a kitchen is a great way to incorporate rustic design, but rustic design isn't solely about wood. In fact, rustic design highlights any and all parts of nature. In addition to working with wood tones, try using tile that looks very natural and unrefined. The square tiles in the background vary in their shading and even their shape. They are imperfect, just like stone is in nature. If you do use a gray tile backsplash like this one, try to bring that gray tone over by your dining set as well with either a gray rug, gray accent pieces, or both.
Wood, butcher block countertops are very popular right now, especially in farmhouse and cottage style kitchens like this one. If you like having a bright white kitchen, going with wood countertops is a great way to incorporate rustic style because it incorporates those natural wood textures and colors. Plus, it serves as a source of warmth in what could otherwise be a washed out kitchen. One other tip, however, is don't limit yourself to wood countertops. Incorporate other wood shelving, like the floating shelves to the left and the shelf to the left. Spreading the wood out in the kitchen is a good way to naturally draw your eye all around, so that you appreciate the beauty all around your kitchen.
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This kitchen serves as yet another example of how you can incorporate wood tones to add a rustic feel. Instead of doing the lower cabinets in wood and the uppers white, this design flipped it so that the wood is at eye level. To avoid the kitchen feeling too dark with this set up, have your cabinets made of lighter wood tones. Using glass cabinet doors also will keep your space from feeling dark. Plus, you can put white plates, bowls, etc in the cabinets, and that will act as a nice connection from the natural wood down to the white lower cabinets.
When it comes to your kitchen, you don't have to just incorporate wood in the cabinets and call it a day! Adding in a rug like this one adds to the nature motif with its illustrated trees, blue sky, river, and land. This rug has a very traditional, classic feel to it, but in order to keep the kitchen from feeling stuffy, use interesting pulls on your cabinets/drawers. On the left hand side in particular, you can see how the handles parallel one another to create a symmetrical, orderly look to it. It's a subtle touch, but it creates a natural pattern and makes the entire space feel very intentional.
Using wood and stone colors is perfect for creating a rustic vibe. In this case, the wood is used on the floor, countertops, floating shelves, and ceiling beams, while the stone texture shines through in the herringbone patterned tile. This in and of itself would make a gorgeous rustic kitchen, but don't forget a key detail when making your own kitchen: the accessories. Use natural accents throughout your kitchen, such as the plants, the cutting boards, baskets, and even the blinds. These subtle, intentional details will take your kitchen from gorgeous to STUNNING.
Wood doesn't have to be the focal point of a rustic kitchen. While brick is a man-made material, it fits will into rustic design because of its natural textures, color variance, and imperfect shapes. To keep the brick from leaning too industrial though, incorporate other natural tones, like wood floors, iron handles, and wood/metal accents throughout the kitchen.
With so many options and avenues to take with rustic design, there are an infinite number of ways to incorporate it into your kitchen. If you want that rustic feel to be the star of your space, don't forget to highlight those natural elements and let them shine through. Add in texture and warmth to create that stunning rustic vibe that'll make your kitchen feel naturally warm and comfortable. And remember, these key traits of rustic design blend well with other design styles, so have fun with it!
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