If you’re looking to add a touch of rustic charm to your kitchen, there are plenty of design and decor ideas to choose from.
Whether you want to go for a full-on country look, or just add a few rustic elements to an existing kitchen design, there are plenty of ways to get the look you love.
(Also check out our rustic log cabin interior ideas for more inspiration!)
One of the most popular rustic kitchen design ideas is to go for a country look. This can be achieved by using natural materials like wood and stone in your kitchen design, and by choosing furniture and accessories that have a rustic feel to them.
You can also add some country-inspired touches to an existing kitchen design, such as adding a farmhouse sink or some rustic-style cabinets.
The beauty behind rustic kitchens is the extensive amount of ideas that can turn its environment into a work of art. If you’re a fan of old farmhouses, as well as cottage-style dwellings, a rustic kitchen serves as the perfect formula to achieve this look.
Usually, a rustic look relies heavily on earthy tones, as well as antique-looking items to pull off the ultimate yesteryear experience. Materials such as brick, stone, and wood are among the favorites as far as the framework of any room is concerned as this was the most common choice among cabins, cottages, and farmhouses back in the day.
(We’ve also got some great small kitchen ideas if you’re working with a cramped space.)
Yes, ceramic, copper, plaster, and porcelain were also used, which also fit into the category of pulling off the rustic look.
Rustic Kitchen Design Ideas
1. Antique Collection
The most effective means for a rustic kitchen idea to work is simply to go on the hunt to find items that are genuine farmhouse antiques.
There are also shopping venues that have items that appear to be antique as the demand by the public continues to cry out for what can be best described as trending retro.
2. Beaming Beauty
For the rustic look, simply adding beams across the ceiling, as well as posts, can turn an ordinary room into something extraordinary. If you really want to jazz this look up, hang off the ceiling beams old-style copper pots and pans.
3. Contemporary Rustic
Believe it or not, bridging the contemporary look with a rustic flair actually works. In the kitchen, if you happen to sport counters and cabinetry that appear modernized, you can easily have in place a modern, yet rustic-style cooktop and stove combination.
Adding some copper here and there will add to the rustic kitchen look, giving this particular room even more character than it has already.
4. Clutter It
The collection of antiques, combined with useful items that sport the yesteryear look, goes a long way to develop that rustic kitchen look.
Even the tiled backsplash that has a white and glossy old brick style makes the grade, as does the shelving that lets you add even more decorative clutter to your decorating scheme.
5. Copper Glory
Copper was among the favorite metals used back in the day when it came to cooking. Nowadays, as scientists are discovering the health benefits of copper, it has become more popular than ever.
For a rustic kitchen idea, simply adding copper here and there as you see fit really goes a long way to achieve the look of a room that has some yesteryear personality to it.
6. Going All Out
Should the room be large enough to house a full kitchen and a dining area as well, going all out with the wooden beams, the cupboards, and the dinette set definitely takes this room into the realm of rustic.
Jazz it up with today’s technology so you can make the most out of the usefulness of your kitchen and you may have on your hands the most appealing room in the house.
7. Mix it Up
The mix of contemporary and modern with a layout of wooden beams and old-style brick walls allows this rustic kitchen idea to enjoy the best of both worlds. Just because the theme is rustic doesn’t mean you should leave the luxuries of today behind.
8. Old Wood
Even simply throwing in items and decor that looks like the old wood is enough to turn back the clock of a kitchen’s appearance to look rustic. As for the brick backsplash appearance, this can be achieved by simply investing in some vinyl if that is your wish.
9. Potatoes
Sometimes, all it takes for a rustic kitchen idea to materialize is to start with collecting items that were familiar farmhouse favorites.
Still used today in homes that understand the appeal and importance of proper potato storage, this can also be used as a means to collect and store other items such as plastic bags or other vegetation that requires a cool dark environment for safe storage. Start with the potato cabinet then go from there.
10. Shelve It
When going with simple shelves made of wood, lining up a collection of useful items that are normally found in farmhouse kitchens is one good and practical way to achieve the rustic look.
Picking up an old, slightly worse-for-wear wall unit serving as a spice rack or whatever your heart desires also works.
11. The Island
Granted, most old-school farmhouse kitchens had a galley-style kitchen that didn’t always have a handy island in the middle of it.
Nowadays, as the appeal and practicality of kitchen islands have become more mainstream, just having one that has a rustic flavor to it can definitely give the kitchen a boost in the yesteryear department.
12. White Out
A rustic kitchen idea doesn’t mean a person can’t keep the overall appearance of the room elegant. No other color achieves this quite as well as the white. When opting to stick with the perfect contrast that doesn’t come across as outlandish, black and brown is one of the ways to go about it.
This sticks with a natural color scheme, which was how the majority of old-style kitchens looked back in the day.
More Rustic Decor Looks & Inspiration
If you’re not looking to go for a full-on country look, there are still plenty of ways to add some rustic charm to your kitchen. One popular way to do this is to use reclaimed wood in your kitchen design.
Reclaimed wood can give your kitchen a warm and inviting feel, and it can also add some unique character to the space. You can use reclaimed wood for your kitchen countertops, floors, or even for your kitchen cabinets.
Another popular rustic kitchen design idea is to incorporate stone into your kitchen design. Stone can give your kitchen a natural and rustic look, and it can also be a very durable material. If you’re looking to add stone to your kitchen, you can use it for your countertops, backsplashes, or even for your floors.
If you want to add a touch of rustic charm to your kitchen without going too country, there are plenty of other design ideas to choose from. One popular option is to use distressed wood in your kitchen design.
This can give your kitchen a weathered look, and it can also add some unique character to the space. You can use distressed wood for your countertops, floors, or even for your kitchen cabinets.
If you’re looking for something a little more unique, you could also consider using metal in your kitchen design. Metal can give your kitchen a modern look, and it can also be a very durable material. If you’re looking to add metal to your kitchen, you can use it for your countertops, backsplashes, or even for your floors.
No matter what style of rustic kitchen design you’re going for, there are plenty of ideas to choose from. With a little bit of creativity, you can create a kitchen that’s both stylish and comfortable.
So, whether you’re looking for a full-on country look or just want to add some rustic elements to an existing kitchen design, there are plenty of rustic kitchen design and decor ideas to choose from.
What does rustic actually mean?
Rustic is a style that typically features natural materials and an informal, comfortable feel.
Rustic kitchens often incorporate natural stone or wood elements, as well as distressed or weathered finishes.
The overall look is meant to evoke a sense of warmth and comfort. Rustic kitchen designs are often inspired by country or cabin-style homes.
Popular rustic colors to use
When it comes to colors, there are a few popular rustic shades to choose from. Some of the most popular rustic colors include neutrals like brown, beige, and green, as well as earthy tones like red, orange, and yellow. These colors can help to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your rustic kitchen.
Neutral colors like brown, beige, and green are popular rustic kitchen colors because they can help to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Brown is a popular option for rustic kitchen cabinets, as it can give the space a rich and sophisticated look. Beige is another popular neutral color for rustic kitchens, as it can help to keep the space feeling light and airy. Green is a great rustic color to use for accents or for the walls, as it can help to bring a sense of nature into the space.
Earth tones like red, orange, and yellow are also popular choices for rustic kitchen colors. Red can be a great choice for rustic kitchen walls, as it can help to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Orange is another popular earth tone for rustic kitchens, as it can add a touch of brightness and energy to the space. Yellow is a great alternative for rustic kitchen floors, as it can help to create a sunny and cheerful atmosphere.
Rustic vs Mediterranean
When it comes to rustic kitchen design, there are a few key differences between the rustic style and the Mediterranean style.
While both styles can feature natural materials and an informal, comfortable feel, the Mediterranean style typically has a warmer and more colorful aesthetic. Additionally, while both styles can incorporate stone into their designs, the Mediterranean style is more likely to use terra cotta or clay tiles.
The rustic style is typically defined by its use of natural materials, distressed finishes, and an informal, comfortable feel. Rustic kitchen designs often incorporate stone or wood elements, as well as weathered or distressed finishes.
The overall look is meant to evoke a sense of warmth and comfort. Rustic kitchen designs are often inspired by country or cabin-style homes.
The Mediterranean style is typically defined by its use of colorful, patterned tiles, as well as terra cotta or clay accents.
Mediterranean kitchen designs often feature an open layout with a central island. The overall look is meant to evoke a sense of warmth and relaxation. Mediterranean kitchen designs are often inspired by the architecture and design of homes in countries like Italy, Spain, and Greece.
When it comes to choosing between a rustic kitchen design and a Mediterranean kitchen design, it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
If you’re looking for a warm and inviting space with an informal feel, a rustic kitchen design may be the right pick for you. If you’re looking for a bright and cheerful space with a more colorful aesthetic, a Mediterranean kitchen design may be the right selection for you.
Hi, my name’s Elena Coolidge. I’m a DIY enthusiast who loves building fun woodworking plans. These DIY plans are fun hobby projects for enthusiasts or even more advanced builders that want to build things like bunk beds, end tables or even a duck box!
