14 Modern Farmhouse Kitchens to Inspire Your Perfect Space
Rustic touches combine with modern conveniences for a totally timeless feel.
There's a reason farmhouse design is so enduring. Even before it was an aesthetic, homeowners wanted warmth and comfort in their spaces, relying on natural materials and a simple-is-better ethos. However, as time has passed—and design styles have cycled in and out of favor—people appreciate the roots of the farmhouse aesthetic even if most don't want to live in a literal farmhouse. Enter: modern farmhouse design. It combines all the best rustic touches with a decidedly modern outlook that puts new emphasis on of-the-moment materials and conveniences. Think unfinished wood beams, but a modern cabinets and rustic butcher blocks paired with sleek marble surfaces (and don't underestimate the possibilities of a second sink). Below, we've rounded up 14 kitchens that seamlessly bottle this best-of-both-worlds design outlook into useful cooking zones that look as great as they function.
Tie in Your Facade
Farmhouse design isn't just an aesthetic—it's an entire outlook. Ensure the vibe carries throughout your home—in a totally modern way—by incorporating details from the facade of your home into your kitchen. In this home by designer Emily Janak, rustic materials like soapstone countertops and a log wall pair with modern touches like slab-front cabinets and sleek black stools.
Skirt Your Sink
Add a casual touch of softness to your modern farmhouse kitchen by swapping cabinet door fronts for a swath of fabric beneath your sink. Here, the addition serves to accent other relaxed touches in the space, like metal sconces and a beadboard paneling backsplash.
Incorporate Natural Materials
One hallmark of the modern farmhouse aesthetic? Natural materials. Finishes like stone walls, weathered beams, limestone walls, and marble countertops combine in this space by designer Marshall Watson to create a rustic and welcoming space. Modern touches like angular stools and industrial-inspired lighting keep the whole room feeling fresh.
Mix Countertop Materials
Nothing screams farmhouse more than an all-wood countertop—but opting for one all throughout your kitchen may result in a space that feels a bit too rustic. The solution? Pair a butcher block island countertop with a modern marble stone on the surrounding cabinets, as seen in this airy space by April Tomlin.
Upgrade Your Ceiling
Bring warmth and natural texture to your modern farmhouse kitchen by accenting the ceiling with stained wood planks. In this space by Bandd Design, the overhead detail adds the perfect rustic vibe to an otherwise streamlined and modern kitchen.
Coat on a Nature-Inspired Hue
Interior designer Jeffrey Alan Marks' colonial revival home in California is a study of the complementary relationship between farmhouse and modern design. Sleek light fixtures and trendy veined marble pair with nature-inspired soft green cabinets and natural wood details.
Add a Graphic Pattern
Botanical prints are a natural pairing for farmhouse design, but if you're looking to meld the rustic aesthetic with modern sensibilities, try opting for a more graphic print instead. In this Nashville home by Studio Dearborn, geometric floor tiles add a touch of structure and edge to the room.
Consider an Extra Sink
At their core, farmhouse kitchens are all about functionality—and what is more functional than an extra sink? Commonly called a "slop sink," bonus sinks in the kitchen have a long history as places to wash supplies, prep produce or flowers, and more. The bonus washbin in this California kitchen by Reath Design is made from a modern, moody marble and boasts a spacious worktop, along with extra storage below for tools and other essentials.
Skip Upper Cabinets
When in doubt, simple is better when it comes to modern farmhouse kitchens. This Rhinebeck home skips upper cabinetry altogether, lending a clean and airy vibe to the casual space. A metal rolling cart acts as an island, while reclaimed beams add visual interest overhead.
Blend New With Old
For a look that is both timeless and very now, combining vintage finds with new furniture and accessories is a must. This stunning cook space by Sabbe Interiors relies on a mix of modern and rustic accessories—like a pendant lantern, thrifted baskets, metal transom door frame, and wood dining set—to flex effortlessly between design aesthetics.
Display Your Cookware
Add a modern pop of metal—without losing the workhorse mentality that farmhouse kitchens are known for—by displaying your c0okware in a prominent spot in your kitchen. This California home, designed by Sheldon Harte, gives center stage to the homeowner's collection of stainless steel pots and pans while also using the metallic accent to add a bit of edge to the scene.
Lay Down Checkerboard
Black and white floor tiles are a farmhouse kitchen classic, yet they feel totally modern in this otherwise streamline and white-washed space. The makeshift wooden kitchen island provides extra workspace, while the modern pendant light brings the whole room into the moment.
Display Your Collections
Another great way to bridge the design gap between modern and farmhouse aesthetics? With accessories! This charming kitchen space, designed by Cathy Chapman, pulls in rustic vibes through country accessories, while the lighting, paint colors, and luxe floor add a modern touch.
Go Bold With Color
Designed by Heidi Caillier, this kitchen is a moody masterpiece. The wooden counters and backsplash keep the space warm and casual while the inky blue paint makes for an intimate and cozy atmosphere, both of which are perfect for a modern farmhouse environment.
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