A Little Bit Country: Stylish Farmhouse Kitchen Ideas

There’s no denying that checkerboard floors are back in a big way. The classic black and white tile never really goes out of style, but the latest twist on the trend is using a gray and white tile for a softened contrast. Here, instead of sticking with the home’s original checkerboard floor, Monica Mangin, host of The Weekender, suggested a tiny twist: using a peel-and-stick floor tile in a vintage penny tile pattern. It still pulls from the era when the home was built but feels more unique and playful.

If you’re skeptical about peel-and-stick tile, don't be. The technology has come so far, helping peel-and-stick tile work in high traffic areas when properly applied and cared for. You can also try an interlocking vinyl tile for even more durability. It saves you money on materials and labor compared to traditional ceramic tile too.

The wood tones of a butcher block countertop make your kitchen feel warm and inviting, especially when the rest of the kitchen is done in shades of black and white. Here, the wood tones add warmth to the existing lower cabinets that were touched up with black paint.

Compared to stone countertops, butcher block is an affordable and easy-to-install countertop option since it’s cut-to-fit. When finished with a food safe stain, it’s very forgiving for a busy family kitchen. Plus, if scratches or stains become a problem over the years, you can sand down and refinish a butcher block counter.

A combination of low ceilings and run-down upper cabinets create the need for a major design decision. Removing existing cabinets isn’t a choice that should be made lightly, but if your storage options aren’t working for you, then it’s time to get radical. Open shelving is not only easy to DIY, but it’s also a way to show off pretty cookbooks, dishes and other cooking supplies.

It makes it very simple to see where everything is while also keeping it within arm’s reach. It’s a great idea to store your most-used items on these shelves, since taking them down frequently won’t allow dust to form. Using a shelf with brackets in a simple wood finish only adds to the farmhouse kitchen appeal. If you need more kitchen shelf ideas, try mixing and matching metal brackets with wood shelving to coordinate with your drawer pulls.

There’s something endlessly charming about appliances that look vintage — the small details, the throwback colorways and the rounded angles are a playful design choice in a modern farmhouse kitchen. But the bonus is that while they look retro, they come with modern capabilities and power. White retro appliances feel classic, but mint also blends in surprisingly well in a black and white kitchen. If you only want to dip a toe in the retro appliance trend, try adding a few small retro appliances first. They come in so many fun colors.

Most homes, especially if they’re older, don’t have as much space as we wish they did. Tight corners and a lack of closets can leave you using rooms for more than just one purpose. But just because you keep your washer and dryer in your kitchen doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice style. There are ways to stay consistent when decorating a farmhouse kitchen while still being practical.

Tuck the appliances under a counter space and hide them with a curtain. It gives you easy access without making them a major focal point. Plus, these curtains are a cinch to install thanks to adjustable tension curtain rods. A large print plaid or gingham curtain fits in nicely with the modern farmhouse kitchen theme.