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Rustic Kitchen Ideas

From dresser cupboards and classic cooking equipment to wooden surfaces, these rustic kitchen ideas inspire ways to capture an organic, lived-in look that makes a space feel homely, handcrafted, and nostalgic. Each of these ideas covers the main criteria for achieving a homespun interior, and show how to strike the right balance between pure colours and raw materials that celebrate the natural world. Homely is the keyword to remember for rustic kitchen designs, so functional elements, like larders and open shelving, should be prioritised with this kitchen style idea for a room that is practical with plenty of charm.

1. Dairy tones

Keep the base of a scheme simple, like @Jurassic_properties_lymeregis, by choosing cream units that can be accessorised with earthy hues.

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1. Dairy tones

Simplicity goes a long way towards achieving a rustic scheme, and off-white shades have an uncomplicated appeal that puts them top of the list for cabinetry, as seen in @Jurassic_properties_lymeregis's design. These options are a great starting point for a room as they pair well with the whole colour palette, whilst having a timeless quality that allows for easy restyling over the years. Hints of green and yellow offer a cosiness fundamental to rustic design, tying it back to its natural roots.

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2. Laidback lumber

Commit fully to an organic look with oak cupboards, and enjoy the warmth and authentic character wood effects bring to a cooking area.

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2. Laidback lumber

Furniture would have been crafted entirely by hand when rustic style first originated, and that same homespun effect can be recreated using oak-effect door fronts. This option introduces texture through its grained pattern. The natural hues also offer a glow that feels friendly and welcoming, for a snug room to retreat to at the end of a long day.

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3. Pick peninsula

Choose a family orientated, peninsula floor plan, as seen in @swl_joinery's design, which provides for more seating space for family dining.

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3. Pick peninsula

Rustic interiors are designed to be communal, so it is crucial there are enough places to gather as a family. A peninsula blueprint, as seen in @swl_joinery's design, spans three walls with a fourth section protruding into the room, which offers a brilliant spot for informal dining or keeping pot washers company. This bonus bank means there is somewhere else to chop veg and stack dishes - great for anyone looking to improve functionality.

See Peninsula Kitchens
4. Statement solid wood

Layer up texture, like @lifeofcharlouise, by using solid-wood surfaces that proudly show the raw and unique quality of natural materials in all their glory.

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4. Statement solid wood

Rustic schemes actively celebrate character and organic timber is loaded with plenty of quirks worth putting on display. Choosing wood for counters, like @lifeofcharlouise will bring individuality and a folksy authenticity to a room, heightening a homely effect. Chunky and hard-wearing, watch on with pleasure as it weathers over the years to take on even more personality.

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5. Characterful cladding

For a quick rustic kitchen idea, fit tongue-and-groove wallboards that add depth to a design and can be painted in any colour of choice.

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5. Characterful cladding

Some homeowners are fortunate to have properties already packed with rustic features, like original beams or vintage tiles. For everyone else, our classic tongue-and-groove panelling gives instant personality thanks to its decorative texture. Fully customisable, it can be painted in any shade and fitted quickly too for a fast rustic refresh. Choose a distressed finish to introduce an intimate wood cabin feel.

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6. Show off storage

Think practically when planning storage. @thebarn_onthefarm1 keeps plates, pots, and serveware close by with open shelving in their dresser unit.

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6. Show off storage

Part of the appeal of a rustic look is that the nuts and bolts of everyday life are on show. Open shelving or a farmhouse dresser will provide ample space to store essentials for immediate use. This feature also comes with style benefits too as it can be used to display anything from crockery to earthenware, creating a spot for family trinkets, as seen in @thebarn_onthefarm1's home.

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7. Cater for one and all

Create a focal point in a rustic kitchen design, like @hhtiling, by using freestanding cooking equipment, capable of serving a banquet for all the family.

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7. Cater for one and all

Gathering people together for a catch-up is at the heart of simple living, and large range devices are more than up to the task of feeding the whole clan. Reliable all-rounders, they have enough space to prepare more than one course at a time, with separate cavities that can be set to different temperatures. The exterior is an equally good fit for a rustic look, with lots of detail on show from pull-bars to multiple temperature knobs and cast iron pan supports as seen in @hhtiling's model.

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8. Retro treasures

Give the impression of a home that has been passed down through generations with weathered handgrips in a vintage style and finish.

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8. Retro treasures

For a truly rustic kitchen design, accessories should seem well-loved rather than box fresh. Antique-effect handles give a head start to achieving this look, and have a worn appearance usually only achieved by years of use. Go one step closer towards a realistic distressed feel by picking a design with blackened tones for further aged effects for a homely and handcrafted style.

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9. Wooden solutions

Introduce glimpses of nature by having timber door balconies fitted inside a larder unit, for a rural-feel pantry just like @bobbins.at.home.

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9. Wooden solutions

The one rule when it comes to creating a rustic kitchen is to feature as many organic elements as possible. Oak door balconies are another way to increase the natural quota, extending a rustic theme through to the interior of a unit, like @bobbins.at.home's pantry design. These shallow shelves tuck neatly behind door fronts to offer more storage for herbs, spices, and bottles. They are sturdy too, and can carry up to 10kg of weight.

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10. Fit-it-all furniture

Max out on storage using a classic-style display cupboard, and personalise it with artisan pieces, family heirlooms, and trinkets picked up on travels.

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10. Fit-it-all furniture

A rustic room should feel lived-in, with objects on show that tell the story of whoever lives there. A dresser unit provides open shelving for housing treasured photographs or inherited plates, with glass doors available separately to keep dust out and cleaning to a minimum. Glass will also break up banks of solid colour for visual variety in a design that adds to the layered effect found in rustic interiors.

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