Modern farmhouse style kitchens are increasingly popular, combining the charm and warmth of traditional farmhouse decor with clean, contemporary lines. This week, we’ll look at six beautiful examples of modern farmhouse kitchens and break down the key elements that define this inviting style. From rustic wooden surfaces to unexpected pops of color, read on for an in-depth look at how to nail the modern farmhouse kitchen aesthetic in your own home.
Introduction
The modern farmhouse trend strikes the perfect balance between vintage and contemporary. These kitchens mix natural, untreated woods with crisp whites and modern finishes for a look that feels laidback yet still refined.
This style is all about evoking the coziness and familiarity of a traditional farmhouse while also feeling fresh and current. Modern farmhouse embraces both rustic and industrial touches but skips the more worn, distressed look in favor of cleaner lines. Think: a classic farmhouse sink paired with metal stools and pendant lighting.
Below we’ll explore six stunning modern farmhouse kitchens that offer inspiration whether you’re doing a full remodel or just looking to tweak your existing space with some key farmhouse-inspired updates. From open shelving to butcher block islands, read on for an in-depth look at the elements that define the modern farmhouse kitchen aesthetic.
Rustic Wood Surfaces
One of the hallmarks of modern farmhouse style is the use of natural, unpainted wood surfaces. This helps create a cozy, welcoming vibe while also nodding to farmhouse tradition.
Wood surfaces come in many forms in a modern farmhouse kitchen. One very popular option is a large butcher block-style island. The thick wooden top provides functional prepping space while acting as a natural focal point. Other ways to incorporate wood include open shelving, ceiling beams, and wooden counters.
Opt for wood with an attractive natural grain like oak or walnut. While you can sand and seal the surfaces, many opt to leave them untreated to embrace the imperfections that come with time and use. The key is striking balance – letting the natural beauty of the wood shine through without feeling too rough or rustic.
Crisp White Cabinets
The second essential element of modern farmhouse style is crisp white cabinetry. Bright white painted cabinets keep things feeling light and contemporary to counterbalance the more traditional wood surfaces.
Shaker-style cabinet doors with their simple frame and flat center panel are a popular choice. For a modern twist, opt for handle-free cabinets with discreet grooves or indentations to open doors and drawers. This creates a minimalist look while still embracing the farmhouse vibe.
Whether you opt for wood or painted white cabinets, glass-front uppers are a great choice for displaying serveware or showing off a colorful tile backsplash. The transparent glass fronts keep things light while the visible contents inside tie back to the hands-on farmhouse aesthetic.
Farmhouse Sink
What farmhouse kitchen would be complete without a classic farmhouse sink? Usually large and made of materials like enameled cast iron or fireclay, farmhouse sinks are a must-have element to bring the look together.
Opt for an apron-front design where the front edge of the sink extends out past the cabinets. This exposes the sink itself along with some of the pipework underneath for an authentically utilitarian look. Like butcher block and exposed shelves, this visibly highlights the workings of the kitchen rather than hiding them away.
For a modern touch, pair your farmhouse sink with matte black metal fixtures. This way, you get the vintage charm of the sink itself along with cleaner contemporary accents.
Open Shelving
Open shelving offers both form and function in a modern farmhouse kitchen. Visually, it conjures rustic farmhouses dotted with weathered wooden shelves showcasing collections of cookware and serving pieces. Practically, open shelves provide storage and easy access to go-to essentials.
Wooden shelves in raw finishes like pine complement the butcher block surfaces found elsewhere in the space. Or opt for crisp white shelving to coordinate with cabinetry while still leaving contents exposed.
Use shelves to display pretty serveware, cookbooks, or flavorful ingredients like jars of spices. Just be sure to style the most visually appealing items forward where they can be seen. clustered items will look messy from afar.
Pendant Lighting
The lighting in a modern farmhouse kitchen ties everything together aesthetically. Farmhouses traditionally relied on natural light, so windows are a must. Then you can supplement with twinkly hanging pendants that provide task lighting over key areas like kitchen islands.
Matte black fixtures feel contemporary while glass globes or visible filaments nod to Edison bulbs of the past. Opt for three smaller pendants clustered together rather than one large one—groups feel cozier.
For more ambient lighting, opt for exposed Edison bulbs in sconces or small pendants over the sink. This casts a warm, inviting glow while the visible bulbs and cords lend an industrial vibe. Lantern-style pendants also feel farmhouse-inspired if Edison bulbs aren’t your thing.
Unexpected Pops of Color
While white cabinetry and wood surfaces tend to dominate, don’t be afraid to liven things up with pops of color and pattern. Checkered bakeware, cheerfully patterned rugs, or even colorful tiles over the range bring vibrancy and personality into the space.
Pastels like light blue or green are popular modern farmhouse accent colors, but go bold with black window frames or even a bright red shelf if it fits your style. Just be sure the colors and patterns feel cohesive rather than haphazard or overwhelming.
Beyond decor and accent pieces, don’t overlook appliances and hardware. Vintage-style appliances in a cheery retro hue or black metal hardware on cabinets and drawers make great subtle additions of color.
Modern Farmhouse Kitchen #1: Rustic Wood Island
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Photo credit: Nicole Franzen
This light-filled kitchen designed by Studio McGee features a rustic wood island as the anchor. The large butcher block island ties into the open shelves on the wall, lending a tactile, approachable vibe.
Crisp white cabinetry keeps things contemporary, including the handle-free uppers with exposed glassware. Touches like the pendant lighting, metal stools, and black window frames feel more modern farmhouse than strictly traditional.
The unfinished oak surfaces create inviting texture and warmth while white maintains the fresh, uncluttered aesthetic. It’s the perfect blend of natural materials and clean lines.
Modern Farmhouse Kitchen #2: Vintage-Inspired Appliances
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Photo credit: Paul Anderson for Sweeten
The standout element in this charming kitchen is definitely the retro SMEG refrigerator and coordinating range and dishwasher. Their subtly rounded shapes and playful pastel hue lend midcentury character.
Beyond the appliances, other key farmhouse details shine through. The deep apron-front sink, wooden counters, and open shelving achieve the perfect rustic-modern balance.
Crisp white cabinetry keeps things feeling light and contemporary. Touches like the brass hardware and lighting fixtures add a hint of metallic contrast without feeling overly industrial.
This kitchen does an excellent job of honoring farmhouse style while still feeling livable for a young, active family. The vintage color pops add a cheerful personality.
Modern Farmhouse Kitchen #3: Checkered Floor
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Photo credit: Chris Kofitsas
This kitchen embraces color more boldly with a prominent black and white checkered floor. The graphic tile pattern immediately catches the eye, contrasting beautifully with the light cabinetry.
Beyond the vibrant floor, this kitchen incorporates many other signature farmhouse elements. The exposed brick backsplash and subway tile above the range have an approachable, worn-in look.
The island pairs white cabinetry with a natural wood counter for contrast. Open shelving displays ceramics while the visible Edison bulbs add great ambient lighting.
The checkered floor may be bold, but it complements the farmhouse vibe perfectly. This kitchen balances colorful accent pieces with plenty of creamy white to keep things feeling airy.
Modern Farmhouse Kitchen #4: Exposed Beams
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Photo credit: Jennifer Hughes for Room for Tuesday
Exposed wood beams are a hallmark of traditional farmhouses, left untreated as rustic structural elements. This kitchen embraces the tradition by accenting the white cabinetry with raw, natural beams across the ceiling.
The beams tie in nicely with the other wood finishes like the butcher block island. The unfinished look provides welcoming contrast to the clean white cabinetry and walls.
Despite the impressively sized island and handsome wooden surfaces, this kitchen still feels light and uncluttered thanks to the crisp white palette. The glass-front uppers maintain visibility while the sliding barn doors lend industrial flair.
This is a great example of a kitchen that honors its farmhouse roots while still feeling distinctively modern and tailored. The wood finishes feel intentional rather than haphazard.
Modern Farmhouse Kitchen #5: Black Accents
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Photo credit: Brad Hunter for Magnolia Magazine
While crisp white cabinetry dominates here, the bold black accents really make this kitchen stand out. Beyond just the window frames, black shows up on multiple fronts to lend contrast.
The shelves, open cabinetry and hood above the range introduce more of the deep charcoal tone. Meanwhile, the brass hardware and fixtures lend a hint of shine to balance out the matte shadows.
Despite the prominent black elements, the overall look remains light and contemporary thanks to the ample white cabinetry. Touches like the subway tile backsplash and visible Edison bulbs reinforce the modern farmhouse vibe.
This kitchen does an excellent job interweaving bold black accents into the brighter white backdrop. The color provides contrast without overwhelming the space.
Modern Farmhouse Kitchen #6: Butcher Block Island
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Photo credit: Nicole Franzen
This kitchen puts the beautiful butcher block island front and center. The rich wood finish contrasts beautifully with the bright white cabinetry while single handedly creating an inviting, lived-in aesthetic.
The industrial stools and modern geometric pendants still lend contemporary flair. But between the reclaimed wood surfaces and visible Edison bulb lighting, the overall vibe evokes the coziness of a traditional farmhouse kitchen.
Touches like the brass hardware, black window frames and simple subway tile reinforce the modern farmhouse look. This is a great example of embracing natural wood grain while still maintaining a clean, contemporary aesthetic.
The tactile island truly anchors the space both visually and functionally. It provides ample gathering space while acting as a natural focal point.
Achieving the Overall Aesthetic
While individual elements like a farmhouse sink or butcher block island are important, what truly makes a modern farmhouse kitchen is the overall composition. The look comes together thanks to strategic blending of materials, colors and textures.
Rustic wooden surfaces like islands, shelves and beams balance out clean white cabinetry and walls. Pops of black or other colors provide visual contrast without overwhelming. Industrial touches like metal hardware and Edison bulb lighting blend seamlessly with more worn-in farmhouse aspects like brick backsplashes.
The overall look walks a delicate line. It embraces the charms of traditional design and imparts rustic warmth but with a tailored refinement. The aesthetic is approachable yet polished.
By mixing natural and industrial elements with crisp white cabinetry and walls, the look comes together. The visual lines between rustic and modern blur beautifully.
Achieving the Look in Your Own Kitchen
If you’re looking to embrace modern farmhouse style in your own kitchen, you likely don’t need a full renovation. Plenty of key aspects can be incorporated even in a rental space or without renovating.
Some easy ways to dip your toes in the modern farmhouse waters include:
- Hanging Edison bulb pendants over your kitchen island or sink
- Bringing in a rug with a playful bold graphic pattern like buffalo check
- Opting for an apron-front sink and matte black faucet when it comes time to replace your existing sink and fixtures
- Adding wooden cutting boards, ceramic bakeware, clean lined pottery, and other natural accent pieces to open shelves or your countertops
- Painting your existing cabinets a fresh, bright white and adding new black hardware for contrast
- Incorporating industrial-style stools and chairs around your kitchen island
For a bigger change without a full renovation, try:
- Adding a large wooden butcher block cart as a kitchen island
- Installing wooden open shelving on one wall to display your barware, cookbooks or accent pieces
- Painting your lower cabinets white but leaving uppers as natural wood for contrast
- Covering one wall in crisp white beadboard for subtle farmhouse texture
- Snaking a checkered runner down your existing countertops to introduce pattern
Full kitchen remodels allow even more creativity in achieving this aesthetic. But the smaller touches go a long way in evoking modern farmhouse charm with minimal investment.
Conclusion
Modern farmhouse kitchens strike the perfect balance between old and new, rustic and refined. They marinate the familiar comfort of traditional farmhouse style in contemporary, tailored lines and a lighter, brighter palette.
Elements like substantial wood surfaces, apron-front sinks and exposed Edison bulbs blend seamlessly with crisp white cabinetry and modern finishes. Touches like checkered accent tiles or a pop of retro color keep things playful.
The overall look imparts incredible warmth and approachability. These kitchens feel lived-in yet still so fresh and inviting. Building your own modern farmhouse kitchen allows embracing natural, eco-friendly materials while still enjoying all the conveniences of contemporary design.
This popular look only continues gaining momentum, with more and more homeowners seeing the appeal. The six examples above offer inspiration whether tackling new construction or simply looking to infuse more farmhouse charm into your existing space.
So embrace wood’s natural beauty while opting for cleaner finishes. Find ways to showcase your pretty ceramics or favorite cookbooks while hiding away any clutter. Create an environment that feels welcoming for family gatherings but still tidy enough for everyday life.
The possibilities are truly endless when embracing both farmhouse tradition and modern refinement.Welcome both into your home by infusing rustic finishes with contemporary flair. Your kitchen will become a warm, inviting hub for creating memories for years to come.
