The Ultimate Guide to Choosing and Styling Farmhouse Kitchen Cabinets

Farmhouse style kitchen cabinets have a warm, rustic charm. If you're looking to remodel your kitchen with a cozy farmhouse aesthetic, choosing the perfect cabinets is key.

Defining the Farmhouse Kitchen Cabinet Look

So what exactly makes a kitchen cabinet "farmhouse" in style? Here are the key visual elements that define the farmhouse kitchen cabinet aesthetic:

Key Visual Elements

Crisp white or light natural wood tones are very popular farmhouse cabinet color choices. The clean, timeless look acts as a perfect backdrop for vintage and modern design elements. Glass-front doors on wall cabinets add lovely display space for pretty dishware or decorative pieces. The transparency adds visual interest and light.

Open shelving, whether replacing upper cabinets entirely or just placed above them, gives a kitchen a rustic, cozy feel. The open display allows you to neatly organize glossy ceramic mixing bowls, stacked chargers, or colorful cookbooks for a personalized look.

Distressed and antiqued finishes, created through paint techniques or naturally occurring in reclaimed wood, add lovely dimension and texture. The imperfections give new cabinets an aged, well-loved appearance suited to a farmhouse kitchen.

Vintage-inspired hardware like wrought iron or distressed wood knobs and pulls add the perfect finishing touch. Matte black and brass are both excellent farmhouse hardware choices.

Materials

When it comes to farmhouse kitchen cabinets, you'll often see painted versus stained wood options. Painted cabinets, especially crisp bright white, have an airy cottage feel. The color also allows your other finishes to stand out.

Stained wood cabinets bring natural warmth and texture into a space. Opt for a light, natural wood tone rather than anything too dark or reddish, which feels less farmhouse. Distressed paint techniques on wood are also popular for adding vintage charm.

For a truly authentic farmhouse style, consider reclaimed wood cabinets. Barn wood and old flooring, for example, can be repurposed into kitchen cabinets full of character. Salvaged wood adds unique patinas, knots, and grain patterns you can't find anywhere else.

Door Styles

In a farmhouse kitchen, Shaker style cabinet doors with their iconic recessed center panel and visible wood framing are a popular choice. Slab cabinet doors also have a clean, simple look that suits the farmhouse aesthetic.

For a touch of delicate charm, glass fronts on wall or base cabinets provide lovely display space for collections or heirloom dishware. Mixing glass door cabinets with solid wood Shaker or slab cabinets creates pleasing visual contrast.

Don't be afraid to combine different door styles like glass fronts and solid reclaimed wood. The eclectic mix feels authentically farmhouse and adds customized character.

Designing Your Farmhouse Kitchen Cabinets

Now that you're inspired by the distinctive farmhouse kitchen cabinet look, let's discuss how to thoughtfully design your cabinets to suit your space.

Layout Considerations

Are you working within an existing kitchen footprint or designing a fully custom layout? Either way, make sure to optimize upper cabinet placement to allow room for open shelving or decorative filler panels where you want them.

Place cabinets with glass fronts where they'll get ample lighting to show off what's inside. For open shelving, consider the cabinet height and depth best suited to displaying your cherished farmhouse accents.

If installing a classic farmhouse apron-front sink, account for the extra depth and allow for adequate base cabinet clearance underneath. Mark where the sink, range, and refrigerator will go so cabinets are practically positioned.

Mixing Finishes

One idea that works beautifully in a farmhouse kitchen is to combine stained wood base cabinets with crisp, painted uppers. The lighter cabinet color keeps the space airy while the wood base units ground the look.

Or, take the opposite approach by pairing painted base cabinets with reclaimed wood uppers. This allows you to get that rustic farmhouse feel while retaining sleek, easy-to-clean lower cabinets.

Don't be afraid to mix and match - the key is contrasting finishes that complement each other without feeling disjointed.

Custom Details

Take your farmhouse kitchen cabinets from basic to spectacular with special custom details. Have cabinets designed with built-in plate racks or spice storage. Add character with unique end panels. Under-cabinet lighting casts a welcoming glow, while interior lighting illuminates glass cabinet contents.

Your kitchen designer can help you brainstorm and incorporate custom features that make sense for your specific kitchen plans. This personalized approach results in a cohesive, functional farmhouse kitchen.

Styling Your Farmhouse Kitchen Cabinets

Your farmhouse cabinets set the stage - now it's time to add those special touches that really bring the look to life.

Decorative Touches

Displaying your vintage ceramic canister set or inherited collection of cookbooks turns plain cabinets into something special. Try mounting wooden buffalo check plaques or rustic metal signs on cabinet fronts for subtle charm.

Fresh florals and herb plants adorning open shelves make your farmhouse kitchen feel alive. Staggered rows of ball jar candles create a welcoming glow when illuminated.

Storage Solutions

Inside those farmhouse kitchen cabinets, keep things organized with storage baskets and bins. Line shelves and drawers with woven baskets to corral utensils or linens. Glass jars hold cooking tools within easy reach.

For upper cabinets, consider adding extra display ledges or shelves to showcase more of your favorite farmhouse style serveware.

Lighting Ideas

From stunning statement lights to accent lighting, farmhouse style lighting can make or break the look. Wrought iron pendant lights suspended above kitchen islands or dining tables add old-world character. For a more modern touch, try black metal barn-style lights.

Under cabinet lighting illuminates countertops and tasks while highlighting those beautiful cabinets. Inside cabinet lighting lets you show off what's inside while creating ambiance.

Achieving Different Farmhouse Styles

While farmhouse style may seem narrow at first glance, there's actually incredible variety within the look. Here are just a few of the most popular farmhouse styles to inspire your kitchen design.

Modern Farmhouse

The modern farmhouse look retains the charm of traditional farmhouse style while feeling brighter and more contemporary. Crisp white cabinets, sleek hardware, and pops of black metal create a light and airy look.

Rustic Farmhouse

Rustic farmhouse kitchens embrace reclaimed wood cabinets, visible rugged textures, and matte black iron fixtures for an undeniably homey vibe. The distressed patinas and unmatched materials create striking, eclectic style.

Glam Farmhouse

For glamorous farmhouse flair, look for glass-front cabinets, brass hardware and lighting, and elegant white cabinetry paired with eye-catching backsplashes. Feminine accents like fresh florals and painted ceramics enhance the style.

Whether you crave an airy modern farmhouse kitchen or a cozy rustic retreat, your dream look starts with the perfect farmhouse-inspired cabinets. Now that you know what defines the versatile farmhouse cabinet aesthetic, you can confidently begin your kitchen redesign.

Focus first on choosing finishes and door styles suited to your vision. Then enlist an experienced kitchen designer to help you incorporate custom details and specialty features into a functional farmhouse cabinet layout. With the right combination of beautiful materials, vintage-inspired accents, and creative personal touches, your new farmhouse kitchen cabinets will be something to cherish for years to come.