Ever heard of a farmhouse kitchen? They are an old-timey style of kitchen that was at one time meant to accommodate more than just cooking. Learn more about farmhouse kitchens and see if they are right for your next remodel!
The Modern Farmhouse Kitchen: A Social Space for Food Prep
Ever heard of a farmhouse kitchen? They are an old-timey style of kitchen that was at one time meant to accommodate more than just cooking. Learn more about farmhouse kitchens and see if they are right for your next remodel!
In this post, you will learn:
- What is a farmhouse kitchen?
- How to design a farmhouse kitchen
- How to decorate a farmhouse kitchen
- What colors to use in a farmhouse kitchen
1.
“What is a farmhouse kitchen?”
Farmhouse kitchens today are based on a concept from medieval times when floorspace came at a premium and kitchens were used for much more than just meal prep. The kitchen served as a social space, a place for washing clothes, and a place for cooking meals. While the concept is dated, it has been revived and modernized to bring the kitchen back to the social space that it once was. There are several components that are essential to a farmhouse kitchen that we will outline below.
2.
The Farmhouse Sink
Beloved by many for its large basins and bold design, the farmhouse sink has become a staple of farmhouse kitchens and the like for years now. A farmhouse sink is a very large sink that in medieval times was used for washing loads of dishes at once or even doing laundry. Kitchens were social spaces in this period so many dishes had to be accommodated, meaning a large sink was necessary. While their functional value today can be argued for, most people choose farmhouse kitchens for their durability and presentation. Farmhouse sinks feature a large apron that protrudes from the front face of the cabinet they occupy, which gave them the nickname “Apron Sinks”. Farmhouse sinks come in a variety of different materials, colors, and sizes, each with their own unique benefits.
3.
The Farmhouse Kitchen Island
Large tables were often used in farmhouse kitchens in the middle ages to accommodate buffet-style meals or family gatherings. Kitchen islands are a fairly recent trend, coming about in the mid-1900s. This suggests that islands were not likely used in the original farmhouse kitchens, however, they have become very prevalent in farmhouse kitchens today because of the way that they open spaces up and allow for more counter space. During parties or large family meals, the kitchen island can serve as a buffet, allowing guests to visit for food before returning to the table or wandering around and mingling.
4.
The Farmhouse Table
As previously mentioned, tables likely filled the void that kitchen islands now fill in a modern farmhouse kitchen. This, however, does not mean that the kitchen table is obsolete, and like any other kitchen, it is a must-have. Choosing the right table for your kitchen should be relatively simple. Many times, farmhouse kitchens pursue a rustic, barn feel; your table should give off the same vibe. If you have chosen white cabinets or darker rustic wood cabinets, a warm brown table with exposed wood grain would be a fantastic choice to tie everything together. Black, white, and natural wood grain legs look great with a contrasting color tabletop. A great way to boost that rustic feel is to find or build tables made from reclaimed lumber. A lot of lumber yards get reclaimed materials from actual barns. How cool would it be to have a farmhouse table made from a real barn?!
5.
Choosing Décor
Decorating your kitchen can be challenging for people who don’t know what decor will match their kitchen. Luckily, farmhouse kitchens allow you to be creative and put almost anything you want in them if it follows one rule: feel farmy. You can put live plants in your kitchen or opt for a more creative route and find antiques like lunchboxes or clocks. If you’re feeling extra artsy, try more abstract art like welded metals shapes or wooden crates with a weathered finish or reclaimed-wood picture frames. Bottom line, your kitchen décor should reflect your interests, don’t worry about trying to fit in with the crowd, think outside of the box and decorate the way that makes you feel at home.