How to create a farmhouse kitchen

One of the most appealing elements of a farmhouse kitchen design is its lack of uniformity; you can choose almost any colour scheme that works best for you and the space, whilst still maintaining a traditional farmhouse style.

Light should be encouraged to flow throughout the room as much as possible, so many people choose cream or alabaster for their cupboards and units, as this can make the room feel much more open than it may actually be.

If you already have a large, open plan layout with lots of natural light, a darker shade of sage green or light grey also works well, adding depth to the room without overwhelming it.

Wood is the obvious choice of material for the finish; natural, rustic and traditional, there's nothing better for farmhouse kitchen decor. Some choose a uniform finish of the same wood throughout, usually timber for the cupboards and units, with oak or beech for the worktops.

Others choose to create a division across the kitchen by using a different wood in a dedicated area – a walnut butchers block works particularly well for this effect, to assign one space in the kitchen strictly for food preparation.

The style of units is key when creating a farmhouse aesthetic, as any style too modern will clash against the more traditional features. Cupboard and drawer handles are a must, with knobs, bow handles and cup handles being the designs that best fit with your farmhouse kitchen decor.

The style of cupboard and drawer door is essential for maintaining the theme too; shaker, bedboard and inset are the best choices for accomplishing this. Glass-fronted doors on some of the cupboards, including both frosted and clear panes, also fit well with the theme, and will make the room feel larger.

For those with a large, open kitchen, an island is a must. This space can be used to cook, socialise and eat, making it the perfect addition to a farmhouse kitchen.

The style and finish of the kitchen island should be in line with the rest of the kitchen, but, to make a statement, consider choosing a different colour for your island from the rest of the room – aubergine works particularly well against gullwing grey.

There is only one option when it comes to farmhouse kitchen sinks, and that's ceramic. Traditional and hardwearing, a deep ceramic sink coupled with a similarly-styled draining board is the perfect addition to the farmhouse theme.

A fortuna or talos tap works well with ceramic sinks, and the style fits perfectly with the traditionalism of farmhouse kitchen designs. A pull-out tap is also a stylish and practical addition, especially for those kitchens that see lots of daily cooking action, as they make washing up a breeze.

Storage is essential for kitchens of all sizes, but where a modern, minimalist kitchen may look to hide away the majority of the utensils and appliances, a farmhouse kitchen proudly displays them, whilst maintaining an uncluttered workspace.

The traditional larder kitchen has stormed back into fashion, and while fridges and freezers have modernised food storage, the larder is still a must for any farmhouse design. Wren Kitchens' range is suitable for all spaces, so whether you need something compact or heavy-duty, a larder can transform the cooking space of the kitchen.

Drawers with integrated knife blocks are a clever and practical way to keep the worktop free from cutlery, leaving space to display a home-grown herb garden or vintage food mixer. Likewise, deep drawers are ideal for storing pans, whilst hooks can be added to the walls near the cooker for frequently used utensils.

Opting for shelves in the place of some cupboards is a great way in which to store and display equipment and utensils, including crockery or jars of spices and ingredients.

The best farmhouse kitchen designs are all about making the most of what lives in your kitchen, whether that's storing it away in a cleverly-designed drawer, or putting it on display on the walls.

The original farmhouse kitchen would have featured a wood-burning oven, a larder and maybe a sink. Never fear, though – you don't need to sacrifice modern amenities to still enjoy a traditionally-designed kitchen.

Modern cookers are often slotted into the background of the kitchen, hidden with the design. The farmhouse kitchen, however, should aim to make the cooker a focal point; a range cooker being the perfect addition.

These cookers are available in a variety of sizes, with 6-8 hobs and double or triple doors being the optimal choice for this type of kitchen.

Fridges and freezers are an essential part of modern food storage, and shouldn't be neglected in your farmhouse kitchen design. A double-door American-style fridge freezer is a popular choice, whereas others may wish to have a built-in fridge, to help hide the modern appliance from the overall aesthetic of the room.

To discover how to incorporate these farmhouse kitchen ideas in your home, book an appointment for your nearest Wren showroom, or try out our free, online kitchen planner.