15 Country-Style Features for Your City-Slicker Kitchen
Are you a city lass or lad whose heart is in the country? Here are 15 decorative details to give a suburban kitchen a load of country charm
Melanie Gardener
8 November 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Ex-magazine editor specialising in the kitchen and bathroom industry. I am passionate about interiors and the design of interior spaces. Kitchens and bathrooms are integral to every home and I love seeing how they evolve and play different roles in different families. I travel overseas to attend relevant industry fairs every year and bring back information for the Australian kitchen and bathroom industry on emerging trends.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Ex-magazine editor specialising in the kitchen and bathroom... More
Living in the city doesn’t mean you have to leave your interest in country style at the door. Choose one, or many, of these quintessential country kitchen features to update or renew your kitchen, and you’ll see just how easy it is to incorporate the essence of country style into any house in town.
1. A large island
Looking at this large kitchen island, it’s easy to picture a modern day grandma surrounded by her grandchildren standing here whipping up a huge batch of scones or tea-time treats. The larger the island, the easier it is to fit plenty of family and friends around, so it’s a great inclusion for a warm, welcoming kitchen. Here, the large island in the centre fills up this spacious kitchen making it functional for a busy family. Also note the open under-storage on the end which is perfect for recipe books or display items, further adding to the essence of country style.
Looking at this large kitchen island, it’s easy to picture a modern day grandma surrounded by her grandchildren standing here whipping up a huge batch of scones or tea-time treats. The larger the island, the easier it is to fit plenty of family and friends around, so it’s a great inclusion for a warm, welcoming kitchen. Here, the large island in the centre fills up this spacious kitchen making it functional for a busy family. Also note the open under-storage on the end which is perfect for recipe books or display items, further adding to the essence of country style.
2. A butler’s sink
The butler’s sink is a leftover from years gone by when entertaining or cooking for a big family was on a grand scale. Not only is it a quintessential country element, but the humble sink is also incredibly functional as it provides a deep sink that can easily manage the washing up of larger pots and pans. When utilised well, as in this example, it’s the perfect extra element to add to the ambiance of the room.
The butler’s sink is a leftover from years gone by when entertaining or cooking for a big family was on a grand scale. Not only is it a quintessential country element, but the humble sink is also incredibly functional as it provides a deep sink that can easily manage the washing up of larger pots and pans. When utilised well, as in this example, it’s the perfect extra element to add to the ambiance of the room.
3. An open plate rack
The open plate rack is reminiscent of the time when kitchens were staffed and many-coursed meals were produced en masse for important visitors. It was originally designed to ensure the cook and waiting staff had quick and easy access to the many sizes of plates required for a variety of courses, but is now a very popular inclusion for many country-style and traditional kitchens.
The open plate rack is reminiscent of the time when kitchens were staffed and many-coursed meals were produced en masse for important visitors. It was originally designed to ensure the cook and waiting staff had quick and easy access to the many sizes of plates required for a variety of courses, but is now a very popular inclusion for many country-style and traditional kitchens.
4. Storage baskets
Nothing says country style more than wicker baskets. You can incorporate them into your kitchen’s design in many ways. As seen here, they are a fabulous organisational tool as well as a way to introduce a natural texture and tone to a kitchen – and visually, they can help to soften an otherwise modern look. When combined with timber features, they are a great reminder of a time when food was less processed and more homegrown.
Storage ideas for French market baskets
Nothing says country style more than wicker baskets. You can incorporate them into your kitchen’s design in many ways. As seen here, they are a fabulous organisational tool as well as a way to introduce a natural texture and tone to a kitchen – and visually, they can help to soften an otherwise modern look. When combined with timber features, they are a great reminder of a time when food was less processed and more homegrown.
Storage ideas for French market baskets
5. A mantelpiece
Any serious country kitchen needs a mantel – it’s practically a design must! Here, the mantel has been artfully incorporated into a more modern design to add depth to the traditional feel of the kitchen. The mantel is a nod to what would have previously been a fireplace or original stove area. If, however, your home is too modern to have this already in place, the best alternative is to knock one up above a stove – with the appropriate precautions to ensure it’s fire-safe – which can be as simple as a shelf on a couple of corbels. Here, the mantel showcases personal items in keeping with the design.
Any serious country kitchen needs a mantel – it’s practically a design must! Here, the mantel has been artfully incorporated into a more modern design to add depth to the traditional feel of the kitchen. The mantel is a nod to what would have previously been a fireplace or original stove area. If, however, your home is too modern to have this already in place, the best alternative is to knock one up above a stove – with the appropriate precautions to ensure it’s fire-safe – which can be as simple as a shelf on a couple of corbels. Here, the mantel showcases personal items in keeping with the design.
6. Timber features
Nothing says country-in-the-city more than the gorgeously simple combination of white limewash floors, black benchtops and timber cabinetry. Here, a large kitchen island holds a number of handleless pull-out drawers and features shiplap ends. Open shelves in timber allow for casual storage of often-used items.
Take a tour of a plywood kitchen
Nothing says country-in-the-city more than the gorgeously simple combination of white limewash floors, black benchtops and timber cabinetry. Here, a large kitchen island holds a number of handleless pull-out drawers and features shiplap ends. Open shelves in timber allow for casual storage of often-used items.
Take a tour of a plywood kitchen
7. Freestanding cooker
A freestanding cooker or oven is one that isn’t ‘built in’ to a cavity the same way a wall or under-bench oven is. It’s an element often associated with English country kitchens, as it is reminiscent in design of the old wood-burning stoves that appeared in kitchens in the early 1700s. Of course, today’s modern equivalents are much more efficient, but their design has been cleverly managed to incorporate the essence of that bygone era within a modern context.
A freestanding cooker or oven is one that isn’t ‘built in’ to a cavity the same way a wall or under-bench oven is. It’s an element often associated with English country kitchens, as it is reminiscent in design of the old wood-burning stoves that appeared in kitchens in the early 1700s. Of course, today’s modern equivalents are much more efficient, but their design has been cleverly managed to incorporate the essence of that bygone era within a modern context.
8. Open shelving
The open design of these shelves above kitchen benchtops is a great way to display country-style homewares. White subway tiles complement the natural grain of the timber shelves, while black brackets and spot lighting match the industrial overtones of the pendant lights. You could also attach hooks under shelves to keep often-used items such as cups, glasses and utensils close to hand.
Open shelving ideas for your kitchen
The open design of these shelves above kitchen benchtops is a great way to display country-style homewares. White subway tiles complement the natural grain of the timber shelves, while black brackets and spot lighting match the industrial overtones of the pendant lights. You could also attach hooks under shelves to keep often-used items such as cups, glasses and utensils close to hand.
Open shelving ideas for your kitchen
9. Exposed beams
Exposed beams, especially timber beams, immediately bring to mind the farmhouses of a bygone era. The trusses of a barn-like structure also set the scene for a country-style kitchen and are a great way to bring a little slice of the country into your city dwelling. The best part is they don’t even need to be a part of your existing structure, they can be added in as decorative elements that enhance the final design.
Exposed beams, especially timber beams, immediately bring to mind the farmhouses of a bygone era. The trusses of a barn-like structure also set the scene for a country-style kitchen and are a great way to bring a little slice of the country into your city dwelling. The best part is they don’t even need to be a part of your existing structure, they can be added in as decorative elements that enhance the final design.
9. A walk-in pantry
Not every city kitchen will have room for a pantry this large, but if you want to embrace the essence of country style in your kitchen, a walk-in pantry is a must-have inclusion. As seen here, it’s even more on-trend when it’s accessorised with matching storage baskets and glass canisters. When we see such an array of fresh produce and pantry basics, it reminds us of a time when almost everything was made from scratch in a traditional setting.
Not every city kitchen will have room for a pantry this large, but if you want to embrace the essence of country style in your kitchen, a walk-in pantry is a must-have inclusion. As seen here, it’s even more on-trend when it’s accessorised with matching storage baskets and glass canisters. When we see such an array of fresh produce and pantry basics, it reminds us of a time when almost everything was made from scratch in a traditional setting.
11. A barn door
Even a modern kitchen can be transformed with small touches, such as a sliding barn door. Here, it not only saves space by not opening into the kitchen, but is a beautiful design element that works with the kitchen’s simple black and white colour scheme. Barn doors can be recycled and re-purposed if you are lucky enough to come by one at an auction house, or can be created using panelling or a timber veneer. The benefit of a veneer is that the door can be perfectly matched to kitchen cabinetry, making for a more cohesive design finish.
Even a modern kitchen can be transformed with small touches, such as a sliding barn door. Here, it not only saves space by not opening into the kitchen, but is a beautiful design element that works with the kitchen’s simple black and white colour scheme. Barn doors can be recycled and re-purposed if you are lucky enough to come by one at an auction house, or can be created using panelling or a timber veneer. The benefit of a veneer is that the door can be perfectly matched to kitchen cabinetry, making for a more cohesive design finish.
12. A pot and pan rack
A essential feature of country kitchens is functional design, and a big part of that is ensuring items are easy to access and simple to put away. A large pot and pan rack in a modern kitchen looks fantastic, as this addition can either use traditional materials, such as timber, iron or copper, or more modern materials, such as stainless steel.
A essential feature of country kitchens is functional design, and a big part of that is ensuring items are easy to access and simple to put away. A large pot and pan rack in a modern kitchen looks fantastic, as this addition can either use traditional materials, such as timber, iron or copper, or more modern materials, such as stainless steel.
13. A splash of colour
White and stainless steel might be the essence of contemporary design, but country style doesn’t back away from embracing colour – particularly in cabinetry. Blues are particularly popular and can range from the lighter duck-egg hues through to richer variants. They also work perfectly with a range of timber elements – for example, here the blue cupboards complement wooden benchtops. Colour can also act as an antidote to city stresses.
White and stainless steel might be the essence of contemporary design, but country style doesn’t back away from embracing colour – particularly in cabinetry. Blues are particularly popular and can range from the lighter duck-egg hues through to richer variants. They also work perfectly with a range of timber elements – for example, here the blue cupboards complement wooden benchtops. Colour can also act as an antidote to city stresses.
14. Copper and brass finishes
Metallic finishes are seen in many aspects of architecture and construction, but the golden and russet hues of brass and copper reminds us of early home builds, which is why these mellow-lustred metallics are so commonly associated with more traditional design. Because copper can range in colour from deep metallic browns through to hints of green, it’s an incredibly adaptable material with which to evoke a sense of country living in a modern environment. Here the kitchen features copper pendants and tapware, while the one above sports golden brass handles on the colourful mint-green cabinetry.
Metallic finishes are seen in many aspects of architecture and construction, but the golden and russet hues of brass and copper reminds us of early home builds, which is why these mellow-lustred metallics are so commonly associated with more traditional design. Because copper can range in colour from deep metallic browns through to hints of green, it’s an incredibly adaptable material with which to evoke a sense of country living in a modern environment. Here the kitchen features copper pendants and tapware, while the one above sports golden brass handles on the colourful mint-green cabinetry.
15. Rustic handles
A country-style kitchen isn’t complete without a rustic handle, so adding these to more contemporary drawers and cabinets will bring the country style to your city abode. Here, a combination of handles adds textural interest to this serene kitchen.
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What country-style features would you like in your kitchen? Share your thoughts with us in the Comments.
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Browse a gallery of beautiful country kitchens
A country-style kitchen isn’t complete without a rustic handle, so adding these to more contemporary drawers and cabinets will bring the country style to your city abode. Here, a combination of handles adds textural interest to this serene kitchen.
TELL US
What country-style features would you like in your kitchen? Share your thoughts with us in the Comments.
MORE
Browse a gallery of beautiful country kitchens
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Loads of all these items, Falcon cookers, Aga cookers, Butlers sinks, bin pulls, exposed sliding door gear available through F.L.Bone & Son in NZ www.flbone.co.nz
Good link thanks.
Worth noting that in NZ wood burning stoves can only be used in areas where you can gain consent or a permit (whichever the right word is)
Difficult in areas of Canterbury for example where you have to have 2 hectares of land or something like to be able to put one in. Research into one's own
area regulations required.
We've included a few of the aspects mentioned but we didn't get a butler's sink, standalone oven, mantle or plate rack. I would have loved to have done some exposed beam work but otherwise very happy. Also looking to put a pot rack in the pantry, just yet to mount it.