Farmhouse Kitchen Essentials

The farmhouse kitchen.

Sigh.

It's been the gathering place for generations before and generations to come.

A farmhouse kitchen is sweet tea and woven baskets and freshly-picked corn-on-the-cob and mason jars and white platters and over-sized hutches filled with plates and cups and dishes.

But how to get the look?  And how to transfer the look into your home?

Here's a few suggestions and ideas for some basic farmhouse kitchen essentials.

The key to getting the farmhouse look in a space is to add character and warmth and personality with classic and simple staples.

Start with a statement piece and then layer in the textures and natural elements.

Think grays and whites and neutrals with natural fibers and galvanized metal and stacks of white dishes.

Here's a few farmhouse kitchen staples to get you started.

Farmhouse Hutch

 A farmhouse hutch is a statement piece.

Add height and texture to a space with a vintage or vintage reproduction hutch.

Layer in dishes and white ware.

Kitchen Lighting

Lighting is essential to add character to a space.

Choose one central light fixture and pair

with single lamps or overhead pendant lighting.

Natural Fiber Rugs

Layer wood floors with warm-looking natural fiber rugs.

Indoor/outdoor rugs offer the beauty of natural

fiber with the easy maintenance of indoor/outdoor materials.

Farmhouse Table

There are so many great options for farmhouse tables.

Choose one with a beautiful patina and clean lines.

Add benches and chairs for a mismatched look.

White Ware

White ware dishes are an easy and inexpensive way to add character to a space.

Purchase dishes in bulk or search local flea markets and thrift stores.

Stack dishes and display in a hutch or on the wall.

Farmhouse Island

The farmhouse island is the heart of the kitchen.

Choose one with a butcher block or metal counter top.

Add in extra storage for linens and seasonal items.

Photo credit:  Photo 1: Thistlewood Farms Photo 2: Thistlewood Farms