Rustic kitchen cabinets offer an attractive way to bring nature into the home. Their earthy tones and natural materials create a serene ambience while simultaneously increasing home values.
Earthy hues like deep browns and lush greens work exceptionally well in rustic decors, adding an air of tranquillity. Utilizing natural elements such as stone or plants can further boost this sense of harmony.
Colors
Your kitchen is at the core of home life. Add rustic cabinet colors for an inviting and homey farmhouse-like aesthetic in this culinary space.
Warm neutral tones like beige, cream and soft gray are timeless classic rustic colors, suitable for nearly all styles and finishes of cabinetry and wood surfaces. Light yellow can create the same farmhouse aesthetic as white cabinets while adding warmth. Deep earthy brown hues also work beautifully as they're easy to coordinate with many countertop and backsplash materials.
Modern rustic kitchens can incorporate dark wood cabinetry to create an intimate yet refined atmosphere, often using pine for its knots and rich natural graining, although oak, cherry or hickory may also work well in these spaces.
Texture
Rustic kitchen cabinets can be elevated by adding custom features that elevate their style and add an upscale element to the room. An ornate tile backsplash or oil-rubbed cabinet hardware help elevate this rustic aesthetic and tie in seamlessly with other design elements of the space.
Texture is another key factor when it comes to designing rustic kitchen cabinets. Reclaimed barnwood or wide floorboards work great for this look, while painted cabinetry with an uneven finish also can add character. Furthermore, adding decorative items that embody this rustic aesthetic - like hanging jute or animal hide rugs or an exposed stone fireplace - helps emphasize this rustic aesthetic.
Color can add personality and charm to rustic kitchen cabinets as long as the rest of the space remains neutral. A dusty blue shade works particularly well when accented by brass fixtures and white backsplash tiles; creating an airy farmhouse aesthetic without looking trendy or out-of-place.
Accessories
There is an assortment of kitchen cabinet accessories designed to complement rustic cabinetry. Metal accents such as wrought iron and galvanized steel can create the appearance of vintage or reclaimed style while their textures contribute to rustic design. Hardware, serveware or decorative sconces made with these metals may also help achieve this rustic aesthetic; distressed finishes or natural wood grain effects for drawer dividers may also work nicely in creating this rustic aesthetic.
Modern rustic kitchens can be tailored to match the homeowner's taste in terms of both subtlety and boldness. Slab doors present a minimalist aesthetic, but can be enhanced with warm wood handles. In this Milk and Honey Life kitchen, neutral palette and patterned backsplash help balance out contrasting wood hues of cabinets and hutch.
Rustic styles can be easily combined with modern elements, like stainless-steel appliances and acrylic bar stools, to achieve a blend of styles. Or paint the base cabinets a warm hue before featuring natural wood elements with open shelving or stacked cabinet arrangements as the focus point of your room design.
Maintenance
With wood cabinets, whether traditional or farmhouse in design, cleaning their warm natural surfaces has its own set of specific challenges. Grease splatter and food debris collect on them quickly requiring regular deep-cleaning sessions. However, when cleaning rustic cabinetry it's best to avoid harsh chemicals or abrasives which could damage its material and dull its finish over time.
Opt for mild dish soap diluted with water instead. Vinegar also helps lift stubborn grime with its natural acidity and germ-killing capabilities; simply apply equal parts vinegar and water mixture onto a damp cloth, and wipe gently over problem areas.
Stains preserve the wood's natural beauty, knots, grains and discolorations while creating an aged appearance without becoming as opaque as paint. You can wipe or spray stain onto surfaces for an even coat and immediately dry afterward to prevent moisture damage; using microfiber cloths rather than traditional cotton rags also prevents scratching and abrasion damage.
