How to give your kitchen a rustic twist
From beautiful timber to reclaimed materials with natural patina, these seven real kitchens are packed with plenty of ideas for homespun charm…
If your current kitchen lacks character, there’s probably nothing you want more than an atmospheric space to spend time in, and these rustic-style kitchens deliver this by the bucket-load.
Intriguing timber textures; warm and cosy colours; and lots of rich and interesting decoration, you really can’t beat this look for creating a homely charm.
Good Homes has picked seven of the best real spaces and examined at what they’ve done to achieve the look.
1. Wood cladding
It may be a more unusual wall covering than paint or wallpaper, but wooden cladding can be super effective in helping create a warm, country-style atmosphere. You could look for reclaimed wood from local reclamation yards, or buy from a reputable retailer – many reclaimed flooring companies have branched out into cladding as it becomes a more popular style.
If you do buy new, look for wood with sustainable credentials. We love how this kitchen design from the Main Company unashamedly mixes different wood styles to create a rustic and eclectic look.
Photo: Main Company
2. Distressed textures
Lisa Valencia was keen to ensure her modern kitchen cabinetry didn’t make the space feel too stark or clinical, so sourced reclaimed pieces that showcases wear and tear to balance out its modern nature.
‘Originally an old work bench from a Spitfire aeroplane factory, I bought it for £600 from Kempton antiques fair – even though we weren’t ready to renovate at that point,’ she explains.
Photo: John Rowley
3. Beautiful brickwork
Sharon Hornsby’s kitchen uses a matt finish Shaker style cabinetry and reclaimed wood cladding on the island to give her new space a rustic twist that ties in with the original exposed brickwork and beam in her home.
While it’s always best to play up your home’s natural charms, if you’re super keen on this look, you can buy brick slips – tile-like brick slices – in varying degrees of authentic crumbliness.
Photo: Colin Poole
4. Raw wood cabinetry
If not wood on your walls, how about for your cabinetry? This Blakes London kitchen uses a beautifully textured wood with a striking grain, left exposed to bring an industrial twist to the room.
Photo: Blakes London
5. Rustic styling
While the style of Bert & May‘s Library kitchen may be on the modern side, a distressed brass island helps to ground the cabinetry in the brand’s rustic showroom. They’ve styled up the space with equally rough and ready pieces, creating a really interesting contrast between old and new.
Photo: Bert & May
6. Reclaimed materials
The owner of this kitchen found some of her kitchen cupboard doors in a reclamation yard for just £40 – after all, you can’t beat a natural patina to texture to a design.
Photo: Colin Poole
7. Homely combinations
This designer collaboration kitchen by Sebastian Cox for deVOL marries a raw timber look and concrete work surfaces with a natural country stone. Where concrete could feel too harsh, and this rural stone too homely, they strike a balance with each other that works to elevate this kitchen design.
Photo: deVOL