All You Wanted to Know About Similar – Yet Contrasting – Farmhouse, Rustic & Coastal Kitchen Design Styles!

The kitchen is the heart of any home, and as such a warm, cozy, inviting space that binds the family together needs a design style that does justice to the hospitality while staying in tune with the rest of the space. Let’s talk about the farmhouse and rustic kitchen styles, along with the coastal kitchen design. All these kitchen design styles are so close and similar and yet so far when it comes to narrowing down on one.

The Farmhouse Kitchen Style

1. With an emphasis on traditional look with natural materials, the farmhouse kitchen design usually sees the use of reclaimed wood and plentiful use of white to make the space feel bright, warm and inviting. Exposed beams are often a feature seen in the farmhouse kitchen. 
2. Marble and soapstone are usually used for the countertops, while wood is preferred for an island counter or dining table within a farmhouse kitchen. Cabinetry is usually painted in such a design style. Modern electronic appliances make an appearance in the contemporary farmhouse kitchen.
3. A yet another striking feature of the farmhouse kitchen design is the open shelving system. Used to display cookware, dinnerware or a few canisters, open shelves in a farmhouse kitchen decor are also often used to showcase some unique collection like terracotta pottery or the traditional blue chinaware that is not usually used daily. Alternatively, you may also see some cooking pans hanging on the walls of a farmhouse kitchen. 
4. Although using the traditional warm wood tones and white paint, feel free to introduce valour to your farmhouse kitchen decor. Matt black is a popular choice and goes well in contrast with the whites and woods. You can also go for a bold option such as green and navy blue paired with sleek gold hardware for an elegant look while maintaining the farmhouse classics. 
5. A functional apron sink, that is wide and deep, is almost a staple in the farmhouse kitchen along with some comforting antique signs put on the walls. Bold patterned kitchen tiles or a floor rug adds character to the overall look of the kitchen.
6. Add some color to the space by introducing fresh green plants or some colorful seasonal flowers. Vintage accents such as wicker baskets for storage, old mismatched dining furniture, a classic tea-set for display, complete this kitchen look.

The Rustic Kitchen

1. A look that is rather rougher than that of the farmhouse design style, the rustic style stands out uniquely with some signature elements of its own. Although this style incorporates an earthy palette with natural wood including exposed beams, it is more towards the unfinished, unpolished side exhibiting a distressed look. Window frames may also be polished to match the wood tone within the space.
2. Quite often, a rustic kitchen style will have a stone flooring, and may see some play in textures creating interest and a tactile experience with an exposed brick or a textured stone wall for the kitchen. Alternatively, bold patterned tiles also make a frequent appearance in a rustic kitchen decor.
3. Statement lighting – either salvaged industrial materials, or chic modern pieces – can elevate the overall look of the rustic kitchen to suit your preferences, while comparatively hefty-looking hardware is usually used for the cabinetry that is often matched to either the wood tones, or the color of the tactile material used for the kitchen wall. A rustic kitchen attempts to bind the entire space in warm tones that are cozy and inviting. 
4. Open shelving is a similarity between the farmhouse and rustic kitchen decor styles, however, while the farmhouse style will usually display fine chinaware, open shelves in a rustic kitchen will often host heavy cast iron pots and pans and other reclaimed antique vessels.
5. A yet another trademark decor element seen in rustic kitchens is the sink skirt – a pleated, usually printed, curtain that hides the utility area below the kitchen sink that brings in a pop of fresh color and an old charm to the space. 
6. To add accents, you may choose to install reclaimed, salvage wood barn doors, place a worn out utility cart for storage, or simply hang some old window frames symmetrically on an empty wall for aesthetics.

The Coastal Kitchen Style

1. A beach house, or simply a wish for a lazy beach vibe calls for a coastal kitchen design, and just as the name suggests this decor brings in all the colors and textures of the coast within your home. 
2. Ruled by a pastel palette, mostly shades of blue in soft hues, pops of vibrancy are often brought in through the use of colors such as turquoise and teal. The use of white is also in abundance to complement the blue palette. 
3. A coastal kitchen is usually minimalist and warmth is introduced with the use of rattan furniture or hanging lamps. To keep the overall look clean and breezy, white subway tiles are used commonly for the kitchen backsplash. Alternatively, a mix of coastal shades for subway tiles may also be picked. 
4. Cabinetry is also dominated by the use of blue with a tinge of gray. This is also the most obvious choice for an island within the kitchen. The blue-gray is subtle and soothing to the eye, as much as it matches the coastal vibe. 
5. Striped folding or cane beach chairs are the perfect fit for such a kitchen design. Pick stripes in shades of blue to match the overall theme of the space. Since these chairs are easily portable, you may also choose to pick them and place on the porch for your evening cup of tea. 
6. Bring in a touch of contemporary in your coastal kitchen with some bold matt black accents such as a pendent lamp hanging over your rustic island table setting or a black elegant vase placed as a centrepiece for your white granite dining table top.
7. Add vibrancy and cheer by using a fresh bunch of bright yellow or pink flowers and enjoy your perfect comfort space.

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