HOW TO CREATE A RUSTIC COUNTRYSIDE KITCHEN

Jessica Harris | June 2024

There's always that one picture on Pinterest that stops your thumb in its tracks. We know because it stops ours too. The one where the hazy sunshine is beaming through a window shining its hopeful morning light on to the most perfect kitchen you've ever seen. Calm, charming and full of warmth, it has rustic wooden floors, stoneware mugs, high ceilings and glossy marble atop a large island in the middle with freshly cut flowers from the garden standing tall in a vase. It's the kitchen that sits firmly in your 'dream interiors' folder and you visit it on the regular.

 

If this sounds familiar, we have some good news for you. No, sadly, we're not gifting you a countryside pile but we can help you achieve said dream kitchen right now. At Westfield London's Home Quarter we have everything you need to create a beautiful rustic countryside kitchen aesthetic wherever you live.

TEXTURE, TEXTURE, TEXTURE

Nothing says 'rustic' quite like uneven wood. Unfinished chopping boards, vintage chairs and flawed tables give a cosy lived-in feel whilst adding character to the room. Washed linen table linen, stoneware crockery and rattan accents will also provide your kitchen with a rustic yet modern feel, paying homage to the original countryside interior trend: French décor.

 

Wooden Tray, £4.99 H&M
 Rustic Linen Runner, £55  The White Company
Ceramic Serving Dish With Sardines Detail, £15.99 Zara Home

ADD WARMTH

A rustic countryside kitchen is synonymous with warmth and cosiness but, at times, it can be a little too rough and ready, lacking the charm and sophistication this trend offers so well. Keep the atmosphere homely with warm tones such as dashes of terracotta and lemon or a subtle print (avoid florals as it will look too kitsch) whilst maintaining brown and red-tone woods such as oak, walnut and acacia.

Set Of 3 Cotton Rich Striped Tea Towels, £6 Marks & Spencer 
Teak Root Pot, £57 Raft Furniture 
 Natural Wide Stripe Seat Pad £32 The White Company

THINK EARTHY TONES

Rustic done well can happily maintain a contemporary feel as the years roll by. This will largely depend on the colour scheme and complimentary tones used which is why you can't go wrong with neutral hues in a variety of shades. Ecru, putty, warm whites and creams will perfectly compliment the wood tones of the furniture without dating whilst darker accents of black, grey and dark brown will stop the space feeling less shabby and more chic.

Karaca Hekka 18-Piece Stoneware Dinner Set For 6 People, £59.95 Karaca
Jute Rug With Contrast Border, £249.99 Zara Home 
 Rustic Linen Cross Back Apron, £32  The White Company

MIX WOOD TONES

If you're looking for a more vintage feel to your rustic countryside kitchen, consider mixing and matching your key pieces of furniture. Although it's best to stick to two or three similar wood tones for a more uniformed look, you can play around with mismatched table and chairs in different woods whilst matching some décor pieces with one or both tones.

Lisbon Dining Table, From £2159 Heals
Nkuku Anbu Acacia Dining Chair, £275 Each John Lewis & Partners 
Wooden Salad Servers, £14.99 H&M

GO TRADITIONAL...BUT MODERN

More traditional accents such as fisherman ceiling lights can add character and depth to your kitchen but by teaming such pieces with sleeker accessories such as glass containers, eucalyptus sprigs or a marble worktop brings the overall look into the current day. Getting that balance right can instantly give a rustic vibe a glossy feel.


Habitat Pixie Pewter Metal Pendant Light, £11.40 Habitat
Small Wide Jar, £19.99 Zara Home
Le Creuset Traditional Stovetop Whistling Kettle, £110 John Lewis & Partners