Flipping through the pages of Good Housekeeping and dreaming of a Martha Stewart worthy country kitchen?
Us too.
Design styles come and go. But one style that never seems to go out of fashion is the rustic look of an authentic country kitchen.
Here are a few helpful tips to help you achieve that beautiful country kitchen look on a tight budget.
Natural Materials
Authentic country kitchens make stunning use of natural materials to make their design stand out. From marble countertops to stone flooring. Designers love bringing elements of nature indoors.
Fortunately, you can get the look of these beautiful materials, without the cost. A great alternative to stone flooring is luxury vinyl tile.
Modern embossing technology makes these tiles look and feel just like the real thing, at a much more affordable price. Plus, vinyl is comfortable underfoot, durable and easy to clean.
Or, instead of hardwood flooring, how about laminate or engineered wood? Both these options are much cheaper and come in a range of styles and finish perfect for a country themed kitchen.
Lusting after those marble countertops that are all over Pinterest? We get you. Luckily, there’s a couple of clever ways to achieve the marble look at a fraction of the cost.
First, there are plenty of marble effect laminate worktops that look as good as the real deal. Laminate is a much cheaper material, but still hard-wearing and long-lasting.
Or, you can even upgrade your existing countertop to look like marble with a simple contact paper hack. YouTube is filled with tutorials for getting that marble effect yourself. And, as it’s DIY, it’ll be so much cheaper!
Do-It-Yourself Country Style Kitchen
Speaking of DIY, one of the best ways to save money on refurbing your kitchen is to DIY as much as possible. You’d be surprised how easy it is to do with the help of a few tutorials.
Painting and decorating is something that can easily be done yourself, even if you’re a beginner. The beauty of rustic kitchens is that it doesn’t have to look perfect. In fact, little quirks and rougher edges give a room character and make it look all the more authentic.
Other straightforward tasks you can get stuck into include replacing cupboard doors, handles, and light fittings. These simple touches can have a big impact.
And, if you think you’re up to it, you could even try your hand at some of the harder tasks. Such as laying laminate or vinyl tile or putting up some rustic open shelves. Try to rope in some friends or family members to help you. Especially if they happen to be handy with an electric drill!
Of course, any gas, plumbing, electrical or structural work should be done by a registered professional. But you can still save tons by donning some overalls and picking up a paintbrush.
Country Kitchen Appliances
Now, opinion is often divided when it comes to kitchen appliances. Some feel that modern appliances look out of place in a traditional country kitchen. While others enjoy the blend of modern and traditional.
If you’re situated squarely in the first camp, then there are plenty of modern appliances that give off the authentic look and feel of a rustic country kitchen, while still offering all the features you need.
Range cookers are all the rage for country kitchen design. Top brands include Rangemaster and Everhot. These manufacturers have produced beautifully stylish yet powerful range cookers that would totally look the part in an authentic country kitchen.
And if you want a touch of the modern with your rustic range cooker, you can now buy ranges with induction hobs.
Many will be put off buying a range cooker due to the hefty price tag. But if you’ve got your heart set on one, you can find range cooker deals for a fraction of their original price if you buy graded or ex-display models.
Retailers will often sell these appliances at huge discounts, simply because they’ve been out of their packaging or maybe have a few minor scratches.
Or, if you want to go really rustic, how about an old fashioned Aga stove? You can often buy these second hand, but still in great condition from places like Preloved or eBay.
Alternatively, if you want to stick to more modern appliances, but without breaking the flow of the rustic interior, you could consider integrated appliances that can be hidden behind cupboard doors.
Patterns & Colour Palettes
Country kitchens tend to stick to colours, textures, and patterns that are inspired by nature. Think off white, pale blues and olive greens.
Remember, you’ll save money by doing the painting yourself. Bright colours can look lovely, but try to stick to shades that won’t date too quickly.
By choosing a colour scheme that won’t soon go out of fashion, you’ll save in the long run as you won’t be rushing to update it as soon as the latest trends come in.
When it comes to choosing patterns, experiment with nature-inspired prints, florals or cosy patterns like plaid and tweed. Mix and match to give your kitchen a little character and that homely feel.
You can easily find beautiful furnishings from local thrift stores, flea markets and online marketplaces such as eBay.
Accessories
For a truly authentic country kitchen, deck it out with some vintage accessories. Rustic kitchen signs, floral patterned dishes, and milk jug vases all scream country living. The best places to find these treasures are local flea markets or antique stores.
However, you can also source some gorgeous vintage knick-knacks online. This is an opportunity to really personalise your country style kitchen and make it your own.
Thrift & Upcycle
Our forebears lived by the old adage ‘make do and mend’. To live up to their example, as well as saving a chunk on redesigning your dream country kitchen, it’s time to get thrifting.
You’d be amazed at some of the vintage treasures you can find at your local thrift store. From art prints to glassware and even furniture.
Reclaimed furniture looks great in country-style decor. And mixing and matching make it even more authentic looking!
Even things that look like they’ve had their final hurrah can still have potential. Upcycling is a well-known trend that takes previously loved items and transforms them into something beautiful and practical.
You can find hundreds, if not thousands of upcycling tutorials on places like Pinterest or YouTube to help you get that rustic style for less.
Learn how to get that distressed look for an old wooden table. Or how to turn a wooden spool into a coffee table.
Provided you’ve got the tools and a little bit of motivation, you can create some beautiful, rustic, unique pieces for your dream kitchen.
Work with What You Have
The most expensive part of redesigning a kitchen is the cabinets. Custom cabinets can cost an arm and a leg. Our advice for creating an authentic country style kitchen on a budget? Forgo the bespoke cabinets and work with the ones you already have.
If you can, keep your existing kitchen structure. You can easily replace cupboard doors or reface them to get that country, Shaker-style cabinets look. Give them a lick of paint, add in some custom moulding and voila!
If you’re really set on new cabinets, opt for ready-built ones from places such as Ikea. These will be half the price and can still be fashioned to look country chic.
And there you have it! A handy guide to getting that gorgeous country style kitchen, without going over budget. Do you have any cost-saving remodelling tips? Let us know!
Want to renovate your house on a budget? Check out our blog!
