Modern farmhouse got a bad name from too many “Gather” signs and too much shiplap. The kitchens below keep what works about the style, which is warmth, simple cabinet doors, natural materials and a big table, and drop the theme-park version. Each idea notes what to keep and what to skip.
1. Shaker doors in warm white
Five-piece shaker doors with a flat centre panel, painted a warm white. Skip the beadboard and the raised panels; the simpler the door, the more modern the farmhouse.
2. Black hardware, matte not gloss
Black hardware is what makes white shaker read as modern farmhouse instead of country. Choose a matte finish and use it for the tap, the pendant lights and the pulls so it looks planned.
3. A wood island in a sea of white
Keep the run of cabinets white and make the island the wood moment. Stained oak, walnut or a reclaimed timber top. It grounds the room and hides the wear a family kitchen gets.
4. An apron-front sink, in fireclay or stainless
A deep single-bowl apron-front sink is practical as well as pretty. White fireclay is classic; stainless apron sinks look more modern and hide marks.
5. Open shelves, but only two
Open shelving works when it replaces one or two upper cabinets beside the window or range, holding the plates and glasses you use daily. A full wall of open shelves becomes a dust and clutter problem within a month.
6. A large pendant or two over the island
Two matching pendants, black metal or clear glass, spaced evenly over the island. Skip the lantern-style cages; they are the most dated element of the look.
7. Wood floors or wood-look tile
Wide-plank oak in a matte finish, or a porcelain tile that mimics it. Avoid orange-toned finishes and high gloss.
8. A big table instead of a breakfast bar
The original farmhouse kitchen had a table in the middle of the room. If you have the floor space, skip the bar stools and put a long wood table where the island would go.
Six more ideas, and what to skip
| Keep | Skip |
|---|---|
| Shiplap on one wall, painted the same white as the cabinets | Shiplap on every wall and the ceiling |
| A single sliding barn door on a pantry | Barn doors on every room |
| Soapstone, honed marble or a matte quartz worktop | Busy, glossy granite |
| One vintage rug in a muted red or blue | Word art and signs |
| A plain white subway or zellige tile splashback | Patterned tile in a small kitchen |
| Brass in small doses (a tap, a light) | Mixing four metal finishes |
Budget update: farmhouse look in a weekend
- Paint the existing doors warm white (see the cabinet painting steps in our cabinet colour guide).
- Swap every handle for matte black cup pulls and knobs.
- Replace the tap with a black or brass bridge tap.
- Hang two black dome pendants.
- Remove one upper cabinet and fit two wood shelves.
Frequently asked questions about modern farmhouse kitchens
What is the difference between farmhouse and modern farmhouse?
Farmhouse is rustic, with distressed wood, ornate doors and lots of decor. Modern farmhouse keeps the warmth and the materials but uses clean lines, simple shaker doors and very little decoration.
Is modern farmhouse going out of style?
The decorative version (signs, cage lights, barn doors everywhere) has faded. The quiet version, which is essentially a warm shaker kitchen with wood and black accents, is timeless.
What colour should a modern farmhouse kitchen be?
Warm white on the cabinets with a wood island, or sage or greige on the lower cabinets. Black or brass hardware, white walls.
Can I do modern farmhouse in a small kitchen?
Yes: warm white shaker doors, black hardware, one wood element and a plain tile splashback. Skip open shelving and the big table in a small room.
