Rustic Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Design Ideas

Modern farmhouse kitchen design ideas: see before pictures and plans for a rustic modern kitchen makeover.

One of my superpowers is the ability to memorize just about any song lyrics I’ve ever heard and to regurgitate them even years later. My kryptonite, so to speak, is the inability to get a song out of my head once it starts playing… And “She’s gone country” is currently driving me mad.

But if you saw our announcement on Instagram, you know why! We’ve bit the bullet and purchased a little house on six-ish acres out in the Texas hill country, and we couldn’t be more excited. It needs a little makeover, and we’ve decided to start with the kitchen. We’re dreaming of a rustic, modern farmhouse look: something infinitely functional and yet authentic feeling to the little country home. Most of all, we want it to be oozing with comfort and charm – inviting all to enter and relax.

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Makeover: Before

Of course, before we can talk design plans, you’ve got to know what we’re working with! So here’s the rundown on the current kitchen. There is an amazing porch that runs the full length of the front of the house. And when looking at that front porch, the front door leads into the living room on the left; the kitchen is in the middle with that smaller window; and there is a bedroom on the right.

As you can see, the current kitchen doesn’t allow for much gathering.

And the sole living space you see through that doorway in the kitchen is on the small side for a family of our size (not to mention the extended family and friends we hope to bring together here!).

So the plan is to remove the walls on either side of the kitchen, opening up the full front of the house to be a living/kitchen/dining combo. And yes, that means that we will be turning that bedroom into the dining room, but can’t you just see this space as a dining room?

I’ve got detailed drawings and all sorts of specifics I’m working on right now, but I thought for today it would just be fun to see the general ideas I’m chasing. Here are some aspects I’m hoping to integrate into this new living/kitchen/dining space.

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Design Ideas

Quick note: as always, when I share others’ work on this blog, I hope you will click over, visit these incredibly talented designers, and follow them! If you do love some of these images and would like to save them on Pinterest, please click through and pin from the original source. Thanks!

Simple, Wide Plank White Oak Floors

We have wide plank white oak floors in our current home, and we love them. But a lighter color, like The Ranch Uncommon has in her kitchen is simply perfect for the simple, white-and-wood rustic look.

Black Windows, White Walls, and No Upper Cabinets

Though I haven’t decided on my backsplash material yet, I knew from the start that I wanted to capitalize on our black windows that are already there and have no upper cabinets at all. We may incorporate an open shelf or two, but mostly I want light, white, open space above the countertops to draw the eye out those beautiful black windows and into the woods beyond. This incredible space by Jean Stoffer Design confirmed my inclination!

Galley Style Layout

Once we remove the walls, we’ll be adding a giant island to the middle of the long rectangle. The sink will stay where it is below the window, and the stove will face it in the island. I know it’s not technically a galley kitchen by any means, but the functional portions of the kitchen will be similar to a galley since we will basically be incorporating our fridge, sink, and stove – as well as all our cabinetry – in two lines facing each other: the sink wall and the island. This view of a gorgeous space by Jaclyn Peters Design has a similar balancing act between those two counters.

Rustic Wood Island

Although we intend to have fully modern, functioning cabinetry on the “working” side of the island, I want to encase the other three sides – the parts that face the majority of the living space – with a rustic, raw wood look. The gorgeous antique general store counter that Liz Marie has in her kitchen is just the right complement to the white cabinetry.

Giant Island

Speaking of the island, with a family of six (and hopefully lots of visitors!), we’ll need a few more seats. We are currently planning a 10′ island, so I think the overall layout of this incredible kitchen by Joanna Gaines is probably more similar to what we’ll end up with: a huge island facing a single wall of cabinetry.

Sliding Doors and Hidden Storage

In order to maximize storage (because, as I mentioned, we will only have the lower cabinets under the window and the island itself), I want to have cabinets under the island bar. Sliding doors like the ones in this antique cabinet in the gorgeous kitchen of The Market Beautiful would be the perfect way to have storage under the bar without banging into the bar stools.

Rustic Charm

I have this firm belief that the architecture and style of a home should play a role in the design of the interior, so my last two very traditional homes have limited my rustic inclinations… but this property and home are simply begging for it. I want to include some elegant details and some unexpected modern touches, but mostly I just want it to feel comfortable and inviting. And this sweet space from White Flower Farmhouse embodies that beautifully: the warm wood tones, the classic white cabinetry, the marble countertops, the rustic floors… we are so excited about a home that calls for that kind of charm.

Giant Dining Table for Gathering

While I’m far from having furniture picked out for the space, this is a non-negotiable for me: I want a large dining table that simply begs everyone to gather round. And this space from Heather Bullard which opens right onto her gorgeous kitchen has exactly the feel I want to achieve.

So as I mentioned, please go follow these incredibly talented designers… and tell me, what’s your favorite part of our plans so far?

And for sources I’ve used in my inspiration mood board, see below.

This list contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure.

glass and brass sconce | marble shelves | bridge faucet | farmhouse sink | antique wood cabinetry