19 Ways to Create a Charming Cottage-Style Kitchen

Have you considered transforming your kitchen into a more relaxed and cozy space? I’ll show you 19 simple ways to create a charming cottage-style kitchen.

I love absolutely everything about cozy cottage kitchens. I’ve always been drawn to cottage-inspired kitchens, from the fresh flowers to the charming finds from my favorite flea markets.

Creating a classic cottage-style kitchen is a great way to add a touch of coziness and charm to your home. Whether you’re looking to update your existing kitchen or starting from scratch, there are many ways to design a homey atmosphere that encourages people to linger and enjoy the space.

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What is Cottage Style?

When I think of cottage style, I see this decorating style as comfy, charming, and meant to be lived in and loved. It’s all about creating a welcoming environment with warmth, charm, and timeless touches. Nothing has to match, and pretty much anything goes with this style.

Common cottage elements include comfortable furniture, vintage accents, and natural elements. You can find natural materials such as wood, stone, and wicker.

An eclectic mix of furniture and decor shows off your personality and creativity by seamlessly blending different periods and styles.

Accessories such as handmade and artisanal items, handcrafted ceramics, knitted throws, embroidered pillows, and fresh flowers in vintage vases add personal touches and a homey feel.

What is a Cottage-Style Kitchen?

This style creates a kitchen space that feels warm, inviting, and lived-in. Incorporate open shelving to display your favorite dishware and decorative accessories that reflect your personality. Each piece looks like it’s been collected over time.

Prioritize comfort and functionality to create a kitchen that’s not only beautiful but also practical for everyday use. When moving into our 1920 beach cottage, my mission was to design the kitchen to feel like the heart of our home, where family and friends gathered and created lasting memories.

My favorite cottage-style kitchen elements include floral patterns, weathered finishes, vintage and antique decor, and wicker and wood furnishings.

Oh, and be sure never to mistake the words “cozy” and “lived-in” for messy. A cottage-style kitchen is meant to be free of chaos and clutter. But if you’re like me, add “within reason” to the end of that sentence!

What is the Difference Between Cottage Style and Farmhouse Style?

While both cottage and farmhouse styles are simple and comfortable, the cottage style leans towards a more romantic and whimsical feel with softer colors and vintage charm.

The farmhouse style embraces a rustic, practical, and slightly more industrial look, focusing on neutral colors, solid furniture, and functional décor.

The choice between the two styles depends on whether you’re drawn to a quaint, cozy ambiance or a more open, rustic, and functional living space.

I love both these styles, but I went for a more cottage vibe because our home is on the smaller side. When we lived in a larger house, it was a farmhouse style. Sometimes, your home dictates your decor style more than you would think.

Cottage Style

Overall Feel

The cottage style emphasizes coziness, charm, and a whimsical, romantic atmosphere. It usually has a more intimate, quaint feel and focuses on smaller, cozy spaces.

Color Palette

Soft, muted colors dominate the cottage-style palette, including pastels like soft pinks, blues, greens, and yellows. Whites and creams are commonly used to create a light and airy environment.

Materials and Textures

Natural materials such as wood, wicker, and stone are used. Floral and botanical prints and softer textiles like lace, cotton, and linen add charm. Painted and distressed finishes are popular, giving furniture and décor a timeworn look.

Furniture

Furniture tends to be smaller in scale and more delicate. Mismatched and vintage pieces are common, contributing to an eclectic and personalized look. Overstuffed sofas and armchairs with slipcovers are typical, emphasizing comfort.

Decorative Elements

Decorative accessories, including handcrafted items, floral arrangements, and vintage finds, are often whimsical. Walls might feature framed botanical prints, vintage mirrors, and artwork. Open shelving and glass-front cabinets display charming dishware and collectibles.

Ambiance

The cottage style creates a cozy, lived-in feel with a touch of romanticism and nostalgia.

Farmhouse Style

Overall Feel

The farmhouse style emphasizes simplicity, practicality, and a rustic yet elegant atmosphere. It often has a more open, airy feel and emphasizes functional spaces.

Color Palette

The farmhouse palette is more neutral, with whites, grays, beiges, and natural wood tones. Accents in darker colors like navy, black, and forest green are also common.

Materials and Textures

Natural materials like reclaimed wood, metal, and stone are prominent. Burlap, jute, and sturdy cotton textiles add to the rustic charm. Exposed beams, shiplap walls, and barn doors are hallmark features.

Furniture

Furniture is often larger and more robust, with an emphasis on practicality. Farmhouse tables, sturdy wooden chairs, and functional storage pieces are common. Upholstered furniture might include slip-covered sofas but in more durable fabrics.

Decorative Elements

Decorative accessories include galvanized metal, mason jars, and vintage farm tools. Industrial elements like metal light fixtures and hardware are integrated. Functional décor, such as woven baskets and wire storage bins, is used for aesthetics and utility.

Ambiance

The farmhouse style aims to create a clean, simple, and welcoming environment that reflects a connection to rural life and agricultural heritage.

Classic Cottage Kitchen Ideas

Are you loving the cottage-style look? Here are 19 ideas for creating a charming cottage-style kitchen.

1. Soft, Muted Cottage Colors

The cottage style’s color palette tends to be soft and muted, with shades of white, cream, pastels, and earth tones dominating the scheme. These colors create a light and airy feel, enhancing the space’s cozy and inviting nature.

Living in a cottage at the beach, I gravitate toward sea-inspired colors, such as soft blues and sandy beiges with white.

To add charm and personality, bring in colors such as yellow, green, or dusty rose through accessories, artwork, linens, and seasonal fruit.

2. Open Shelving

Utilizing open shelves in a cottage-style kitchen adds visual interest and texture. It’s the perfect place to show off vintage finds and other collections.

We originally had upper cabinets installed during our remodel, but I decided to replace them with shelves. We stained them to match the wooden beams on the living room ceiling for a rustic style.

Using vintage brackets or corbels to hold up your shelving will give the perfect cottage feel. If adding open shelves is not in your budget, try removing the doors on your existing cabinets instead.

3. Cottage Style Kitchen Cabinets

Cottage-style kitchen cabinets are a defining feature of a cozy and charming kitchen that exudes warmth and character. These cabinets blend traditional elements with rustic charm, creating a welcoming and timeless look.

Here are some key characteristics and ideas for cottage-style kitchen cabinets:

General Ideas

4. Practical Storage Solutions

Storage in a cottage kitchen is practical AND stylish. Open shelves, glass-front cabinets, and freestanding dressers or hutches provide plenty of space for kitchen essentials while maintaining a charming cottage look.

Hooks and pegboards for hanging utensils and mugs are also popular.

5. Reclaimed Wood

Add rustic charm to your cottage-style kitchen with reclaimed wood.

You can use salvaged wood for shelving, islands, and cabinets. We added reclaimed wood, which we found at an architectural salvage store, to the ceiling in our kitchen hallway. It instantly added character to this space.

6. Comfy Seating

Many cottage-style kitchens, like the one we installed, feature a charming window seat. Adding decorative pillows and throw blankets made the space even cozier.

If you have the room, another way to create a comfortable seating area in your cottage kitchen is to add armchairs or a small sofa upholstered in a fabric print to your kitchen table.

Hang a chandelier or pendant lights above the seating area for warmth and ambiance.

7. Cottage Style Kitchen Table

When selecting a cottage-style kitchen table, consider the size of your space, your family’s needs, and your personal style preferences. The right table should fit your kitchen and create a welcoming and functional gathering place.

We have a small kitchen, so adding the window seating allowed a larger table and room for more guests to sit down for a meal.

Whether you opt for a classic farmhouse table, a charming round table, or an antique piece with history, the key is to choose a table that reflects the warmth and simplicity of cottage-style living.

Antique or Vintage Tables

Painted and Distressed Tables

Bistro Tables

8. Cottage Style Lighting for Kitchens

Lighting is important in creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere typical of cottage-style kitchens. The right lighting improves the kitchen’s functionality and adds to its charm and visual appeal.

Here are some lighting ideas, including pendants like ours, that work well for cottage-style kitchens:

Pendant Lights	Chandeliers	Wall Sconces	Ceiling Lights
Vintage Pendant Lights	Mini Chandeliers	Classic Wall Sconces	Flush Mount Fixtures
Farmhouse Pendants	Rustic Chandeliers	Swing Arm Sconces	Semi-Flush Mount Fixtures
Glass Pendant Lights

9. Cottage Style Kitchen Island

There are many different options for kitchen islands. You can’t go wrong with a classic white look, a distressed wooden countertop, or an old vintage piece of furniture.

The right island should enhance your kitchen’s aesthetic and functionality, creating a welcoming and efficient space that embodies the charm and coziness of cottage living. Whether you opt for a natural wood design, a painted island, or a combination of both, the key is to create a central hub that reflects the warmth and simplicity of the cottage style.

Design and Materials	Decorative Touches
Natural Wood	Lighting
Painted Islands	Decorative Accessories
Beadboard and Paneling	Textiles
Butcher Block Countertops

We chose an antique dresser for our island. By attaching a butcher block surface (which we found at a Dunkin Doughnuts that was going out of business), we added even more cottage charm to our cottage-style kitchen.

Dress up your island with a few decorative touches, like a vase of flowers or a bowl of lemons.

10. Farmhouse Sink

A farmhouse sink is a perfect addition to any cottage-style kitchen.

When we started planning our kitchen renovation, the vintage farmhouse sink we found was our true cottage kitchen inspiration. We built the entire kitchen around the sink.

If a vintage sink is not a realistic option, fabulous farmhouse sink reproductions exist. After a few years, we decided to install a reproduction that looks the same as the vintage sink but is much more practical.

The old farmhouse sink is in a great place now and sits on my potting table in the garden.

11. Cottage Style Cookware

A cottage-style kitchen is not just about its charming decor and cozy ambiance but also about the practical, everyday elements that make the space functional and inviting. That includes the right cookware and accessories as well.

Key cookware items include cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens, which are durable and versatile and add vintage charm with their rustic look.

Enamelware in classic colors like white, green, and blue adds color. At the same time, copper pots and pans offer interest and excellent heat conductivity, developing a rich patina over time.

Stoneware and ceramic bakeware are perfect for baking casseroles, bread, and desserts. They add to the rustic appearance and can seamlessly transition from oven to table.

A cottage-style kettle, often made from stainless steel, copper, or enamel, displayed on the stovetop can enhance the kitchen’s inviting feel.

12. Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood floors are a timeless choice for any home and can be a great way to add warmth to your cottage kitchen.

Many different wood flooring ideas exist, such as solid hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, and vinyl plank. Each type of wood flooring has unique characteristics and benefits, so you can find the perfect option for your home that fits your style and budget.

13. Warm Wood Elements

Whether it’s rustic wooden counters, natural wood cabinets, or a beautiful island with a butcher block top, the warmth of wood can instantly transform your cottage-style kitchen. Our kitchen’s reclaimed wood shelves, breadboards, and stools add instant warmth.

Wooden cabinetry, whether in a natural finish or painted in soft hues, provides a sturdy and classic foundation for the kitchen.

Butcher block countertops add both functionality and a rustic touch. They are ideal for food preparation and add texture to the space.

Open shelving made from reclaimed or distressed wood displays charming dishware and kitchen essentials, contributing to the kitchen’s lived-in feel.

Wooden utensils, cutting boards, and furniture like farmhouse tables and chairs further enhance the warmth and authenticity of the cottage aesthetic.

We love how our farm table, built with reclaimed barn wood, looks in this cottage-style setting. The wicker chairs are the icing on the cake.

14. Wicker Baskets

Wicker baskets are a great way to add texture and a cozy, cottage-style touch to any kitchen.

You can find a wicker basket with various styles and sizes to fit any rustic cottage kitchen decor. They’re perfect for storing a variety of kitchen essentials, keeping the kitchen organized while maintaining an inviting look. Use them for…

They can be placed on open shelves, countertops, or under kitchen islands to conveniently access frequently used items.

15. Flowers and Floral Accessories

Whether your cottage kitchen has patterned wallpaper or a vase of fresh-cut flowers, there are plenty of ways to mix flowers into your kitchen.

Display fresh blooms in simple glass jars, vintage vases, or rustic pitchers. Seasonal flowers like daisies, roses, and wildflowers can be arranged in casual, simple bouquets, sending a relaxed, welcoming vibe.

These arrangements can be placed on countertops, window sills, or as a centerpiece on a kitchen table. Dried floral arrangements and potted plants are other natural choices for a lived-in kitchen feel.

You can hang a framed print of flowers, display a floral dishtowel, or put a colorful flower-patterned rug in front of the sink.

16. Vintage Details and Nostalgic Charm

Flea market finds are perfect for a cottage-style kitchen.

An old cabinet can be repurposed as storage for dishes and cookware. Vintage pieces such as hutches, buffets, and bar stools perfectly mix old with new.

Incorporating elements like antique kitchenware, retro appliances, and heirloom furniture adds character and a timeless appeal. Here are some charming ideas…

These vintage accents serve as functional pieces but also as storytellers. Each item brings a unique history and nostalgic charm to the heart of your home, making the kitchen a warm and inviting space.

Some vintage items can be repurposed, like our kitchen island, which used to be an antique dresser in its old life.

17. Timeless Elements Can Add Character

Subway tile has been around for over 100 years, so we chose it for our kitchen. It’s perfect for keeping with the period the house was built in.

Incorporating timeless elements such as classic subway tile backsplashes, farmhouse sinks, and shaker-style cabinets provides a solid foundation that complements cottage decor’s cozy, nostalgic charm.

Use timeless pieces like a well-crafted wooden dining table, cast iron cookware, and antique light fixtures. Natural materials such as wood, stone, and ceramic add warmth and texture, creating a harmonious balance between aesthetics and practicality.

Small details such as glass-front cabinets and bin-style drawer pulls are great additions to a cottage kitchen.

When looking at lighting options for our cottage-style kitchen, we wanted a more retro and vintage-inspired feel, so we went with low-hanging pendant lights and schoolhouse lighting.

Woodwork is an important detail in a cottage-style kitchen and makes a huge impact. We used materials such as shiplap, tongue and groove, and beadboard. We were very happy with how the vent hood fits in perfectly with all the other elements in our kitchen.

Oversized baseboards, trim, and moldings make a big statement.

18. Cozy Textiles

Cozy textiles in a cottage kitchen are soft and comfortable, including gingham or floral curtains, knitted dishcloths, and cushioned seat pads.

Tablecloths made of natural materials such as cotton and linen, hand-knitted dishcloths, embroidered tea towels, and quilted pot holders bring a handcrafted, personal touch that reflects the simplicity of cottage living.

19. Decorative Accessories

Decorative accessories are the finishing touches that bring a cottage-style kitchen to life, adding personality and charm to the space.

Seasonal Cottage Kitchen Decor Ideas

You can continuously refresh your cottage kitchen’s look and feel by rotating seasonal decor.

Spring Cottage Kitchen

In the spring, bring in fresh flowers in pastel hues, such as tulips or daffodils, and incorporate light, airy linens with floral prints to bring in the rejuvenating spirit of the season.

Summer Cottage Kitchen

Summer decor ideas include vibrant potted herbs, seashells in glass jars, brightly colored dish towels, and fresh-cut flowers from the garden. Fresh fruit and vegetables in bowls are a simple way to warm the kitchen.

Fall Cottage Kitchen

As autumn arrives, swap out summer accents for warm, earthy tones like rust, gold, and deep greens. Display pumpkins, gourds, and rustic wooden bowls filled with seasonal fruits.

Cozy, knitted throws and plaid table runners can add a touch of warmth. Light some pumpkin-scented candles.

Winter Cottage Kitchen

In winter, create a cozy and festive environment with twinkling fairy lights, evergreen garlands, and vanilla-scented candles. Incorporate soft, plush textiles like woolen rugs and velvet cushions. Add a decorative wreath to bring a touch of holiday cheer.

Final Thoughts for Cottage-Style Kitchens

A cottage-style kitchen is a space of warmth and timeless charm. It blends practicality with a nostalgic touch. Key elements such as natural wood finishes, cozy textiles, vintage details, and functional accessories create an inviting and aesthetically pleasing space.

Pieces like a farmhouse sink, wicker baskets, and a classic cottage-style kettle enhance the kitchen’s utility and character.

Whether cooking a family meal, enjoying a cup of tea, or simply spending time with loved ones, a cottage-style kitchen provides a cozy, comforting environment that truly feels like the heart of the home.

If you have any questions or additional suggestions, please share them in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with anyone who may find these home decor tips helpful.

Until next time,

Happy Decorating!

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