13 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 13 simple ways to create a charming cottage-style kitchen.

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 so many ways to design a homey atmosphere that encourages people to linger and enjoy the space.

Creating a casual and inviting cottage style is relatively easy and inexpensive. Each home decor accessory and piece of furniture should look like it has been collected over time. 

Some of my favorite cottage-style elements include floral patterns, weathered finishes, vintage and antique decor, wicker and wood furnishings

Never mistake the words “cozy” and “lived-in” for messy. A cottage-style kitchen is meant to be free of chaos and clutter.

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Definition of Cottage Style

When defining cottage style, I see this decorating style as comfy, charming, and meant to be lived in. I love that nothing has to match, and pretty much anything goes.

Common cottage elements include cozy furniture, vintage accents, and natural elements. It’s a style that is both beautiful and comfortable.

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Classic Cottage Kitchen Ideas

Take a look at how you can create a charming cottage-style kitchen with these ideas.

1. Cottage Colors

Cottage-style kitchens are warm and inviting. When choosing a color scheme, bring this look to life with pale, natural colors. Whites, beiges, and light blues are all great options for a cottage kitchen.

Living in a cottage at the beach, sea-inspired colors like soft blues and sandy beiges with white are my go-to colors.

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

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2. Open Shelving

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

We originally had upper cabinets put in during the original remodel. But I decided to replace them with shelves instead. 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.

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3. 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 we found at an architectural salvage store to the ceiling in our kitchen hallway. It instantly added character to this space.

4. Comfy Seating

Many cottage-style kitchens feature a charming window seat with decorative pillows and throw blankets to make the space cozier.

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 fabric to your kitchen table.

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

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5. A Kitchen Island

There are so many different options when it comes to kitchen islands. Whether you choose a classic white look, a distressed wooden countertop, or an old vintage piece of furniture, you can’t go wrong.

We chose an antique dresser for our island choice. 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.

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6. 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, there are farmhouse sink reproductions that look fabulous.

7. Hardwood Flooring

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

There are many different wood flooring ideas to choose from, 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.

8. Warm Wood Elements

Whether it’s a rustic wooden countertop, natural wood cabinets, or a beautiful island with a butcher block top, the warmth of wood can instantly transform your cottage-style kitchen.

Our reclaimed wood shelves, breadboards, and stools in our kitchen add instant warmth.

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

9. Wicker Baskets

With a variety of styles and sizes, you can find a wicker basket to fit any rustic cottage kitchen decor.

Wicker baskets are a great way to add texture and a cozy, cottage-style touch to any kitchen. You can use them for:

• storing fruits and vegetables
• displaying breadboards or rolling pins
• showing off your faux flowers

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10. Flowers and Floral Accessories

Adding floral accents to a cottage-style kitchen is a great way to add a touch of charm and character to the room. Whether it’s a vase of fresh-cut flowers or a patterned wallpaper, there are plenty of ways to incorporate flowers into your kitchen.

Hang a framed print of flowers or put a colorful flower-patterned rug in front of the sink. Display a few potted plants for a true cottage kitchen feel.

11. 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 are a perfect way to mix old with new.

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

Hang vintage copper pots, enamel pots, and old colanders from a pot rack.

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12. Timeless Elements Can Add Character

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

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

There are so many lighting options for a cottage-style kitchen. We looked for a more retro and vintage-inspired feel when picking out our lighting and went with low-hanging pendant lights and schoolhouse lighting.

Woodwork is an important detail in a cottage-style kitchen and makes a huge impact. Use shiplap, tongue and groove, and beadboard for wall and ceiling projects.

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

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If you’re considering a cottage-style kitchen, I hope these simple ideas have helped you with the process. Adding some of these cottage-style elements to your kitchen can be easy and won’t break the bank.

Do you have a specific style preference when it comes to your kitchen? I’d love to hear from you. Be sure to leave me a comment below.

Until next time,

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