Give Your Kitchen A Rustic Farmhouse Feel With These Stunning Countertop Types
The farmhouse style is always a winner for contemporary interiors. The rustic elements infuse a ton of texture while maintaining a homey and comfortable feel in the room. When it comes to kitchen counters, you have a few options for countertop materials to achieve the rustic farmhouse feel. Butcherblock counters will give you the most rustic feel, adding wood's natural texture and color to a kitchen. However, if you want to achieve a modern rustic farmhouse look that is a little more contemporary, use stones such as quartz, granite, or even concrete for the counters. These three materials are the top options to bring that farmhouse style to a kitchen.
Comparatively, butcher block countertops cost less than natural stone, which is great for budget renovations. And with a similar durability to natural stone, you can't go wrong with using either in your kitchen. Of course, you're also not limited to using just one of these three types of materials for a rustic farmhouse kitchen, and mixing countertop materials can be an aesthetic choice as well as a functional one. For example, you can use butcherblock where you prep your meals, so you can use it as a built-in cutting board, chopping ingredients right on the counter surface. In the rest of the kitchen, you can use quartz. Whether you use one or multiple materials, these countertop types give the most rustic farmhouse feel.
Butcherblock adds tons of rustic feel
For that traditional rustic farmhouse style, butcherblock countertops are the top choice. Adding wood to the kitchen provides more texture and natural color. Hardwoods like walnut, maple, and oak are common choices for a butcherblock counter. These woods are preferred because they're durable and can withstand the wear and tear of a kitchen, including knife scratches and cuts if you use the counter as a cutting board.
As stated, butcherblock counters tend to be less expensive than natural stone. However, the final amount ultimately comes down to the type of wood. Walnut tends to be more expensive, costing between $75 and $300 per square foot on average. Maple is a little more affordable, costing $40 and $80 per square foot on average, while red oak is one of the most inexpensive at $15 to $50 per square foot.
One thing to remember if you plan to use butcher block as a cutting board is that the finish should be food-safe. You don't want to use the same stain or finish for a butcherblock counter as for wood flooring. Oils, including mineral, tung, raw linseed, and walnut oils, will help condition the wood to prevent cracking and splitting while also being a safe surface for preparing food. Oiling is only necessary a couple of times a year. As for maintenance, wiping the wood with a damp cloth and mild soap is all that is necessary.
Concrete and quartz for an alternative rustic style
You can make a rustic kitchen more contemporary by choosing concrete or quartz for the countertops. Both are good options if you don't want to overwhelm the space with too much wood, such as wood floors, cabinets, and countertops.
Quartz will add more of a contemporary rustic look to a kitchen. The mineral comes in various neutral shades, including white, gray, black, tan, and brown. The stone can have veining that looks like marble or speckles that appear more like granite. Quartz tends to range between $50 to $200 per square foot, depending on the quality of the slab. It's also highly durable and non-porous, making it more stain-resistant, and it doesn't need sealing, so it's an excellent option for a low-maintenance kitchen. With a smooth and sleek appearance, quartz is a fabulous way to contrast against rustic features. Consider adding dark wood accents with cabinetry and wood beams and using white quartz on the counters to balance out the design.
Using concrete for kitchen counters creates an industrial rustic design. Both industrial and rustic designs separately highlight materials often in their natural state, so it makes complete sense that these two design styles pair together well. Concrete counters often run between $50 and $150 per square foot. As a porous material, concrete countertops will need regular sealing. But for daily maintenance, all you need is mild soap and water.