13 Rustic Kitchen Cabinet Ideas

Rustic kitchen cabinets add warmth and character to the heart of your home. Go traditional with stained wood cabinetry for a cabin-inspired look or take a more modern approach with white kitchen cabinets and a chunky wood island.

Rustic kitchens are warm and inviting, like a pot of comforting stew bubbling away on the stove all afternoon, and our collection of rustic cabinets will inspire you to give your own space a touch of countryside charm. Whether you have a large kitchen and are planning new cabinetry or you’re working with a small footprint and want budget-friendly ideas, these rustic cabinet ideas have something for every kitchen.

Jay Wilde

1. Modern Rustic Kitchen

Create a modern rustic look by combining classic white cabinetry with natural elements, such as a freestanding wood island. Warm up bright white cabinets with aged brass hardware, and style countertops with wood cutting boards, weathered terra-cotta pots, and aged crocks. In this neutral kitchen, aged barnwood panels paired with black hardware create French doors that swing open to reveal the room’s refrigerator and pantry. A freestanding island repeats the wood finishes found throughout the kitchen and provides additional storage and a spot to eat breakfast.

Laura Moss

2. Colorful Rustic Kitchen

Nothing adds cheery warmth like a big dose of bright yellow. Provence yellow is used throughout this kitchen on built-in cabinets, molding, and French doors, and flows into the adjoining room for continuity. A dark red hutch and mint green benches continue the colorful look, while wide-plank wood floors and a rustic farmhouse dining table ground the room. To add a custom look to your cabinets or built-ins, paint the back panels. It’s an easy and inexpensive trick, and the combination of yellow cabinets and purple panels—complementary colors—adds so much warmth and charm to this kitchen.

Victoria Pearson

3. Rustic Meets Coastal

Classic wood cabinetry brings rustic charm to this kitchen while a white-wash finish gives them unmistakable coastal style. The finish lightens the space and pairs beautifully with the texture of rattan pendant lights above the island. When working with a large kitchen with a lot of cabinetry, replace some of the upper cabinets with floating shelves. This will help break up all the vertical elements, make frequently used items easily accessible, and provide a spot for displaying accessories.

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Nathan Schroder

4. Two-Tone Cabinets

Create a two-tone look in your kitchen by painting base cabinets one color and upper cabinets or open shelving another. Wood countertops top mushroom-colored base cabinets and ground the kitchen with quintessential rustic style. White open shelving mounted on vertical shiplap softens and brightens the room. Simple black knobs and pulls add to the simplicity and harmonize with accesories, including a striped jute runner and framed art. A collection of vintage-style copper pots hung on a pot rack above the window provides a warm accent that ties in with the wood countertops and ceiling beams and pairs well with the green undertones of the cabinets.

Michael Partenio

5. Rustic Country Kitchen

Warm tones, wood accents, and the combination of black hardware and painted cabinetry are some of the most recognizable characteristics of a rustic kitchen. This cozy country kitchen incorporates them all for a warm, inviting feel and provides inspiration for a charming way to store pantry staples. An open shelf with a paneled back holds glass jars with nuts, pasta, and beans. Not only are they easy to grab, but the casual storage solution emphasizes the homey, inviting feel key to rustic kitchens.

Related: 27 Country Kitchen Ideas

Werner Segarra

6. Elegant Rustic Kitchen

A farmhouse sink, built-in plate rack, and glass-front cabinets give this rustic kitchen an elevated look. An ornate tiled backsplash and oil-rubbed pulls enhance the sophisticated feel, proving rustic style can be upscale. To add a decorative element to your kitchen cabinets, incorporate custom features like a plate rack or glass-front cabinets—they’ll provide storage while allowing you to display your favorite dishes and continue a color scheme.

Jeff Herr

7. Rustic Kitchen with Industrial Elements

Wood cabinets are traditional to rustic kitchens. These Shaker-style cabinets with modern black pulls are an updated version of this quintessential feature. The distressed-wood range hood and brick backsplash continue the style and black wall sconces and ceiling beams pick up the accent color. Instead of solid or glass-front doors on upper cabinets, try mesh inserts for interesting texture.

Laurey Glenn

8. Rustic Kitchen with Eclectic Accents

Bring a modern eclectic vibe into your rustic kitchen by pairing wood cabinets with a vintage rug and upholstered midcentury stools. This kitchen features a mix of materials, including floor-to-ceiling Shaker cabinetry with glass upper cabinets, for a lived-in look. Instead of a matching the kitchen island to the cabinets, a freestanding island in a different variety of wood continues the collected look and provides a visual break from the surrounding dark-stained cabinets.

Related: 22 Kitchen Island Storage Ideas

John Bessler

9. Colorful Accent Cabinets

Rich wood tones are a top characteristic of rustic kitchens, and this one showcases plenty of them. Between the beautiful cabinetry, wide floor boards, and blue hutch, natural wood grain is the star of the show. The floor-to-ceiling hutch feels like an extension of the kitchen cabinets despite its pop of color, which modernizes it while keeping with the rustic theme. For extra storage on an empty wall, consider adding a substantial piece of furniture with one-of-a-kind details.

Brie Williams

10. Rustic White Kitchen

A rustic kitchen doesn’t require warm wood cabinets to fit the style. Light, bright, and airy, this kitchen features butcher-block countertops and white base cabinets with a farmhouse sink for a traditional look. Instead of installing upper cabinets, the owners opted for open shelves that flank a window above the sink. Open shelves are a great alternative to cabinets. While you do typically lose some storage space, if you can afford to do so, it’s a practical option that allows you to display your favorite kitchenware and keep dishes that are used daily on hand.

Related: 9 Essential Tips for Choosing the Coziest Farmhouse Kitchen Colors

Nathan Schroder

11. White Kitchen with a Rustic Wood Island

A wood island is the focal point of this modern rustic kitchen. The white cabinets, classic subway tile, and gray wall color give it a contemporary feel, but various wood tones infuse the space with an warmth and timeless character. A stained wood range hood and floating shelves break up the white cabinetry and tie in with the hardwood floors and kitchen island. Black pendant lights and sconces as well as industrial-style counter stools contrast the white and nod to the black bin pulls and cabinet knobs.

Related: The 5 Most Popular Wood Stains for Kitchen Cabinets in 2022

Jean Allsopp

12. Rustic with a Touch of Glam

Pair acrylic bar stools with rustic wood cabinets for a touch of glam. This kitchen takes style mixing to the next level and juxtaposes wood cabinets with modern elements, including brass pendant lights and contemporary seating. The light cabinet stain, floating shelves, and white walls keep the room open and airy. A large kitchen island matches the rustic finish on surrounding cabinetry for a cohesive look.

Ed Gohlich

13. Rustic Cabinet Details

Every detail in this modern rustic kitchen is impeccable, from the turned legs on the base cabinets to the gray quartz countertops to the mesh wire door fronts. The iridescent tile adds a finishing touch of sparkle. Featuring unexpected details on kitchen cabinetry instantly elevates a design and takes it from standard builder-grade to designer chic. To achieve a similar effect, remove cabinet doors for open shelves and replace glass panels with mesh wire.