14 Charming Farmhouse Kitchen Ideas on a Budget

Bring a bit of character to your home with these farmhouse kitchen ideas on a budget. If you are trying to achieve that charming, slow-living vibe in your space you will love the simple farmhouse design tips we share in this post. 

It is so easy to get swept up in all of the things to buy for a kitchen makeover and costs can start to add up quick. A brand new farmhouse sink is not cheap! 

Instead, we will share minimalist principles and sustainable home decor ideas to ensure that you get your desired look without spending a bunch of money! Skip the cluttered kitchen vibe and copy these intentional farmhouse design elements for your dream kitchen! 

Budget-friendly farmhouse style kitchen tips

• Choose a neutral color palette and then add subtle pops of color.
• Prioritize DIY projects using natural materials. The more durable the materials are the better since plastic tends to break easily. Try to choose natural stone, metal, copper, wood, canvas and organic cloth to achieve the farmhouse kitchen style.
• Thrift stores, flea markets, antique shops and yard sales will be your best friend when looking for farmhouse decor pieces.
• Less is more. Don’t go overboard with farmhouse decor! Your kitchen may start to feel like a crowded barn rather than a welcoming space. Just use this list as inspiration and slowly add unique pieces as you decorate your kitchen. 

The Best Farmhouse Kitchen Ideas on a Budget

1. Open shelving and wire baskets for display and organization

To give your kitchen that rustic feel, opt for wooden (butcher block is great!) shelving. You can easily find refurbished wood to install shelves in your kitchen.

I love to use these to display decor and of course for a bit of kitchen organization. A few wire baskets on the shelves furthers the look of that farm house feel.

2. Paint your walls and cabinets white to have a neutral base to build upon

The signature look of the farmhouse style is light neutral colors. Luckily, finding light paint colors is super simple. You may even have some leftover paint from other projects in your home. 

Freshen up your walls with a coat of white paint and opt for white cabinets. A pop of color or a light pattern in the farmhouse style is always great as well. Having neutrals as your base keeps things classy and simple. 

3. Sew your own curtains to cover windows, under the sink and the dishwasher. 

Curtains round out the farmhouse style by giving it that cottage vibe. This is a great place to play around with patterns and pops of colors. Opt for light floral patterns or something simple like a gingham pattern.

Curtains can of course be used in front of windows but they can also be used to cover the under the sink area.

If your dishwasher doesn’t fit the farmhouse style aesthetic you can add an extension rod in front of it to cover it up! Sewing your own curtains are a quick, easy and cheap way to tie your kitchen together! 

4. A large wooden kitchen island for food prep and farmhouse decor 

Try to include the largest wooden kitchen island your space can fit! A large island gives the feel of a workbench in a barn which ties into the farmhouse style.

A large table also ensures there is enough space for decor and functionality (food prep + sharing meals with loved ones!). 

Even something like an antique dresser with a butcher block of wood on top is the perfect way to cut costs but have a unique piece in your space! 

You won’t find the genuine rustic feel in a big store. Head to your local antique store or thrift store to find a pre-loved piece of furniture to repurpose as your kitchen island!

5. Hang farmhouse style wall art in vintage frames 

To further the cozy vibes of a charming farmhouse kitchen, include some cheap printable wall art! You can easily thrift vintage frames to house your wall art pieces. 

Click here to view our collection of farmhouse wall art that you can print off for your kitchen! 

6. Peel and stick backsplash wallpaper

Subway tile is the ultimate farmhouse kitchen look. If you are living in a rental or it’s out of your budget to have real tile just use peel and stick wallpaper!

Subway tile is great to use as a kitchen back splash and then more patterned wallpaper can be used for an accent wall. Just be mindful with how much pattern you include on your walls to ensure the space still feels airy. 

Another way to incorporate the farmhouse feel is if you create shiplap walls. Finding refurbished wood and painting it white is a great DIY option but wallpaper is easier. I have yet to find an authentic looking shiplap wallpaper so opting for stripes is great too! It still offers that simplistic look.  

7. Bring in greenery with houseplants, kitchen herbs or a bouquet (dried or fresh)

Whether you have a green thumb or not, bringing in a bit of greenery will really tie together the farmhouse and country feel to your space. 

A few simple houseplants or kitchen herbs for cooking is perfect if you enjoy plants. 

If not, thrifting a vintage pitcher or mason jar vase to hold your bouquets will do the trick. 

Dried flowers on your open shelves or on your kitchen counter tops are also a beautiful touch. 

If you really want to save some money, grow your own flower bouquet or propagate plants from your yard to use as houseplants! 

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8. Use a chalkboard sign to mimic  farmers’ market vibes 

Chalkboard signs are incredibly easy to thrift or create by yourself. You can thrift a picture frame and then paint the inside with chalkboard paint. 

I love to use these to put seasonal messages and quotes that can change. Or you can use it as a calendar and area to write reminders.  

9. Thrift a vintage rug or runner to make your kitchen space feel cozy

No need to go out and buy an expensive rug. You can easily thrift a small rug to place in front of your kitchen sink or as a runner separating your island and sink.

Another option is to find a small but sturdy blanket and then add grippers underneath. I love this option because they are easy to throw in the washer from kitchen spills but generally cost less! 

10. Flea market signs, pendant lighting, vintage farmhouse decor for a rustic look

This is the fun part and where a bit of your own unique flair comes into play. Head to your local flea market, garage sale or estate sale to find some rustic signage and decor. These pieces cannot be found in big box stores and will really give that vintage feel to your space. 

Here are some farmhouse decorations to keep an eye out for:

• Antique local businesses signs
• Vases, bowls, plates etc. 
• Pendant lighting fixtures 
• Wooden crates and wire crates 
• Wooden beams 
• Vintage furniture like benches, tables and freestanding kitchen storage cabinets
• Wooden pallets to make DIY signs 

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11. Incorporate wooden features: cutting boards, stools, bowls, wooden utensils etc.

Natural materials really offer that charming feel so mindfully incorporating them is a great way to get the farmhouse look. If you add too much your kitchen design will dip into a cabin vibe.

Thrifting or supporting local makers that sell wooden pieces is a great way to incorporate this natural element. 

12. Bring in extra kitchen storage with an antique cabinet 

If you need a bit more storage space, you can pop a cabinet on top of a table. That way you can display beautiful dishes or mason jars filled with pantry items. Below you can store baskets to hold extra kitchen supplies! 

13. Add benches to a long kitchen table 

To further the feel of gathering and abundance incorporate a long wooden bench alongside your wooden kitchen table.

This will ensure you have plenty of space for your loved ones to sit around and share a meal. You can easily DIY cushions to place on top or even woven baskets on the ends for extra storage. 

14. Mason jars for food storage

Mason jars are practical, cute and pair perfectly in a farmhouse kitchen. There are a gazillion different uses for them as well.

I love storing them on kitchen countertops so you can easily access them and they add to the farmhouse decor.

You can easily swap out the decor inside of mason jars for the seasons as well: mini pumpkins, fairy lights for the holidays, easter candy etc. Best of all, glass jars can easily be thrifted for cheap! 

Have any other budget friendly farmhouse kitchen ideas? Let us know in the comments below! I’m sure others in the community would love to learn from you as well!

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Stay well, 

Maggie 

This post was all about the best farmhouse kitchen ideas on a budget.

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