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19 Ways To Add Vintage Charm To A Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

Want to create vintage charm in a modern farmhouse kitchen? Begin using some budget-friendly ideas, such as shopping in thrift stores and vintage shops. Today, I’m sharing 19 ways to add vintage charm to a modern farmhouse kitchen using these rustic modern kitchen thrifting ideas.

While building the farmhouse, the main goal was to create a vintage farmhouse feel, even though the kitchen was modern.

Using antique and vintage pieces to decorate the kitchen helps to add to the vintage, rustic charm.

cropped-kitchen-Island-with-woven-basket-centerpiece-and-DIY-copper-pot-rack.jpg

What Is A Modern Farmhouse Kitchen?

When we talk about modern and farmhouses, it’s hard to wrap our minds around the two concepts.

The definition of Modern is “relating to the present time,” while the purpose of Farmhouse is harder to pin down. Most would agree that it means cozy, relaxed, rustic, and simple with touches of days gone by.

So when we talk about a Modern Farmhouse Kitchen, we think of a cozy, comfortable, and simple design with modern conveniences such as stainless steel appliances, marble countertops, and a porcelain apron sink.

Thrifting with the Gals

If this is your first time joining the Thrifting with the Gals series, welcome. We are a group of vintage, antique, and thrift store junkies who love to decorate on a dime with our thrifted finds.

We share our tips and ideas for creating a warm and curated home each month.

This month, we are excited to have Anne and AnnMarie from Simply 2 Moms joining us. Since we are all from NC, I have had the opportunity to shop with these fun ladies, and I know you will love their inspiring thrifting ideas today.

If you are joining me from Kirstin at White Arrows Home, I know you enjoyed her Back To School Organizing with Thrifted Finds tips.

(Posts on The Ponds Farmhouse may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See the full disclosure details here.)

How Do You Add Vintage Charm To A Modern Kitchen?

As you have probably guessed, my favorite way to add vintage charm to a modern kitchen is to shop thrift stores for vintage and antique kitchen items. Adding vintage decor helps to create a rustic, old-world feel, and the contemporary kitchen is the perfect place to add inexpensive pieces that have a significant impact.

In addition, using repurposed and DIY decor also ups the charm factor.

Vintage Copper

One of my favorite additions to a modern kitchen is vintage copper. Copper pots add warmth to the kitchen and create that old-world feel without much effort.

The DIY Plate Rack is filled with copper, breadboards, and ironstone.

Vintage Copper Pots and Bread Boards fill the DIY Plate Rack in Modern Farmhouse Kitchen
Vintage Copper Pots and Bread Boards fill the DIY Plate Rack in Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

Click Image for Details

Open Shelving

One trend in modern farmhouse kitchens that’s been around since the pioneer days is open shelving. It disappeared briefly in the mid-’80s, and 90’s when custom cabinets became the rage. However, they are back with a vengeance in a modern farmhouse, cottage style, and mid-century modern style homes.

Open shelving is a great way to display vintage kitchenware and collectibles. It also helps to keep your kitchen feeling airy and spacious

Open Shelving with collected vintage finds are on trend for Rustic Modern Kitchen. Wood Pig cutting boards & Old Rolling Pins
Open Shelving with collected vintage finds are on trend for Rustic Modern Kitchen

Add Vintage Art Work

Vintage artwork can add a touch of personality to your kitchen. Look for pieces that have a rural or country feel.

Plant Herbs

Adding some herbs to your kitchen is a great way to add a touch of vintage charm and to bring the outdoors in. Plant your herbs in pots on the windowsill or in a herb garden on the countertop.

Plant herb in kitchen to add vintage charm.

Textured Walls

Adding textured walls to your kitchen is another way to add vintage charm and a rustic modern kitchen feel. We used a combination of shiplap and brick to create texture in the farmhouse kitchen.

Shiplap and Brick Walls Combine to add texture to the neutral modern farmhouse kitchen. Sink filled with lilac blooms
Shiplap and Brick Walls Combine to add texture to the neutral modern farmhouse kitchen

When using neutral colors adding several textures is important to interest the space. Some ways to add texture include the popular shiplap, an accent wall, a brick wall, and even wallpaper.

Many peel-and-stick wallpapers mimic shiplap, brick, and other textures that are as easy to remove as they are to apply.

This floral wall paper has a french country feel in this modern farmhouse kitchen style.
This floral wall paper has a french country feel. Photo Credit: The Recipe Project

Add Vintage Hardware

Vintage hardware can add a touch of charm to any kitchen. Look for pieces that are made of solid brass or iron, and that have a simple, classic design.

If you can’t find authentic vintage hardware, many affordable reproductions exist.

Use Distressed Finishes

A distressed finish can give your kitchen a vintage look without making it look too old. The distressed finish on the pantry door is authentic. However, you can create distressed finishes with paints and stains that have a weathered or worn appearance.

Add vintage charm with vintage hardware and distressed chippy paint.

Use Vintage Textiles

Vintage textiles can add a touch of warmth and comfort to your kitchen. Look for pieces that are made of natural materials, such as cotton, linen, and wool.

Set The Table With Vintage Dishes & Silverware

Using vintage dishes is a great way to add a touch of charm to your kitchen table. Look for dishes that are made of durable materials, such as china or stoneware, and that have a classic design.

Look for dishes, silverware, and glassware at thrift stores for budget-minded table settings.

Ironstone Dishes

Classic and durable are two terms associated with Ironstone Dishes. I’ve been collecting for several years and hardly ever pass on a great deal.

The classic white works with any home style and is perfect for mixing and matching tableware.

Collected Ironstone filled Antique Pine Hutch in Modern Kitchen with other thrifted and vintage finds.
Collected Ironstone filled Antique Pine Hutch in Modern Kitchen

In addition to the white dishes, adding old pitches and serving pieces to your cabinets and shelving

Vintage Bowls

I love stacking vintage bowls and filling them with fruit and produce. They are a great way to add storage to your countertops while adding that vintage charm factor.

Although they are getting harder to find, I’m always on the look out. These were all great and inexpensive finds.

Nestled together with an Antique Candle, they help to disguise necessary charger cords.

Stack collected vintage bowls on kitchen counter for fresh fruits and veggies on concrete counter tops
Stack collected vintage bowls on kitchen counter for fresh fruits and veggies

Repurposed Furniture for Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

One of the best ways to create a vintage feel in a modern kitchen is to use repurposed furniture to add storage.

Most old farmhouses didn’t have built-in cabinetry. Therefore, free-standing cabinets and chests were used as workstations.

We combined two old sideboards to create a unique DIY kitchen island in our farmhouse kitchen. There is abundant storage inside each cabinet, giving the kitchen that vintage charm we are talking about.

How To Build A DIY Kitchen Island shows step by step how to repurpose old furniture into a kitchen island.

Add Vintage Lighting

Vintage lighting can add a touch of charm to your kitchen. Look for pieces that are made of brass or enamelware, and that have a simple, classic design.

Don’t worry if you don’t have wiring, you can add a vintage light fixture and a rechargeable bulb.

Click Image for Details

In addition to the kitchen island, the addition of a repurposed screen door was added to our pantry entrance. It maintains its original chippy paint but now includes a chalkboard and metal magnet board.

The chippy green paint colors inspired the recently updated island paint colors.

Screen Door Repurposed into Pantry Door in Rustic Modern Farmhouse Kitchen. DIY Repurposed KItchen Island
Screen Door Repurposed into Pantry Door

Don’t Be Afraid To Mix & Match

When decorating your kitchen, don’t be afraid to mix and match different styles of antiques and collectibles. This will help to create a unique and eclectic look.

Bread Boards, Cutting Boards and Wooden Bowls

Vintage breadboards, cutting boards, and old wooden bowls are one of my favorite thrift stores finds. They have so much character and warmth to a modern kitchen.

Use them on your open shelves or stack them in the center of your dining table to create a riser for your centerpiece.

Add open shelving to create rustic charm to a modern farmhouse. Shelves filled with ironstone & copper.

Ways to Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets

You can add collectibles to the space above your kitchen cabinets to decorate.

The options are unlimited. See more options at How To Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets with a Modern Farmhouse Style.

Add vintage to a modern farmhouse kitchen. Add collectibles to decorate above kitchen cabinets in modern farmhouse.

Vintage Baskets

I love collecting handcrafted baskets, which are pretty easy to find. Use them to hold floral arrangements, hand towels, napkins, and cutlery.

They add so much texture to Ann’s rustic modern kitchen. She hangs multiple style baskets from the beam above her kitchen cabinet.

Antique Crocks

Whether you have a small collection of crocks or a large group, the texture and shape add to the rustic modern farmhouse feel.

Fill with cooking utensils such as wooden spoons and gather them on a shelve or countertop.

They also make great floral arrangement containers or fill them with faux Christmas trees this holiday season.

Vintage Charm with crocks filled with Christmas trees and wooden spoons for a modern farmhouse.

Old Wooden Rolling Pins, Wooden Spoons & Tool Boxes

I love collecting all of the above. Filling old toolboxes full of these thrift store finds creates a unique and exciting vignette for the rustic farmhouse kitchen.

Vintage Tool box filled with old rolling pins creates a charming vignette on kitchen countertop with open shelves.
Vintage Tool box filled with old rolling pins creates a charming vignette on kitchen countertop

More Thrifting With The Gals

Up next is Anne & AnnMarie with Simply 2 Moms. Click each link below for more great Thrifting With The Gals Tips.

Ann & AnnMarie – Thrifted Finds To Decorate Your Home / Ann – 10 Best Fall Vintage Decor Ideas

Robyn-Thrifted Vessels for Flower Arrangements / Kirstin – Back-to-School Organization w Thrifted Finds

More Antique & Vintage Decorating in Modern Farmhouse

Thanks so much for stopping by.

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19 Ways To add Vintage Charm To A Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

CoCo

Friday 16th of September 2022

I always learn so much from these posts, Rachel! The way you style your shelves with a mix of thrifted finds and family pieces always inspires me. The kitchen is not an easy place to decorate but you make it look seamless. Loving and pinning as always sweet friend, CoCo

Rachel

Saturday 17th of September 2022

CoCo, Thanks for your kind words.

Anne from Simply2Moms

Thursday 15th of September 2022

I always love seeing your pretty modern farmhouse kitchen, Rachel! You have such a way with styling all your gorgeous vintage treasures. The open shelving is my favorite! Thanks for having us join you this month. Pinned!

Cindy@CountyRoad407

Thursday 15th of September 2022

Your kitchen is so unique. Love all your vintage touches and fun ideas. Great post.

Rachel

Friday 16th of September 2022

Cindy, I'm so glad you found this informative.

Renae

Thursday 15th of September 2022

So pretty, my friend. I’m a sucker For vintage copper. It adds so much warmth and character. Hugs to you.

Rachel

Friday 16th of September 2022

Renae, Copper is my weakness also. Thanks.

Ann

Thursday 15th of September 2022

Crocks, baskets, copper, and ironstone are all my favorites. Thanks for sharing our Maine kitchen too! Have a great day Rachel!

Rachel

Friday 16th of September 2022

Ann, We have similar tastes, and I also loved your post today.