Not all of us are cut out for country life. However, you don’t have to live out in sticks or own a log cabin to enjoy a rustic interior. The kitchen, as the hub of your home, is an ideal room to transform into a cozy country cottage. Here’s a few ways you stage this transformation.

1. Use distressed wood

Wide wooden plank flooring and time-worn wood cabinets: these are all bold wooden elements that bring nature into your kitchen design. The more worn the better; the more knots in the wooden pine wall show where the branches once grew.

2. Wooden beams are a must

No country kitchen design is complete without large, exposed wooden beams installed on the ceiling adding not only structural support, but style as well.

3. Add a dash of red

Using red as an accent color throughout your kitchen adds a folksy touch to the room.

4. Give your wood a dash of color

Dark wood may not be everyone’s taste, so for small, dimly-lit kitchens, painting or bleaching your wooden panels might bring some much-need light to an otherwise dreary room.

5. Incorporate stone elements

There’s more to the rustic look than wood! Add hints of stone to your fireplace or cover a whole wall with large river rock to add a country flare to your kitchen design.

6. Install a fireplace in the kitchen

What better way to add warmth to a room than with a real wood-burning fireplace? You can install a vintage heirloom stove if you’re just wanting it for decoration, or consider installing a new wood-cook stove that you can actually use!

7. Add a hanging pot rack

Having a customized wrought-iron pot rack with a shiny set of copper pots dangling is an important accent to have in any rustic kitchen. If iron isn’t in the budget you can always repurpose an old window frame by hanging it from the ceiling with chains and adding large S-hooks around the frame to act as pot holders.

8. Use stainless steel accents

The industrial look of stainless steel balances out the warmth of the wood and helps to add a bit of a trendy look to your space.

9. Build rustic wooden benches and table

Add to the wooden theme by building a simple wood table and two benches as your family’s meal destination. It’ll feel like you’re picnicking indoors!

10. Add a natural wood island

Installing a custom-made natural-wood mobile kitchen island will provide a down-home focal point for your room.

11. Install white cabinets

For a more sophisticated country look, install white cabinetry. Pair it with glass inserts and crown molding at the top. Black granite countertops and stainless steel appliances take the rustic edge to this type of country kitchen design and give it a modern touch.

12. Hang a wrought iron chandelier

Another way to class up your country look is to add a gorgeous wrought-iron chandelier hanging over the dinner table or island.

13. Leave room for a farmhouse-style sink

One easy way to turn your kitchen country is to add what is known as a farmhouse-style sink. This stylish, fronted sink requires special installation methods than standard sinks, but it’s worth it as it provides far more space than ordinary sinks.