Not everyone can live in the country. Not everyone wants to live in the country. I do, and it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Yet many people long for the simplicity and comfort that a country setting—and home—convey.

How do you manage the ambiance of a country home while still living within a reasonable distance of your job and your child’s school? By decorating your home in a style that gives the appearance of being in the country, and all of the warmth and comfort that implies.

Rustic kitchens are popular right now for this very reason: People want the feel of a country kitchen without the country lifestyle. And today it’s easier than ever to get the look of country living—without the long drives and the muddy dogs that come along with it. As a homeowner, you can easily have your new kitchen designed to have a rustic kitchen look, whether you want something subtle or you want to go all out.

Rustic kitchen cabinets

For a country kitchen, start with rustic kitchen cabinets. These don’t have to be made out of barn wood or leftover pallets, threatening to give you slivers each time you open a kitchen cabinet door or drawer. Rustic cabinets are every bit as polished and high-quality as something sleek and modern, but they have an unfinished appearance, or wood with grain and knots that give it character, or a distressed look with dings and dents. Or rustic kitchen cabinets can be stained or painted and then distressed. (Read about the different glazing and painting techniques you can choose from.)

Walls, floors, countertops and ceilings for a rustic kitchen

Today’s country kitchens have a rustic look with exposed wooden beams running across the ceiling, tile work that resembles stone along the floor, or brick work as part of the floor or walls. Rustic elements can be introduced with countertop materials that are natural or rough looking, such as granite or cement. In some kitchens, a painted wood floor distressed to look aged and well-worn adds a rustic feel. When it comes to rustic, you have many ways to achieve the look!

Accents for a country kitchen with a rustic feel

You also have countless choices when considering accessories for a rustic kitchen. From mismatched antique furniture to barn lights to pot racks fashioned from unusual pieces (such iron bed frames and ladders), you can be as creative as your heart desires in adding additional rustic design elements. Your faucet, sink and appliances also play a large role in the finished look of your kitchen, so choose them with care if you’re envisioning a country kitchen and all the comfort it conveys.

If you’re budget is limited, however, or you’re not able to redo the whole kitchen with a rustic feel, consider focusing on rustic kitchen cabinets as the first part and the foundation for the rest of the kitchen. Once the cabinets are in place, other decorative elements can be changed out over time to create a kitchen that’s as rustic or refined as you’ve been imagining—and desiring—from the start.