When redesigning a kitchen, there are countless themes and motifs to choose from. If a quaint, old-fashioned style suits you best, you might want to opt for a French Country-style kitchen. According to the home improvement professionals at Nunda Lumber & Hardware of New York, there are plenty of ways to marry this charming style with modern functionality. Use the following guide to get a head-start on your design process.

3 Home Improvement Ideas for an Idyllic French Country-Style Kitchen

1. Set the Mood

From the lavender fields of Provence to the charming bakeries of Colmar, the French countryside is filled with picturesque scenes. When planning the color palette and overall feel of your new kitchen, keep these environments in mind. Use light-hued wood for cabinets and warm yellows or pastel hues for upholstery. A French Country-style cooking space should feel like an escape from the harshness of modern architecture and design.

2. Splurge on Timeless Pieces

A stainless-steel oven hood or black-lacquered kitchen island will throw off an otherwise quaint kitchen. While they might not be easy to find, to truly complete the look, you’ll need to handpick the functional pieces in your French Country kitchen—or customize the modern ones you already have. As a thematic home improvement project, add armoire-like doors to your fridge and pantry and install ornate molding around your oven hood. To truly complete the look, opt for antique-style gas stove and a weathered wood island.

3. When in Doubt, Go Natural

If you can’t decide on a stain for the wood-based furniture in your kitchen, stick with exposed grain for a more rustic countryside appeal. If your kitchen ceiling features exposed wood beams, you’re already on the right track to an authentic French Country-style room. The same applies to flooring and counter space—go with a butcher’s block food preparation surface, and display functional pieces like copper pots and pans for a truly provincial look.

If you’re looking for high-quality supplies with which to craft your dream cooking space, turn to Nunda Lumber & Hardware in Livingston County for help. In addition to providing lumber other building materials for a wide range of construction projects, they also supply paint and tools to contractors and DIYers alike. For more information on their home improvement offerings, visit the website or call (585) 468-2521 today.