Many homeowners will dream of owning a traditional farmhouse kitchen with flagstone flooring, a wooden family-sized table and an Aga gently burning away in the corner.

But faced with smaller spaces and a tighter budget, most of us will have resigned ourselves to the fact that our country dream won't become a reality.

However, just because you don't have a sprawling pad in the countryside doesn't mean you can't bring a spot of country chic into your interiors.

In fact, there are a whole range of simple ways you can bring a touch of rustic to your kitchen, whether you've got a property out in the shires or a smart city flat in need of an interior design revamp.

"We're working on an 'urban country' scheme at the moment - lots of texture, leather, loose weave fabrics and bold statements like grain sack cushions and up-cycled industrial furniture," says Sarah Gordon, owner of Sarah Gordon Home.

"It's a grown up 'modern' country look and we think this will have a big impact on 2012, as people move away from the slightly 'twee' Cath Kidston country look towards something a bit more rugged which really reflects the times we're living in."

As Sarah points out, even adding small touches such as a couple of stools with leather seats, a fabric throw or wooden cabinets can bring some countryside style to your home.

However, make sure you maintain that modern twist to ensure your kitchen is more countryside chic than country bumpkin.

Contrast your wooden finishes and textured furnishings with brushed steel kitchen taps or stainless steel kitchen appliances to create a gentle blend of modern and rustic.

Finally, make sure you pay attention to your lighting. Your kitchen should be functional but also a comfortable place to relax, so invest in lights on a dimmer to take you seamlessly through daytime to evening.