12 Ways to Trod the Traditional-Style Kitchen Look
Kitchen styles of the past are inspiring modern cook spaces
Cheryl F
26 January 2017
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
The trend for minimal, modern kitchens has mushroomed in recent decades, but traditional kitchen styles still remain popular, and it’s easy to see why. Shaker cabinets, wooden or stone worktops and rustic touches are comforting and timeless. Here are 10 classic features to consider for your traditional kitchen.
1. Shaker things up
No matter what kitchen trends come and go, Shaker-style cabinets never seem to fall out of fashion. They’re defined by their trademark recessed central panels and, as their name suggests, their simple, functional style is based on the handcrafted cabinetry produced by the Shakers.
For a traditional look that isn’t too heavy, try painting cabinets in a pale shade. Adding wall-hung units with open shelves or glass doors is another way to stop a small space feeling cramped.
Check out traditional kitchen designs
No matter what kitchen trends come and go, Shaker-style cabinets never seem to fall out of fashion. They’re defined by their trademark recessed central panels and, as their name suggests, their simple, functional style is based on the handcrafted cabinetry produced by the Shakers.
For a traditional look that isn’t too heavy, try painting cabinets in a pale shade. Adding wall-hung units with open shelves or glass doors is another way to stop a small space feeling cramped.
Check out traditional kitchen designs
2. Celebrate wood
Cabinets don’t have to be painted. A natural wood Shaker-style kitchen has a warm, rustic, old-school feel; this one is handmade from oak.
Classic cup handles work well with this style of cabinet – and a brass finish works better with the golden tones of the wood than chrome might.
Cabinets don’t have to be painted. A natural wood Shaker-style kitchen has a warm, rustic, old-school feel; this one is handmade from oak.
Classic cup handles work well with this style of cabinet – and a brass finish works better with the golden tones of the wood than chrome might.
3. Paint in grey tones
Painting cabinets in a matt, heritage shade creates a period look that’s very of the moment – both traditional and trendy. Greys and mushrooms are good neutral choices. More forgiving of spills and scrapes than cream or white, they add quiet elegance.
Painting cabinets in a matt, heritage shade creates a period look that’s very of the moment – both traditional and trendy. Greys and mushrooms are good neutral choices. More forgiving of spills and scrapes than cream or white, they add quiet elegance.
4. Choose traditional-style handles
The handles you choose can make a huge difference to the look of your traditional kitchen. Here, Shaker-style ‘peg’ knobs have a pleasing simplicity. By leaving them unpainted, they also add a lovely wooden contrast to the painted cupboards.
The handles you choose can make a huge difference to the look of your traditional kitchen. Here, Shaker-style ‘peg’ knobs have a pleasing simplicity. By leaving them unpainted, they also add a lovely wooden contrast to the painted cupboards.
5. Add a Roman blind
Don’t forget about window dressings in your traditional-style kitchen. Roman blinds can help to soften a room and add a sweet country touch. They also give you the opportunity to introduce some pattern. Choose a striped fabric, as here, for a timeless effect.
Don’t forget about window dressings in your traditional-style kitchen. Roman blinds can help to soften a room and add a sweet country touch. They also give you the opportunity to introduce some pattern. Choose a striped fabric, as here, for a timeless effect.
6. Bag a butler’s sink
A white porcelain butler’s sink is hard to beat looks-wise in a traditional-style kitchen. With a period, vintage feel, they can be practical, too, as they tend to be roomy, and the boxy shape manages to look both classic and contemporary. Be sure to combine them with traditional, vintage-style taps, so they don’t ‘jar’.
Also bear in mind that plates and glasses may be more likely to break during the washing-up, and porcelain can chip and crack. You’ll also need a separate drainer.
A white porcelain butler’s sink is hard to beat looks-wise in a traditional-style kitchen. With a period, vintage feel, they can be practical, too, as they tend to be roomy, and the boxy shape manages to look both classic and contemporary. Be sure to combine them with traditional, vintage-style taps, so they don’t ‘jar’.
Also bear in mind that plates and glasses may be more likely to break during the washing-up, and porcelain can chip and crack. You’ll also need a separate drainer.
7. Fall for fabulous stones
A natural stone floor may not be the cheapest choice to lay, but it will look beautiful, unique and authentic. This is a great style for rustic farmhouses, but it can also add a sense of history to any home.
Dark grey or black stone can create drama and impact or, for a lighter look, choose a honey-hued limestone.
A natural stone floor may not be the cheapest choice to lay, but it will look beautiful, unique and authentic. This is a great style for rustic farmhouses, but it can also add a sense of history to any home.
Dark grey or black stone can create drama and impact or, for a lighter look, choose a honey-hued limestone.
8. Weave in some wicker
Investing in a few simple wicker baskets can be a fast way to add traditional country style to a kitchen.
Use them on open shelves or rest them on top of units. As well as providing a handy home for everything from kitchen roll to spare packets of pasta, they add texture and character, especially if everything else is white or cream.
French Market Baskets Do More Than Carry the Groceries
Investing in a few simple wicker baskets can be a fast way to add traditional country style to a kitchen.
Use them on open shelves or rest them on top of units. As well as providing a handy home for everything from kitchen roll to spare packets of pasta, they add texture and character, especially if everything else is white or cream.
French Market Baskets Do More Than Carry the Groceries
9. Panel an island
Most of us, admittedly, don’t have space for an island as large as this one, but it’s a great example of how a traditional-style panelled unit, teamed with a wooden worktop, can add grandeur and a country manor air.
This kitchen sticks to simple white, warmed up by wood, and it works beautifully.
6 Things to Consider When Designing a Kitchen Island
Most of us, admittedly, don’t have space for an island as large as this one, but it’s a great example of how a traditional-style panelled unit, teamed with a wooden worktop, can add grandeur and a country manor air.
This kitchen sticks to simple white, warmed up by wood, and it works beautifully.
6 Things to Consider When Designing a Kitchen Island
10. Contemplate terracotta tiles
Terracotta floor tiles add instant visual warmth and a timeless feel to a kitchen. They also mean you don’t need much colour elsewhere. In this kitchen, the owners have echoed the effect with similar-hued wall tiles.
Terracotta floor tiles add instant visual warmth and a timeless feel to a kitchen. They also mean you don’t need much colour elsewhere. In this kitchen, the owners have echoed the effect with similar-hued wall tiles.
11. Slot in a butcher’s block
A wooden butcher’s block makes a flexible, affordable and compact ‘mini island’ when space is tight. As well as providing an extra surface for prepping and chopping, it will add buckets of traditional character.
Make sure you maintain yours properly, however, so it stays hygienic. Wash it regularly with soap and water, and oil it every few months so the wood stays in good shape, sanding back scrapes and cuts beforehand if necessary.
A wooden butcher’s block makes a flexible, affordable and compact ‘mini island’ when space is tight. As well as providing an extra surface for prepping and chopping, it will add buckets of traditional character.
Make sure you maintain yours properly, however, so it stays hygienic. Wash it regularly with soap and water, and oil it every few months so the wood stays in good shape, sanding back scrapes and cuts beforehand if necessary.
12. Suspend a pan rack
It might bring to mind Victorian sculleries, but if your ceiling is high enough, a pan rack can be a great finishing touch in a traditional-style kitchen.
Suspended over an island is a natural home; use it to show off your very best cookware. A metallic, industrial number can also help tone down a surfeit of wood in a traditional room.
TELL US
What traditional elements have you used in your kitchen? Share your ideas and thoughts in the Comments below.
MORE
14 Country-Style Ideas That Work Wonderfully in City Kitchens
15 Kitchen Trends Set to Hit Big in 2017
It might bring to mind Victorian sculleries, but if your ceiling is high enough, a pan rack can be a great finishing touch in a traditional-style kitchen.
Suspended over an island is a natural home; use it to show off your very best cookware. A metallic, industrial number can also help tone down a surfeit of wood in a traditional room.
TELL US
What traditional elements have you used in your kitchen? Share your ideas and thoughts in the Comments below.
MORE
14 Country-Style Ideas That Work Wonderfully in City Kitchens
15 Kitchen Trends Set to Hit Big in 2017
Related Stories
Most Popular
Design Tips from Real Scandinavian Kitchens
Infuse your cook space with the authentic Nordic look for that hemtrevliga (homely) and ombonade (snuggly) appeal
Full Story
Kitchens
11 Styles of Kitchen Cabinet Doors That Aren’t Shaker
By Kate Burt
Shaker style is rightly popular, but it’s not the only option for well-dressed kitchen units
Full Story
Kitchens
Best of the Week: 31 Magnificent Minimalist Kitchens
By Joanna Tovia
These sleek and streamlined cooking spaces from around the world will have you clearing away your kitchen clutter
Full Story
Kitchens
Best of the Week: 23 'Extra' Scandi Kitchens
Blonde timber, white details and pared-back designs are key Scandi kitchen looks. But what if you want more oomph?
Full Story
Kitchens
Pros and Cons of Open and Closed Kitchens
Which style of kitchen suits your space and lifestyle?
Full Story
Kitchens
7 Vintage Accents for the Modern Kitchen
By Anne Ellard
Spanking new and streamlined kitchens could do with a dose of old fashioned vintage charm
Full Story
Kitchen Guides
How to Glam Up Your Kitchen With Art Deco Elements
By Anne Ellard
Splash out on some silver-screen glamour from the roaring '20s to style your 21st-century kitchen
Full Story
Kitchens
10 Ideas Borrowed from Scandi-Style Kitchens
By Jo Simmons
Work some Nordic style into your own cook space with inspiration from these clean-lined, serene kitchens
Full Story
Kitchens
Recipes for 10 Different Coastal Kitchens
Which beachy look are you aiming for? We've got the 'ingredients' and 'methods' down pat
Full Story
I'm not a fan of Shaker style (outside of genuine Shaker communities). I went for in-frame, beaded doors that matched the original, existing Victorian cupboard doors in the adjacent rooms. I adore the result.
We did a great reclaimed oak floor project that mixed traditional with contemporary in a Georgian riverside property
Thank you so much for including the Shaker kicthne I designed for my clients!