8 Elements of Classic Kitchen Style
For this timeless style, go with white or cream cabinetry, simple architectural details and high-quality materials
Rebekah Zaveloff
22 July 2019
Classic kitchens are timeless yet fresh. They often feature neutral color palettes and simple, unfussy details. Sure, a classic kitchen can be deemed too safe for the individualist and too ornate for the purist, but for me it’s like jeans and a white T-shirt: Add a beaded necklace, a black blazer, and heels or tennis shoes and you can make the look your own. (And so can the next homeowner if you’re thinking about resale value.) Read on for eight basic elements of a classic kitchen.
1. White or Cream Cabinetry
This is a style that almost everyone feels comfortable in, even some of the modernists among us. White or cream cabinets provide a classic look that stands the test of time.
Find a kitchen designer on Houzz
This is a style that almost everyone feels comfortable in, even some of the modernists among us. White or cream cabinets provide a classic look that stands the test of time.
Find a kitchen designer on Houzz
2. Simple Architectural Details
You may see legs on islands, feet or furniture-style toekicks, crown molding and even a paneled hood, but these details are often restrained in a classic kitchen rather than being over the top and ornate.
You may see legs on islands, feet or furniture-style toekicks, crown molding and even a paneled hood, but these details are often restrained in a classic kitchen rather than being over the top and ornate.
3. Honed Black Countertops
Classic kitchens often go the timeless route with blacks or whites. One tried-and-true classic feature is a black countertop, whether it’s honed absolute black granite, soapstone or a cast quartz material.
Classic kitchens often go the timeless route with blacks or whites. One tried-and-true classic feature is a black countertop, whether it’s honed absolute black granite, soapstone or a cast quartz material.
4. White Marble Countertops
Carrara marble and Calacatta marble are the two that really stand out in classic kitchens. In fact, marble countertops are often the focal point of a classic kitchen. Even though many homeowners know there are maintenance issues with marble, they can’t resist its beauty.
Carrara marble and Calacatta marble are the two that really stand out in classic kitchens. In fact, marble countertops are often the focal point of a classic kitchen. Even though many homeowners know there are maintenance issues with marble, they can’t resist its beauty.
5. White Subway Tile
It really doesn’t matter what size, though the classic is 3 by 6 inches. It can be glossy, crackle, beveled or square edged, handmade or machine made, or even in white marble. If you’re looking for a twist on the classic, try a 2 by 6 or 2 by 8 or 2 by 4 — the proportions can really change the look of your kitchen, as can the grout color.
It really doesn’t matter what size, though the classic is 3 by 6 inches. It can be glossy, crackle, beveled or square edged, handmade or machine made, or even in white marble. If you’re looking for a twist on the classic, try a 2 by 6 or 2 by 8 or 2 by 4 — the proportions can really change the look of your kitchen, as can the grout color.
6. Simple Door Styles, Not Too Modern, Not Too Ornate
Another aspect that defines this look is the cabinet door style — often either a simple Shaker door or a Shaker door with a bead molding. You don’t see a lot of raised panel doors (of the sort often found in traditional kitchens) or flat-panel doors typically seen in modern kitchens.
Another aspect that defines this look is the cabinet door style — often either a simple Shaker door or a Shaker door with a bead molding. You don’t see a lot of raised panel doors (of the sort often found in traditional kitchens) or flat-panel doors typically seen in modern kitchens.
7. Neutral Palettes
Classic kitchens don’t have to be all white. This kitchen mixes stained and painted cabinetry. Black and white is about as timeless and classic as it gets, but as long as a kitchen features a neutral color palette, it will maintain a classic appeal.
Classic kitchens don’t have to be all white. This kitchen mixes stained and painted cabinetry. Black and white is about as timeless and classic as it gets, but as long as a kitchen features a neutral color palette, it will maintain a classic appeal.
Alternative palettes like brown and white also find their way into classic kitchen design. Here, walnut cabinets, white marble and cabinets with a simple door style have all the elements of a classic kitchen.
8. Flexibility
What I love about classic kitchens is that they’re chameleons. You can take the same kitchen and completely change its look by mixing in modern bar stools or lighting, or industrial bar stools and lighting, or traditional — you get the idea.
Classic can become eclectic by adding modern tile and mixing it with a vintage-style table and chairs and industrial-style pendant lights.
What I love about classic kitchens is that they’re chameleons. You can take the same kitchen and completely change its look by mixing in modern bar stools or lighting, or industrial bar stools and lighting, or traditional — you get the idea.
Classic can become eclectic by adding modern tile and mixing it with a vintage-style table and chairs and industrial-style pendant lights.
Classic white Shaker doors can go more modern by adding a modern light fixture and a terrific Saarinen table to the mix. This kitchen even has a bit of farmhouse modern because of the ceiling, but it’s still classic.
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We Love a Classic Kitchen!
Contemporary is 'nice' but you know that warm feeling you get when you walk into a classic. It's just..well..classic. It usually has a lot more detail than a contemporary and always in good taste. White, cherry and maple typically are the main choices for a traditional style.
That's what was 'in' back in the day. Furniture quality that left nothing unfinished. Every detail was attended too and lots of it. Right down to crown moldings and knobs. We make the same recommendations today and that kind of quality. Think about the color scheme and style of your dream kitchen but don't forget the details.
Consider the room's personality before you even get started picking color and styles. Where has your other decorating journeys taken you? Look around your house, you know if you're a 'contemporary' or a 'traditional': Are you seeing clean lines or arches with decorate detail?
Ok now, you knew it, you're a TRADITIOINAL. Classic raised panels will work great for your new kitchen. Definitely square. Maybe some glazing but very subtle. Stone countertops, just like they did in the old country, right. Quartz or granite will work perfectly but be sure the pattern and colors speak to you. If dark turns you off, go white. Besides, most anything will go with white, except cream. Two tones of white will inevitably fight for attention and not work well together for the room's color palette. Maybe dark brown, maybe a Carerra marble.
Now the flooring. Possibly a dark wood or tile, your choice. Add in some hi end appliances and I think your new kitchen is done. Don't forget the knobs, we like oil rubbed bronze lately and if you like white, it goes beautifully!
Happy remodeling!