The classic country kitchen has long been a design trend but unlike many kitchens designs, a country kitchen and the classic country style has never really gone out of fashion.
It’s true, other styles might have grabbed the headlines and been in spotlight slightly more than the country kitchen in recent years. However, this doesn’t mean that country kitchen designs are not a serious option if you are thinking of updating, reinventing or changing-up your kitchen.
What makes a kitchen a country kitchen?
There are certain features that scream out a country style kitchen more than any other. Classic hallmarks such as Shaker-style cabinets immediately spring to mind – as so the likes of slate and stone floors and the classic Belfast sink.
Consider a range cooker for your country kitchen
But if there’s one feature that says country kitchen more than any other, it has to be a range cooker.
Range cookers come in all shapes and sizes these days. You can even find half-sized ovens that will fit neatly into a small kitchen space. Indeed, there’s a style, size and colour available.
Traditional cabinetry and a Belfast sink really set the tone and are key elements of the classic look for country kitchens with natural materials and rustic features – but a range cooker is like the icing one the cake.
There are also a wide range of fuel options to choose from – the traditional wood burner version, plus gas, electric and oil. Simply choose the option that best suits your budget and lifestyle
Does a classic country kitchen have tiled walls?
Well, although it’s by no mean compulsory, most people’s idea of a classic country kitchen is likely to feature tiled walls.
There’s just something about the tiled look that complements the rustic, country farmhouse vibe that has such enduring appeal.
Why should you incorporate wooden details into a country kitchen?
Because of the natural looks it gives, wooden details work particularly well in most country kitchen ideas. It echoes the countryside and reflects the rural setting and the original class country farmhouse kitchen would have had.
Of course, you don’t actually have to live in country farmhouse to create the look – it can equally effective in a new build semi-detached house on an urban development.
You’re almost halfway there with the farmhouse kitchen look with classic wooden farmhouse table – which can become a genuine focal point for the space.
But solid wood cabinets can be the perfect complement to. In fact, the natural word aesthetic works well on anything from cabinets to flooring and furniture.
Wall cabinets add to the vibe or rural life. Clever storage solutions and feature lighting can add a contemporary twist.
What about a wood surface in country kitchens?
Give an interior designer the task of coming up with country kitchen ideas and there’s a very good chance they will incorporate wood into the worktop surfaces.
Mixing things up with materials such as copper and stainless steel gives you the option of putting a classic traditional or contemporary slant on things.
Work with the space you have
If you have a modern property, the chances are that you will have a fair amount of space to play with. Many modern homes and contemporary house designs are built for modern living in mind.
Therefore, you will see many properties that are designed for open plan living in mind. This often – affords more of blank canvas which makes kitchen uprades just that little bit easier.
However – of course – this certainly isn’t always the case. In older properties, such as Victorian properties or old-style cottages, you will often find quirky, slightly uneven – sometimes even downright awkward room sizes and original floor plans.
If the latter is the case for you, it will probably mean that you will a little more thought, more planning, and more creativity to turn your country kitchen ideas into reality.
Essentially – as with all kitchen design – if you want to go for the classic country kitchen look, you need to work with the space you have – not the space you wish you had! It’s always a mistake to try and squeeze all your country ideas into a space that is too small or unusually shaped.
Get creative and think outside the box
The message is to make the most of the space you have.
It just means you need to be a little more creative. For example, banquette seating might be a better option the classic large country farmhouse table.
There’s nearly always a solution to every problem. Getting your thinking cap on is the answer!
Keep things and light and bright
People often think of country kitchen décor as being dark and a bit on the pokey side. While it’s true some smaller cottages and older properties can suffer from a lack of natural light, it would to say that this a major issue with the country kitchen style as a whole.
Indeed – in general – the main aim should be the same as with any other style of kitchen: try to keep things light, bright, and airy.
The same basic design principles and the usual tips and tricks to make a space look bigger than it really is apply to most country kitchen ideas.
Make the most of natural light
Windows and natural light are the key. As a general rule, darker colours work best in larger spaces that have plenty of natural light.
Too many dark tones can become overpowering and oppressive – just too much, ultimately – in a smaller sized kitchen. The same is true of country kitchens.
Try using lighter and paler shades for cabinetry; don’t be afraid to fall back on the classic kitchen white – and be clever and creative with lighting.
Colour Choices for country style kitchens
Though classically, country kitchens would pull their colour scheme from the earthy wooden designs of the countertops, flooring and cabinets, mixed with the copper styling of the sink basin and hanging pans.
The country kitchen design is defined by the use of nature-inspired colours – often with wooden worktops – with greens and autumn reds and oranges spread throughout. Paired with natural materials, these country kitchen ideas
Our range of Roma Shaker and Classic can bring a number of these nature-inspired colours to your space from our Duck Egg Blue to Sage Green. The use of natural materials and shaker style cabinetry is a major part of any country aesthetic.
You need to get your colour choices right to get your dream country style kitchen.
Do you need a classic colour palette with a country kitchen?
The simple answer is an emphatic, ‘No!’
A smart country kitchen is timeless. But that mean that you have to adopt the classic colour palette and classic colour choices that are often associated with country style décor.
Greens can work brilliantly when blended with wooden floors or marble countertops. What about combining pinks and pastels with a deep mahogany? Deep blues are a perfect match for Shaker cabinets – and Shaker cabinets are perhaps the quintessential country kitchen style choice.
Stone Flooring and country kitchen ideas
Not always the most practical flooring, due to its hard surface and cold feel, stone flooring is a staple of the classic country kitchen.
And with underfloor heating, you can remove at least one of those drawbacks.
Stone flooring again provides that rooting in nature and the earth that all country kitchens require, be it tumbled limestone or sleeker slate with crisp cut edges, all giving a grounded rustic feel to your kitchen.
Add little touches and the small details
With a country kitchen, décor is usually focused on print and pattern. Often the style can appear a little ‘thrown together’ – but in a good way. It just comes across a nice contrast to the straight lines, ultra-clean, streamlined style of contemporary kitchen design.
But with country style designs, you have carte blanche to mix and match to your heart’s content!
Country kitchens should have a homely feel
The overall effect can appear a little haphazard. However, that’s part of the appeal – it gives the space a comforting, homely and lived-in feel.
From wooden beams to antique details or a traditional butler sinks, it can the little details such as store pans, copper pans and hanging pots that really give a country kitchen its cosy charm.
Create an antique feel in true country style
The perfect antidote to contemporary kitchen styling, feel free to add antique pieces, mismatched furniture and decorative ornaments. True country style isn’t about being pristine and spotless. You don’t want too much clutter, for sure – but in a way it’s a true facet of country style to have a bit of disorder and disarray.
Of course, glass fronted display units work well in any kitchen design.
The Kitchen Island
The kitchen island has long been associated with the country kitchen, and the traditional image of the family sat around it, eating freshly collected eggs, laid that morning, or eating cereal with fresh milk from the cows on the farm.
Now you might not have a farm at your city centre apartment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create that perfect country kitchen feeling.
And the kitchen island is the ideal way to add that statement and feel to your home while giving you a practical addition which inspires the family to gather together and sit down to have breakfast.
Hanging Storage
Often finding storage for all your kitchen accessories can be difficult, with you never feeling like there’s enough space in your kitchen cabinets and draws.
But that’s where the classic country kitchen storage solution can help.
Hanging storage allows you to easily make the most of that above the head space, that otherwise goes unused.
From hanging your sophisticated copper-bottomed pots and pans to a place for all your tea towels to go or even somewhere for that mad collection of mugs you have to hang, ready for making that perfect cuppa’ when you get home from a long day at work.
Adding Antique Style Detail
To create a classic country kitchen for your home you need to ensure you have a range of antique and traditional stylings.
But you don’t have to head for the auction house or antique markets, as you can get that traditional feel from brand new appliances and features.
Creating the classic country kitchen feel
There are a wide range of ways you can display things in your country kitchen. Open or glass-fronted display units are the perfect place to house store pans and crockery – and pretty much everything in between.
Hanging rails and hooks work brilliantly in a country style setting
But, of course, you need more than a few quirky storage solutions to create that classic country style homely vibe.
If you have the space, consider placing an armchair in a corner, a sofa under a window – or bar stools at a counter. These are the perfect addition and complement any country kitchen design choice.
So, there you have a whole host of creative ideas that will help you design and craft the perfect country kitchen for your home.
Get in touch to find out more
Here at the Kitchen Warehouse, our experienced team are always on hand to offer advice and support in your kitchen designs.
With over 15 years of experience of manufacturing and supplying complete kitchen units for both the showroom and domestic use we know exactly what makes a fantastic kitchen and are always happy to help you create the perfect country kitchen design for your home.
So, why not get in touch with our team today on or browse our full range of kitchen cabinets now!
