When people think of the traditional British kitchen, they’re normally picturing something from a period drama like Downton Abbey. It’s a simple, classic style that appeals to many people who want a respite from modern aesthetics. If you’re one of those people, here are five simple tips to help you achieve the traditional kitchen of your dreams.
Keep Things Simple
Bright colours and vibrant patterns have no place in a traditional British kitchen. Plain colours and muted tones are much more the look to be going for. Natural colours were the order of the day in kitchens at least until the early 20th century, as were matte finishes. Likewise, you would not have found accent colours to brighten up the kitchen. Plain whites and dust greys are the perfect way to introduce traditional colour schemes to a modern kitchen.
Natural Materials
Traditional British kitchens made use of natural materials like wood and stone. Of course, back in the day, this was due to them being the only materials readily available. You can easily recreate this effect in your own home. Natural stone worktops remain a popular choice to this day, as do all-wooden cabinets. If your cabinets are built-in to your work units, you can get the same kind of impact with an oakgrain effect cabinet door.
Function over Form
When designing a traditional British kitchen, functionality is key. Don’t worry about things like symmetry or through-lines – what’s important is that you can reach (and, most importantly, use) your appliances and workspaces.
A Touch of Detail
Traditional kitchens weren’t overwhelmed with detail, being places for work more than anything else. However, they were far from minimalist. The architects and designers of the Georgian era couldn’t help but incorporate a few embellishments, even when working on a place primarily for house staff and servants. The key, as ever, is to keep this simple – straight lines and geometric shapes will give you the effect you need.
Add an Island
The modern kitchen island has its roots in the Georgian kitchen, where they acted as a preparation area for kitchen assistants, while the cook would work their magic at the oven. While you might be handling the cooking on your own, a kitchen island still looks great and leaves you more room on your worktops to create your culinary masterpieces.
However you choose to approach your traditional British kitchen design, you can make the most of it with quality cupboard doors and kitchen drawer fronts from Hot Doors UK. Check out the wide range of options in our online store, or give the team a call on 01279 883099 for more information or advice.