Every stylish country kitchen I see at the moment has these 4 features
Between the country homes we visit each month (the latest is this rustic Herefordshire cottage, restored on a shoestring), and the hundreds we see across social media, the most stylish among them are always a little undone. And this is especially true of their kitchens.
In the wrong hands, the sameness and symmetry of cupboards and surfaces can all look a bit rigid, but these compelling country kitchens share some features that feel lived-in, relaxed and informal.
The predictable run of cabinets is broken up with glass-fronted dressers and open shelving heaving with crockery. In place of a central island sits old butcher's blocks with great notches and scores on their surface. Tongue and groove panelling replaces the glossy flatness of wall tiles, and colour appears in unexpected accents.
“Rather than opting for cookie-cutter solutions, homeowners are embracing bespoke elements that reflect their individual tastes and lifestyles, leading to kitchens that are both functional and deeply personal," says Alex Main, director of The Main Company.
In achieving this look in your own home, it is useful to think around the standard materials, surfaces and objects that are most often found in kitchens. By no means are we encouraging carpets and what would a kitchen be without a kettle? But use creativity where you can, and read on for four of the features that these stylish kitchens all share.
1. Haberdashery influences
Creaky haberdasheries and glass-filled apothecaries are rich reference materials for a relaxed kitchen. They are nostalgic and evocative, filled with handsome oak cabinetry with cubby holes and racks, glass-fronted counters, grand spotlights and rows upon rows of their wares on display.
For a literal take, antiques fairs are fertile hunting grounds for old shop fittings – this spectacular Surrey home has used a reclaimed shop counter as a central island – and deVOL’s Haberdasher's Kitchen saves you the trip.
A quick search of Vinterior returns shop signs with hand painted lettering, trestle tables, cash drawers, confectionary cabinets and grocery store labels, all of which could find a new home and updated use in a kitchen.
2. Open shelving
Open shelving is usually where personality comes to the fore. Displaying crockery, cutlery and pots and pans is a given, so add the more decorative framed paintings – always casually propped up – cookery books, table lamps and vintage trinkets. Take a styling tip from those old apothecaries and stack your glassware in neat rows.
“Open shelves are often dismissed as impractical and high-maintenance. However, when executed thoughtfully, open shelves can offer both style and functionality,” says Paul Dore, managing director at County Stone. “They provide easy access to everyday items and allow you to showcase your favourite kitchenware. The key is to keep them organised, avoid clutter, and place frequently used items on them to avoid dust and dirt building up.”
If you're hesitant to put everything out in the open, glass-fronted cabinets make for a nice compromise.
“Like open shelving, glass-fronted cabinets are a fantastic, stylish kitchen storage option. If you have beautiful crystal, or you’re proud of your dishware, why hide it away in the dark?" says Tom Howley, founder of the eponymous kitchen company. “It also deters the clutter that might build if you keep your items closed away behind cupboard doors."
3. Freestanding pieces
All kitchens need integrated cupboards – for some brilliant and affordable options, have a look at our list of the best kitchen brands in the UK – so to counter their uniformity, mix with freestanding furniture. Antiques are a popular choice for the contrast they provide, and they are less likely to adhere to standard sizing which is helpful for small or awkward spaces.
There are few hard and fast rules when choosing antiques but in the spirit of recreating a more laid-back kitchen, the rustic farmhouse and industrial styles, rough and rich in natural patina, tend to work better than anything ornate and lacquered.
“Harvest and bakers tables are a versatile alternative to the traditional kitchen island,” says Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr. "Portable, and free of electricity and plumbing, a freestanding island can be easily positioned around the kitchen to suit the task at hand."
4. Unexpected accents of colour
A good use of colour is a given in a stylish kitchen, but it is the unexpected accents that are so seductive. Most often they are intense and vibrant – an emerald green door, postbox red shelving, a bright yellow range – and stand independent of and in total contrast to their surroundings.
“Painting just your island can be a great way to incorporate colour into an otherwise neutral kitchen – providing a bold, captivating focal point without committing to a full-on vibrant space," says Tom Howley.
“Painting a single feature dresser, chimney breast, or selection of backboards in an elegant pastel can be a beautiful way to introduce colour, without overwhelming the space."
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