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10 of the most timeless kitchen design features for your home

Discover 10 key kitchen design tropes that have stuck with us through the ages and are still loved today.

Why choose a timeless kitchen?

Being the heart of every home, the kitchen is arguably the most important room in the house.

Of course, we want our kitchen to suit our personal taste, but we also want them to add value to our home – so it’s important to keep them timeless.

It’s best to consider adding classic features to your kitchen design that won’t go out of style , while simultaneously providing functionality for your everyday needs.

For an effortless aesthetic, let’s take a look at some of the most timeless kitchen design ideas, features, colours and styles that have stood the test of time.

1. Shaker-style cabinetry

Starting off strong with shaker-style cabinetry. Distinctly minimal with a clean design, a shaker-style kitchen has a timeless elegance.

Shaker kitchen cabinet doors consist of a recessed panel and a four-piece wood frame.

Originally developed by the Shakers in England around the early nineteenth century, Shaker kitchens are modest due to the Shakers’ religious views. They were a group that created furniture from bare essentials and without embellishments.

Thanks to their history, Shaker-style cabinetry can still be found in many more traditional homes.

Our latest Shaker range, Wardley, pays homage to the original Shaker ethos of simplicity and functionality.

View Shaker kitchens

2. Wood-effect furniture

As with living room and bedroom furniture, wood kitchens remain an extremely popular choice due to the material’s connection with the outdoors, its durability, warm colouring and that it’s fairly easy to source.

Wood is also a great material to match with all kinds of colour palettes and worktops to create a kitchen that’s truly timeless.

Rich and versatile, wooden touches will give your kitchen a homely farmhouse feel but can be paired perfectly with modern finishes for a sophisticated look.

'All of the wood used in Magnet’s cabinets and frontals is from responsible sources – and trackable from forest to factory.'
Amanda Douglas
Head of Product Sustainability

3. Marble and quartz worktops

Available in a wide variety of patterns and colours, a marble or quartz worktop looks clean and premium, whilst also being durable, stain and water resistant.

Our quartz and marble-effect worktops give you the luxurious look of natural materials without the price tag.

Low-maintenance and easy to clean, our quartz laminate worktops have been engineered for exceptional hardness and are also scratch resistant.

No matter your kitchen style, we have a range of kitchen worktops that will complement your space and offer robust performance and total design flexibility.

Discover our worktops

4. Fitted cabinetry

Having your units fitted to your walls and floors will give your overall kitchen a cleaner and sturdier feel.

Not only this, but fitted kitchen cabinets are more economically friendly than purchasing custom designs.

The uniform and functional style will help you maximise the space that you have through a multitude of cabinets, allowing for better kitchen organisation and the freedom to customise the design to fit your specific needs.

Even if you have awkward spaces and sloping eaves, you can still design cabinets that fit perfectly.

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5. Sustainability

At Magnet, every one of our kitchens is carefully considered and purposefully designed.

Although we're not perfect, we have set out clear targets and milestones to work towards in relation to sustainability.

We are continuing to reduce our carbon footprint to become a more sustainable business. All of our kitchen designs feature 100% responsibly sourced timber in a range of stunning styles.

We’ve already reduced the carbon footprint of our operations and our own transportation by 71% since 2016.

All the wood used in Magnet kitchens comes from protected forests and we are continuing to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

If you want to discover how you can be more energy-efficient in your kitchen, check out this blog and discover how to create your own sustainably designed kitchen here.

'Opting for quality materials that will stand the test of time is a great way to ensure you have a timeless kitchen design.'
Jennie Nash
Senior Design Lead

6. Hidden shelving storage

Storage is vital in any kitchen, yet it’s important to not forget about the overall look and style of your kitchen space. Built-in, hidden storage is a great way to preserve clean lines and reduce clutter in your kitchen.

Built-in, hidden storage is a great way to preserve clean lines and reduce clutter in your kitchen. Especially in smaller kitchens, hidden shelving storage will allow you to make the most of the space you have by keeping things neatly tided away.

If you're looking for kitchen storage inspo, check out our blog on purposeful kitchen storage.

7. Flag flooring

Flag stone floors are beautiful, sturdy and extremely long-lasting. There’s a reason why many ancient structures that are still standing are made of stone – it’s an incredibly hardy material.

Stone floors require very little maintenance and can help to create a seamless flow as they can be used both indoors and outdoors with ease. Even in warmer weather, stone floors stay cool to the touch.

Uniquely, stone floors can also help in your efforts to keep dust and allergens out of the house as the nonporous surface makes cleaning even more effective.

Part of the beauty of this flooring is that the surface of the tile can be finished in various ways to match the aesthetic of your kitchen.

The cherry on top is that stone flooring simply gets better with age, making it a classic kitchen idea that will add character to your home as time goes on.

8. Metal handles

A more durable material than wood, solid metal handles have remained popular as they feel instantly luxurious. They offer an extra element of tactility in the kitchen, feeling weighty, robust and pleasingly smooth.

Wood can get worn down due to oils from the skin, and plastic is less sustainable and less popular. It’s metal that achieves the sophisticated look many people desire.

9. Neutral cabinet colours

Opting for neutral cabinet colours is a good choice to make.

Aside from making your home easier to sell, neutral kitchen colours are timeless and versatile - meaning they can be styled with practically any other hues to create your dream kitchen aesthetic.

Neutral cabinets can also help make a small kitchen feel more spacious, and a dimly-lit kitchen to feel more airy and bright.

They can easily brighten up the room and offer a charming, classic look, as a stylish foundation can make all the difference to the mood and atmosphere of your kitchen.

10. Range cookers

A statement kitchen appliance that is always popular with country-style kitchens is range cookers.

More traditional but very much still in demand, these types of cookers are often associated with a more retro aesthetic.

Range cookers will cook your food slowly and evenly, giving you a delicious outcome every time. They will also become the focal point of your kitchen design - providing a warm and welcoming feel.

Plus, their large hobs and extra oven space makes them ideal for cooking large family meals.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about our ten timeless design ideas for a classic kitchen that will stand the test of time.

If you want to get started on your own stunning classic kitchen, book a Design Consultation with us today.

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