Traditional Kitchen Ideas that Never Go out of Style

Framed kitchen cabinets in a Shaker style are typical of traditional kitchen design. At one time, these cupboard doors would have been made by hand from solid wood and finished with intricate detailing showcasing the craftsmanship involved in their creation. 

Shaker cabinets are a versatile choice available in a wide range of colours, known for their simplicity and functionality. Their solid wood construction emphasises the authentic, natural elements involved in classic kitchen design.

The earliest “kitchens” were the location of the hearth – the lifeblood of the home, providing light, warmth, and a place to cook. The hearth was not just a place for cooking; it also served as a gathering spot for family members, making the kitchen a social hub. 

The hearth may have evolved, but it remains a foundational aspect of kitchen design, which is why the range cooker is number two in our list of traditional kitchen ideas. Range cookers combine modern technology with a classical aesthetic to create a refined but charming look and feel.

Traditional kitchen design doesn’t have to mean a neutral colour palette. The kitchen colour scheme has evolved through the decades, from natural, earthy tones to vibrant prints in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Remember when mustard yellow and avocado green were the colours of choice? 

Today, you can have it all (no, really, you can). Don’t be afraid to have fun with colour. Pick a neutral colour as your base and add a signature colour in places where it makes sense, like a vibrant kitchen splashback or an accent wall. 

One great way of making this work is with a dual-toned kitchen. Using two tones in your kitchen means you can be more experimental with colour without it feeling overpowering.

Natural materials are a central pillar of traditional kitchen design. Stone worktops, clay-fired tiles, and exposed brickwork define the classical kitchen. Consider not just how your kitchen looks but how it feels. Natural materials have a tactile quality that invites touch, creating a warm, welcoming space for cooking and gathering. 

Blend traditional and modern with a mix of materials. Add cool metal handles to solid wood Shaker kitchen cabinets, then finish with a polished quartz countertop to create a timeless, traditional kitchen style.

The open-plan kitchen feels like a modern concept, but the idea of eating and cooking together is one that goes back decades. Open-plan dining transforms the kitchen into a social hub full of laughter and joy where friends and family come together to bond over food.  

Large wooden kitchen tables symbolise the farmhouse-style of traditional kitchens that remain a classic choice. Adding a round table is an easy way to inject nostalgic charm into your kitchen design. 

The warm tones of the wood create an inviting atmosphere, encouraging family gatherings and friendly conversations over meals. It not only maximises space but also fosters a sense of intimacy, making it perfect for both casual breakfasts and festive dinners.

The tiled splashback is a hangover from Edwardian times, when hygiene in the kitchen came to the fore. Tiled surfaces were easier to clean and maintain compared to wallpaper or painted surfaces, but beyond this, they provided a space to add decorative patterns and colour to the kitchen.  

This is your opportunity to be creative, blending old with new. Traditional kitchen splashback designs encompass a wide variety of styles from the black and white checkerboard pattern to decorative tiles in rich colours like deep blues, greens, or burgundy, that reflect the ornate style of the Victorian era.

Copper pots and pans add a classical feel that takes you back to a time when copper was highly prized for its elegant, warm appearance and thermal properties. Copper heats up quickly, making it ideal for delicate cooking tasks like sautéing or making sauces. 

Show off your cooking prowess in the kitchen by wall mounting one or two copper pans or hanging a cluster of pots and pans from a pan rack – a smart storage solution and an impressive focal point in a traditional kitchen. 

Brass seamlessly integrates into various traditional kitchen designs, reflecting the authentic legacy of centuries-old cabinet and furniture making. Its elegance and durability make it a practical choice for cabinet door handles. 

Whether it’s polished or left with a patina, brass has a warm, inviting touch that complements wooden cabinets, drawing focus to the unique grain of the wood.