How to Design Traditional Solid Oak Kitchens
British homes are known for their varying ages and aesthetics; as such, it is no surprise that a traditional kitchen theme is still incredibly popular – some houses simply don’t suit an ultra-modern design.
Solid oak kitchens with traditional designs may not seem quite as daring as contemporary alternatives, though they do possess distinctive design accents that are perfectly suited to our range of wood kitchen units.
WHAT DEFINES TRADITIONAL SOLID OAK KITCHENS?
In comparison to Shaker kitchen styles, there is not a single element that specifically makes a kitchen feel ‘traditional’. Rather, it is a combination of features and accessories that make up a classic design aesthetic.
Where traditional designs are concerned, natural materials should be used to complement the solid wood components. Synthetic materials and ultra-modern appliances are best avoided where possible; alternatively, these may be covered with solid oak frontals or panels.
Consider wooden worktops that will complement your traditional theme – oak worktops are the most widely used in a classic design, although walnut, iroko and cherry worktops should also be shortlisted.
Deluxe and full stave worktops are well-suited to a traditional kitchen, as they show off the chosen timber’s natural characteristics in a lavish way that complements elegant traditional features.
Our range of Traditional-style oak cabinet frontals are perfectly suited to a classic theme, and can either be lacquered to show off the natural beauty of the wood or painted in any Farrow & Ball shade to suit your colour scheme. Consider hues in our Pastels and Accent ranges for Traditional cabinet doors; whites, creams, greys and light greens are all perfect for recreating a traditional look, especially when contrasted with dark wood worktops.
Give your kitchen a splash of classic style with a suitable set of kitchen cabinet handles. Ceramic knobs and pewter knobs or cup handles are perfect choices, whilst solid wood knobs are always fitting, especially if chosen to match a solid wood worktop.
Be sure to pick traditional accessories such as painted cornices and pelmets for wall-mounted units, whilst open-fronted cabinets, glazed frontals and solid oak plate racks can all help to enhance the traditional appearance.
FINISHING TOUCHES FOR A TRADITIONAL KITCHEN
Lighting – the range of lighting available for kitchens is almost limitless, and your chosen fixtures can have a big impact on the overall design of the kitchen. Traditional kitchen lighting should be soft, warm and relatively discreet. For kitchens with a high ceiling, consider a tasteful chandelier or glass pendant light; discreet lighting on walls and on top of wall cabinets is also highly effective.
Storage – in order to keep a traditional kitchen clean and uncluttered we recommend providing plenty of storage to hide away boring kitchen necessities, and in turn allow other more elegant ornaments and decorations to be prominently displayed. If space allows, consider a dresser to accommodate your finest dinnerware, and ensure that wall space is used effectively with wall-mounted or full-height cabinets.
Flooring – if choosing solid wood worktops in your kitchen, we recommend complementing them with solid wood flooring for the best effect. Stone or ceramic tiles are also a good alternative, though can be a lot colder under foot. Cheap vinyls and carpets should be avoided.
Appliances – consider a classic range cooker such as an AGA over modern stainless steel appliances, and hide necessities such as integrated fridges, freezers and washing machines out of site in specialist cabinets with solid oak frontals.
Other Extras – choosing a traditional-style sink such as a ceramic Belfast sink is a key feature that will dictate a classic theme in kitchens. Modern stainless steel sinks often look out of place in a traditional kitchen, but an undermounted sink may be fitting if married with an appropriate tap fixture.
If you are looking for more inspiration for a traditional kitchen, consider visiting one of the Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinet showrooms. Each showroom contains a number of kitchen displays with traditional aesthetics and complementary accessories.
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June 1, 2016 @ 3:15 pm
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September 30, 2016 @ 9:20 am
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