12 Essential Ingredients for a Traditional Kitchen
Dreaming of a classic kitchen? Here are the must-have inclusions for a traditional and timeless cooking space
A traditional kitchen is warm, classic and timeless, and often the heart of the home. One of the great things about traditional kitchens is that they’re less likely to date over more contemporary designs. If you want to master the look and feel of a traditional kitchen, here are some of the classic inclusions to consider.
1. A large kitchen island
Large islands are essential in a traditional kitchen. This kitchen has a marble benchtop – great for rolling out pastry – which is another classic element.
Large islands are essential in a traditional kitchen. This kitchen has a marble benchtop – great for rolling out pastry – which is another classic element.
2. A breakfast bar
Placing stools at the island to make a breakfast bar is becoming more popular, and can be used for everything from eating and drinking to doing homework and reading the newspaper. The minimum overhang for legs to fit comfortably underneath is 250mm, or ideally 300mm.
Placing stools at the island to make a breakfast bar is becoming more popular, and can be used for everything from eating and drinking to doing homework and reading the newspaper. The minimum overhang for legs to fit comfortably underneath is 250mm, or ideally 300mm.
3. A pantry and/or scullery
These are an important part of a hardworking, traditional kitchen, but consider carefully what goes into this space apart from food. For example, it might be inconvenient to place your dishwasher in the scullery if your crockery, cutlery and glasses are stored out in the main kitchen. But smaller appliances might be perfect all lined up for use in a room of their own.
These are an important part of a hardworking, traditional kitchen, but consider carefully what goes into this space apart from food. For example, it might be inconvenient to place your dishwasher in the scullery if your crockery, cutlery and glasses are stored out in the main kitchen. But smaller appliances might be perfect all lined up for use in a room of their own.
4. Wooden flooring
Classic, traditional kitchens often feature dark wood floors, stained in walnut or Black Japan. In this kitchen, the dark floors make a dramatic statement along with the rich, dark cabinetry, bench tops and stools.
Classic, traditional kitchens often feature dark wood floors, stained in walnut or Black Japan. In this kitchen, the dark floors make a dramatic statement along with the rich, dark cabinetry, bench tops and stools.
5. Stone flooring
For an alternative to wood flooring, traditional stone, such as limestone, sandstone or travertine, coordinate well with traditional cabinetry and marble benchtops.
For an alternative to wood flooring, traditional stone, such as limestone, sandstone or travertine, coordinate well with traditional cabinetry and marble benchtops.
6. Panelled cabinetry
The cabinetry in a traditional kitchen is often handpainted wood, featuring grooves or panels. This kitchen is a simple and streamlined take on the traditional style, with small silver handles adorning the white cabinetry.
The cabinetry in a traditional kitchen is often handpainted wood, featuring grooves or panels. This kitchen is a simple and streamlined take on the traditional style, with small silver handles adorning the white cabinetry.
7. Classic pendant lighting
Pendant lights over the island are becoming increasing popular, not only for illumination but to add style and character to the space. Traditional pendants are often industrial or American in style, such as these glass bell-shaped pendants.
Pendant lights over the island are becoming increasing popular, not only for illumination but to add style and character to the space. Traditional pendants are often industrial or American in style, such as these glass bell-shaped pendants.
8. Standout handles
Cabinetry handles are a key feature in a traditional kitchen, often in wood, porcelain, glass, or a recent trend, leather. They can also be chrome, iron, pewter, nickel, copper or brass. Some are plain while others, such as these ones, are quite decorative.
Cabinetry handles are a key feature in a traditional kitchen, often in wood, porcelain, glass, or a recent trend, leather. They can also be chrome, iron, pewter, nickel, copper or brass. Some are plain while others, such as these ones, are quite decorative.
9. A butler’s sink
A ceramic butler’s sink is more fitting in a traditional kitchen than a stainless-steel sink, and will deliver on style and practicality, too.
A ceramic butler’s sink is more fitting in a traditional kitchen than a stainless-steel sink, and will deliver on style and practicality, too.
10. Subway tiles
White subway tiles are a classic design that is becoming more popular. They can be hand-cut, flat or bevelled, and are offered in many colours. White, such as in this home, is the most classic colour used.
White subway tiles are a classic design that is becoming more popular. They can be hand-cut, flat or bevelled, and are offered in many colours. White, such as in this home, is the most classic colour used.
11. Traditional tapware
Traditional tapware often features crosshead taps, though lever styles, such as this one, are becoming more popular due to their ease of use. Taps can be coordinated with cabinetry handles, in chrome, nickel, pewter, gold, bronze or porcelain.
Traditional tapware often features crosshead taps, though lever styles, such as this one, are becoming more popular due to their ease of use. Taps can be coordinated with cabinetry handles, in chrome, nickel, pewter, gold, bronze or porcelain.
12. A freestanding oven
Freestanding ovens are popular in traditional kitchens and hark back to the days of wood or coal-fired Agas. Like this one, they are often extra wide at 900mm instead of 600mm, and feature a five-burner stovetop.
TELL US
What do you love most about traditional kitchens as opposed to contemporary ones? Do you have a traditional-style kitchen in your own home, or are you planning one? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.
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Freestanding ovens are popular in traditional kitchens and hark back to the days of wood or coal-fired Agas. Like this one, they are often extra wide at 900mm instead of 600mm, and feature a five-burner stovetop.
TELL US
What do you love most about traditional kitchens as opposed to contemporary ones? Do you have a traditional-style kitchen in your own home, or are you planning one? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.
MORE
What’s Your Kitchen Decorating Style?
Cafe-Style Kitchens: How to Groove to the Bistro Beat
8 Key Ingredients of an Asian-Style Kitchen
This stunning kitchen in Sydney has beautiful proportions and represents everything a traditional kitchen should be. It features off-white panelled cabinetry, a large island, glass bell-shaped pendant lights, and little details like the gooseneck tap and classic wall clock.