6 UK Ideas for Creating a Modern Kitchen in the Country
These contemporary UK cooking spaces stylishly subvert the stereotypical country kitchen while still being welcoming
What do you picture when you hear the words ‘country kitchen’? A cosy oversize oven, Shaker-style cabinetry, stone floors – maybe a dash of chintz? Nothing wrong with any of those details, of course, but if you crave something more modern for your rural abode, whether it’s a new build, a period cottage or a barn conversion, take a look at these schemes.
2. Channel mid-century modern
The owners of this kitchen were moving from a city to the rural village of Long Crendon in Buckinghamshire, UK. They contracted architect Kieran Hawkins, at the time the architectural director of Mailen Design and now the director at Cairn, to design them a modern family home. “We tried hard to avoid transplanting a slick city house into historic Buckinghamshire,” says Hawkins.
At the heart of the building is the kitchen, where bare plywood, the prominent mid-century sideboard, a vintage Ercol dining table and Eames DSW chairs set the style for the space. The unfussy kitchen units from Ikea are topped with ply benchtops, which is then echoed in the bespoke plywood shelves and the extractor fan cover.
“The client’s philosophy on the project,” says Hawkins, “was that each decision you make should move you towards a simpler life.”
The owners of this kitchen were moving from a city to the rural village of Long Crendon in Buckinghamshire, UK. They contracted architect Kieran Hawkins, at the time the architectural director of Mailen Design and now the director at Cairn, to design them a modern family home. “We tried hard to avoid transplanting a slick city house into historic Buckinghamshire,” says Hawkins.
At the heart of the building is the kitchen, where bare plywood, the prominent mid-century sideboard, a vintage Ercol dining table and Eames DSW chairs set the style for the space. The unfussy kitchen units from Ikea are topped with ply benchtops, which is then echoed in the bespoke plywood shelves and the extractor fan cover.
“The client’s philosophy on the project,” says Hawkins, “was that each decision you make should move you towards a simpler life.”
3. Respect the original
“Who said a rural home has to be country kitsch?” says Cathy Dean of Cathy Dean Interior Design, talking about this converted barn in Northumberland, UK. “This space is an outstanding example of how a modern take on an old building can really show off its original features.”
One of Dean’s particularly clever – yet subtle – touches is the decidedly modern chevron joinery on the island, designed to echo the original beams above.
Overall, the room feels contemporary without looking gleamingly modern. Apart from the mirror, all the surfaces are matt, but they include a range of soft textures and different timbers, gently reflecting the rural context of the house.
“Who said a rural home has to be country kitsch?” says Cathy Dean of Cathy Dean Interior Design, talking about this converted barn in Northumberland, UK. “This space is an outstanding example of how a modern take on an old building can really show off its original features.”
One of Dean’s particularly clever – yet subtle – touches is the decidedly modern chevron joinery on the island, designed to echo the original beams above.
Overall, the room feels contemporary without looking gleamingly modern. Apart from the mirror, all the surfaces are matt, but they include a range of soft textures and different timbers, gently reflecting the rural context of the house.
4. Twist a tradition
This kitchen is, in fact, in the showroom of Kitchen Architecture, but it’s included here because it combines modern and country so perfectly. The warm wood cabinets, faded plank flooring and hint of Shaker style in the doors provide the sense of a warm and welcoming rustic kitchen, but the detailing and overall effect are crisply contemporary.
Horizontal timber panelling – a fresh take on traditional, vertical tongue-and-groove – flat-fronted drawers, a sleek range hood, swish storage and a contemporary splashback and benchtop all contribute to the modern effect.
This kitchen is, in fact, in the showroom of Kitchen Architecture, but it’s included here because it combines modern and country so perfectly. The warm wood cabinets, faded plank flooring and hint of Shaker style in the doors provide the sense of a warm and welcoming rustic kitchen, but the detailing and overall effect are crisply contemporary.
Horizontal timber panelling – a fresh take on traditional, vertical tongue-and-groove – flat-fronted drawers, a sleek range hood, swish storage and a contemporary splashback and benchtop all contribute to the modern effect.
5. Go for a white-out
An all-white room will generally feel modern. And when the idea is taken on as wholeheartedly as it is in this refurbished farmhouse in north Devon, UK, designed by Sapphire Spaces, the effect is positively futuristic.
Not only are the units lacquered in a matt shade called Alpine White, the benchtops are pale, too. These are Corian, and they appear almost as one with the units and island. Even the pale tiled floor, though not white, blends in almost seamlessly.
The fabulous rural view softens the kitchen’s sleekness (as does the cheeky Jack Russell).
An all-white room will generally feel modern. And when the idea is taken on as wholeheartedly as it is in this refurbished farmhouse in north Devon, UK, designed by Sapphire Spaces, the effect is positively futuristic.
Not only are the units lacquered in a matt shade called Alpine White, the benchtops are pale, too. These are Corian, and they appear almost as one with the units and island. Even the pale tiled floor, though not white, blends in almost seamlessly.
The fabulous rural view softens the kitchen’s sleekness (as does the cheeky Jack Russell).
The designers also installed a ruby red AGA oven and stovetop as the room’s characterful centrepiece.
Browse more crisp white kitchens
Browse more crisp white kitchens
6. Subvert your wood panelling
When architects Andrew and Kate Brown of Brown + Brown Architects renovated their 150-year-old cottage in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, their main priorities were to bring light into the dark rooms, and to make the place more suitable for 21st century inhabitants.
They, too, went down the all-white route to give the house a contemporary, bright feel. They also made much use of horizontal cladding, in this case using painted spruce. In the kitchen, the striking panelling leads the eye through the dining area and into the open-plan living room beyond, and lends the home a spacious, airy feel.
As a counterpoint to the modern aesthetic, the couple kept the original Esse oven and stovetop that came with the cottage. “We were going to change it, but it works quite well,” says Andrew. The couple decided to build the rest of the kitchen around it. “The cabinets were made by a cabinet-maker,” Andrew adds, while the doors, benchtops and appliances are from Ikea.
When architects Andrew and Kate Brown of Brown + Brown Architects renovated their 150-year-old cottage in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, their main priorities were to bring light into the dark rooms, and to make the place more suitable for 21st century inhabitants.
They, too, went down the all-white route to give the house a contemporary, bright feel. They also made much use of horizontal cladding, in this case using painted spruce. In the kitchen, the striking panelling leads the eye through the dining area and into the open-plan living room beyond, and lends the home a spacious, airy feel.
As a counterpoint to the modern aesthetic, the couple kept the original Esse oven and stovetop that came with the cottage. “We were going to change it, but it works quite well,” says Andrew. The couple decided to build the rest of the kitchen around it. “The cabinets were made by a cabinet-maker,” Andrew adds, while the doors, benchtops and appliances are from Ikea.
What’s my style?
After considering the practicalities, you can finally get to the fun part. If you’ve spent any happy evenings browsing on Houzz, you will most likely have collected a massive supply of inspirational images just waiting to be translated into your own home. Informed by your mission statement and the photos in your Ideabooks, work out what your ‘look’ is going to be. Maybe you have been attracted to designs that feature eclectic and quirky ideas or a rambling farmhouse kitchen with a huge central table. Or possibly a sleek minimalist block with hidden appliances has taken your fancy?
It should be possible to achieve your style within a broad range of budgets, so do look around and contact local designers and trades to get a few quotes. Good luck!
Your turn
Which of these styles would suit your dream country home? Let us know in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, like this story, save your favourite images to an Ideabook and join the conversation.
More
Wondering how much a kitchen renovation costs? All is revealed here with this Renovation Education: A Classic White Kitchen with Pretty Extras
After considering the practicalities, you can finally get to the fun part. If you’ve spent any happy evenings browsing on Houzz, you will most likely have collected a massive supply of inspirational images just waiting to be translated into your own home. Informed by your mission statement and the photos in your Ideabooks, work out what your ‘look’ is going to be. Maybe you have been attracted to designs that feature eclectic and quirky ideas or a rambling farmhouse kitchen with a huge central table. Or possibly a sleek minimalist block with hidden appliances has taken your fancy?
It should be possible to achieve your style within a broad range of budgets, so do look around and contact local designers and trades to get a few quotes. Good luck!
Your turn
Which of these styles would suit your dream country home? Let us know in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, like this story, save your favourite images to an Ideabook and join the conversation.
More
Wondering how much a kitchen renovation costs? All is revealed here with this Renovation Education: A Classic White Kitchen with Pretty Extras
This high-functioning contemporary kitchen, designed by John Lewis of Hungerford in the UK, is in a rural home in a Berkshire village. The open-plan design was inspired by the owner’s New Zealand childhood kitchen, where her large family would all congregate to cook and eat together.
Despite being such a modern style, with handless cabinetry, a glass splashback, sparkling new appliances and bi-fold doors, the kitchen feels warm and welcoming.
Thinking of renovating? Find kitchen designers in your area, see images of their work on Houzz and read reviews from previous clients