Traditional

A traditional style kitchen often encompasses many styles without favoring a particular one. Drawing upon warm and classic elements, this style uses soft and muted colors to enhance the “homey feel” associated with a traditional kitchen. Attention to detail and the use of decorative accessories solidifies this classic theme. Since traditional kitchens are all about the details, crown moldings, fluting, corbels, and cabinets with an embellished style are all common characteristics present in this style. Simple ceramic and stone tile backsplashes compliment the wood detailing wonderfully while tying the whole room together. To finish this look off, most homeowners lean towards granite countertops, but almost any material will pair nicely.

Country

A country kitchen is built off of a rural, farmhouse design using organic materials such as wood and rock to highlight the rustic aesthetic. The cabinets are usually painted, but occasionally beautiful grained wood like oak or pine is used. Another trending cabinet look is to install distressed boards. Cabinetry insets include bead board, glass, tin, and “chicken wire.” Adding to the desired rustic appearance, kitchen countertops include granite, solid surface, tile, soapstone, slate, and butcher block. Bronze and copper are normally incorporated in the sinks, ovens, refrigerators, handles, and door pulls. The final steps to finishing the kitchen include adding floral/botanical prints, hand painted dishes, folk art, throw rugs and curtains, design elements seen in the country style.

Cottage

Inspired by English country, cottage kitchen styles have a charming and cozy air about them. Cottage styles are often synonymous to beach houses and the Nantucket Shingle style homes. White or pastel cabinetry that’s slightly worn but not shabby is assimilated in these homes. Shutters on the pantry doors, windows, or even just serving the purpose of creative décor helps intensify the cheery theme. Adding color and character, patterned wall coverings are common-in checks, plaids, and small prints or floral. Concluding the cottage style, most homeowners install glass doors on the upper cabinets, fabric inserts or bead board, white or paneled appliances, solid surface or butcher block countertops, and wood or ceramic tile floors.

Craftsmen/Mission Style

This style is also referred to as arts and crafts style because it is minimal hassle and a comfortable style. Pulling from simple aspects of nature, arts and crafts style kitchens incorporate natural lighting, materials, textures, and colors. The cabinetry has recessed panel doors, thick and flush frames and often times hand carved corbels and wood brackets are placed for an added detail. To maintain the natural aesthetic, the cabinetry will have a simplistic wood finish. The most common backsplashes are stone tile or ceramic tile while countertops vary from granite, sold surface, and butcher block.

Contemporary

A contemporary kitchen is very similar to a modern style following suit with its simple, sleek, and angular characteristics. However, contemporary allows for more freedom and personalization. To achieve a sleek kitchen with clean lines, the cabinetry is often a dark wood or black with stainless steel, glass, laminate, concrete, chrome, and/or lacquer. Though, light finished wood cabinetry has become increasingly common during the last couple of years. Kitchen sinks are usually stainless; countertops are stainless steel, glass, laminate, but granite is also a favorite. Contemporary styles tend to stray from ornate details and designs, so backsplashes normally match the countertop. Appliances are usually steel, but black also compliments these kitchens well.

Old World Style

The Old World style pulls a strong influence from Greek, Roman, Tuscany, and Mediterranean cultures. These influences paired together create a style that exudes warmth, class, vibrancy, and sophistication. The Old World style favors natural materials. Wood is the key element to any Old World style kitchen; beautiful wood grains, often with glazes or slightly distressed wood helps illustrate the coveted antique appearance. When painted cabinetry is used it is in rich colors- greens, reds, and blues. Playing onto the idea of natural materials, stone countertops and stone tile backsplashes along with stone or wood flooring aid in the presentation of these kitchens. Copper, bronze, and black cast iron metals are preferred along with apron-front sinks-stone or metal-vessel-island sinks. Giving the space more character, copper or bronze pot hangers are practically a necessity for this style. Finally, grape and wine themes help tie in the heavy European influence.

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If you’ve been considering redesigning your kitchen, there are several different styles that you could choose. Although many homeowners choose a modern design, an equally beneficial style is making a country kitchen. With a country kitchen, you’ll be getting a warm, rustic charm that marks the room as your home’s gathering place. Your friends, family and neighbors will love coming to your home for a meal or just to spend some time in your country kitchen.

However, before you can design your ideal country kitchen, you need to learn about a few of the items that a country kitchen must have. Here are a few tips and tricks for designing your perfect country kitchen and advice for working with a professional kitchen design team.

Wooden Table

Most homeowners interested in a country kitchen want a room that is perfect for hosting, which is why one of the most important features a country kitchen can have is a large wooden table. Wooden tables are the perfect centerpiece in a country kitchen for two reasons. First, depending on the type of wood that you choose, a wooden table can add to your kitchen’s rustic appearance. Secondly, with a large table, you can easily host dinner parties or family meals.

If you’re considering adding a wooden table to your country kitchen, try to use a table made from reclaimed wood, which will add an extra layer of authenticity.

Vintage Faucet

One of the easiest ways to transform your kitchen into a country kitchen is update your fixtures. In addition to choosing things like brass handles for the doorknobs of your cabinets, you should consider installing a vintage style faucet. Vintage faucets, particularly swan neck faucets, can both give your kitchen a unique look as well as increase its country feel. Not only that, but installing new fixtures is one of the easiest kitchen improvement tasks you can perform.

If you’re having trouble choosing the right vintage faucet for your country kitchen, you should speak with a design professional.

Update Your Cabinets

Cabinets are important in any kitchen, no matter the design style that you are attempting, and updating your cabinets is also a great way to transform your regular kitchen into a country kitchen. Instead of solid cabinets, you can install glass front cabinets and easily achieve that country kitchen look and feel.

Besides being very attractive, glass front cabinets allow you to display your country kitchen items, such as antique ceramic dishware or classic cookware. Installing glass cabinets in your country kitchen is both a functional and exciting design choice.

Install a Country Sink

If you’ve ever spent time in a country kitchen, then you’ve probably noticed that kitchens designed in this style usually feature apron-front sinks. These sinks provide much larger basins than modern kitchen sinks, and provide an old-school style that is the hallmark of a country kitchen. Adding an apron-front sink in your kitchen can also be very useful, especially if you opt not to install a dishwasher.

However, because apron-front sinks are very large, you need to consider whether you’re willing to sacrifice the necessary counter space to accommodate this country kitchen feature.

Add a Kitchen Island

For almost every style of kitchen that you’re interested in building, there is a matching kitchen island. In addition to serving as a valuable workspace, a kitchen island can serve as the design focal point, and this is especially true if you’re designing a country kitchen. For example, if you’re looking for a more rugged country look, you could install a kitchen island that features a butcher’s block top. You can also add antique hardware for an extra classic touch.

Adding a vintage kitchen island to your kitchen is a great way to achieve your design goals.

Choosing the Right Lighting

More than almost anything else, the lighting you choose for your kitchen can determine how it feels, and in a country kitchen you need to be very careful about the lighting that you choose. Ideally, you would choose softer lighting for your country kitchen to add to its atmosphere. Slightly dimmer bulbs than you would choose for a normal kitchen can be the perfect choice in a country kitchen.

Another important part of your kitchen’s lighting is choosing the right fixtures. If you’re looking for as authentic a look as possible, you should consider hanging lights. Hanging lights with either metal or glass shades can go a long way towards transforming your regular kitchen into a country kitchen.

Tiling Options

Unlike other kitchen design styles, the design of a country kitchen should be clean and simple. This is why one of the most important parts of building a country kitchen is using white tiling. Using white tiling can give your country kitchen a classic, crisp look that you may not find in other styles of kitchen. Additionally, you can choose your tiling in multiple styles, such as subway or standard square.

Picking the Right Accessories

When it comes to kitchen design, sometimes the smallest adjustments can pay big dividends, and this is especially true when you’re designing a country kitchen. As mentioned, updating your hardware can be a great way to achieve a country kitchen feel. Installing moon-shaped cabinet and drawer handles can add to your country kitchen’s appearance. However, there are many other accessories besides hardware you should consider for your country kitchen.

Choosing the right seating, for instance, can be an important part of designing a country kitchen. Ladderback style chairs or other classic options be fantastic choices for an authentic country kitchen. Another accessory that can easily help you achieve a country kitchen aesthetic is using country style prints around your windows. Checker pattern or floral prints used throughout your kitchen can add to the rustic feel that you have been dreaming about.

Get Help Building Your Country Kitchen

If you’re looking for a unique kitchen style, a country kitchen is a great choice. Get help designing and constructing your perfect country kitchen by working with the professionals at Kitchen Solvers. The Kitchen Solvers team can give you advice about building your country kitchen and can tell you what items are likely to provide the most authentic feel.

Visit a Kitchen Solvers location today to get started on your remodeling project.

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The post Making the Perfect Country Kitchen appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.