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Traditional timeless kitchen design


10 timeless kitchen design elements to ensure yours never dates

(Image credit: Martin Moore)

Choosing a timeless kitchen is the singular most important aim that anyone of us should have if we're remodelling but might need or want to move house any time in the next eight to 10 years. 

Of course we want to love the style of our kitchens, and for them to look beautiful while being practical, but it is the one room in the house that can really add value to a home – and make or break a sale – so it's vital that it isn't going to date. 

The key to designing a timeless kitchen so that even if you’re not planning on moving, you won't feel the need to update it every few years? Go classic and you’ll get longevity. You can always add your own stamp and personality with easy to replace accessories, wallpapers, window treatments, upholstery and paint colors.

We examine the 10 essential timeless kitchen design elements below – these are what the experts all agree on.

See: Kitchen ideas – decor and decorating ideas for all kitchens 

1. Neutral-colored cabinetry is key

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Although classic white is a popular color for kitchen cabinetry – and, to be honest, you can’t go far wrong with that in terms of style longevity – it’s worth using carefully-chosen, neutral color, such as cream, pale grey, an earthy light green, pale blue or beige if you want to create a more individual look without damaging the kitchen's long-term credentials. 

Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at Little Greene shares her thoughts on choosing colors for kitchens:

‘One of the liveliest spaces with the most activity and energy, a kitchen is usually the heart of the home. Whilst often you will see bright colors such as vibrant yellows and greens used here to reflect the level of energy in the space, soft neutrals and earthier tones can work just as well and will create a comforting and timeless scheme that feels homely and calming. '

2. Cabinetry style – go for dependable classics

(Image credit: Melinda Kelson O’Connor Design/Wendy Concannon Photography)

Kitchen trends come and go, but some timeless kitchen elements never date. Traditional Shaker-style and more contemporary flat-fronted cabinetry are both dependable, while painted and wooden kitchen cabinetry are always classic choicees.

And while we have started to see a move away from the all-painted kitchen to one that includes wood finishes and even plywood – which we love – the basic elements remain steady. 

Mindy O'Connor, Principal of Philadelphia-based architecture and interiors studio, Melinda Kelson O’Connor Design , talks to us about contrasting materials and using natural wood:

‘The use of a dark natural wood, like this walnut, as an accent against a light cabinet color creates a modern feel, but with warmth and depth. Walnut can have a rich and beautiful effect and wood cabinetry is most timeless as an accent rather than dominating the space if used on all of the cabinetry. ’

See: Kitchen cabinet ideas – the materials, styles, colors and trends to know

3. A perfect kitchen layout is essential to a timeless kitchen

(Image credit: Ikea)

A layout that is intricately planned to be as near to perfection as possible is going to give your kitchen longevity. If you never have a negative thought about the position of certain elements, you are less likely to want to replace it. A professional kitchen designer – and your own valuable experience can help with this.

However, the main ingredient for a successful layout, whatever the size of the space, is the kitchen triangle, which consists of the sink, oven and fridge. They create the anchor that the rest of the kitchen flows from, whether your kitchen is L-shaped, galley, U-shaped – or built around an island. 

See: Kitchen layout ideas – clever ways to arrange cabinetry and configure your space

4.

The ideal balance of fitted and freestanding furniture

(Image credit: Little Greene)

One of the main decisions when choosing timeless kitchen design elements is whether you opt for a freestanding or fitted kitchen. They both have pros and cons and can fit into ‘timeless style’ – but, in truth, the perfect timeless kitchen (in our opinion) should have elements of both styles. 

Freestanding (or 'freestanding-look' – fitted but looks freestanding) is more laid-back in finish, ideal for period properties – and you can take elements of it – a dresser or kitchen island, for example – with you when you move. 

Fitted kitchens ensure you maximize your space to the last inch, especially if you’re going down the bespoke road and, whether freestanding-look or not, are usually better at creating a streamlined look in a small kitchen. And, even a totally fitted kitchen can have freestanding elements, such as open shelves. 

Which leads us to our next timeless kitchen design element. ..

(Image credit: Tom Howley)

We believe that open shelving is now one of those timeless kitchen design elements; it’s not for everyone, but it’s a look that’s not going anywhere. 

‘Having items on display can breathe life and personality into any kitchen,’ says Tom Howley, Design Director at bespoke kitchen company, Tom Howley . ‘Whether you are displaying your best glasses, earthenware, pots and pans or plants on open kitchen shelving, there are ways to get the look just right. 

'Many people may shy away from open shelving as a storage option fearing that it may leave the kitchen looking cluttered or untidy but, done well, it actually helps to open up the kitchen and create a sense of space.

'Having items that you use everyday on display is a great time saver – you go straight to the things you need. It also deters the clutter that might build if you keep your items closed away behind cupboard doors – it’s sometimes too easy to stack paperwork in the same space as your breakfast bowls. You won’t do that if the world can see what you’re up to so it does promote a level of organization too. 

'Organised kitchen cabinets make meal planning and grocery shopping easier because everything has a place and you can see at a glance what you need to use up, or stock up on.’

6. A multi-functional kitchen island

(Image credit: Martin Moore)

You’re more likely to see a kitchen with an island these days than without – they’ve evolved into a kitchen essential that’s become a design must-have. You can play with scale and shape to suit your needs – but they have to work hard to cater to all the needs we place on a modern kitchen. 

Richard Moore, Design Director at Martin Moore explains why they’ve become such a key design element:

‘Islands provide the most space-efficient way to organize everything in dedicated zones... and this helps significantly with the flow of traffic around the room. They make a great focal point for the room, especially when they are multi-functional incorporating appliances and informal seating.   

'They help us multi-task: cooking for a dinner party, chatting to friends gathered around the island or sitting kids down to do their homework whilst we prepare supper. Islands also make great space dividers between the kitchen and adjacent dining/living areas and you can add even more design focus in your choice of color and worktop materials.’

See: Kitchen island ideas – clever ways make a statement

7. Kitchen flooring that's up to the task

(Image credit: Kitchen Makers)

‘Although the kitchen's design is the biggest priority, it’s important not to forget other elements of the room, such as the floor and lighting,’ explains Ben Burbidge, Managing Director at Kitchen Makers . 

‘Everything should be considered individually but also as a whole to make sure they work together. You’ll want these pieces to feel cohesive throughout the space and consulting your kitchen designer can help to ensure this. ’

Classic flooring choices for kitchens are wood and stone. Wood flooring adds character and in the case of this kitchen shown it adds warmth to the otherwise white scheme. Stone works in the same way and creates a tactile element, it also works well with underfloor heating. 

See: Kitchen flooring ideas – stylish but practical floors for kitchens

8. Countertops that are durable – and enduring

(Image credit: Future / Paul Raeside)

Countertops need to work hard from a practical point of view – but also from a design perspective. Our advice? Avoid on-trend countertops or designs that are brightly or boldly colored if you are looking for 'timeless'. 

If your units are plain, you can add extra pattern or texture with natural stone, or a stronger marble veining, for example, or combine different materials within a kitchen to create a more eye-catching decorative aspect. 

Graeme Smith, Head of Retail and Commercial Design at Life Kitchens explains:

‘Your work surfaces are continuously used, whether for preparing and serving food or dining as well as to store everyday items. As such, they need to be able to withstand regular, intensive pressure from pots, pans and utensils as well as remaining timeless. 

'They are also always on display and so are a key part of the design process. Think about combining materials such as quartz and granite with end-grain timber to provide you with resilience and durability as well as a strong, statement look.’

See: Kitchen countertop ideas – worktop inspiration in marble, granite and composite materials

9. Kitchen lighting that is chic but incredibly practical

(Image credit: Original BTC)

We often spend all our time and budget on the core of the kitchen, but forget about the important finishing touches like lighting. And we don’t just mean One Big Light – kitchen lighting needs to be bold when you need it, yet subtle when you want to create ambience. 

‘Kitchens are often the central hub of the household and are as much entertaining and family spaces as they are functional spaces,’ says Charles Bowles, Director at Original BTC . ‘If possible, consider your lighting scheme at the planning stage to maximize opportunities.  

'You need two types of illumination: shadow-free task lighting for cooking and prep, and ambient lighting for when you simply want to unwind or entertain.

'Most kitchens will benefit from a central lighting source plus a combination of practical, space saving wall lights and spotlights. If possible, make sure your lights are controlled separately so you can create different moods at the flick of a switch. Asking your electrician to install several circuits means you’ll be able to introduce texture and depth. 

'A dimmable pendant – or, for a dramatic look, a row of pendants – is useful for switching from functional to relaxation mode, whether over your dining table or central island. Consider also accent lighting to highlight areas of interest – it’s a great way to showcase a collection of china, or wall art.

'Think about the look of the fittings themselves as well as the overall lighting effect – kitchens can sometimes look austere, and interesting fittings are a great way to soften the look. And don’t scrimp on fittings – installing lighting can be an expensive and messy job which you won’t want to repeat if you’re not happy with the result.’

See: Kitchen lighting ideas – to set the scene for cooking, eating and entertaining

10. Fixtures and fittings – the icing on the cake

(Image credit: Martin Moore)

Handles, knobs, faucets, hinges – these are the details that are going to give your kitchen character. 

To create a timeless kitchen, it has to have a cohesive look, so make sure you match all of your features and fittings, particularly when using a metallic – the handles, the faucets and light sockets (and so on) should all complement each other. 

In this Georgian-style house, Martin Moore designed a classically beautiful kitchen for the family to cook and entertain. Warm brass finishes feature throughout, complementing the hand painted cabinetry and adding visual interest to the space.

Sophie has been an interior stylist and journalist for over 20 years and has worked for many of the main interior magazines during that time, both in-house and as a freelancer. On the side, as well as being the News Editor for indie magazine, 91, she trained to be a florist in 2019 and launched The Prettiest Posy where she curates beautiful flowers for modern weddings and events. For H&G, she writes features about interior design – and is known for having an eye for a beautiful room.

How to Design a Timeless Kitchen

Designing a kitchen is an expensive project that involves making important decisions about this central room in the home. All the more reason to choose a timeless design that will outlast fads and keep working for you for years to come. Whether you are remodeling or building a kitchen from scratch, here is everything you need to consider to design a kitchen that will stand the test of time.  

Meet the Expert

Helen Parker is creative director of deVOL, the United Kingdom-based manufacturer of gorgeous kitchens for the ages.

Forget Trends

It’s easy to get caught up in the urgency of trends, but designing a timeless kitchen is all about tuning out the fleeting style obsessions of the moment to focus on what will endure.

“Trends, I hate that word because it gives people the excuse to keep making rash, sometimes expensive changes to their homes, only to regret it or tire of it in a few years’ time,” says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL, the UK-based manufacturer of swoon-worthy, timeless kitchens. “I think this way of decorating and styling your home is gradually becoming less of a thing as people become more sustainable and more aware of waste and providence. And most importantly, realizing that style is about longevity.”

Sara Tramp / Velinda Hellen for Emily Henderson Design

Mix Old and New

One of the easiest ways to design a kitchen that will stand the test of time is to base your design on kitchens that have already stood the test of time. Look back over the last century and you can identify which kitchen styles, layouts, materials, appliances, and decorative elements seem to transcend time.

Parker believes that constantly updating décor “is such an old fashioned and ill-considered way to make a room that feels like home,” adding: “At deVOL, we have always loved the old and new mix and the essential art of buying good quality, lifelong items for your home.”

Mixing and balancing old and new elements will ensure that your kitchen design doesn’t look like either a vintage time capsule or a trendy space that will be dated by next year. Timeless kitchens look like they have always been there, but are functional and well maintained enough to feel perennially fresh and current. 

Sara Ligorria-Tramp / Emily Henderson Design

Main Elements and Layout 

Whether your kitchen is galley-style, U-shaped, L-shaped, built along a single wall, or open-plan, be sure that you consider the classic kitchen triangle when planning out the space to determine the most functional relationship between the oven, sink, and refrigerator.

Choose kitchen cabinetry that won’t date, such as Shaker cabinets, a modern trend rooted in centuries of design history. While wood seems like it would be impervious to trends, in reality using too much of any single wood, such as the all maple or dark mahogany of kitchens past, can date your kitchen. Consider using woods like oak or walnut or even plywood as accents, such as covering the face of a kitchen island, or by installing floating wood shelving. Or choose ageless flat-front cabinetry in neutral colors. Opt for a kitchen sink that is simple and functional and reconsider matching all of your plumbing fixtures and fittings by mixing metals that will look great no matter what metal finish is currently in style.

Our Food Stories / deVOL

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Timeless Materials and Finishes

Timeless kitchens beg for natural materials like stone and wood—think marble or butcher block countertops. White subway tile backsplashes are always timeless, but you can also get a little more creative with patterned cement tiles or geometric shapes that were as popular at the beginning of the 20th century as they are in the 21st, and which will keep looking great for years to come.  In an open plan space, consider running the same hardwood flooring used in the rest of the room throughout the kitchen. 

Tessa Neustadt / Brady Tolbert for Emily Henderson Design

Colors, Décor, and Accessories

With a timeless, classic, functional layout and foundational pieces, you can update your kitchen as time passes by changing accessories, textiles, artwork, paint, wallpaper, and other decorative tweaks that require styling rather than renovation.

Stick with neutrals such white, taupe, gray, black, or black and white. Use bright or otherwise non-neutral colors as accents via wall paint, textiles, or accessories. 

One of the easiest ways to create a timeless aesthetic in your kitchen is by incorporating décor that is emblematic of kitchens throughout the decades. This includes everyday accessories like wooden cutting boards, copper pots and pans, and classic dishware, glassware, and silverware. Choose time-tested natural materials like linen and cotton for window treatments, upholstery, dishtowels, and table settings. Install integrated task lighting for cooking and prep spaces and layer in ambient lighting in the form of industrial pendants or vintage chandeliers.

While everyone wants updated appliances, brand new ovens, refrigerators, stovetops, and microwaves can date quickly, like those avocado green appliances from the 1970s. Consider hiding refrigerators behind cabinetry that will create a seamless look. Otherwise choose simple appliances in neutral colors. Or if you can afford it, splash out on some stylish appliances with retro appeal like a Smeg refrigerator, or neo retro small countertop appliances such as toasters and electric kettles. 

Take Your Time

Home décor, like fashion, has moved beyond the era when any single style rules the day. The kitchens you will never tire of look assembled over time, like a classic wardrobe. Parker says she aims to create spaces “that inspire eclecticism and layers of interest. Spaces that are not so carefully curated that they feel like a hotel or a museum, but a slightly gung-ho attitude to mixing and matching and making a room with interest and character. It takes time and patience and isn’t instant but it’s definitely worth putting in the time.”

70 Kitchen Ideas You'll Want On Your Vision Board

Straight kitchens: features, styles and tips.


Choosing a kitchen always requires a competent approach with an understanding of the nuances of planning in order to ensure a comfortable stay in the room.

For example, non-standard apartments require non-standard solutions in an attempt to equip the living room and kitchen, while spacious areas imply thoughtful design and exclusive approach.

Here we look at Straight Kitchens (also known as Linear Kitchens) as an ideal option for any layout, characterized by simplicity and economical cost. nine0004

Straight kitchen: what is it?

In simple words, this is one of the ways to arrange kitchen furniture, where large household appliances and sets are placed along one wall - in one or two rows. The main advantage of such a kitchen is conciseness and simplicity, which perfectly complements the interior. Sometimes a direct kitchen is combined with a peninsula and an island, which ensures compliance with kitchen ergonomics - the triangle principle - this mainly applies to more spacious rooms. nine0004

Style: choose with taste!

Before purchasing a kitchen, it is extremely important to observe the overall style of the room in order to maintain harmony and comfort. The feeling of comfort and the presence of maximum functionality is what every housewife needs.


Consider the main options:

High tech

Such models are made from modern, practical materials, and not from natural ones. nine0004

The features of this kitchen are:


Suitable for small and spacious rooms. When choosing, you should stick to the basic colors: white, gray-blue, light gray. nine0004

Classic: timeless style

Here, as in music - the classics never die! Spacious elite rooms are often decorated in this style; small kitchens may not accommodate the abundance of detail that classic design implies. However, if you exclude some decorative elements by adding spectacular touches: facades, a chandelier, chairs, photo wallpapers, etc., then you can achieve a result.

What distinguishes this design: nine0004

Minimalism

Free style that does not require a lot of decor, colors, prints or ornaments. It will be convenient for owners of a small-sized kitchen, studio apartment, or for connoisseurs of simplicity and space.

Peculiarities: nine0004


Advantages and disadvantages of straight kitchen

A direct kitchen is a universal way to create coziness and comfort, so it will suit most cases:


According to statistics, most people choose a direct kitchen, preferring low cost and compactness. After all, it does not take up much space, does not contain expensive modules, decorative elements. All drawers and cabinets are always at hand, which saves cooking time and creates a visual feeling of spaciousness. Nevertheless, it should be borne in mind that the linear layout does not create the triangle principle, and if the kitchen is more than 3-4 meters long, some discomfort is created.


Tips

Most of us independently select for ourselves the most comfortable and optimal option for the design of the kitchen area, but it is better to contact an experienced designer in order to avoid unforeseen nuances at the initial stage of selection and design. Convenience, functionality and comfort are three components that create an atmosphere of pleasant cooking and good mood.


But still, here are some tips to help you choose:

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