Would You Like A Cottage Kitchen?

Which features make a cottage-style kitchen?

If you are considering a homely, inviting kitchen design full of character and natural charm, then the cottage style kitchen is undoubtedly for you. Many outstanding and appealing features make the cottage style so alluring; think granite and natural wood worktops, flagstone floors, rustic beams and weathered inglenooks; all these will embrace the ambience and rugged beauty the cottage kitchen provides. With added accents of colour to blend seamlessly, such as copper and brass taps and handles, you bring to life and highlight the overall character of country-style living.

How to bring a cottage style kitchen into 2022

Reimagining a cottage kitchen in 2022 offers a unique way to blend the old with the new, drawing from the rustic charm and natural features but carefully entwining them with more modern tones. Utilising the prominent features of materials such as marble and metal will enhance and modernise your style while keeping in with the natural charm of wood and stone. Contemporary kitchen styles use repetition, scale and contrasting colours to work in harmony with the surroundings; applying this method to a cottage kitchen design means the results will be wondrous.

Can you create a cottage kitchen in a small space?

The classic cottage kitchen tends to be smaller than most modern-style kitchens, and there are some great ways to create a charming natural style within the smallest of spaces. Utilising every inch of space is imperative in a smaller kitchen, but with some clever planning and creative insight, the results can be stunning. One idea is to combine a built-in banquette with dining chairs, allowing more to gather around the kitchen table. A pendant light above the table will also bring a warm sense of occasion to even the smallest eating area. Ensuring that worktop appliances are stored away and freeing up space will also add a more spacious aesthetic, uncluttered and brimming with rustic charm. There are no boundaries when it comes to small cottage kitchen ideas.

For 2022 which colour pallets work best for cottage kitchens?

There are no textbook rules regarding cottage kitchen colour pallets, shades and hues; it's all down to personal preference. However, here are some trending colours that will undoubtedly enhance and elevate your overall rustic zone. Sage greens, blues and softer pastel tones are always an excellent choice to blend the natural and sometimes earthy and dark revealing furnishings in unison. The classic style of the shaker kitchen is a sought-after choice for many traditional farmhouse kitchens; they work well painted in bold and vibrant colours, accenting the simplistic charm whilst highlighting unrivalled craftsmanship.

How to introduce natural tones to your cottage kitchen design

Cottage kitchens generally have low ceilings and smaller windows, so the key to a good plan is taking every opportunity to optimise natural light. Utilising the benefits of natural light will ensure you create a harmonious flow in your kitchen. By including cabinetry in softer tones, like Sage or stone, you will see how light and airy the room feels, no matter how big or small your cottage kitchen is.

Planning your cottage style kitchen

A cottage kitchen is a relatively small space where everything that goes in should be carefully selected. There is no room for bulky appliances or ill-considered pots and pans. Due to so little space to work within, you must make every vignette and surface look as beautiful as possible and invest in the most relevant and aesthetically pleasing items to create the perfect ambience where you can work, relax, and entertain.

Consider your storage options for a new cottage kitchen.

Practical storage for your cottage kitchen is imperative; it could be a piece of furniture such as a vintage dresser or carefully constructed cabinetry, whereby items can be out of sight and hidden away until required. Creating more surface space and keeping your zone clutter free is especially crucial in a smaller kitchen.

Start with the unseen elements, such as the space under the sink or keeping utensils neatly on hooks to bring order to your kitchen, creating a place to work and socialise without distraction.

Simplicity can be the key to design in cottage style kitchen.

Cottage kitchens can quickly become cluttered. Try and keep things simple with slab-front cabinets, minimal handles, and a neutral colour palette.

Symmetry helps to keep a kitchen also organised; Shaker kitchen cabinetry and plenty of handy storage to keep unwanted items off display is the ideal route to take, primarily where space is often comprised and is of the essence.

When it comes to cottage kitchen furniture, why not consider vintage?

Classic vintage furniture such as wooden dressers, shelving and cabinets are the epitome of any cottage kitchen. They offer the perfect place to display vintage ceramics but are crucial in creating that homely and welcoming traditional feel.

Shelving with an array of vintage bowls, glass, porcelain and other kitchenware is the best way to create a feeling of a home that is more than just stylish but one that is well lived in and has an abundance of character, memories and stories to share

Natural light is vital.

Cottage kitchens often have low ceilings, dark nooks, crannies, and small windows, so the key to a good design is taking every opportunity to optimise natural light.

Using natural light sources will enable a balanced equilibrium flow of light throughout your cottage kitchen, providing a spacious feel to complement the simple yet unmistakable features of Shaker cabinetry.

Lucky enough to have period features in your new home, make them feature in your new cottage-style kitchen

Keeping walls and cabinets neutral and white is perfect for highlighting the original period pieces that give cottage kitchens their unique attraction and inviting charm. Embrace the natural and rustic originality of flagstone floors, wooden ceiling beams, stone walls and natural wood worktops.

Mobile kitchen worktops work perfectly in a cottage kitchen design.

When space is of the essence, quite common in cottage kitchens, it's a good idea to factor in various freestanding pieces to bring flexibility to your kitchens' functionality.

A portable kitchen island, butcher block, or compact vintage table will create an additional workspace if you need to make more room.

You might want to make most of any areas with vertical space, where tall cabinets and open shelving will enhance the sense of spaciousness, which is imperative in a small cottage kitchen.

Cottage kitchens often have natural wooden worktops

Natural timber complements any cottage kitchen's rustic charm, blending the kitchen space's entire ambience and offering unique warmth and a farmhouse feel.

Oak or reclaimed Pitch Pine work brilliantly as they age gracefully. Opting for natural wood, the hardwearing and durable longevity will also ensure it adorns the original design for years to come, an investment that will retain not only aesthetically but also financially.

A visit to our Worcestershire kitchen showroom

The Plum kitchen showroom has an almost limitless array of kitchen ideas, offering solutions and inspiration, no matter what style of kitchen you are looking for, from traditional timeless classic or contemporary open plan kitchen design. Our team at the showroom are always on hand to talk through the many options available, discuss their thoughts and guide you through our Plum complete kitchen service. We live and breathe kitchen design, and our collective experience is unrivalled, so don't hesitate to contact us and let us take care of everything so that you can sit back and relax in the soon-to-be kitchen of your dreams!

Our showroom is within easy reach of the M42, come visit from South Birmingham, Redditch, Bromsgrove, Studley, Barnt Green, Droitwhich and the wider Worcestershire area.