A classic kitchen embodies a balance of timeless elegance and practical functionality. With its clean lines, natural materials and an inviting colour palette, it remains a favourite for many homeowners. From shaker-style cabinets and butler sinks to thoughtful layout choices and luxurious finishes, every detail contributes to a space that is both beautiful and highly functional.
Features of a classic kitchen
Classic kitchens are known for their fantastic combination of practical solutions and elegant design elements that never go out of style. They also make great use of natural materials like wood and stone for their warmth and authentic feel.
The colour palette of a classic kitchen leans towards soft neutrals and rich, earthy tones. Whites, creams and muted greys are perennial favourites, often accented with navy blues or dark greens for depth and sophistication.
A central kitchen island is a popular classic kitchen choice and is both practical and beautiful, ideal for cooking and socialising. The island is then surrounded by well laid out shaker-style cabinets, an enduring favourite thanks to their refined design. While the shaker cabinets provide ample storage for everyday items, open shelves provide the space to bring warmth and character to the kitchen through potted herbs and decorative ceramics.
Butler sinks and Belfast sinks are a stalwart of the classic kitchen too, both having ample room for large saucepans and baking trays. These huge sinks add both charm and functionality to the space, and they create a focal point amongst the worktop.
Ornate details like crown mouldings and decorative trims, as well as classic hardware like polished brass or aged bronze knobs and pulls, all add extra interest, a sense of craftsmanship and a touch of sophistication to classic kitchens.
How to design your own classic kitchen
When choosing a colour scheme, opt for a light and airy feel by using whites, creams and soft greys and beiges. You might like to punctuate these lighter colours with dark accents, like this family in Sussex did. They used deep green cabinetry to accentuate the swirling grey and crisp whites of 5171 Arabetto while bringing out the jade veining of the worktop.
5171 Arabetto worktops in a family kitchen
When designing your own classic kitchen, it’s important that the cabinets, appliances and shelving have a well thought-out layout, ensuring the space works as it needs to. Open shelves can be styled with glass jars, ceramic dishes or potted herbs for a homely feel, while hidden storage keeps clutter at bay. Pantry cupboards with adjustable shelves, pull-out larders and deep drawers for pots and pans make the kitchen highly functional.
To achieve the beautiful detailing of a classic kitchen, cabinetry should feature decorative touches like crown moulding, beaded frames or panelled doors, to add texture and a sense of craftsmanship without cluttering the space. A classic of the classic kitchen is the shaker cupboard which features a recessed panel door with a flat centre panel and square edges; a stalwart of the shaker look is Tom Howley, who designed the kitchen renovation for this Grade I listed Tudor house in Shropshire.
5131 Calacatta Nuvo worktop with traditional shaker cabinetry
A central island is a major design element – as well as being a space for storage, for preparing and cooking, and for gathering with friends, it also determines how you’ll move around the kitchen. On top of this, a kitchen island is a striking focal point so you’ll need to make sure it’s in harmony with the rest of the kitchen. Echoing the same worktop across your island as across the rest of your kitchen and using the same cabinetry and hardware will tie everything together. For added luxury, create a waterfall effect on your island by extending your worktop material down to the floor.
Speaking of worktops, many homeowners like the luxury feel of natural marble, granite or limestone – and whilst these materials certainly deliver in terms of a robust appearance, they can be somewhat heavy, porous and high maintenance, not to mention the additional ongoing costs of high maintenance. Quality quartz, mineral and porcelain surfaces are ideal alternatives and Caesarstone worktops are available in a range of finishes - from the veined marble look of 501 Snowdrift and the serene simplicity of 1001 Riverlet to the subtle tones of 4141 Misty Carrera. And it’s not just worktops that Caesarstone surfaces can be used for either – our surfaces can also be used as a coordinated sink, splashback and upstand for a seamless finish.
Elizabeth Sherwin, Creative Director at Naked Kitchens, said this about The Glaven Kitchen they designed with 4011 Cloudburst Concrete:
“We were looking for a highly durable yet beautiful, tactile worktop that would create a rustic, earthy, and natural feel. Uniquely, the surface is not polished like most quartz kitchen worktops. We’ve noticed that lots of competitors will only offer a polished finish or a textured surface that still has a certain level of sheen, whilst Caesarstone offers entirely matte options. Cloudburst Concrete’s matte look and rough texture is perfect alongside the limed oak and off-white units, painted in our shade ‘Seal Pup’.
"We are a huge advocate of Caesarstone worktops. We love the wide range of finishes available and the high quality of the surfaces. Our clients are looking for durable, low maintenance surfaces often in contemporary, light colourways and Caesarstone's offerings tick all the boxes.”
4011 Cloudburst Concrete installed in a seaside holiday cottage
When it comes to kitchen appliances, look for features and functions that suit your culinary style as well as your kitchen’s overall aesthetic. A freestanding range cooker will create a striking focal point within any classic kitchen design and you can find various sizes and finishes to complement or contrast with your cabinetry or countertops. And if you have a Belfast sink, team it with a classic crosshead mixer tap with ceramic indices and use open timber shelving to display all manner of pots, jars and utensils and your classic kitchen look is complete. Alternatively, you can have your butler sink blend into the worktop like this family of five in south-west London did; they used 5121 Layalite worktops to create a light and airy classic galley kitchen, punctuated with brass handles and a matching Quooker tap.
5121 Layalite in an airy galley kitchen
Designing your dream classic kitchen starts with finding the perfect worktop that ties your space together, and whichever design has captured your attention, seeing these surfaces up close can make all the difference. Order your Caesarstone samples today to experience the textures and tones firsthand or visit one of our studios for expert advice and inspiration. With Caesarstone, creating a classic kitchen has never been easier.
