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Traditional Kitchen Ideas

Whether it is adding decorative details or choosing time-honoured colours, these traditional kitchen ideas offer different ways to create an interior inspired by classic style. Focusing on natural materials and textures, like solid wood kitchens, or those designs with a handcrafted look, such as our in-frame collection, traditional kitchen cabinets can be used to create a layout that is comfortable, cosy, and full of charm. This guide contains real examples from our customers' homes and a collection of on-trend looks curated by our design experts to inspire your traditional kitchen design.

1. Style with shaker

With a five-piece construction, framed fronts offer the ultimate period style. For an authentic look, opt for a design made from solid wood.

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1. Style with shaker

Shaker furniture was a staple in period homes, as it had a robust construction and simple style that transcends trends. This makes framed fronts the best choice for a heritage interior. For a truly traditional look, opt for a version made of solid wood, as this replicates the humble materials that were originally used. Our collection includes solid-timber options, like Chilcomb, which has a woodgrain finish and painted exterior, offering the ultimate in classic aesthetics

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2. Simple and slab

While shaker fronts capture classic aesthetics the best, slab fronts provide a simple look that makes them a great small traditional kitchen idea.

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2. Simple and slab

With a one-piece construction that is free from unnecessary details, slab fronts have an unfussy appearance, which keeps visual distractions to a minimum. This makes them a good option for a smaller space or for those that want to simplify a heritage design. Add classic charm by choosing a cupboard door with a wood pattern, like those found in our Greenwich collection. See how @far.fromthemaddingcrowd’s timber look gives a nod to the natural materials that are used in traditional interiors to create a cosy and accustomed feel.

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3. Get ahead with grey

Go for a grey traditional kitchen idea by switching your cupboard doors to this cool hue to create a trend-led layout.

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3. Get ahead with grey

Grey is a popular choice for homeowners, thanks to its sophisticated tone and contemporary appearance. It also has a neutral quality, which is easy to pair with other features and will create an everlasting appeal that is the hallmark of classic interiors. Our collection includes a wide selection of hues, including lighter colours for a bright and airy effect and dark shades for a bold look, making it easy to create a stylish scheme in any home.

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4. Cosy up with cream

Heritage interiors have a continuing appeal because they utilise features that will transcend trends, such as cream fronts.

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4. Cosy up with cream

Featuring a timeless and muted appearance, cream has become a go-to choice for homeowners, like @ahbuild_ltd, wanting to create a scheme that offers everlasting style. This shade also has a warm undertone that will create an antiquated effect that pays homage to the long-standing style of traditional layouts. So, whether it is antique white, cream, or cool sandstone, our selection of shades will help you design a space that will look good for many years to come.

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5. Embrace the grain

Natural materials are one of the core elements behind traditional schemes, which means grained textures are central to creating this aesthetic.

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5. Embrace the grain

Traditional designs have a characterful look that creates a comfortable atmosphere where friends and family can gather, so choose cupboard doors with an authentic woodgrain pattern to recreate this effect in your space. Our Elmbridge and Chilcomb styles are made from solid wood and have an organic appearance, making them the best choice for a heritage scheme. Or, for a budget-friendly design, choose Fairford or Allendale, which feature a woodgrain effect that recreates the look of timber texture for less.

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6. Paint it your way

For a heritage look that will stand the test of time, choose fronts that can be repainted in the latest shades for a sustainable take on a traditional design.

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6. Paint it your way

Traditional interiors are designed to last a lifetime, so take this principle on board by choosing paintable fronts. These can be sanded down and repainted in other shades instead of investing in new units, prolonging the life of your layout. It also makes them a far greener choice for our planet. Try a bright tone, such as green or blue, like @myhighstreetrenovation. These hues are seeing a resurgence in popularity and will create a stylish design inspired by the latest trends.

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7. Slim down on doors

Use thinner cupboard doors, such as those found in our Allendale collection, for a budget traditional kitchen idea that will add period style for less.

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7. Slim down on doors

Shaker schemes tend to be high end, so if you want to capture this aesthetic without breaking the bank, choose our Allendale fronts, like @curtains_and_cockerpoos. This style has a slimmer border for a contemporary feel and a realistic woodgrain detail that replicates the appearance of natural timber. Meanwhile, the narrow door design is only 16mm thick, making it lightweight, low cost, and easy to fit.

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8. Add ornate details

Curate a high-end feel in your traditional interior by adding features that have decorative details, like the beaded frame of our Elmbridge fronts.

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8. Add ornate details

As well as using high-quality materials, traditional schemes often have ornate elements that create a visually interesting space, so look for products with an extra decorative touch. Our Elmbridge fronts have a subtle, beaded design that replicates details found in stately interiors, making them a great way to achieve a luxurious layout. They also have a solid-wood build, which is sturdy and will last for many years.

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9. Fall for framed

In-frame furniture is making a comeback and has long been a favoured style for traditional interiors, thanks to the handcrafted look it creates.

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9. Fall for framed

If you have invested in a premium feature, like solid-timber fronts, then make sure they remain the highlight of your design by adding in-frame profiles. Once fitted to your units by a trade professional, they will create a subtle border around a cupboard door for an eye-catching look. They also offer a handcrafted effect and give the impression of a custom construction – great for those wanting to add a bespoke touch to their traditionally-styled space.

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10. Dress it up

To create an authentic period layout, include storage that has a handmade look, like dresser units, which are a staple feature in traditional kitchen designs.

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10. Dresser it up

The decorative appeal of dresser units has long been acquainted with a traditional aesthetics, providing a dedicated area to store crockery and glassware in an adorned way. When paired with a matching glazed door-front, these cupboards will also break up banks of units to prevent a scheme from looking too stuffy and cluttered. Try placing your dresser on top of drawer units for a modern take on this heritage feature.

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