The kitchen sits at the heart of the home, and much of the family’s daily activities take place in and around your kitchen. It also tends to be a place where you welcome guests and host events like dinner or cocktail parties. This is especially true if you have an open plan kitchen design, where your kitchen opens up to a dining area and family room in a first-floor layout that flows from one space to the next.
When your kitchen is such a key, interconnected part of your home’s functionality and style, you must carefully select a design, color scheme, and products that enhance your home and will last for years. What is the best way to ensure this? Choose a kitchen design with quality materials, a functional layout that will fit your lifestyle for the lifespan of the kitchen, and classic design elements that never go out of style. Let’s explore some of the key elements of a classic kitchen design to inspire your next kitchen remodel!
Why Choose Classic Design Elements?
The early stages of planning a kitchen remodel can be exciting, and you may want to browse websites and social media to look at the latest trends and innovations. It also helps to visit full-service kitchen design showrooms in person and to meet a trusted designer, where you can discuss your requirements, see full kitchen design displays, and see and feel materials to find the perfect choices for your home.
The latest trends are great for providing inspiration and for taking advantage of the most up-to-date innovations for your kitchen, However, you also don’t want to choose design elements just because you saw it in a top trends article. While exploring ideas for your new kitchen, make sure you focus on the style and functional choices that fit your home, family, and lifestyle. This means your design selections will stand the test of time, taking into account your family’s changing needs during the lifespan of the remodel as well as your style preferences.
Make choices that you know you will love for at least the next 10-15 years. A classic color palette, cabinet style, and quality materials provide an ideal foundation for your kitchen that will never go out of style. Classic choices are far from boring, and they create a space where you can layer on accessories that are more easily changed over time to give your room a personal touch. This could include changing cabinet hardware, light fixtures, textiles such as towels or area rugs, or decorative accessories placed on your countertop or open storage areas.
How Does Your Layout Promote a Classic Design?
The layout is the foundation for any kitchen design and is the best place to start when planning a kitchen remodel. Look at your existing layout and think about what works and, more importantly, what does not work. The layout sets out the framework for your kitchen workspaces, entertainment and dining zones, and storage. Once you get this right, all of your style and design choices will fall into place. Talk with your kitchen design expert about your family, who uses the kitchen, how often, how you like to cook and entertain, and what other ways you plan to use your kitchen (such as homework help for the kids). These factors will all help determine the ideal layout for your needs.
If your existing layout will not meet your needs for the lifespan of your kitchen, can you alter the setup within the space you have available? If not, is it possible to extend your layout by moving a wall, knocking down an internal wall, or bumping out an external wall? This is also the perfect opportunity to incorporate extra elements like a beverage bar, breakfast nook, or mudroom storage in your kitchen layout. Making these choices now to create the perfect layout for your needs will benefit you in the long run.
Why Is Storage Important?
Your layout establishes space for, among other things, your kitchen’s storage. Creating sufficient, well-planned, and customized kitchen storage is equally as important as determining your ideal design style. Without enough storage, your room will be cluttered and disorganized and you won’t be able to enjoy your beautiful new design. Similar to planning your layout, look at your storage requirements at the beginning of the kitchen design process.
First, take this opportunity to declutter your kitchen and then examine what you really need to store in your kitchen and where. Next, design storage solutions to fit your needs and maximize the value of your kitchen cabinets and other spaces. Don’t be afraid to include open storage solutions too, such as glass front cabinets, floating shelves, or cubbies. Just be sure that you are the type of person who will keep these open spaces from getting overwhelmed or dirty.
What Is a Timeless Kitchen Color Scheme?
The truth is that a timeless color palette will differ from one person and one home to the next. A classic color scheme fits your home’s design aesthetic and your personal style, and you will not tire of it during the lifespan of this kitchen. First, consider how long you plan to stay in this home. If you plan to move before the kitchen is remodeled again, then it pays to stick with a neutral color scheme. If you intend to stay in your home, then find a base color scheme that you know you will love for the next 10-15 years. Remember that accent colors in easily changed accessories can be layered on top of your base colors to add visual interest and a dash of personal style to your design.
Neutral shades are classic choices that never go out of style and serve as an excellent foundation for your kitchen’s color scheme. There is a wide range of neutral shades available, including white, off-white, cream, beige, gray, and stained wood tones. You can also layer neutrals and include patterns and textures that ensure your neutral color scheme will be far from boring. Unless you are ready to commit to a bold tone, you can’t go wrong with these colors for everything from kitchen cabinets to countertops, backsplash, flooring, and more. Then add towels, plants, candles, photographs, or other decorative accessories to bring a more colorful layer into your kitchen color scheme.
Which Products Fit a Simple Kitchen Design?
Once you know your kitchen’s layout, storage solutions, and color scheme, it’s time to select products to create your perfect, timeless kitchen design. Choose the best quality materials and products you can afford to ensure your design has the durability you need to withstand daily use. By also selecting classic styles your kitchen will never feel dated.
Cabinetry is the foundation for your kitchen’s layout and style. Pay careful attention to cabinet construction techniques, hinges, drawer glides, and more when examining the quality of your options. Your kitchen cabinet selection influences your room’s design with the door style, material, color, and finish, as well as accessories like cabinet hardware. Choose a style that is timeless like Shaker cabinetry – there is a reason why it has been popular for over a century! Shaker cabinets are a top choice due to their classic lines and quality construction techniques. You could also go for a slab door that gives your kitchen a clean, modern look. Choose a style that fits your personal tastes but try to limit extra embellishments that will be more difficult to maintain or could go out of style before you are ready to remodel again.
Countertops cover a large surface area, particularly if your kitchen design includes an island, and therefore have a big influence on your room’s style. They also must be durable and relatively easy to maintain, unless you are willing to commit to a high maintenance surface. For a classic look that checks all the boxes for style, durability, and easy maintenance you can’t go wrong with engineered quartz. They come in a wide range of styles and colors, can mimic most natural surfaces, and are highly durable, nonporous, and about as low maintenance as you can get. Natural surfaces like granite, marble, and even wood, are also classic choices that won’t go out of style, but make sure you understand any requirements to carefully clean or re-seal them before selecting one of these options.
Backsplashes protect kitchen walls from splatters, moisture, and grease, particularly around your sink and cooking area. They also sit at eye level and are an integral part of your kitchen design style, tying together the cabinet finish and countertop color. You can’t go wrong with a classic tile, like subway, which has been around for over a century. Today’s subway tile options go beyond the classic white version, with different sizes, configurations, and colors available, not to mention varying the grout shade. If you want a more contemporary look that is truly low maintenance, go for a slab backsplash in the same quartz as your countertop. Whatever you choose, make sure it is a material and color that fits your style and that you are happy to maintain.
Flooring is important throughout your home, but especially so in a busy kitchen design. While kitchens are not subjected to as much moisture as a full bathroom, you still need to be mindful of how durable your floor is in a kitchen. Think about how you use your kitchen and who will be using it. If you regularly have kids and pets running through your kitchen and cook daily for a large family, you are better off choosing a more durable and low-maintenance surface.
Tile is a top choice for kitchens that can be easily cleaned (though be mindful of grout lines as these can become quite dirty on a kitchen floor). Luxury vinyl plank or tile is an excellent option that is durable and low-maintenance and can mimic natural surfaces. Hardwood is a timeless classic that you can refinish over and over, extending its lifespan almost indefinitely. However, it is also more prone to scratching, denting, and warping due to moisture. Make sure you consider your home’s requirements and balance style with functionality when choosing your kitchen flooring.
How to Make Sure Your Classic Design Is Not Boring.
If you hear “classic” or “timeless” kitchen design, do you immediately think this must be a dull design without character? This couldn’t be further from the truth! When remodeling your kitchen, it is important to create a space that you will enjoy for years to come. While you may love an ultra-modern kitchen today, unless your home’s style is aligned and you know you can live with this aesthetic for 10-15 years you are better off going with a classic backdrop in your key expenditures like cabinetry, countertops, and flooring. There are many ways to layer on features and accessories that will bring character and depth to your design, such as:
- Add light fixtures in a contemporary design, unusual material, or bold color,
- Place carefully curated accessories on countertops, open shelves, or glass front cabinets,
- Hang a favorite photograph or piece of artwork that accents your color scheme,
- Choose plants to add greenery and improve your room’s air quality, or
- Select barstools, dining chairs, window treatments, or even towels for your kitchen that bring a new texture or color to your space.
A kitchen remodel is an investment in your home and lifestyle. Make the most of this investment by creating a classic kitchen design that you will love and that will serve your family’s needs for years. Choose timeless styles and quality materials that never go out of fashion and stand up to your family’s daily use. Our experienced design and remodeling team can help you find the perfect kitchen design and products to fit your needs and handle every step of the remodeling process from concept to completion. Contact us to get started!