Creating the Perfect Modern Country Kitchen
More often than not, even the most high-flying of city slickers and urban-dwelling families long for the homely comforts of country living at some point in their lives. Whilst this may not actually be achievable for all, many choose to adopt a less formal, more relaxed style of home and the country style kitchen is an ideal way to achieve this. Characterised by its warm and welcoming colours, open shelves and hanging racks and hooks, the timeless style of a modern country kitchen can conjure up the comforts associated with country life but with all the essentials required by modern day living.
Anyone adopting this style of kitchen has two choices: due to the many open-fronted shelves and dresser-style cabinetry, it makes most sense for the homeowner to invest in complementary equipment and accessories, so that where these items are on display they do no detract from the overall style. However the alternative is to liaise with a reputable designer who will ensure that there is sufficient storage space for the more contemporary items to be neatly packed away but within easy reach. Appliance garages and internal solutions can be an ideal way of grouping together many modern appliances.
Other items such as pots and pans are typically openly displayed through hanging racks and hooks above the cooker, which can help to free up cupboard space for storage of other items. If space allows it, a dresser showcasing crockery can become a key feature in this kitchen style too.
If installing new units, the best option is to choose wooden units and worktops. Most of the materials that have become more commonly utilised in recent times, such as laminates, simply will not work in a country kitchen. And if you are lucky enough to have retained the original floorboards in your property, then sand them down and choose a wood for the cabinetry that compliments this existing feature.
For a country kitchen with a modern twist, shaker kitchens are often the perfect solution. They embody the idea of the country kitchen, but also have an emphasis on saving space and utility. Simple colourings, bright and airy layouts work spectacularly in the setting of a country kitchen. However, while this is a one size fits all solution, sometimes the home you live in can dictate the type of kitchen that fits in best with its surroundings.
For instance, if you're the proud owner of a Victorian, or Georgian property, obviously a kitchen in either of these periodic styles will suit the property just as well. Both these styles are more decorative than a shaker kitchen, but both can still be used in a highly functional way, with innovative storage options built in. And of course, with clever planning the warmth, utility and homely feel of a country kitchen can be incorporated into period style, complementing the existing features without taking anything away from the period styling.
The cooker is usually the hub of a country style kitchen and so it is important to consider how this embodies the country-style kitchen scheme. Traditionally, range cookers were the cooker of choice, often providing heat for the rest of the house. This is still incredibly popular today with range cookers often elegantly nestling into the chimney breast of the kitchen.
Other key appliances such as fridges and freezers are often integrated behind doors to look like cabinets so that they are hidden away from view in order to be in-keeping with the traditional styling of the kitchen.
It's also important to consider the seemingly smaller details as well in order to create a truly authentic kitchen. Butler sinks are a must-have in this style of kitchens as is shelving and plate racks are also popular.
Essentially, it's all about choosing a kitchen that will fit in best with the style of the home. A well designed country style kitchen can fit in with most property styles making it an ideal investment. A reputable kitchen designer will also ensure that all the time-saving appliances of a modern kitchen can be installed, without having a negative impact on the quaint ambiance that naturally occurs in older country style kitchens.
Anyone adopting this style of kitchen has two choices: due to the many open-fronted shelves and dresser-style cabinetry, it makes most sense for the homeowner to invest in complementary equipment and accessories, so that where these items are on display they do no detract from the overall style. However the alternative is to liaise with a reputable designer who will ensure that there is sufficient storage space for the more contemporary items to be neatly packed away but within easy reach. Appliance garages and internal solutions can be an ideal way of grouping together many modern appliances.
Other items such as pots and pans are typically openly displayed through hanging racks and hooks above the cooker, which can help to free up cupboard space for storage of other items. If space allows it, a dresser showcasing crockery can become a key feature in this kitchen style too.
If installing new units, the best option is to choose wooden units and worktops. Most of the materials that have become more commonly utilised in recent times, such as laminates, simply will not work in a country kitchen. And if you are lucky enough to have retained the original floorboards in your property, then sand them down and choose a wood for the cabinetry that compliments this existing feature.
For a country kitchen with a modern twist, shaker kitchens are often the perfect solution. They embody the idea of the country kitchen, but also have an emphasis on saving space and utility. Simple colourings, bright and airy layouts work spectacularly in the setting of a country kitchen. However, while this is a one size fits all solution, sometimes the home you live in can dictate the type of kitchen that fits in best with its surroundings.
For instance, if you're the proud owner of a Victorian, or Georgian property, obviously a kitchen in either of these periodic styles will suit the property just as well. Both these styles are more decorative than a shaker kitchen, but both can still be used in a highly functional way, with innovative storage options built in. And of course, with clever planning the warmth, utility and homely feel of a country kitchen can be incorporated into period style, complementing the existing features without taking anything away from the period styling.
The cooker is usually the hub of a country style kitchen and so it is important to consider how this embodies the country-style kitchen scheme. Traditionally, range cookers were the cooker of choice, often providing heat for the rest of the house. This is still incredibly popular today with range cookers often elegantly nestling into the chimney breast of the kitchen.
Other key appliances such as fridges and freezers are often integrated behind doors to look like cabinets so that they are hidden away from view in order to be in-keeping with the traditional styling of the kitchen.
It's also important to consider the seemingly smaller details as well in order to create a truly authentic kitchen. Butler sinks are a must-have in this style of kitchens as is shelving and plate racks are also popular.
Essentially, it's all about choosing a kitchen that will fit in best with the style of the home. A well designed country style kitchen can fit in with most property styles making it an ideal investment. A reputable kitchen designer will also ensure that all the time-saving appliances of a modern kitchen can be installed, without having a negative impact on the quaint ambiance that naturally occurs in older country style kitchens.
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