Many people believe they have to live in a thatched-roof cottage with a vast garden full of fresh herbs, roses and wildflowers to have a country kitchen to capture that English country style. Fortunately, that’s not the case! Whether you live in a New York brownstone or a Texas ranch-style home, you can achieve this type of kitchen with the right guidance.
In this article, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about creating a beautiful English country-style kitchen.
When we imagine a traditional English kitchen, we may think of a traditional Georgian kitchen built over three centuries ago. These kitchens typically focus on function and are characterized by understated motifs and a somewhat muted color palette. Back then, Georgian kitchens were usually located in the basement or at the back of the house, especially in grand homes because (of course) the ladies of the home did not cook and it was their staff's domain.
While we now think of the kitchen as the heart of the home, many of the English kitchen’s stylistic features remain as popular today as they were in the mid-1700s.
Typical features of an English kitchen include a simple color palette. As kitchens were traditionally the area in which the house staff gathered and ate, there was no need for extravagance or flashy colors. These tones were also natural ,out of practicality; most paints were made using natural resources, and rich colors were expensive. Material-wise, wood, marble and stone were the most commonly-used, partially due to the fashion trends and partially because it was most readily available.
A traditional country kitchen typically features a muted color palette similar to that of an English kitchen. Country-style kitchens often celebrate nature and feature floral patterns on curtains, upholstered chair covers, tablecloths and kitchenware. Botanical prints are also popular in country-style kitchens for the same reason.
While less conventional and traditional, many country-style kitchens now feature center island counters. As we learned earlier, kitchens were once occupied by cooks, servants and scullery maids, but today, the kitchen is much more of a communal gathering area, so an island can be a great way to bridge the gap between traditional and modern.
A big part of what makes English country-style kitchens so beautiful is the materials used. Elements like exposed beams, large wooden tables and traditional range-style ovens are great ways to give a kitchen an English country-style look.
English country-style kitchens are inherently understated and often use stand-alone furniture, rather than walls of installed cabinets. Cabinets and furniture should be made from wood, either with a natural color or painted in pastels or chalk paint.
You have some flexibility in which countertop color and material you choose, depending on whether you want a truly traditional look or something more modern. Because English country kitchens are often relatively small, lighter colors are preferred, so there is more light in the room.
Another way to give your kitchen a country feel is by installing a butler’s sink. While this may be an investment of time and money, it’ll give your kitchen a hearty, rustic feel. These sinks are deep and will blend in nicely with any worktop, offering plenty of space for food prep and dishwashing. People typically opt for ceramic here, and these sinks are a common feature of many traditional country-style kitchens.
Tones like beige, gray, tan or light brown are popular colors for English country kitchens. If you’re a fan of more botanical colors, you’ll want to go for muted greens and yellows, and if you want a more modern feel, go for a sage green, buttery yellow or duck egg blue.
A country kitchen should feel light and airy, but warm and inviting, and the colors you choose can have a big impact on the “feel” of the room. Stick to pastel shades and off-whites, and you’ll achieve a beautiful English country kitchen look.
The kitchen style price depends on the room’s size and the materials used, but the most basic plain English cabinetry systems can start at $25,000. If you’re looking for something more customized, the cabinetry alone can get up to $100,000. If you’re considering investing in vintage appliances like a cooker or fridge, the price will likely change drastically here, too.
But, fear not. A tech-savvy renovation company like Skipp can help you bring those costs down, and with tons of clarity along the way, when choosing your kitchen materials and designs.
In contrast to an English kitchen, country-style kitchens are centered around warm and earthy colors, which tend to have a more restrained palette. Country kitchens can also feature deeper and richer colors like espresso brown, cabernet and hunter green, as well as pastels.
If you love the idea of rural, carefree living, an English country-style kitchen might be for you. Here are some benefits:
· English country-style kitchens are bright and airy, without the coldness of some minimalist designs.
· They’re cozy and welcoming, and very much lend a homely feeling to any house, apartment or condo.
· English country-style kitchens can be personalized to every last detail, while retaining the overall style. No two country kitchens look the same, and this sense of uniqueness is attractive to many people.
· Because they feel so informal and comfortable, many people now choose to add more living room furniture to their country kitchens, blurring the lines between the food prep area and a relaxing area. If you have a large kitchen to work with, consider adding a rug and sofa so that your guests can feel part of the meal-making process. Who doesn’t love the idea of sharing a glass of something and a relaxed chat with friends as they prepare a delicious meal?
While the original English country-style kitchen served a purpose and was used as little more than a functional room, this style has become popular in the modern home; however, they’re not for everyone. Here are some possible downsides:
· An English country-style kitchen can look antiquated and busy if decorated poorly.
· English country-style kitchens tend to focus on traditional patterns like botanical prints and floral designs, but if you select too many different patterns, a kitchen can be hard to look at. This is less of a problem with minimalist or Scandinavian kitchen design, as much of the focus is on simple, sleek decor and block colors. But the risk with an English country-style kitchen is that it becomes gaudy and overwhelming. That’s why it’s helpful to have an interior designer for an English country-style kitchen.
· Conversely, a poorly-designed country-style kitchen can look bare and unfinished. Exposed ceiling beams, plain walls and older wooden flooring can work well together, provided they look intentional and tasteful.
· They work well with modern elements ,but will look out of place in a home with no other traditional elements.
The cost of an English country-style kitchen depends on your kitchen and the amount of work you need to have done. An English country-style kitchen with handcrafted cupboards, worktops, new flooring and up-stands can cost $550 per unit, but if you want to remodel your kitchen, you could easily pay $50,000 for a full remodel.
If you want to know what’s possible within your budget, make sure you reach out to us for an estimate. Our customers save up to 40% of the cost of going with a general contractor, so we could be the secret to getting your perfect English country-style kitchen. Click here to get an estimate.
English country kitchens are the most popular style in the US. Any traditional kitchen style is popular because it allows the designer to incorporate many design styles. If you’re a fan of minimalism and want a country feel overall, you can easily integrate sleek, minimalist features that will complement a more rustic design.
English country-style kitchens don’t have to be hugely expensive to install. Because this design style uses a lot of wood, metal and stone, you can source these materials at a reasonable price. Buying handmade, bespoke kitchen furniture is the most expensive option, but there are plenty of options if you work with a company that can offer a range of units customized to meet your needs. Doing this can also help keep down costs, as you’ll likely spend less time correcting human errors and have more money to spend on your dream kitchen!
So, if you love the idea of a cozy, welcoming, country-style kitchen, it’s certainly possible with a little planning and budgeting.
With Skipp, you can easily design your dream English country-style kitchen. We’ve combined all the services you’d otherwise need to spend weeks searching for, so you can focus on getting the design and practicality you’re dreaming of. Our designers work with you to personalize every aspect, so your kitchen is the perfect fit for you and your family. For more information or to get your free renovation estimate, please click here to get your estimate started today.
